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[damian]

wtf, just noticed i'm missing a tire valve cap while washing may car, after having it a whole 6 days. Is this common, or did someone likely steal it?

[PA135i]

Some kids stole it for their bikes. Has happened to me a few times uintil a caught a kid red handed. I scared the shit out of him and I never saw him again. Also, happened when my car was a week old as I was in Sears. Came out and 3 were gone. I finally bought the plastic black ones from Pep Boys and have used them ever since. Never had a problem with tire pressure.

[damian]

how much are the oem bmw ones from a dealership? I'm guessing they are a bit more attractive to thieves than those shitty black ones.

[PA135i]

I dunno how much. If you have the ones that have the BMW logo on them they are $15 - 20 a set. I had these and went through 3 sets. Kids will take them. Your at a mall or someplace and come out and there gone. I have had no problem with the black ones .. they blend with the tire. Good Luck.. I'll bet you go through a few sets.

[damian]

Lame.

Thanks for the info.

[eunosracr]

I lost one too. It was 22 cents at the dealership. No biggie. The girl at parts laughed at me when i paid with a dollar and told her to keep the change.

[Jamze]

Dropped one down a drain last week when checking type pressures (why do they always have drains right next to the air line?!) Helpful attendant who was sweeping up at the time help me lift the drain cover and found it for me! Was well impressed.

[PA135i]

Originally Posted by eunosracr

I lost one too. It was 22 cents at the dealership. No biggie. The girl at parts laughed at me when i paid with a dollar and told her to keep the change.

Are you talking about the plain metal caps that were on the car at delivery? If so, I'll buy a bushel of em when I finally get my 1er. Kids like the metal caps and the fancy caps for their bikes.

[damian]

The ones that came with the car are actually gray plastic. I thought they were metal too until i took one off.

Anyway, i just bought a four pack of the metal ones for 15 bucks. If any get stolen, i definitely won't replace them, and will just buy a bag of the cheapos instead.

[PA135i]

Yeah, I hear you damian. Maybe you'll get lucky and not lose them.
My 325Ci came with metal ones when it was new. Seems now BMW is putting on the gray plastic. I'm surprised.

[lannypoffo]

the car im picking up next wednesday is also missing one cap. glad i find this one and only thread about valve stem caps. I'll go black plastic, dont need the aggravation.

[Slay0r]

yup...lost 1 of mine the first week too

[twenzel]

1 of mine is missing too!

[135iPSU]

that way to go is to get locking valve stem caps, thats what i have...black //M locking stem caps, easy to put on, impossible to come off with the locking key they give you, just dont lose it

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/BMW-M...mZ300249439809

[Slay0r]

hrmm i dont think id like to grab an allen wrench every time i wanna take my valve cover screws off

also though set screws wil tear into/dig into the threads


edit- but they're cheap if it ends at 5 dollars

[135iPSU]

no its a special allen wrench type tool, very small, something you can keep in your car and you will never notice its there, but worth the time if you dont want something like that stolen, i got them because at school i dont want something to happen and have to keep going out and buying new ones

[emm3tt]

Originally Posted by Slay0r

hrmm i dont think id like to grab an allen wrench every time i wanna take my valve cover screws off

also though set screws wil tear into/dig into the threads


edit- but they're cheap if it ends at 5 dollars

omg I hate unscrewing the valve stem caps as it is to check pressures, I can't imagine if I had to unscrew the screw before unscrewing the cap!

[Oregon]

Originally Posted by damian

The ones that came with the car are actually gray plastic. I thought they were metal too until i took one off.

Interesting, makes sense. Thanks for the info.