xgeetx

Yours is OBD2. He means you have one sensor that talks to both the gauge and the ecu. OBD1 has two sensors. One talks to only the gauge and the other only talks to the ECU. If your gauge stayed at 12 o'clock you did not overheat your car. 

thanks for the replies guys. I'll be thinking about what to do with it over the next couple of days. It'd be a shame to junk it, since it still runs like I didn't rear end somebody!!! Any recommendation on how to get the hood open? The latch is stuck. Should I just take a crowbar to it since the hood is done anyways?
 
Does anybody know if stewcrew has a parts car?

It was sort of tossed but who is keeping score=P It is still a really straight hood. Might have some rock chips. At least you didn't need a windshield...

I'm wondering if my car wasn't lowered (thanks a lot Earl! ) if the damage would have come into the bumper instead of the headlight... although maybe it's better this way? You guys are all awesome. Unfortunately I don't have time to get in and take a look at it until Sunday . Any of you guys in the Milwaukee area interested in helping with an assessment in trade for some beer & pizza ?

That is a bummer. glad it wasn't more serious and that you presumably aren't injured (i didnt see a "need front teeth" thread in the WTB section).
If you were driving drunk/texting/roadknob/sleeping/playing candy crush then I hope you learned your lesson. 
How much would you have tried to sell the car for when it had straighter body panels?
 
prepare yourself for a second potential jimmy rustler:
If it were me, I would use the opportunity to get another car that isnt green.

thanks for the replies guys. I'll be thinking about what to do with it over the next couple of days. It'd be a shame to junk it, since it still runs like I didn't rear end somebody!!! Any recommendation on how to get the hood open? The latch is stuck. Should I just take a crowbar to it since the hood is done anyways?
 
Does anybody know if stewcrew has a parts car?

Hmmm well I like safety. We're working on my GF's exhaust soon, and we could barely get under with only the back or the front popped up. I think $26 for more stands would be well worth it. Good tips, thank you.

I like have all 4 wheels off the ground anytime I work on the car for clearance and safety.  With all 4 off the ground I can give the car a SOLID hip check and it won't move.  If you are only going to lift the back I would put a chock front and back of at least one wheel.  That's how I have done it and I have never had an issue.

I don't have much advice for the business idea, other than it would be hard to build without trust/reputation. It'd have to start as very low-cost or free consultations that eventually build your reputation.
 
That being said, it probably would have helped me out ~3 years ago when I was buying my '98 328i. I absolutely love my car but at the time I overpaid for a car with near-blown (or blown) suspension, the usual dumping-fluid power steering system, and a leaky radiator. I don't regret it one bit, but had the car started in nicer condition, I wouldn't have minded

Hey guys, newbie here.
 
I shelled out the $$ for the clutch removal tool & big ass skinny spanner wrench to make replacing my cooling system easier (according to almost everybody). I'll be working on that this weekend. In the future if any of you are doing anything with your radiators and want to borrow them, just let know. I'd much rather you buy me a beer than spend the $65 for the tools
 
Great to meet everyone!