535i Thermostat Reading

[85bmw535i]

I have an 85 535i and the temperature reading on the dash looks pretty high its past the halfway mark and usually goes a little above that mark and then back down to a little past half way. I was wondering if this was high for a bmw and if i needed to change the thermostat. And if the thermostat was easy to change. Im not sure if its one of those you can just buy at any store of course its a bimmer so probably not. The temp here is like 30' F so i dont know if it just runs hotter in the cold or what any guideline would be great thanks

[Hoppy's535i]

my car also over heats. iv been looking into it, but with winter, and me not driving, its become less important. so im also interested in an answer

[Bear]

I doubt it is hgh, when the thermostat opens the temperature tends to overshoot the mid mark a bit and then returns to normal. I have a E32 and she sit about one needle width to the right of 12:00 O'Clock. Check the gauge readingas at Don Gales website;
www.nmia.com/~dgnrg/page_2.htm