TriggerFish

Nice and simple fix! I did the same too - on the M20, the throttle position sensor and ICV are next to each other, come off the same spur of loom, and have identical plugs... yep... That took way more time with a mutlimeter to pin down than I'd have liked!

Hmmm, possibly not the ICV then, as I'd doubt it'd ever idle if that was at fault. Sorry I can't help further - I don't know these petrol engines at all!

ICV could certainly cause the starting! On my E30 (different engine, but still uses an ICV), I didn't get the ICV in correctly, and it would crank, splutter and die with a loud whooooshing noise. It would run if I used the throttle though. Turned out the ICV wasn't sealing with the intake manifold/throttle body. Pushed it, and sorted. Does it idle on its own, once it has started? Maybe the sluggishness is due to the excess air leaking by the ICV? (I don't know the M52 engine at all, so just guess work I'm afraid).

Both of mine had DSC (2002 184 manual, and 2003 204 manual). Are you sure it's defo got ASC, and not just had the button replaced with the wrong one? Neither had tyre pressure checking either A check of the VIN should reveal all... https://decoder.bvzine.com/

My spreadsheet said I got £100 for mine(!), with an aux cable included. It had been modified for pre-amp RCA outputs though, but I don't think the guy bought it for that. Near-perfect cosmetically too - no scuffs/marks or nicks to the volume knob

Changed the front disks/pads/calipers (after I rebuilt a spare set). Put the jack through the sill that had rusted out. I'll add that to the list of repairs needed then!

I think it was 5w30, maybe. Mine's a 330d though, so not comparable

I shop around - ECP (but they're getting worse with their constant sales), eBay (for branded stuff, not the cheap/unknown makes), and HotUKDeals (I got 7l of Castrol oil for £10 through Tesco thanks to HUKD and a mistake by Tesco).

I believe it's a 184/204 thing. My 184 didn't show boost/MAF/data etc. in Torque, but my 204 does. I've heard others with the same situation. (Or I've totally misread your post, in which case, ignore me!)

FWWI, there's a lot of cheap ones on the various E46 facebook groups. They could well be cheap for a reason, but it might be worth a look? Mine is in for arches (with a friend) at the moment. What started off as some bubbling has turned into basically all of the inner arch being replaced. I'd dread to think of the labour costs for making and welding in new panels. Fun times(!) I found mine needed work just by poking the inside by hand, and it crumbled. If it's soft under there, walk away.

I'd be interested in knowing this too!

You can unplug the vacuum line to that flap which should then leave it open all the time (assuming it hasn't seized, in which case, it might need hammering open). It's worth trying before spending any £££!

I replaced my water pump a couple of weeks ago. I used the metal gasket, as well as some liquid gasket stuff on both sides as well - no leaks at all that I've noticed yet, after a few tanks of fuel. I can't remember which one (and the tube is covered in the stuff, so I can't read it, but something like this: http://www.loctite.co.uk/gasketing-9224.htm#a) That stuff does dry/sets, and is forming the sole gasket between the diff case and the diff itself on my e30. (Short term fix that proved stable long term, so I left it for fear of inducing another leak.)

My front xenon arm snapped (well, the ball & socket joint failed), there's no way such a tiny part would make a noise audible within the cabin. Not any of the ball joints on the wishbones is it?

I've got the Zlines on one axle on mine (can't remember which), and really like them. Their winter tyres were very impressive too, until they went bald.