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Thread: Thermostat recommendations

  1. #1
    Join Date
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    Thermostat recommendations

    Trying to buy a replacement thermostat for Ed , and I'm seeing huge variations in price , brands and temperature ranges. The prices are ranging from as little as $12.00 to as much as $51.00!
    I would like to have a nice balance of performance and fuel economy, as this is my wife's daily driver, with a 70 plus mile commute each day.
    Just let me know what you guys prefer and possible sources you have used for yours.
    Thanks.

  2. #2
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    Quote Originally Posted by Tarponhuntr View Post
    Trying to buy a replacement thermostat for Ed , and I'm seeing huge variations in price , brands and temperature ranges. The prices are ranging from as little as $12.00 to as much as $51.00!
    I would like to have a nice balance of performance and fuel economy, as this is my wife's daily driver, with a 70 plus mile commute each day.
    Just let me know what you guys prefer and possible sources you have used for yours.
    Thanks.
    I've replaced mine a few times and have always used an 80 degree Wahler. I guess it depends where your E32 lives. I'm in Florida and the 80 degree thermostat works for me.

    Just as an edit here. If you do choose Wahler make sure the little arrow stamped on the outer edge is pointing up on installation.
    Last edited by CroughtonE32; 01-19-2019 at 03:11 PM.
    1990 735I (Auto) E32 Feb 1990 to Present
    1996 Z3 Roadster (5 Speed) E36/7 Jan 1999 to Dec 1999
    1983 733I (5 Speed) E23 April 1983 to Feb 1990
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2d4tHoHGaJo
    https://1drv.ms/v/s!Av20xCMMocSsyEpl...h_oOk?e=ekIcAT







  3. #3
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    I just went thru this with my wife's Honda this week. All of the various Honda forums say almost unanimously to use only OEM thermostats, perhaps not as critical for BMW's. The dealer wanted $60 for the Honda thermostat. After much beating the bushes, I was able to confirm that the "Altrom" product line now carried by Napa is almost entirely OEM parts. I was able to buy the identical OEM thermostat for $29.

    I'm not sure what brand(s) are OE for BMW, perhaps Behr and possibly others. With that said, Wahler is a good brand. I have used them on my 735i and son's 535i. I once had an original BMW thermostat fail in the closed position.

    Ditto on orienting the stamped arrow upwards. I always drill a 1/8" hole near the edge of the flange and position it at 12:00, facilitates easier bleeding.
    ​"The US Olympics bobsled team has renamed their sled 'Biden' because nothing has taken America downhill faster"

    TheStigg (aka "gale")
    92 735i 5-spd, turbo pending
    89 535i 5-spd (may she rest in pieces)
    94 325ic 5-spd
    87 325is

  4. #4
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    The t-stats for the M30 are not that expensive like the ones for the Honda (from the Honda dealer). Autohausaz has them on offer now, Behr 80 degree $14.35, Behr 71 degree $21.07, Wahler 80 degree or 71 degree for abt. $23 https://www.autohausaz.com/
    Looks like BMW has learned, the E32 t-stats usually break in closed position = overheat problem, the ones on the E36 like my E36 M3 stay in open position when they break, one can see that the t-gauge never goes into the mid range and always stays cold.
    Shogun tricks and tips for the E32 series are HERE!

  5. #5
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    Quote Originally Posted by shogun View Post
    The t-stats for the M30 are not that expensive like the ones for the Honda (from the Honda dealer). Autohausaz has them on offer now, Behr 80 degree $14.35, Behr 71 degree $21.07, Wahler 80 degree or 71 degree for abt. $23 https://www.autohausaz.com/
    Looks like BMW has learned, the E32 t-stats usually break in closed position = overheat problem, the ones on the E36 like my E36 M3 stay in open position when they break, one can see that the t-gauge never goes into the mid range and always stays cold.
    That's the problem I've got right now. Thermostat is stuck in the open position. Ed won't even get to the second mark when at a stop for several minutes. That's most definitely the best case scenario , but it's got to be rectified soon, as we are having lots of other issues with him as well.
    Currently, we're waiting on parts to arrive , along with our first copy of the big blue Bentley book.
    Those things are stupidly expensive.

  6. #6
    Join Date
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    Quote Originally Posted by Tarponhuntr View Post
    That's the problem I've got right now. Thermostat is stuck in the open position. Ed won't even get to the second mark when at a stop for several minutes. That's most definitely the best case scenario , but it's got to be rectified soon, as we are having lots of other issues with him as well.
    Currently, we're waiting on parts to arrive , along with our first copy of the big blue Bentley book.
    Those things are stupidly expensive.
    If you need to have the Bentley Manual in your hands instead of just reading your fixes online, there are a couple for sale on EBay for under 40 bucks and there's a Make an Offer tab, so if your bid like 25 dollars you might get it. They're both free shipping. https://www.ebay.com/itm/88-94-BMW-E...HobG:rk:1:pf:0
    1990 735I (Auto) E32 Feb 1990 to Present
    1996 Z3 Roadster (5 Speed) E36/7 Jan 1999 to Dec 1999
    1983 733I (5 Speed) E23 April 1983 to Feb 1990
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2d4tHoHGaJo
    https://1drv.ms/v/s!Av20xCMMocSsyEpl...h_oOk?e=ekIcAT







  7. #7
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    Quote Originally Posted by CroughtonE32 View Post
    If you need to have the Bentley Manual in your hands instead of just reading your fixes online, there are a couple for sale on EBay for under 40 bucks and there's a Make an Offer tab, so if your bid like 25 dollars you might get it. They're both free shipping. https://www.ebay.com/itm/88-94-BMW-E...HobG:rk:1:pf:0
    The simple stuff like the thermostats and the like are no problem flying solo, but you're right about ebay.
    That's how I picked up the one we have coming, by making a best offer.
    It's a bit b worn and ugly, but it'll do just fine, and fit in with my Isuzu, Nissan and Honda manuals just fine.

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