Obviously, cars aren’t sentient, but the coincidences of ownership really are remarkable sometimes. No sooner had I publicly expressed a desire to swap UGB for something newer, faster and less ugly did the problems start. And they remain ongoing. Why does it always happen this way?
The first wasn’t an issue specific to this car, in fairness. The Compact was recalled as part of the Takata airbag issue that’s affecting so many right now. The passenger airbag needed to be replaced, and everything from BMW Hungerford was tickety-boo, the service friendly and the job completed in exactly the time they estimated. The trouble was in the additional inspection they performed; an engine oil leak was highlighted as a warning, which I knew about - it’s an old BMW, after all - but an oil leak from the differential I wasn’t aware of. And that’s far harder to keep an eye on than checking the dipstick.
However, rather than spend £180 with BMW for further investigation, I took the car to 3D Transmissions in Tilehurst - mostly because their inspection was going to be about a third of that. And as it turns out, all is well: the diff isn’t bone dry, but neither is it gushing out fluid either. The level of oil is fine, and they deemed no further action necessary. Phew. I’d already been fretting about what even a reconditioned diff might cost, so it was nice to avoid that. Even if some kind of locking diff sounded fun, after the ti floundered somewhat at the Thruxton skid pan. Still, a scrappy kind of sideways was better than none.
And the old Bimmer wasn’t done yet. On the journey back from 3D, it threw up an engine warning light, the first time it’s done so in my ownership. A diagnostics check has thrown up fuel trim codes, which the garage thinks a new oxygen sensor should fix. And would explain why it’s been smelling a bit fuelly of late. Still, should be a cheaper fix than the new diff I was worried about.
That work is booked in for January, with a service and MOT to follow soon after. I can’t foresee any problems there, but that also tends to be exactly when issues arise - let’s see. If nothing else, it’s more invoices for a huge history file that I’ve contributed a tiny amount to. While I’m totally hopeless on the spanners, it always feels good to have issues tended to and problems fixed; it must be hugely satisfying to be able to do that with your own hands. A 2026 resolution, perhaps…
With those bits and bobs sorted, and perhaps a wheel refurb if I’m feeling flush, it’ll be spring. In April, I make my final student loan repayment, and that’ll make a real difference to the car fund. The question then will be whether it goes into this car, or something else. Our day-to-day shooting the 1M and M2 CS recently, when the Compact took Stephen and me to Farnborough and back, was a great reminder of how likeable small(ish), odd-looking, straight six BMWs are at all sorts of price points. But there are so many interesting cars out there; I don’t want to be in this forever. No doubt the silly old thing will read my mind either way, and behave accordingly…
Car: 2003 BMW 325ti Compact
Run by: Matt Bird
On fleet since: July 2024
Bought for: £2,999
Mileage: 161,466
Last month at a glance: Not the most wonderful time of the year
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