Well here is the deal.

My spotless 1996 740 il somehow blew the radiator house and in the space of about 3 miles got hot and cracked a head. The little research I have done about these heads is quite unsettling as to how common this is.

I don't want pay the 35 hours labor the and $1500 in parts to get this fixed by the local shops in my little town. At the same time, after looking at my otherwise perfect car in the shop today I want to repair and continue to drive this 740. Lucky I have 2 other good cars but here is what I am posting for advice in.

1. I would like to try to buy the head and related parts from a reputable source that is not going to charge me an unreasonable price.

2. While I am somewhat of a mechanic, this is beyond my capabilities and I am going to network a mechanic to do the work on his schedule to save me the major expense.

Can Anyone tell me where to shop for parts and or should I just buy a new engine? Other than this the car has run fine day in and out.

Thanks for the help :)

I think you might be better off in sourcing a used engine.

See if board staple plik still has his remanufactured head for sale. Otherwise look for a new engine.

scubamatt on ebay might have some leads for you. best of luck!

I agree with psjr. Plik, while doing othr work, accidentally made a no no to his his motor, and therefore found it easier, maybe cheaper, to find a whole motor. I wish I could offer more help. You can try contact a guy here in Tampa that runs Japanese/European, used yard with tons of stuff. The number is 813.623.3333. Too bad you're on the other side of the country though, not sure how likely you are to try to get a motor from far away.

Still got 'em. Two cylinder heads that will fit 1995 - 1998 model 7-series (E38). They are like new: rebuilt by a very competent machine shop, resurfaced and measured to exact manufacturer's specifications, with new valve stem seals on all 32 valves.

I'll sell you everything you see in the photos below (except the spark plugs), but you'll notice new head bolts are there and new gaskets are there.

I'll sell them for $1200, plus shipping. I take credit card (through paypal). Just let me know, they're already in boxes waiting to go.

http://www.bestdesignever.com/osv/cylinder-heads/bmw-m62-16.jpg

http://www.bestdesignever.com/osv/cylinder-heads/bmw-m62-6.jpg

http://www.bestdesignever.com/osv/cylinder-heads/bmw-m62-14.jpg

So fresh and so clean-clean.

http://www.bestdesignever.com/osv/cylinder-heads/bmw-m62-13.jpg

To see more pictures, go to http://www.bestdesignever.com/osv/cylinder-heads/

Plik to the rescue!

Man, where'd that guy go?

sorry plik i was dealing with a family issue and have been quite busy.

Thank you very much for your posts as it turn out when I got it to my regular shop I need to replace the radiator and thermostat and the head was NOT cracked. So I am back on the road!!

Thanks again

sorry plik i was dealing with a family issue and have been quite busy.

Thank you very much for your posts as it turn out when I got it to my regular shop I need to replace the radiator and thermostat and the head was NOT cracked. So I am back on the road!!

Thanks again

That's really good news! :D

I bet you were very happy to hear that the head wasn't cracked. That's like being rescued off a deserted island. Congrats!!!

So did you do anything to celebrate? I recommend treating yourself to a nice stake dinner. :)

Actually I did take my wife out to dinner and then we went to the casino for a bit and lost some of the money I did not have to spend on the car!!! LOL

Thanks again

Just out of curiosity, how or why did you come to the conclusion that it was a cracked head originally?

Well when it started overheating I pulled into the closest shop and they took a few minutes to look at it and they assumed that was the problem. I had it towed to an Indy shop the following monday who determined it was the radiator/thermostat.

Of course now that I got that fixed my "brake fluid light and warning keeps flashing, but the fluid level is perfect and the brakes are working normally.

have you tried replacing the fluid level sensor/switch? If standing in front of the car looking at the fill cap, it is on the left side of the fill tank.

Edit: Or it may be in the cap itself...)

that is probably what I am going to try next. no sure if I can find one retail in these parts but gonna try.