small update...
replaced the OFHG last night. it actually was not a bad job at all. i replaced my alternator and hydraulic tensioner pulleys.
i put in some new spark plugs, and discovered my valve cover is cracked - there were 3 extremely small groups of oil droplets/misty stuff in the plug wells. not good - cheapest price i found was $308USD - yikes.
also was going to bypass my CCV with an ADD W1 catch can - this was the bane of my existance. the new can actually is fine - it was the 3/4" hose i bought for it that was a nightmare - it was extremely thick-walled and was a PITA to route but also was so tight a fit where the hose routes through the intake runners that i actually had to use some different hose (which was it's own PITA). i think i spent 4hrs on the OFHG, oil change, tensioners, plugs and inspecting stuff - and about another 4hrs on the dumb CCV re-route/catch can.
she started up nicely, but once the idle settled there was a slight fluctuation here and there. might be the new plugs (NGK BKR6E copper v-power's).
on the upside, i got my paycheck in the mail today, and got a bonus! it will pay for my new valve cover... 
peter
peter
2004 330i ZHP
2005 330iT ZHP
2010 328iT M Sport
2012 128i M Sport