bmw headgasket or aftermarket

[owenbach]

i need to remove my m20 2.5 head to repair snapped exhaust manifold bolts.so wot headgasket is best bmw or aftermarket(europarts).anyone used glaser head bolts ?

[rooferboy03]

I had exactly the same problem and i plumped for original BMW Gasket & bolts as i beleive that they are perfectly matched to the engine.But i suppose at the end of the day it is down to personal choice,original was mine.
Cheers RB

[nickso]

i would probably spend the extra on the BMW stuff myself, at least they have a known track record.

dont forget some of the parts you get from certain factors are made by the same manufacturer that BMW use so they may not necessarily be any worse for quality. i dont know if thats thet case for HG's though.

[leeparkes]

ECP sell Reinz and Elring headgaskets, as good if not the same as BMW sell.

[clipper]

I used an Elring gasket set with Febi Bilstein bolts on mine 1000 Kms ago and no problems so far.

[owenbach]

so i guess ecp is ok for headgasket kit aslong as thay are elring or reinz. just got to sort head bolts out.thanks for advise everyone

[Austinspace75]

General rule of thumb for me is unless I really can't afford it, always fit OE. After-market stuff just isn't subject to the incredibly stringent quality screening the manufacturer's demand of OE suppliers.

Believe me, my ol' man worked his whole career in the Tier 1 automotive supply chain and the level of competition between suppliers means companies like BMW only choose the ABSOLUTE BEST out there, in every way imaginable. Ford nearly drove themselves under when their demands became more or less unattainable. A number of suppliers either went under, or told them to get stuffed!

Some after-market stuff will be fine. But you KNOW that the OE stuff is the best.