Skip advert
Advertisement
Long term tests

Alpina D3

A coming-together in a car park with a Rav4 meant a trip to the bodyshop

Alpina D3

I’d been looking forward to writing this month’s update on our new Alpina. There was so much to say. I was going to write about how the engine is loosening up nicely, revving sweetly to 5500rpm and pulling like a train yet still returning 40mpg. Then I was going to waffle on about how the handling limits are more accessible than an M3’s, making it more exploitable in the real world, and how it’s such a good all-rounder that I’ve persuaded a mate to buy one instead of a 3.0 TDi Audi A4. Nothing, it seemed, could dent my enthusiasm for the D3.

Advertisement - Article continues below

Shame the same couldn’t be said about the Alpina’s bodywork, because a Toyota Rav4 has just reversed into it. Now, I know the driver didn’t mean to do it, and at least he admitted liability, but I could have throttled him. I guess I wouldn’t care quite so much if the D3 and I hadn’t bonded so well.

Running Costs

Date acquiredJanuary 2008
Total mileage2834
Costs this month£0
Mileage this month492
MPG this month41.1
Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

Circuito do Sol is Europe’s new racing track, inspired by the Nürburgring
Circuito do Sol
News

Circuito do Sol is Europe’s new racing track, inspired by the Nürburgring

Brand new circuit in Portugal offers corners inspired by the world’s best tracks, and villas and track cars for hire
4 Nov 2024
BMW M4 Competition xDrive Fast Fleet test – six months in the £100k sports coupe
evo Fast Fleet BMW M4 Competition xDrive
Long term tests

BMW M4 Competition xDrive Fast Fleet test – six months in the £100k sports coupe

As our four-wheel-drive M4 departs, we have an answer to the ‘Is it worth £100k?’ conundrum
4 Nov 2024
Audi R8 V10 GT RWD review – the R8 bows out in spectacular style
Audi R8 V10 GT RWD – front
Reviews

Audi R8 V10 GT RWD review – the R8 bows out in spectacular style

The Audi R8 has never been more exciting, raw or engaging. Audi Sport has saved the best for last.
4 Nov 2024