BMW 120D 2006 Review

There has been nothing but diesel-powered passenger cars in our road test garage for the past month.

One-by-one they have been trotted out with ridiculous regularity. Not that we're complaining, mind you.

Astra diesels, Alfa Romeo diesels, Honda Civic diesels (not for sale) and the latest to join this growing family of robust oil-burning engines is BMW's 1-series.

And that's not to mention the recently released Fiat Punto diesel which is booked for testing here later next month.

As with many small diesel cars these days, you have to pinch yourself every now and then, particularly when you have a fling through a corner, that you are not driving a zippy unleaded petrol-powered small car.

Diesels these days are sweet singing, have the pace to stay with your petrol-powered mates and most importantly they will, most times, drive your dollar twice as far on a tank.

The 120d precedes BMW's diesel 3-series offerings by a matter of weeks.

It is the first four-cylinder diesel with a propeller badge sold in Australia.

These little hatches and sedans offered with common rail diesel technology are surely no longer irrelevant.

Sales are booming as the price of running cars takes a more prominent role in the buying decision.

Owners of little diesel cars no longer have to compromise on performance or get their hands dirty at the fuel bowser.

Improved technology of the engines and more savvy conditions at the filling station mean these cars offer a genuine choice as fuel prices continue to push toward $1.50 a litre and almost certainly close to the $2 barrier within the next couple of years.

The 120d is dressed in a well crafted body with a pronounced nose housing the 2-litre diesel which offers reasonable spark from launch.

There is a smooth intervention of the turbocharger with variable turbine geometry, power reaching 115kW at 4000rpm with 330Nm of torque developed at 2000rpm.

Launch feel is quite refined and the only audible signs you are driving a compression ignition motor is on start up or at idle.

The two-litre motor is mated to a six-speed Steptronic automatic gearbox which is fine left in D for drive in most situations with the switch to sequential good for a bit of fun or when you have to get yourself out of a tight situation.

It is quite lively and punchy down low which is a bonus around town in traffic.

This engine is a little on the harsh side and not as frugal as some small diesel rivals with the on-board computer calculating fuel use on this 800km test finished at 6.2litres/100km.

It is under the claimed factory figure. However, there are quieter drinking diesels around and some are priced under the $30k bracket.

This 1-series has quick-start glow plugs which start working before the driver presses the start button, good for untroubled start-up on really cold days on the Granite Belt.

Six-volt glow plugs start warming up as soon as the driver opens the door.

Inside, the 1-series is neat and tidy, uncluttered yet with tasteful architecture which may be a bit minimalistic for some.

The 1-series is a robust type with a slightly harsh ride and comes well specified with a full complement of electronic safety gear — switchable Dynamic Traction Control, stability and traction control, anti-lock brakes, Cornering Brake Control and electronic brakeforce distribution.

There are fog lights, leather, multi-function steering wheel and climate control airconditioning and automatic headlamps.

It sits proud on the road with grippy 17-inch run-flat alloy wheels which partly accounts for the firm ride quality.

The 1-series diesel may not have the room of a Holden Astra diesel but it comes with plenty of street cred even if it is a little north of a $30k budget at $47,800.

There are genuine sports qualities in terms of ride, handling and performance but the trade-off is that it's not the most economical of the baby diesels.