I get up early to have another search for the source of the rumbling noise in the daylight. I don’t find anything definite, but there is a fair bit of evidence. Firstly I note that of the four tyres on the ground, all but the rear right are fairly new Bridgestone Potenzas. The rear right is an old, worn Uniroyal. I inspect the spare – it’s a nearly new Bridgestone Potenza – with sizable chunk missing from the rim protector and the wheel has taken a bashing. Are you thinking what I’m thinking? Yes, looks like someone has had a bit of a ‘moment’.

Why would they have changed the wheel over? The tyre and wheel are still perfectly servicable in my opinion. I wonder if the noise started just after that incident and the wheel was swapped in case it was the source of the noise? Perhaps it was Chris who had this frightening incident and this is why the car was used so little? Who knows?!

Diane and I decide to head down to Dorset for a drive, a walk, and a meal. We could take the 330d…. no, I didn’t think so either. This is Di’s first proper journey in the M3, and she quite likes it, especially the heated seat. She also reminds me that I’m straying right a bit every now and then – I can tell I’m going to have to work on this driving position.

Again the motorway run is a little tedious but not unpleasant. However, on the twisting A roads the car is an absolute joy to behold, and I realise the car is really quite quick when stirred up properly. That’s a bonus you see – having had 300+ horsepower E36 M3s I wasn’t expecting this 200 bhp M3 to be as quick as it is.

Today I’ve really noticed that the car is reluctant to start. I don’t get the impression that it’ll let me down, but it is embarrassing to be turning over an old car for 5 or so seconds.

Diane, the car and I have a great day out. Blasting around the sunny Dorset back roads with the sunroof open is a huge pleasure, and it bodes well for outings to come. On the way home on a single carrageway road that’s regularly punctuated by roundabouts, there’s an E36 behind that’s keeping up with me fairly well around roundabouts. I note it certainly can’t corner as quick as me, and I think I’ve got the edge on the straights too so long as I really get the S14 revving. Once the road becomes a dual carrageway I stop accelerating at cruising speed and the E36 goes past – turns out it’s a 328i touring. He winks his indicators as a goodbye gesture and I flash the front fogs in return.