I’ve got a large pile of bits from BMW: coolant cap, coolant, door lock rebuild kit, some plastic fixers and four spark plugs. I’ve also ordered a Bridgestone Potenza for the spare wheel.

The plugs are easily changed, and the plastic fixers see the bonnet sound insulation and headlamp backing covers re-attached as the factory intended.

The M3 starts better, and I move it out and give both cars a well deserved wash. I pause for lunch, and then set about rebuilding the driver’s door lock. This process takes a while but it’s interesting to see exactly how the locks work, and well worth the bother to prevent another key being required. Re-assembling the door lock isn’t easy, but I get it into a position where the door at least locks reliably, although the deadlock won’t engage and the central locking still isn’t interested.

Finally I drain the coolant, flush the radiator, refill with the engine running (got heating, no bleeding required, woohoo!) and replace the coolant cap. Most satisfying.

To round the day off Diane and I pop out to collect a chinese take away. Upon returning to the car the central locking won’t open her door, and I can’t with the key, or from the inside, which suggests the deadlock inhibitor has engaged. Luckily when I re-lock and unlock my door the central locking fires properly granting Diane access, so I resolve to investigate further tomorrow.