M20 Gasket set????

[noE30]

I have an 89 325i with a serious oil leak, It looks like it's coming from the headgasket. So I was planning on replacing the gasket but I figured that while I was doing that I could replace some other gasket and seals as well. Well I found these gasket sets, both of them seem like a pretty good deal price wise. http://www.bmaparts.com/ShopByVehicl...ock+Gasket+Set
Now does anyone have any experience with these or have any better ideas for me. The engine has about 217k on it, and the PO replaced the Tbelt and water pump around 180k. Do you think it would be a good idea for me to go in and replace the gaskets?
Also I will be doing a valve adjustment as well.

Thanks

[Fomocogogo]

Thanks for the link! I was getting ready to pay around 120 for a kit. You just saved me like 50 bucks.

[Toms73NovaSS]

From experience, go with a STOCK headgasket. Definately do not use the Victor Renz!

[noE30]

From experience, go with a STOCK headgasket. Definately do not use the Victor Renz!

So would I be fine if I bought an oem headgasket and then used the rest of the renz set?? Or should I not use the renz set at all, and get a oem headgasket and then use the elwis set??
thanks

[noE30]

I also just found this set http://www.bavauto.com/shop.asp would this be a better choice over the bmaparts ones?

[Toms73NovaSS]

So would I be fine if I bought an oem headgasket and then used the rest of the renz set?? Or should I not use the renz set at all, and get a oem headgasket and then use the elwis set??
thanks

You might be.. I just know that there was a thread over on e30tech and at least 12 people were having problems with the victor renz headgasket and oil leaking and I am one of them. If I had to do it over again, which I am this winter, I am using oem, or goetze.

[nando]

So would I be fine if I bought an oem headgasket and then used the rest of the renz set?? Or should I not use the renz set at all, and get a oem headgasket and then use the elwis set??
thanks

the whole kit is pretty much garbage, to be honest.

[guibo09]

the whole kit is pretty much garbage, to be honest.

so OEM or nothing?

i left out the VR head gasket and used a GOETZE. but i used the rest of the gaskets (o-rings, exhaust, intake manifold, 4 little rubber squares for the head, etc). they seemed fine to me.

[Toms73NovaSS]

I believe that the VR stuff is of lower quality, however, the other gaskets from them are passable, in part due to the fact that they are in a less critical application, compared to the head gasket. If I had a personal choice I would never use a VR product again, definately not a HG.

[KillaCam]

What about turbo projects OEM is a-ok for turbos

[nando]

yes

the VR exhaust gaskets are also junk. some of the o-rings are the wrong size (specifically the oil cooler housing). the intake gaskets are OK. I've already had to replace the cam seal, and I don't trust the VR main seals.

if he hasn't bought it yet I see no reason to waste money buying the VR kit..

[guibo09]

so oem is the only option?

[Knockenwelle]

My car has not leaked a drop of anything since I built it. Until I had the head off last weekend. New Goetze HG and bolts of course, but I re-used everything else since it only had ~7500 miles on it. Now I have a goddamn oil leak. I HATE fucking oil leaks. Probable cause? Cam seal housing o-ring--the little orange one. GAAHH!!! It's from a Victor-Reinz set... Shoulda replaced it, and I know better. Dammit.

[nando]

cam seal is pretty easy thankfully. I did mine with the last timing belt/wp job.

[phenryiv1]

Pelican has another ready-to-roll HG set that is NOT the Victor kit. It is not much more than the VR set.

Pelican part 11-12-9-059-240-M30 from Elring Klinger.

http://www.pelicanparts.com/cgi-bin/smart/more_info.cgi?pn=11-12-9-059-240-M30&catalog_description=Head%20Gasket%20Set%2C%20%33%32%35i%2Fis%2Fic%2Fix%20%28%31%39%38%37%2D%39%31%29%20%20