How long should a head gasket last?

[grantcv1]

Is it normal for the head gasket on a BMW to fail at about 60,000 miles. I've had a 2007 BMW 328i and a 2015 BMW M4. In both cases, right after the 60,000 mile service, the head gasket developed a leak and had to be replaced -- at great cost. In fact, on my M4, the head gasket developed the leak on the way home from the routine service. I'm just getting a little bit bothered by the pattern that is emerging here.

[Humdizzle]

i think my buddy replaced his around 100k after a leak.

He DIY'd it and saved a ton though. i think he only spent a couple hundred. rather than the thousands the stealership charges. never take an out of warranty bmw to a dealership, ever. plenty of good indy shops out there with better techs.

[Pic18]

I think you kinda answered your own question as you have had two different BMW's have this issue at the same time. Based on my experience I wouldn't necessarily say it is completely normal, but not uncommon. I think age of the vehicle has just as much to do with it, all the gaskets (oil pan, oil filter housing, etc) start to go at a certain point due to heat and age.

[RoundelM3]

Are you sure you're not talking about the VALVE COVER gasket? That is more likely to fail than a cylinder head gasket at that mileage.

[SCS55]

Originally Posted by RoundelM3

Are you sure you're not talking about the VALVE COVER gasket? That is more likely to fail than a cylinder head gasket at that mileage.

I'm hoping this is a typo. VCG is fairly common. "Head Gasket"...major surgery.

[RoundelM3]

Originally Posted by SCS55

I'm hoping this is a typo. VCG is fairly common. "Head Gasket"...major surgery.

Absolutely. Requires removing intake/exhaust manifolds, timing chains, and entire cylinder head assembly. Worse yet, putting it all back together properly.

[VChenz]

i have 75,000KM on my 2015 M3 - its in for a valve cover gasket (along with both front strut mounts)

i think it's DIY-able but would probably take a full day - I'd recommend changing the spark plugs while you got it all apart.

[Mracer88]

sounds like a valve cover gasket. a head gasket is usually cause of a bigger issue, i.e. over heating and the head warps, or too much boost, but thats not the case here. 60-90k is typical for bmw to need a VCG

[Kilabyte]

I'm hoping OP is talking about the valve cover gasket, head gasket goes if you overheat or overboost, other than that it should last the life of the car.