Hi!

I've got a 1989 M103 engined Brabus 3.6, with a couples of niggles that I imagine would be the same for all M103s. Firstly the spark plugs are fouled as shown in the picture after being cleaned and re-fitted 600 miles ago (there are new ones in there now). It looks to me like soot due to an overly rich mixture? The car is also hard to start when warm, requiring about 7 seconds of cranking and throttle depression. Once it's going it idles well and doesn't seem down on power whatsoever. It used to smoke on full kickdown but valve stem seals seem to have cured that.
Also a quick operating temperature question. When cruising the car will be around halfway between the second temp marking (60C?) and 80C. When ambient temp is under 10C the cruising temp will be just above the second marking. The car warms up to the 60C mark fairly quickly and I prefer seeing it below 80C than above, is this too cold or okay? I'm using Mobil 1 15W-50 in it which I assume is the best oil for the vehicle?

Thank you all.

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