Slonik Vanos Hub Covers replacement

drwankel · 11-23-2021, 04:39 PM

Slon covers are ON! So far so good.

drwankel · 11-23-2021, 04:55 PM

The shop that did the install also mentioned that my cylinder heads are the cleanest ones they've ever seen bar none. Goes to show you what staying on top of those oil changes does. 5k oil changes since I got the car. Had 16K when I bought it, has 62K on it now.

DanMpower · 11-23-2021, 05:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by drwankel

The shop that did the install also mentioned that my cylinder heads are the cleanest ones they've ever seen bar none. Goes to show you what staying on top of those oil changes does. 5k oil changes since I got the car. Had 16K when I bought it, has 62K on it now.

Out of curiosity how much did they charge you to do the job?

drwankel · 11-23-2021, 05:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DanMpower

Out of curiosity how much did they charge you to do the job?

$1528 labor plus tax.

My situation isn't quite typical. Car has a harrop supercharger on there, so they had to remove that to do the job. Its not a ton of extra work, but it is something.

Had totally new valve covers, new spark plug tubes, and had them change the plugs while they were in there, plus new cam cover gaskets of course.

That all being said, I talked to alot of shops about taking this job, and prices varied wildly, mainly due to the uncertainty of dealing with the supercharger.

Ajolives · 11-24-2021, 06:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by drwankel

The shop that did the install also mentioned that my cylinder heads are the cleanest ones they've ever seen bar none. Goes to show you what staying on top of those oil changes does. 5k oil changes since I got the car. Had 16K when I bought it, has 62K on it now.

Yeah great job - I saw your pictures was like why don't mine look like that?!!

Audioslave686 · 11-24-2021, 10:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by drwankel

The shop that did the install also mentioned that my cylinder heads are the cleanest ones they've ever seen bar none. Goes to show you what staying on top of those oil changes does. 5k oil changes since I got the car. Had 16K when I bought it, has 62K on it now.

i though mine was clean at 115K.
yours looks like it was never driven

Harryc9 · 11-25-2021, 01:41 AM

Glad everyone is happy with the Slon product.

I've decided to not purchase for now as my Oil cap side VANOS covers are good and there are a couple other preventative things higher on my list of priorities.

However, I think I'll do this replacement down the line unless anyone has any issues, please keep us updated and enjoy your cars all.

Helmsman · 11-25-2021, 09:03 AM

Slonik cover on here as well!

8 weeks bloody stand still before I got it sorted, initially had no solution incl no shops who wanted to touch the issue. Was lucky to catch the Slonik solution when it just came out.
$2k isch incl all material and work later, back in shape. (vs God knows what using BMWs complete cam gear solution).

It was only the pass side covers that had started to rotade, driver side was intact which was what I was hoping for really. However when pulling them off they where so brittle that they fell apart.

Happy bird again!

Beemer892 · 11-25-2021, 01:30 PM

For those that have received them, how long has shipping to the US been taking?

Redd · 11-25-2021, 05:50 PM

Everyone's plastic covers are falling apart when removed. Looks like as our cars age this is going to be a common problem that's going to pop up.

slcook54 · 11-25-2021, 07:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Beemer892

For those that have received them, how long has shipping to the US been taking?

Mine just got stateside, ordered 10/15

DrFerry · 11-25-2021, 10:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Redd

Everyone's plastic covers are falling apart when removed. Looks like as our cars age this is going to be a common problem that's going to pop up.

In her youth, she had problems with bearings.. In fact rings of any kind. In her old age her important bits became stressed, worn, well used and began falling apart.

spammysammich · 11-27-2021, 12:24 PM

Got my tracking number for these today. Slon was having a Black Friday special for 25% off, found it on Instagram. Best BF discount I used yesterday and pretty much the only good thing about Instagram.

DrFerry · 11-27-2021, 12:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spammysammich

Got my tracking number for these today. Slon was having a Black Friday special for 25% off, found it on Instagram. Best BF discount I used yesterday and pretty much the only good thing about Instagram.

Is it possible for you to post the Slon IG link here?

Audioslave686 · 11-27-2021, 12:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DrFerry

Is it possible for you to post the Slon IG link here?

Here you go

https://instagram.com/slon_workshop?...dium=copy_link

spammysammich · 11-27-2021, 12:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Audioslave686

Quote:

Originally Posted by DrFerry

Is it possible for you to post the Slon IG link here?

Here you go

https://instagram.com/slon_workshop?...dium=copy_link

Thanks! I didn't even think about the link, sorry guys. I should go update my post on the BF thread.

spammysammich · 11-27-2021, 01:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Helmsman

Slonik cover on here as well!

8 weeks bloody stand still before I got it sorted, initially had no solution incl no shops who wanted to touch the issue. Was lucky to catch the Slonik solution when it just came out.
$2k isch incl all material and work later, back in shape. (vs God knows what using BMWs complete cam gear solution).

It was only the pass side covers that had started to rotade, driver side was intact which was what I was hoping for really. However when pulling them off they where so brittle that they fell apart.

Happy bird again!

Did you happen to note the condition of your fuel injectors? Previous owner of my car changed them all within the last 10k miles and I am curious as to how they wear as they age.

Helmsman · 11-27-2021, 01:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spammysammich

Did you happen to note the condition of your fuel injectors? Previous owner of my car changed them all within the last 10k miles and I am curious as to how they wear as they age.

No sir. Didn't do the job myself, but even if so one doesn't check injectors by default during this job. They are only disconnected electrically, injectors not taken out.
They are not a major wear item though so if replaced 10k ago they should last "for ever".

Redd · 11-27-2021, 07:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spammysammich

Did you happen to note the condition of your fuel injectors? Previous owner of my car changed them all within the last 10k miles and I am curious as to how they wear as they age.

I replaced all my injectors recently. The original sets were 140k kms old and were perfectly fine. I had the old ones cleaned and kept them as a spare set.

nicke_1 · 12-07-2021, 03:57 PM

Shipping to Scandinavia was super fast, customs... not so fast... I started to install them yesterday. My OEM hub covers were not broken, nor dislocated, but when removing them they started to fall apart... Mine is an LCI from March 2010 with 120.000km on the clock (75.564 miles), so I didn't expect them to be that brittle.

Took the opportunity to check the weight before installing the hubs:
OEM: 11g (0,38oz)
Slonik: 23g (0,81oz)

Noted that the vanos spring needs to be tight against the vanos plate. The first attempt to mount the hub cover resulted in the tabs not engaging - similar to what the OP experienced. Before the 2nd attempt I pushed the vanos spring against the plate, now all the tabs clicked in place. Made a clip to illustrate:

Both covers cracked upon removal

Bank 2 done

Redd · 12-07-2021, 06:54 PM

So the new batch of Slon covers have their logo laser cut into them. Mine didn't.

nicke_1 · 12-08-2021, 02:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Redd

So the new batch of Slon covers have their logo laser cut into them. Mine didn't.

Yes, even the little elephant is engraved! Bought mine on the Black Friday sale.

11-23-2021, 04:39 PM	#199
drwankel Major 1033 Rep 1,042 Posts Drives: 2012 E92 M3 ZCP, 2021 M340i Join Date: Feb 2016 Location: Bothell, WA iTrader: (0)	Slon covers are ON! So far so good. Attached Images
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11-23-2021, 04:55 PM	#200
drwankel Major 1033 Rep 1,042 Posts Drives: 2012 E92 M3 ZCP, 2021 M340i Join Date: Feb 2016 Location: Bothell, WA iTrader: (0)	The shop that did the install also mentioned that my cylinder heads are the cleanest ones they've ever seen bar none. Goes to show you what staying on top of those oil changes does. 5k oil changes since I got the car. Had 16K when I bought it, has 62K on it now. Attached Images
	Appreciate 12 spammysammich1579.00 Davisca4552207.50 Ajolives922.00 Audioslave686165.00 SYT_Shadow11468.50 CurbBender'9071.50 Harryc97.50 DrFerry6727.00 dfwashere62.00 jamabdi185.50 wyatth3548.50 Assimilator1588.50 Quote

11-25-2021, 01:41 AM	#205
Harryc9 New Member 8 Rep 15 Posts Drives: E92 M3 daily Join Date: Apr 2021 Location: UK iTrader: (0)	Glad everyone is happy with the Slon product. I've decided to not purchase for now as my Oil cap side VANOS covers are good and there are a couple other preventative things higher on my list of priorities. However, I think I'll do this replacement down the line unless anyone has any issues, please keep us updated and enjoy your cars all.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

11-25-2021, 09:03 AM	#206
Helmsman Major General 4446 Rep 7,101 Posts Drives: 2011 AW E90 M3 ZCP Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Stockholm, Sweden iTrader: (0)	Slonik cover on here as well! 8 weeks bloody stand still before I got it sorted, initially had no solution incl no shops who wanted to touch the issue. Was lucky to catch the Slonik solution when it just came out. $2k isch incl all material and work later, back in shape. (vs God knows what using BMWs complete cam gear solution). It was only the pass side covers that had started to rotade, driver side was intact which was what I was hoping for really. However when pulling them off they where so brittle that they fell apart. Happy bird again! Attached Images
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11-25-2021, 01:30 PM	#207
Beemer892 Private 35 Rep 69 Posts Drives: BMW 550 Join Date: Apr 2021 Location: San Francisco, Ca iTrader: (0)	For those that have received them, how long has shipping to the US been taking?
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11-25-2021, 05:50 PM	#208
Redd Brigadier General 3894 Rep 4,157 Posts Drives: 2010 BMW E92 M3 Dakar Edition Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: Malaysia iTrader: (0)	Everyone's plastic covers are falling apart when removed. Looks like as our cars age this is going to be a common problem that's going to pop up.
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11-27-2021, 12:24 PM	#211
spammysammich Major 1579 Rep 1,100 Posts Drives: 2009 E92 M3 Dakar Yellow II Join Date: Oct 2021 Location: Edmonds, WA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2009 BMW M3 [10.00]	Got my tracking number for these today. Slon was having a Black Friday special for 25% off, found it on Instagram. Best BF discount I used yesterday and pretty much the only good thing about Instagram.
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12-07-2021, 03:57 PM	#218
nicke_1 New Member 46 Rep 12 Posts Drives: 2010 M3 E92 Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Sweden iTrader: (0)	Shipping to Scandinavia was super fast, customs... not so fast... I started to install them yesterday. My OEM hub covers were not broken, nor dislocated, but when removing them they started to fall apart... Mine is an LCI from March 2010 with 120.000km on the clock (75.564 miles), so I didn't expect them to be that brittle. Took the opportunity to check the weight before installing the hubs: OEM: 11g (0,38oz) Slonik: 23g (0,81oz) Noted that the vanos spring needs to be tight against the vanos plate. The first attempt to mount the hub cover resulted in the tabs not engaging - similar to what the OP experienced. Before the 2nd attempt I pushed the vanos spring against the plate, now all the tabs clicked in place. Made a clip to illustrate: Both covers cracked upon removal Bank 2 done Last edited by nicke_1; 12-07-2021 at 04:15 PM..
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12-07-2021, 06:54 PM	#219
Redd Brigadier General 3894 Rep 4,157 Posts Drives: 2010 BMW E92 M3 Dakar Edition Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: Malaysia iTrader: (0)	So the new batch of Slon covers have their logo laser cut into them. Mine didn't.
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