Buying M20 head gasket and bolts

[jimf]

Hi folks,

After a slight balls up with my thermostat housing bolts I've had to take my cylinder head to a machine shop.

What's the general consensus regarding a new gasket and bolts?
Should I be going straight to BMW or can I use another brand such as Elring from ECP for a more reasonable price?

[reggid]

HG go OE from dealer, goetze is also ok but forget the rest

[1mochi]

Agree. Go with factory. I used Goetze on my rebuild and had a leak after 10k. I replaced with factory and no proble,s.

[Brianmoooore]

If the head's off, then it should probably have a light skim before it's refitted, and then there's the other 'while you're in there' jobs to consider.
If the car's done more than 100,000 miles, then the valves and their seats could do with refacing and lapping in, and the exhaust valve guides might well be worn out of spec.
Then there's the exhaust manifold studs. If you have the standard cast item, now's the time to renew the studs and nuts, and to check the manifold face for warping so that it can be skimmed flat as well.

[clipper]

I put an Elring HG in my 325i nearly 10 years ago and it's still good.