You need to do what tmv said.

BMW t'stats fail open, drive it for a few miles on the hwy after warming it up.

If the gauge doesn't get to 12 o'clock, it's time for a new one. No pun intended!

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'03 X5 4.4 Sport, last of the M62s (8-03 build date)
I believe in deadication to craftmanship in a world of mediocrity!