BMW 1-Series 2006 review

Until late last year, the German brand offered diesel models only in its all-wheel-drive wagons, the X3 and the X5.

It now offers a diesel in the 1-Series and 5-Series and plans to introduce a diesel 3-Series this month.

The new 120d is not cheap. At $47,800 it is the second most expensive model in the range behind the potent 130i.

Even so, BMW predicts the oil-burner 120d will make up 20 per cent of 1-Series sales.

The 120d runs a four-cylinder turbo diesel with 115kW at 4000 revs and an impressive 330Nm of torque at 2000 revs.

For those unfamiliar with torque figures, 330Nm is a lot. In fact, it is 10Nm more than Holden's 3.6-litre base Commodore V6 petrol engine.

The BMW diesel uses a high-pressure common-rail fuel-injection system and a turbo with a variable turbine, which means you don't have to wait long for it to spin up.

BMW says the 120d uses 6.6 litres of diesel for 100km of mixed city and highway driving. It can move from 0-100km/h in 8.5 seconds.

A six-speed automatic transmission, with self-shift mode is standard. No manual is available.

Standard gear includes 17-inch alloys, sports seats, cruise control, fog lights, climate control airconditioning and on-board computer with outside temperature reading.

Safety gear includes stability and traction control, anti-skid brakes, and a full suite of airbags.

Just like its 1-Series relatives, the 120d is a rear-wheel-drive hatch that can seat five people.

BMW says the small car benefits from an excellent weight distribution for sporty handling. The engine is behind the front axle. It also says the 1-Series benefits from being the only car in its class that is rear-wheel-drive rather than front-wheel-drive.

From the outside, the 120d looks the same as other 1-Series models.

ON THE ROAD

The 120d has plenty of punch, but is too noisy and very expensive. Sure, it runs nicely off the line, but it comes at the expense of refinement.

The 120d is much noisier than the ($29,990) Citroen C4 diesel we tested last month, it's much more expensive and it uses more fuel.

The BMW's high-pitched diesel rattle, which is loud at idle and even louder when the engine is spinning faster, is not what you expect from a BMW passenger car.

It might be enough at cruising speed, but passengers instantly pick the 120d as a diesel.

We didn't expect it to be as smooth as the lovely 5-Series diesel, a $114,500 car, but we didn't think it would be so loud.

The 120d test car used about six litres of diesel/100km, almost all on the highway. That would be impressive for a petrol engine, but isn't so great for a small diesel model when you consider the C4 used only 4.3-4.5 litres/100km in similar conditions.

Factor in that diesel costs more than petrol and that the 120d costs more than equivalent petrol models, and it is hard to see the economic benefit.

That leaves performance. If you like the low-down urge of a meaty diesel then the 120d should please you. It rushes off the line and moves along much faster than you'd expect. For the record, it would easily outpace the C4 diesel.

The 1-Series handles very well and if you could get used to the diesel power delivery, it would be a bit of fun on tight and twisty roads.

The top equipment in the 120d is welcome, but you are paying $47,800 for a small car.