For so long, a four cylinder engine under the bonnet of your BMW marked you down as that most craven of badge snobs. It represented the skinflint's way of buying into the marque. There were exceptions to this rule, but the image obsessed sales rep was usually the one to be found mercilessly thrashing a four-cylinder 3 Series, having ticked the box marked 'badge delete' to keep everyone else in the dark. The entry-level six-cylinder model has traditionally been the 320i. First introduced in 1975, the 320i now needs to work harder than ever to maintain its position, especially as it now sports a four-cylinder engine.

The truth for British motorists is that on most objective scorecards, the 320i loses out to its 320d diesel sibling. The diesel car is cheaper to run, has a beefier resale value, lower emissions and although it's slower against the clock on most measures, it feels a whole lot more muscular. That's the practical side covered - now for another perspective.

While the roar of that diesel engine when fully extended is purposeful at best, compared to the 320i, it's much like putting me up at the microphone against Luther Vandross. Those who get a kick out of the finer aspects of driving are already attracted to the sheer depth of engineering inherent in a 3 Series and they'll understand the importance of a beautifully balanced naturally-aspirated engine. Blip the throttle in a 320i and it responds instantly. Heel and toe downchanges are utter simplicity, as there's none of the mushy response of a turbocharged engine when caught off boost. Although the 320d may offer the average motorist more for their money, in any longer term relationship between car and driver, the 320i is a more satisfying companion.

"The 320i badge is laden with over thirty years of history"

Developing an all-new 3-Series was never going to be easy and the latest car, priced in 320i form from £22,685, shows that the money men and the stylists have gone head to head in the battle between shifting big numbers and continuing the trend for challengingly styled BMWs. It looks like the stylists have blinked first, the 3-Series looking a good deal more conservatively penned than the rest of the BMW line-up. Although those wearing the black polo necks may grumble, it's a wise choice. With the 3-Series accounting for fully 52 per cent of BMW's UK sales, alienating this bedrock of customers with a wilfully odd looking car was never going to make a sound business case. Although sales of the latest 5-Series have swelled as people became used to its sharky lines, for the first few months that styling was manna from heaven for Mercedes and Audi.

Many of the contemporary BMW styling signatures are present although they have been toned down radically. The sill line is bowed, although nowhere near as radically as in, say, a 1-Series. Compare how the rear bootlid is a chamfered and smoothed version of that worn by the 5-Series. Even the flanks betray a less aggressive concave contouring, while the rest of the traditional BMW cues such as the 'Hofmeister Kink' at the rear window and the kidney grille are present and correct. Although it's not what you'd call a striking piece of design, it is nevertheless mature, assured and classy.

The 3-Series also has to redefine its place in BMW's range. For the first time in 29 years, it's no longer the entry level BMW model, and the range must be planned so that 1-Series buyers can easily migrate to a Three on the way to bigger BMWs. At least that's what the suits in Munich are hoping. Bigger in every dimension to its predecessor, the 3-Series is an impressive undertaking with engines that have been revised to offer a combination of more power and more economy.

The 320i uses an engine based on the architecture of the 318i motor. With improvements to the induction and VANOS systems, this engine jumps from the 318i's 143bhp to a round 170bhp. Although only possessing four cylinders, it has the smoothness of a six. Capable of covering the sprint to 60mph in 8.2 seconds and able to hit 142mph, the 320i can also manage to eke 46.3 miles from a gallon of unleaded. Bigger, quicker, cleaner and more economical - the 3-Series looks set to continue its astounding success. The styling looks spot on and if BMW can continue to maintain the prestige image balanced against huge sales, the E90 3-Series will be just the latest model to promotional sleight of hand. It's all a question of image and perception. Do we buy it? Looking at sales figures for the E90, the answer is an unqualified affirmative.

Although it will do well to stave off the threat from within, the 320i must also look to best rivals from Mercedes, Audi, Jaguar and Lexus. First impressions suggest that for the serious driver, none of the others even gets close. If, like BMW, you understand what makes a great handling car, you'll find the sheer tactility and purity of the 320i utterly beguiling. If you're checking out rivals, try the 320i last. It'll make everything else feel woolly and lumpen. If, however, you can't run to the £22,685 asking price, don't kid the salesman into a test drive. Whatever else you buy will seem very second rate.

TOP 5 3 SERIES DEALS

The results below show the top 3 SERIES deals on buyacar

	BMW 3 Series 320i SE [170] 4dr Saloon
	ETR	Mthly	Saving £1,237	Price £22,583
	BMW 3 Series 320i SE 2dr Step Auto Convertible
	ETR	Mthly	Saving £423	Price £32,087
	BMW 3 Series 320i SE [170] 5dr Auto Touring Estate
	ETR	Mthly	Saving £1,480	Price £25,035
	BMW 3 Series 320i SE [170] 5dr Touring Estate
	ETR	Mthly	Saving £1,344	Price £23,656
	BMW 3 Series 320i M Sport [170] 4dr Saloon
	ETR	Mthly	Saving £1,445	Price £24,665