May 2010

Poole Quay is the perfect place for stressed-out car designers to relax. These automotive professionals can regularly be seen tearing their hair out, sobbing uncontrollably, and aimlessly pondering the meaning of existence. This is because consumers expect far too much. Many motorists demand that vehicles are fantastically fast but also cost less to run than a small sewing machine. Impossible! Or is it?

Let’s consider the BMW 1 Series 123d M Sport. This Ford Focus sized vehicle has a 2.0-litre four-cylinder diesel engine. This produces 204bhp which propels the baby BMW to 62mph in 6.9 seconds. This eye-watering performance is remarkable when you consider it returns a combined average of 54.3mpg, and up to 62.4mpg on the extra-urban cycle. This penny-pinching fuel consumption means carbon emissions are low, so this particular BMW is kinder to the environment than a Greenpeace manifesto.

This economical masterpiece deserves a proper run so let’s join the vehicle designers at Poole Quay. The route is very simple. Leave Verwood on the B3072 to Three Legged Cross, and drive seven miles before taking the A348 to Wallisdown. Continue on the A3049 and A350 then swing onto the quay.

Poole Quay’s architecture is a concoction of historic buildings, redeveloped warehouses, and modern apartments. Notable structures include the listed former customs house which is now a restaurant, and the fifteenth century warehouse which is home to the local history centre. The Quay is also the former location of Poole’s maritime industry, but this moved to Hamworthy when the Quay became popular with tourists. So, that sums-up the Quay but what about the vehicle?

This BMW is proof that consumers can have it all – so perhaps now those long suffering car designers can rest more easily. The 123d M Sport is robustly constructed, great to drive, and the frugal engine provides more power than most drivers need. This Germanic run-around is clearly an excellent vehicle and it could grace your driveway for a relativity modest £25,995.