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.

1: It has stop/start

The Alpina's system works very well: slip into neutral and disengage clutch, and you’re saving the world. In a way. Works even from cold. Clever.

2: It's efficient

I’m getting good mpg in town. With my daily commute being only 25 miles I’m hardly ever filling up. Handy in these difficult times.

3: It's comfortable too, of course

The D3 is also great at pounding up and down the motorway. It’s a very relaxing drive, as it’s very comfy, composed and reasonably quiet.

4: It seems to attract... a better class of graffiti

Someone drew this on my rear screen with an arrow pointing at the fin-like aerial. It made me laugh, which was nice. Better than the usual phallic graffiti.

5: It shrugs off the UK's 'uniquely surfaced' road network

There is a bump on the A406 that I drive over every day. It unsettles most cars quite badly, but the D3 just composes itself and ploughs on. Superb.

6: In fact, it attracts attention full stop

Saw a flash in my rear-view mirror as someone in an old 3 Series took a pic. Little do they know the Alpina’s not as fast as it looks.