Thanks. I do have a '91 318is that I've had for a couple years, but the M44 from my understanding, though very similar, is also a bit different than the M42. And yes, I know exactly which plastic coolant pipe on the side of the block you're referring to. Mine broke in the E30 outside of San Fran on my way from Portland to LA. I was able to shove a smaller diameter hose into the coolant hose then down into the connector and clamp it all together. Got me to LA before it started leaking all over again, then took it to a shop where it cost me $200 to have replaced
But I wasn't about to try to get all the way back to Portland on my Band-Aid fix.
And thanks too for the link to that write up. Very detailed. I've done a valve cover gasket on an old Integra that I had, but I wouldn't have known all of the seals I'd need for this job...