Did your guy check open and closed seat pressure?
Springs can be well wasted by 100k (429/472/500 Cadillacs and Turbo Buicks for example), let alone 230k. I think I paid about $5/ea for mine from MB. There is NO way I would use springs that old in a rebuild, to skimp on $60 at this point is foolish. The guides are sub $2/ea... same with those, I'd just replace them all while the head is off and apart. The ones deemed "okay" could be on the low side of factory spec... not what I want.
Yes, I'd wait it out and get the latest style gasket... whether it be from Elring or Reinz. If you're in a pinch, just use whatever you have around. Both brands are fine.
Use new bolts too. Change the front main since you're in there.