K bimmer-boys, so here's the deal, I BURNT up the head gasket and the head on my 89535 BADLY. Bad enoung the gasket blew and aparently bad enough to warp the head. My head guy says the head is warped enough that it'll only last about 5000 miles and even suggested tightening the head bolts in the middle to a higher torque spec. Should I replace the gasket and see what kind of (if any) blow through there will be on the piston into the block, if any? Is crystalization of my cylinder walls via fluid blow by a major concern at this point? My mechanic says even if the head is replaced with a good one that there is a chance that the piston rings and possibly pistons themsevles are shot, indicating a total rebuild or another engine i assume. Bimmer brainiacs unite. I have stuck with this site since the begining; Purchase of the right car, mileage, likely incurred problems, everything I learned, I learned right here. I need you guys. Whadda you all think? Any advise is helpfull, what brand of gasket you prefer, possibly where I should get a new/rebuilt head, and definately damage assesment. Collective minds are an invaluable asset here gentelmen. Please put in your two cents.

With the M30, things are kinda strange. It costs a lot more to get a new head than to get a complete used long block. I'd snag a used M30 of your year and model type from BavAuto for about 600$ and just have your shop swap the engines. To help offset the costs, they can have whatever you don't need off the block. Considering the cost of the engine vs. a new head (around 1k, depending on who you get it from) and the labor costs involved with both, it would probably be cheaper to just get a new block.

Plus, BavAuto has a 2 year warranty on all its used engines.

It's impossible for us to know how bad it's warped, but maybe the head could be resurfaced and new headgasket. Grand total--around $150 plus your time.

I have to agree with Mikemaster. If the head is not warped too much to be milled, it is worth resurfacing it. With your head off you can look at the piston tops at least and see if they are damaged. I'm a cheapskate though and hate to replace a perfectly good engine. In the event that the pistons have no compression, you still have a good head to use. It all depends on how quickly you need the car running and whether you feel lucky I guess.

wouldn't busted piston rings cause oil to be burned off while its running? I'm interested because I just put a refurbed head and think I may need new piston rings. She smokes alittle upon startup but thats it. I gutted the cats.