For coolant either use the Zerex mentioned above, or the BMW blue coolant along with distilled water.
Pelicanparts.com has a pretty good price on the 'stat & housing. Might want to get the upper & lower radiator hoses from them as well. And stuff from Pelican gets up here to WA pretty quick. And I'd stay away from the aluminum 'stat housing, stick with the OE composite plastic style. The aluminum ones are poorly cast and frequently leak. And they'll also warp.
Cosmos Black/Black 1995 540iA M-Sport
BMW Individual Exclusive Edition, 1 of 65 total, 9/25/95 Build