Cannot see smoke, no evidence of starter cable or battery leads getting hot. It will drive until engine service light flashes, and then car cuts out and wont even turn over.... usually after about 10 minutes. A quick voltage check on battery confirms that it has drained. It cant be tow started when the fault occurs, and a booster pack is also ineffective. However if it is rested for twenty minutes and a replacement battery is fitted it will start and idle forever, but as soon as it is driven it will cut out after a few miles with exactly the same problem. This is why I thought starter could be locked in mesh to drain it so quickly, but the starter surely would burn out spinning at engine speed? If it is rested the starter will work perfectly when battery replaced or recharged. Totally confused

Yes Gali, I meant compressor.

Yes, the compresor wheels can come loose, but it is more comonly the shaft/bearings causing excess movement due to abuse - at least during the warranty period it is, the failure mode may change as the miles rack up.

Sorry to jump in but I'm not having the best of luck with my 5.20 m sport, only had it 2 weeks and 5 warning lights come on all at once, the wipers won't switch of, no power steering, no electric windows, the cars not driveable. It was a private buy and the previous owner new there were problems because he had already been messing in the boot, however I will have it put right and then sell it, that will be my experience of BMW over. I suppose I should have been more carefully and inspected the car more closely. Sorry for jumping in.

My wife's was 168 and did cost a fair bit in repairs. The 169 is recognised as being far superior. It is not the pointy star that impresses ( well maybe any gullible buyer ) but the high standard in all aspects of the car. Unlike the aspects of, shall we say, bargain class ! Although I am not knowledgeable about cars I am very experienced in research and quality control.

Thanks to one and all for your comments. I had a really good laugh too. I must say the move did cost more than I first envisaged. We sold a 5 bedroom house in top order, fully planted gardens front and back and a double garage. That only bought us a very modest 3 bedroom terrace but with lots of garden, although in a very nice rural village setting, and I had to contribute quite a bit. We had to go for 3 bedrooms because one of our 'boomerangs' came back to live and move down with us. Can't really blame her, there is more career opportunity here and a couple of years she will be established again. Then who knows; we may get our little cottage after all.

We moved to Kent mainly to be closer to family, who are producing children and we want to be part of them growing up. When we did the sums, apart from the house move, it is surprising what you can manage on. Some private pension, some state pension and a fairly modest lifestyle and things are good. I have no qualms about retiring. I started work straight from school at 15 years and 4 months and worked until past 65. So I reckon 50 years of never being unemployed and of course willingly contributing to whatever crackpot party was in government at the time, gives me a get out of jail card. I would advise anyone under 50, it is never too late to save a bit in pension. The tax incentive is great and it does grow surprisingly well. Whatever it is it all helps later on to provide an income. I worked in construction, the last 12 years as a regional manager. The money was never fantastic but with the right skills and the right company there is always work, it is slow and steady and no one hands it to you on a plate, but you get there in the end. I must admit I did become a bit of a self taught advisor to myself when I started saving and realised you needed to watch the situation carefully, luckily this has paid off by not making too many mistakes. But it's all out there on the internet for all to access....