bmw 316i compact 1998 info please
Discussion
Following on from my what car, I am very interested in a BMW compact.
Few questions. Its a 1998 model so I am assuming it has a cam chain??? Also, at what sort of mileage should you look at changing a cam chain? I wouldn't expect it to go on forever but I understand they last far far longer than a belt.
Also, do they handle milage well? The one I am looking at has 116k but hads a good history and appears well looked after. Should I expect it to go on for 200k if I keep it well kept?
Cheers guys!
Few questions. Its a 1998 model so I am assuming it has a cam chain??? Also, at what sort of mileage should you look at changing a cam chain? I wouldn't expect it to go on forever but I understand they last far far longer than a belt.
Also, do they handle milage well? The one I am looking at has 116k but hads a good history and appears well looked after. Should I expect it to go on for 200k if I keep it well kept?
Cheers guys!
The cam chain has no specific change interval so you would only do so if it had started to get noisey. However I don't know which engine the 1998 316 had. I suspect that it is a chain driven engine. These cars handle ok although the rear suspension set up is based on that of the old E30 BMW 3 series so the back end can be a little bit wayward in the wet.
To be honest if it was my money i'd be looking at a 3 sereis and forget about the compact. You can pick up an 1998 316/318 for low money these days and they are a better car all round.
To be honest if it was my money i'd be looking at a 3 sereis and forget about the compact. You can pick up an 1998 316/318 for low money these days and they are a better car all round.
I have the 318ti same age as a daily hack flies through its MOT every year no problems. However I did have a 316i compact for 6 months and its ECU died, apparently the drainage holes close to the ECU have a tendency to get blocked up and the ECU rusts to death, just something you may want to check out over time especially in our climate. Its a £200 job to bring the ECU back to life.
I would imagine the electrics will die and the body will rust long before the engine gives up.
I would imagine the electrics will die and the body will rust long before the engine gives up.
MitchT said:
MarJay said:
I thought all the 4 cylinder E36's had belts...
My 318iS (1999, M44 engine) has a chain.
Don't know about the 316 though.
Honestly, don't bother with the 316 - if you must have a 4 cylinder, check out the 318iS or 318Ti. Much stronger engine all round.
And to be honest, I'd probably suggest going for a 6 cylinder. When I was looking around a few years back, I only went for the 318iS due to it being the best one I could find at the time. Insurance was inconsistent - I found a 318Ti that would have cost more to insure than a 328i coupe. E36 M3 was tempting, insurance was around double that of a 318iS or 328.
No offence to everyone saying they are slow etc, but 100hp in a normal sized hatch isn't that slow.
It may be slow compared to a 325 etc. but as far as a car for getting to work and back, it will do just fine.
I am going for the 316 compact as it is the most economical of the range and is a hatchback, which is what I need. I would prefer the saloon/coupe if it wasn't for the fact I need a hatch.
Cheers for the useful info on the chain and engine reliability!
It may be slow compared to a 325 etc. but as far as a car for getting to work and back, it will do just fine.
I am going for the 316 compact as it is the most economical of the range and is a hatchback, which is what I need. I would prefer the saloon/coupe if it wasn't for the fact I need a hatch.
Cheers for the useful info on the chain and engine reliability!
But, it is slow. My mum has a 316i Compact and it's deathly slow but I suppose the autobox doesn't help too much.
As another poster stated, they can get quite tail happy in the wet but are very forgiving.
It's a fantastic little car though as it's economical, small and easy to park, turning circle is astonishing, comfy to sit in and easy to drive.
As another poster stated, they can get quite tail happy in the wet but are very forgiving.
It's a fantastic little car though as it's economical, small and easy to park, turning circle is astonishing, comfy to sit in and easy to drive.
benjfrst said:
the compact uses the E30 rear suspension. its quite a different car to the saloon and coupe.
Yes, its very good! 
Handling of the Compact is excellent!
I have had 2, the much better one was the 318Ti Sport as it has better damping and a full M kit as standard.
Nice cars, often overlooked.
Get one!
Deluded said:
No offence to everyone saying they are slow etc, but 100hp in a normal sized hatch isn't that slow.
It may be slow compared to a 325 etc. but as far as a car for getting to work and back, it will do just fine.
According to the Autocar testIt may be slow compared to a 325 etc. but as far as a car for getting to work and back, it will do just fine.
117mph max
0-60 in 9.9
30-70 through gears as fast as a '96MY 2.5 Subrau Legacy 4cam estate
Deluded said:
^ If that 9.9s 0-60 is correct, thats hardly slow. Not fast either but I wouldn't call it slow.
And yeah, the autobox wouldn't do it any good. Good job it's a manual. Maybe you lot are assuming it is as slow as the 216 coupe/saloon. The compact is lighter.
It's from the Autocar 1994 road test. Manual box car - 1140kg kerb weightAnd yeah, the autobox wouldn't do it any good. Good job it's a manual. Maybe you lot are assuming it is as slow as the 216 coupe/saloon. The compact is lighter.
Kentish said:
benjfrst said:
the compact uses the E30 rear suspension. its quite a different car to the saloon and coupe.
Yes, its very good! Handling of the Compact is excellent!
I have had 2, the much better one was the 318Ti Sport as it has better damping and a full M kit as standard.
Nice cars, often overlooked.
Get one!
drivin_me_nuts said:
Kentish said:
benjfrst said:
the compact uses the E30 rear suspension. its quite a different car to the saloon and coupe.
Yes, its very good! Handling of the Compact is excellent!
I have had 2, the much better one was the 318Ti Sport as it has better damping and a full M kit as standard.
Nice cars, often overlooked.
Get one!
They came in two special colour options only with two options on interior and had anthracite headlinings.
I loved mine!
The 1.8's have 140bhp and they are quite quick as they handle so well - very nimble little cars and nice and solid too.
If you like classic cars then you'll like the interior as they are so retro.
Deluded said:
^ If that 9.9s 0-60 is correct, thats hardly slow. Not fast either but I wouldn't call it slow.
And yeah, the autobox wouldn't do it any good. Good job it's a manual. Maybe you lot are assuming it is as slow as the 216 coupe/saloon. The compact is lighter.
Thats the same 0-60 ( give or take 0.1) as my 1.4 mg ZR or a mk5 fiesta zetec s, I know which would be more fun...And yeah, the autobox wouldn't do it any good. Good job it's a manual. Maybe you lot are assuming it is as slow as the 216 coupe/saloon. The compact is lighter.
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