Alpina D3 Biturbo - long term review

As Alpina becomes engulfed by BMW, we're throwing it back to 2009 and remembering six months with a modded diesel saloon.

Associate Editor Bill has upgraded to the Aston, so the Alpina has fallen into my clutches. Having never driven the car before, my first journey across town was a revelation.

It looks great, rides well and used virtually no fuel. Weirdly, BMW is the brand that I've driven least. When a Beemer comes into the office I always seem to miss out on the keys for maybe I've been too busy having fun in my Focus RS.

Even though I have a thing for white cars, I'm not sure I'd buy a white D3 myself - having seen loads around, now I much prefer the stealthy Q car dark metallic blue. But, hey, I'm not complaining.

One thing I wasn't prepared for was how much attention the D3 gets on the road. Are people staring at me because of the bodykit and the fact the car sits so well on the 19-inchers or is it because they know what this car is and what it can do?

Or is it the fact that you don't see many white 3 Series on UK roads?

The D3 also got the missus's seal of approval. She got in and asked "What's good about this car then?" I tried to explain, but her only comment was: "It's nice, I like the lights under the door handles." Classic.