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Hello Guidonhue, welcome to firstfives! OEM replacements show up occasionally but they tend to be pricey. Early e24 exhausts fit but may have to be shortened at the back section. I have a Billy Boat rear section that I used for a few years that I'll sell for a reasonable price. Or you could visit yo...

BMW has zero in stock in NA and AG. The part is officially available but shows 870 currently backordered. Gonna be tough to find one anywhere. This is likely a part that was originally sub-contracted and now needs a high enough demand for BMW to order a new batch. How high beyond 870 is anyone's gue...

They were used on a wide variety of models and are still available new. A BMW dealer is the most reliable choice but I’d guess lots of aftermarket suppliers have them as well.

The cold start valve is powered by the thermo time switch. There is a new replacement that is electronic that people are having problems with, although the old ones seemed pretty reliable. Simplistically the path is ignition switch start, to TT switch, thru it to the CSV. After several seconds, the...

Finally started to dig into an inoperable cold start valve and found it’s only getting about 5 volts while cranking. The valve tests fine, I believe it needs somewhere around battery voltage to work. Checking here if someone has run into this with a known fix or further diagnostic. Thanks!

“HD/Sport” describes both B6 and B8 struts. The Bilstein part number on the box is the best way to identify the version. It’s very likely you have B6’s.

I also recommend “Just needs a recharge” by the Hack Mechanic. Gives a good perspective on using modern ac components in vintage systems.

Or is it motor oil that somehow finds it's way into the booster? I replaced the master cylinder at 195k and found about an ounce of what seemed like engine oil in the booster canister. I think that over time the 1 way valve in the vacuum hose to the booster had deteriorated allowing booster vacuum ...

Anyone tried using a universal cable and bypassing the O2 sensor box? Personally I don't need a reminder every 30k to replace and oxygen sensor.

The spring is contained by upper and lower perches on both the rear shock and front strut. A very short spring could rotate and lose its orientation under full extension, but unless something breaks, the spring remains secure in the assembly. I have H&R springs front and back. They both require ...

Yes, Bilstein said the B6’s are fine with lowering springs. The early ones use a different strut according to the part numbers. I think the porpoising effect is slightly magnified by the seat construction with springs vs. foam but I’ve never driven one with a more modern seat with all foam seat cush...

Congratulations on joining the e12 club Gordon and welcome to firstfives! Every forum, magazine, car club and event are littered with conversations about a cars monetary value. Instead, I like discussing the value of the driving experience and what you bought is the experience of driving a very nice...

I think the primary concern should be the age difference of the shocks vs. the brand difference. Bilsteins are available for the e12 in B6 or B8 for the rears, fronts B6 only. B6's are called Sports and B8's are Heavy Duty. B8's were traditionally recommended with lowering springs however I had a co...

Vintage turbo kits for e12s occasionally pop up but they're generally either incomplete and/or need rebuilding. I know the appeal of a turbo kit is bolt on performance but it's more than just adding the plumbing if you want a motor that stays together. Compression ratio (different pistons), methanol...

My 79 is orange and it lights orange. Not surprised the one you found is a different color, it's likely because of a different supplier today than 40 years ago. Interestingly, original hazard switches say "Hazard" but new replacements have the international triangle symbol for hazard. Don'...