BMW Z3 Diary

15.01.26 This month is passing like wind, in more ways than one, the weather fluctuates from snow, to very cold or very wet. I am trying to get my car sorted for an MOT for February and I need to do an oil change, without the hydraulic ramp and each morning I have put it off. The side indicator flashers are sorted, just required a new bulb in the offside, so done. Everything else looks and sounds OK, I may pull up the brakes slightly during the oil change, a little concerned with the cats, hence the oil change, it is a little over due. I am hoping this will sort out the emissions after a run down the motorway and back. Failing that, the car will most likely be SORNED for the next twelve months and that will mean walking everywhere... This is just what the current Government and the EU want. It is annoying when the government are bending over backwards by giving out free driving lessons and licenses to the illegal boat hoppers and VIP hotel stays. Very annoying.
I am also having trouble from DVLA, they keep sending back my renewal licence forms for one reason or another, this has been going on since November 2025. I am sure it is due to the HGV, ADR and Coach renewal. When you get to a certain age they want, let's say those of a certain age range, off the roads altogether. However; I am not there yet, a few years away, so that is also annoying.
The government want experience drivers, but you have to be young, and foreign, it seems. So we can see where this is going.

It seems from certain media articles that DVLA are also making it difficult for British drivers when it comes to medicals, they are favouring the high street 'SpecSavers' opticians as the go to eye testing facility, above all other opticians. The medicals, (for HGV etc) are ignored or not filled in correctly, (hence the paper shuffles with DVLA). As I ended up going to the Specsavers to have another eye test, and was within limits. Three weeks on and I am still waiting for my license. I am not impressed, considering the last time my licenses went to DVLA it was quick, efficient and straight forward within a couple of weeks. The delays have only been in place since the labour government has been in, one can surmise and form one's own opinion on this...

17.01.26 Best made plans....I was going to do a shop in my trusty BM today and then once returned and unloaded, after heating the oil, I was going to do an oil change, weather is good, perfect for this job, found the new spare oil filter, the oil barrel, all set, only to find I have a flat tyre and a dead battery, great! That will teach me for putting off this job for weeks and excuses. So! Plans have changed. Battery was heavy, no lightweight carried for at least 300 metres to my apartment, now this hasn't happened to me for at least 8 years, wouldn't believe it; however, probably overdue. The battery is now on charge, hopefully, I can recover some of the day a little later on this afternoon, not then it will have to be another day.

20.01.26 Now then, don't gasp! I managed to get to the garage to complete an oil change on the Z3, yes it is normally simple task...for me, however; there is always something and today was no exception. The garage that I visited yesterday held my ramps and other tools, fortunately through luck more than judgement, I had transferred the more important resources to the garage where the Z3 resided, except the ramps of course. Today! The garage door wouldn't open, where the ramps were stored, so this left the only option, I had to use the trolley jack, axel stand, oil, measuring jug and socket set, fortunately residing in the garage where I stored the car and this must have been divine hindsight from the previous day's garage visit. Time was valuable and weather forecasts was not good, so I commenced with the task, after finding I had to reinflate the off-side rear tyre first, so I could drive out of the garage for more room. One notices one is getting older when lying on the ground, lifting or holding up something for various periods of time, my arms ached sharply, It could have been arthritis however; I believe it is a result from the Covid jabs, as it was not so much the joints themselves, but it was intrenched within the muscle themselves the same spot to where I received the jabs. It was aches and pains that also contributed to me not being able to open the other garage, (now this could have been the wire or locking mechanism, perhaps, I will need to investigate)? Past rains, snow and ice hasn't helped either concerning the expanding and retraction of the wood frames around the door.
I digress, I noticed a leak on the oil drain plug, most likely due to the crush washer poorly seated, oil filter wasn't too bad, at least it hadn't disintegrated like the very first oil change I did on the Z3. (Check: Earlier Oil Change) 5W-40. I eventually got around to draining the oil, as expected, it was black, I hadn't changed the oil for a while, the milage didn't warrant it. The main problem I had with these proceedings was the under-belly plastic plate or pan, taking it off was easy, re-stalling it was more difficult, bolts missing broken bolt holes wear and tear etc and the general awkwardness of holding the panel up and multi-tasking. I decided to use some zip-ties, threading these, whilst holding up the plate or pan, now this took some time. Eventually, this task was completed and seemed secure enough. I must point out, before the belly-pan, I did end up replacing the one crush washer with two onto the drain plug, and I did clean off the old residual oil off the plug, pan and structures before replace the belly-pan. The oil-filter housing received a new rubber seal out of two, lubricated with a finger of fresh oil. Unfortunately, during the filling process, I did lose some good oil during a brief engine run; as the oil filter container lid was left slightly loose, (Rookie mistake) this left a good mess on the ground, the housing lid was obviously re-tightened. The spill, nothing that a couple of old rag towels couldn't sort out, re-topped up the oil, checked it via the oil stick, it was slightly under, will check it again after it had settled, this will be for another day. With all intent and purposes, the job was done! I will need to check all fluid levels. About an hour later it had started to rain and was getting cold...

24.01.26 - I was looking at a product that may help me with the emissions, as MOT next month, reasonably priced and with claims it can deep clean Catalytic Converters, I believe there is a Chinese equivalent that is cheaper, but are much of a muchness... I am hoping I receive it in time. As costs increase via stupid Government non-policies, I can see the costs and my age is going to force me off the road, reducing independence, losing a hobby and increase isolation like many others....

08.02.26 - In the last few days the battery charge was non-existent, so again charged up, this time over two days, the Rayhog bottle arrived during this period and I probably wasted the content, as the bottle neck was too short and I hadn't realised until the last drop dripped. Where it went, I had no idea. A neighbour did point out I left a trail when I pulled out of the driveway. The question is.....did the content go into the tank or into some overflow reservoir and deposited itself on the road? Well I will see if the cats were cleaned on the way to the MOT next week...

09.02.26 - And it's another day. Up to the MOT shop with my old MOT documents, tried ringing through, no answer, this seems to be usual, in a busy shop, so it was a trip to find out if they can fit me in. On arrival it was just the boss, short staffed for one reason or another, holidays, sickness... but he managed to fit me in; give or take an hour or so wait. This I didn't mind, for a short notice. After a certain amount of time the trusty Z3 Managed to get a PASS, with great relief, so some anxiety had disappeared and in was a happy appreciative face. With this obstacle gone, (for another twelve months), it just leaves what is amounting towards the car owner; the 2026 horizon with a bad government, corrupt politicians and whether they will ruin everyone's life further; by adding further destructive policies and restrictions to driving and drivers in general and not forgetting those aged 50+. This, unfortunately will most likely be my last short year, well up until April at least.... New MOT rules, new Highway Code Rules, New Age Rules, New Car Tax Rules, New Eye Sight Rules, increase in fuel costs and maintenance, For those without a car and reached a certain age they too have been hit, as they cannot get a free bus pass or are limited to the use and this leaves them isolated without transport, unless they have any dwindling savings, that has also been hit, the list is endless and makes me angry with opportunist career privileged politicians.