thanks to Stevehose for posting the clock fix - although its in the e3 section. i got lucky and took the back off, sprayed some electrical contact cleaner on it and the mechanical clock started working w/ no electrical connection. put it back together and started a longer term test ... worked good for 15 minutes or so but stopped ... so more work to do.
http://www.e9coupe.com/forum/showthread.php?t=10245
http://www.e9coupe.com/forum/showthread.php?t=10245