BMW rounds up people in the street, brandishes guns at them, and forces them into showrooms to buy the 3-Series Compact. At least, that's the impression sometimes given by the kind of media outlets which sneer at the Compact because it isn't . . . well, less compact, more sophisticated from a technical point of view, and a lot more expensive. Somebody has lost the plot here, but let's not get into a debate about which party that is.The Compact has served BMW pretty well, because it brings the current entry-level price for the whole Munich catalogue down to £16,465. That's probably one of things which annoys commentators like the ones mentioned above, because it means that the hoi polloi have access to the same badge as people with two or three times the money to spend.In fact, BMW has sold something like 55,000 of the three generations of Compact since the original version appeared on the UK market in 1994.We certainly enjoyed the sportiest (and, of course, more expensive) 325ti Compact when we dashed one around some favourite Highland roads, and we've just recovered from a kind of culture shock when trying one of the latest turbo diesel models, the 320td.The shock is partly thanks to the extra urban fuel consumption figure of more than 60mpg, and partly because one of the least ostentatious BMWs in the whole range has really stonking mid-range performance. BMW reckons that with its nearly 14-gallon tank a 320td might have an 800 miles-plus motorway cruising range, and it will certainly hit the 62mph mark from rest in under nine seconds, which is pretty hot stuff by two-litre diesel standards.But, of course, it's the performance once a diesel is properly up and running which counts most. Here the 320td scores particularly well. It overtakes smartly, and it simply charges up hills.There's a five-speed automatic transmission option, but I wouldn't bother with it, and not only on the grounds of its less dramatic performance and much poorer economy figures. The standard manual box is a new six-speed design, and its larger selection of ratios seems to be better spaced for both economical and sporty driving.Uprated last year, and fitted with twin balancer shafts, the two-litre diesel engine is also used in the 320d saloon and Touring. The great thing about it, from a performance point of view, is the pyrotechnic torque. At 2000rpm it's already at its peak of 243lb/ft, which is a sign of just how well the 320td can go.There's some external restyling, mostly in the form of new side sills and some modifications to the rear-end appearance. The Compact is also different from other 3-Series cars when it comes to the headlamp and grille design.Inside, the rear seat accommodation is better than it seems from a quick glance through the windows. Kneeroom is OK, given a sympathetic approach from the front seat occupants, and headroom is fine, although as in so many cars of this general style what the Compact lacks is generous space for the feet. Getting in and out of the rear cabin is quite easy, though, thanks to the two-stage fold-forward arrangement of the front seats.The standard 320td comes with dynamic stability control and cornering brake control, although it's the torque rather than the handling which really makes it shift on winding or hilly roads.There's a £1510 premium for the SE version which adds, among other items, alloy wheels, heated headlamp washers and door mirrors, front foglamps, automatic air conditioning, cruise control, park distance control and a multi-function steering wheel.What with one thing and another, the extra cost for the SE seems quite reasonable, although people attracted by the low fuel costs involved in running a 320td might also be attracted by the lower price for the basic though not ill-equipped standard version. Engine 1995cc, 4cylinders Power 150bhp @4000rpm Torque 243ib/ft @2000rpm Transmission 6 speed manual Fuel/CO2 49.6mpg / 153g/km Acceleration 0-62mph: 8.9sec Top speed 133mph Price From £19796.00 approx Release date 01/03/2003
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