BMW 320d 2006 review

Even sans options, it's still painfully expensive for what is, after all, a fairly underwhelming four-cylinder mid-size car.

Indeed, the entry-level 3 Series rivals Mercedes-Benz's C180 as the quintessential try-hard hard car — the one for prestige aspirants whose dough can't go to a model equipped with one of the Bavarian's legendary straight sixes.

The 320d is so far departed from this that it deserves a more drastic differentiation than that implied by "d" for diesel.

The 2-litre four-cylinder DOHC unit features the latest generation high-pressure common rail electronic injection and computer-controlled variable geometry turbocharger.

Unlike the horrid 120d hatch with which it shares this powertrain, the 3Series diesel is stuffed with sufficient sound-absorbing materials to render quibbles about diesel clatter irrelevant at any RPM except idle.

And unlike the "other" 320, the "d" can be a responsive performer.

Driven through a six-speed Steptronic automatic, it reaches 100km/h from standing in a claimed 8.9 seconds, almost a second faster than its self-shifting petrol counterpart.

With all of the diesel's 115kW and 330Nm being yours from 2000rpm, it packs a near knockout mid-range punch to back its off the line jab.

Even without the $600 optional sports suspension (one extras box worth ticking), the 320d is a clarity reinforcer as to why a well-set-up rear-wheel-drive remains the enthusiast's choice.

Which is also why, in this case, "d" stands for dilemma as much as diesel.

While fuel frugality and thus practicality are supposed to be the compelling factors behind the diesel choice — try 7.3 litres per 100km over a week of urban driving — the 320d provides a real reason to look askance at a petrol six.

Or the lesser of them at least. The 323i hosts a disappointingly detuned version of BMW's 2.5 straight six — the full whack of which is to be found in the 325i and 525i.

But with a mere 130kW/230Nm to shift a kerb weight comparable to the 320d, this six is no quicker as an auto and can't go within a bull's roar of the diesel's distance between refills.

It also starts at $11K more, a vast ask when you're already stretching the bucks beyond breaking simply to be seen in a car with a blue and white roundel.

Both models, though, are afflicted with the same 16-inch run-flat rubber. While ride is less of an issue in its latest generation, the expense and dubious utility of run-flats remain reasons that mitigate mightily against choosing a BMW.

It's absurd that the marque is so married to these things that it won't at least offer the option of conventional tyres and some kind of spare.

A base 320d starts at a cool $56,700. Ours came with that woodgrain stuff, adjustable centre armrest, sunroof and metallic paint (an outrageous $1600 on its ownsome) to comprise a chilling $62,220.

The 320d Executive starts from $61,500, so dabbling in its option list will send the driveaway price north of $70K before you can say "sheer driving pleasure".

At least the 320d delivers more of this than the petrol four or base six. Indeed, if the 320i screams wannabe, the 320d bespeaks an informed choice.

Even so, it can't transcend the mindset necessary to purchase any "affordable" prestige car — you have to not much care that you're not getting that much car.