BMW’s diesel-powered 3-series has long been the acceptable face of oil-burning for enthusiasts. This new F30-generation 330d M Sport is no exception. First impressions are wholly encouraging.

Thumb the starter button and although it’s still not as polite initially as, say, a Jaguar XF 2.7D – the gearlever shudders noticeably, for instance – once on the move the 330d is in a ...