Well, this is like a chat room today!!....AND, I'll hold you to your word about behaving yourself
Well, I don't think youre half as curious as I am!...But the guy at BMW told us that if the bit the fan fits onto has 4 bolts, then it is an e28 - or an e28 fan anyway. I was a bit dubious with his decision though, because over the phone he said the car wouldn't require an e12 fan, because e12s stopped being made in 1981, and my car is 1984. But this doesn't explain the presence of an entire e12 body (and the fact that e12s were made in SA until 1985)!!!!....When he checked the motor, I felt more assured though. We'' ll find out tomorrow.
By late assembled SA e12s, do you mean 1980/81 cars that were made late in the e12s' run; or 1981-1985 e12s, made in SA after they were discontinued in the Fatherland? These are confusing cars, and I am a little on edge about finding parts. According to the Haynes manual that came in the car's glovebox, the e12 had L-jet since 1977 (so it must have received EFI with the Porsches), so that is no indication of an e28 engine either.
The Haynes manual isn't too good - firstly as the pics aren't helpful, and secondly as half of it doesn't deal with things inside my car. It seems I'll have to buy an e28 manual as well to make the instructions comprehensible!!
That 5 series book would be very helpful, I think, if I can find and afford it!
I'll keep you posted on the 'Other BMWs' section.
Cheers
Mathew
......All users seem to come from everywhere BUT Germany! (esp Aust and Denmark). There must be more German e21 fans out there 
!