If a brake or indicator light burns out on a BMW 3-series Compact, another adjacent light takes up the job, and the car warns you that you’ve a bulb to replace.

A small thing, but an example of the fact that there’s no cutting back in features just because this is the cheapest BMW, the ‘entry level’ Beemer. And in case you weren’t yet convinced, the 1.8-litre engine in the ‘basic’ version is technologically ahead of anything else in the marque, and even the world, with its ‘Valvetronic’ air management system.

Add that the car looks good, is suspended right up to the standard of its stablemate saloons and coupe, and has a couple of other bits and pieces that will only next be seen in the 7-series due for unveiling at Frankfurt, and we have a BMW that might only be faulted by its name.

We’re talking context here. The original Compact launched in 1994 came as a package that definitely had a ‘low-cost’ tag attached, and didn’t rate in perception terms close to the ‘full’ BMW. The contrast widened when the current 3-series upgrade happened three years ago. Now we have something that is at least as good as its larger series sibling, is in some ways better, and certainly deserves its own place.

BMW franchisees Motor Import Ltd know this too, and at the launch in late August, marketing manager Michael Nugent made an upbeat forecast of selling 400 units in the first full year. This against a peak year for the old Compact of 270 units. And qualified by the inevitable shortage factor of a new model in the ‘elite’ league.

It’s priced fairly well too, at £23,391 for the 316ti (though the 325ti with massively more power but a tag of £34,495 will be very niche). With quite a few of the Mondeo-class cars now costing over the £20,000 threshold, not to mention desirable mass-producer specials like the Astra Coupe, there’s an arguable case for a young professional to go just a little higher and get a BMW that now can be viewed as being more sporty than cheap.

Indeed, the sporty nature of the Compact is being emphasised by BMW, in its looks, its lowered suspension, and standard-issue electronic handling gizmos that help even an only-average driver handle unexpected driving situations.

A sit into the interior reveals a fairly smart fascia design - the previewed black can be livened up with a variety of extra ‘packages’ including 15 upholstery colour schemes - a steering wheel which is more a multi-purpose systems operating module, seats that seemed supportive ... and a central armrest which I would have surgically removed before I took delivery of the car.

A short trip around the Irish launch area didn’t give much opportunity to fully experience the driving and handling delights promised, but the very direct steering feature certainly showed itself off, and I look forward to some fun at a future date. With perhaps the addition of the Steptronic autobox that I already like a lot.

At a future date there will also be a 2-litre turbo-diesel at an engaging £26,620. Meanwhile, though, one doesn’t have to worry about fuel guzzling, because the ‘Valvetronic’-equipped 1.8-litre returns around 41mpg.

I’ve never been a real BMW fan. Maybe I could be converted by this one?