M50/M52 (E36/E39/E46/Z3) - Poverty Built Aluminum Valve Cover

Replace the failure-prone plastic or aging magnesium cover on your BMW M50-family engine with a durable aluminum valve cover prepared and quality-checked by Poverty Built in Florida. This is an OBD2 M52/S52-style cover suitable for stock, naturally aspirated, and boosted builds.

M50 Coil Compatibility—Read Before Ordering

This valve cover is compatible with an M50 when:

• The ignition coils are secured with one mounting bolt per coil; or
• The engine has been converted to OBD2-style ignition coils.

If your M50 still uses a different coil mounting arrangement, an OBD2-style coil conversion is required. Depending on the installation, the front three coils may need to be clocked sideways for proper wire and turbo-hardware clearance. We prepare the cover to improve M50 coil fitment.

Later OBD2 Profile-Gasket Design

This cover uses the later molded-rubber profile gasket—a compression-style seal used on the 1996–1999 E36 323i, 328i, and M3 with M52/S52 engines. The molded sealing profile compresses between the cylinder head and valve cover to form the oil seal.

This is useful long-term because replacement gasket sets are widely available under the standard 1996+ E36 M52/S52 application. When normal maintenance is eventually required, you can replace the gasket without searching for a special gasket unique to this aluminum cover.

What Is Included

• Aluminum M52/S52-style valve cover
• New molded-rubber profile gasket set
• Installation hardware
• Any optional finish or crankcase-ventilation package selected above

10AN Crankcase-Ventilation Options

Dual 10AN fittings are available for boosted engines and custom crankcase-ventilation systems.

Important: If you select the 10AN fitting option, you must plug or properly cap the factory CCV port during installation. The dual 10AN fittings become the connection points for your custom ventilation system, and the unused factory CCV opening must not be left open.

• Valve-cover fittings only: Dual 10AN fittings installed in the cover.
• Fittings and lines: Installed fittings plus two 10AN lines that you finish to suit your catch-can location.
• Complete catch-can package: Installed fittings, pre-cut and assembled lines, and a 750 ml baffled catch can.

Finish Options

• Wrinkle coat: A textured performance-style finish.
• Powder coat: Select from the available colors shown above.

Why Upgrade

• Stronger and more heat-resistant than the factory plastic cover
• A durable alternative to aging or warped magnesium covers
• Suitable for naturally aspirated and turbocharged builds
• Retains the original M52/S52 oil-fill location
• Tested on our own 600-horsepower turbo E36

These covers are sourced from our trusted Slovakian supplier—not the common mass-produced marketplace version—and each one is inspected and assembled by Poverty Built before fulfillment.

Vehicle and Engine Fitment

• E36: 323i, 325i, 328i and M3 with compatible M50, M52, S50 or S52 configurations
• E34: 525i with a compatible M50 coil configuration
• E39: 528i with M52
• Z3: 2.8 and M Roadster/Coupe with M52 or S52

Fitment is determined by the engine and coil mounting style—not chassis alone. Engine-swapped vehicles must be checked before ordering.

Complete Your Build

Pair your valve-cover upgrade with the correct Poverty Built calibration for your BMW. Find your tune by chassis, engine, or ECU.