THE BMW 3-series has been given an upgraded version of the 3.0-litre common rail diesel, with power up by 20bhp to 204bhp.

However, it comes with an improvement in fuel consumption and carbon dioxide emissions, with Touring and automatic models falling into a lower benefit-in-kind tax band than the previous model. The new 330d now has a six-speed manual transmission as standard and extended oil change intervals of up to 25,000 miles. The new models carry a price increase of £450, ranging from £27,590 on-the-road for the 330d saloon to £30,530 for the 330d Touring SE. The engine will not appear in the 330Cd coupe until 2004.