1985 323i Running temperature concerns

[Tim64]

Hi all,
Help needed please,
I’ve had my 323 out for the first time today since I bought it on a coolish day temp was around 13c,
On my run the temp gauge was bang in the middle but when I stopped for a few mins the gauge started to creep above towards the next white mark and once I started driving again it returned to the middle and stayed there on the rest of my journey until I went to put away when I got home and then again it started to creep,in the invoices I got with the car in 2018 it had a new viscous fan coupling(but you can stop the fan with your hand when it was above the middle)and it also had a new thermostat but it doesn’t give the temp on invoice.anybody got any ideas what the problem might and help very much appreciated,
Cheers Tim.

[Brianmoooore]

I doubt that there is any problem! It's normal for the coolant temp. to rise a couple of degrees when the car isn't moving as the hot coolant moves down the radiator to activate the viscous fan.
Leave the car idling and see how far the gauge goes.
As long as the needle stays well away from the red sector, no harm will come to your engine.

[Tim64]

Thanks for coming back to me very much appreciated,
I will give it a try next week,
Cheers Tim.