BMW: radiator for a 1998 BMW 528i, 1998 bmw 528i, aluminum head

Question
If your engine overheats and you drive it to remove from the street, what damage could it do to your engine? The car cut off when I turned down the street to my neighborhood.

Answer
Denise,
 It all depends on HOW LONG the engine ran while it was over-heating.  Many of the later models will shut themselves off before they blow a headgasket, but not always.  If you notice the vehicle over-heating slightly (maybe 3/4) and it's stable then you could continue to drive it strait home.  If it's all the way in the red (over-heating), then the vehicle should immediately be pulled to the side of the road and shut off.  
 I you remember from science class, that metal (or anything else) will expand when heated.  Your engine has a steel block and an aluminum head.  These two metals expand at different rates and temperatures.  This can cause warping and require a full rebuild to fix.  Hopefully you did not drive it that long.
 Good luck,
 Josh