Ben Smith meets us at my house. First things first the Blaupunkt is removed from the 106R and we install Diane’s new unit in its place. The Blaupunkt goes in the M3, filling the gaping hole in the dash. Pleasingly it goes straight in – genuine plug and play. Then off to visit Robin who quickly cleans up the electric windows switches and replaces the light switch illumination bulb.

I’d bought some clear side repeaters to replace the orange items currently on the car. Some internet research showed that while standard E30s have big blocky side repeaters, the UK models have the later, smaller repeaters from the early E36es, so I’d bought some smoked E36 items to fit. However, it turns out that the early European M3s didn’t come with side repeaters at all, and some kind soul had carved giant holes from the wings to fit standard E30 items. So not only could I not fit the repeaters I’ve bought, but I also have to add sorting the front wings to the long term project list.

Still, we cracked on and a visit to Halfords later got us a pair of Bosch spoilered wipers, 8 litres of Castrol Magnatec 10W40 (£25 a four litre bottle) and the all important air freshener. Ben had got me a filter from BMW yesterday, so we settled down to change the oil in both the M3 and the 328i.

I’m really pleased to note that I don’t need to twat around removing belly panels to change the oil. I’m a bit disappointed that the oil filter Ben got from BMW didn’t come with the sump washer like the E36 one did. I also note that the drain plug doesn’t have a sump washer. Surely it should?! A quick check of the ETK confirms that it should, and in fact it’s the same part as nearly every other BMW in existance. I therefore take Ben’s old one, which we know has only been used once as we fitted it from new.

I put in one four litre bottle of fresh oil and note that the level is just a touch over maximum – I was expecting to have to put in more. I then consider what I’ve done and realise that had I jacked the car from the other side, more oil may have drained. Still, the majority of it is changed, and I plan on issuing services reguarly, so I reset the service indicator.

I then turn my attention to the smeary wipers. The old ones go in the bin, then I wash, dry and wax all the car’s glass. The new Bosch wipers snap on pleasingly, and the results are fantastic: the water beads of well and the wipers leave a super dry sweep. The all important spice scented magic tree is installed!

The wash wipe mechanism doesn’t work properly – in as much as it wipes but doesn’t wash. Inspection of the fuse and pumps reveals that someone has made a right mess of things down there. The headlamp wash mechanism has been removed – badly. A few calls to Ian suggests that it’s not something to attempt in the dark so we give up for the day and grab a pizza.

Later that evening it’s drizzling nicely so Robin and I venture out for a bit of a play. The results are most pleasing! However, the rumbling from the bearing (or whatever) is quite noticeable, so we return to his house to check the obvious. Wheel bolts are all on tight, there’s no bearing movement with the wheels up and the diff seals look dry. Oh well, we looked!