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.

I’ve literally been inundated by an email. It was a good one though. Reader Guy Warren entitled his mail ‘balance’. And that’s what the D3 is all about. He says: “With my three children all leaving home this autumn, I decided to downsize my Audi A8, and was looking for a smaller, sportier car with build quality, everyday practicality, and a great driving experience.

"I bought an ex-demo Alpina D3 Bi-turbo coupe and I have to say it is a great car, which in my opinion has the balance just right. I tried a list of others – including an Audi S4, Audi S5, Alpina B3, BMW 330d and a Gran Turismo – but discounted them for various reasons!”

Guy then goes on to say that the D3 isn’t perfect. He points out that the exhaust sound lacks any excitement. I agree. Maybe I should drive it with the noise of an Audi S8 through my iPod to liven things up...

It doesn’t help that my previous longtermer was the bonkers Focus RS, a fact which makes it hard to get excited about the Alpina at times. It’s so bloody good at nearly everything that it’s almost boring. I’m surprised there aren’t thousands of them on the roads to be honest.

Very stealthy spec on Guy’s D3. Dark grey and no side stripes mean only the classic wheels and badging give away the secret.

Guy’s interior is the same as mine. Except for the auto box and no sports steering wheel. Who needs to know cornering ‘g’ force in a diesel anyway?

The D3 has a small turbo for the lower rev range and a big turbo for high end of the range. It means the power deilvery is very smooth. No lag.

I like the silver side stripe graphics on the D3, but there is one bit that annoys me. Why did they feel the need to have this decal on the arch?

The Editor took it for a spin and found the car “bouncy”, the gearbox “rubbery” and said the car “lacks drama for an Alpina”. So not a fan, then.

The D3 is a very exclusive car – only 88 were sold in the UK in 2009. It’s rarer still to find one in white.