Advice for replacing Bkave cover gaskets and conform amra
 

Hello everyone, I recently picked up a B8.5 2014 Audi SQ5 3.0T with 155,000KM (96,000 miles) and took it to a reputable Euro shop here in Ontario Canada (Mittler Motors) for a full safety inspection. Their findings were: 1 . Both lower thrust control arms need replacement. 2. Both valve covers leaking (they recommended replacing covers + gaskets, but couldn’t confirm if the covers are actually warped) I’d love some input from those with experience on these points: 1. Valve covers: Is it absolutely necessary to replace the covers, or can I just do new gaskets with a touch of RTV on the corners? OEM covers are pricey, and I only plan to run OEM or OEM quality equivalent parts. 2. Thrust control arms: Prices vary a lot — eBay USA-made generic arms are half the cost of OEM/equivalent, and there are even cheaper Chinese options. Is it generally safer to stick with OEM or equivalent? Or are there trusted aftermarket brands (middle of the road or better than OEM) that you guys recommend? 3. A) Preventive maintenance: The shop said the rest of the suspension looked solid, but since I’ll be in there anyway and doing an alignment are there other parts you’d replace as preventive maintenance alongside the control arms ? B) while I'm doing the valve cover gaskets are there other items I should service at the time? Spark plugs perhaps? For context, I’ve got intermediate DIY experience (recently did a full service on my Jaguar XFR: SC pulley swap, water pump, t-stat, carbon clean, PCV, etc.) with the use of YouTube , forums and workshop manial... So I’m looking forward to wrenching on this awesome 3.0T. Any advice, brand recommendations, or lessons learned would be hugely appreciated! Thanks!