BMW Compact, any good???

[swansea v6]

Fancy a change of cars, plus wanting to go back to rear wheel drive and have been looking at returning to the BMW fold. Previously had 325i coupe.

How does the compact compare? Looking at either 318ti's or possibly 325i's in E36 guise. Any horror stories or are they typical BMW fayre???

What are they like to drive? The 325i does seem like it could be very good fun? Will try to arrange some test drives asap.

[Motorrad]

I looked at a approved used BMW 323ti some years ago. It felt cheaper than the E46 and didn't drive as well for reasons I find hard to explain considering it's just meant to be a cut down version. Maybe somebody knows why this might be? Different chassis/factory build perhaps. I ended up going for a 330i coupe in the end which was a great car.

[MondeoMan1981]

I drove an X reg 1.9 a couple of years ago when downsizing from 51 plate 1.9 saloon.

The drive was fine, but the interior was still from previous model and the steering wheel didnt fully adjust.

Other than that it was a pretty typical solid bmw drive.

E46 style model in 325ti guise must be some car?

[retrorider]

Motorrad said:

I looked at a approved used BMW 323ti some years ago. It felt cheaper than the E46 and didn't drive as well for reasons I find hard to explain considering it's just meant to be a cut down version. Maybe somebody knows why this might be? Different chassis/factory build perhaps. I ended up going for a 330i coupe in the end which was a great car.

I think from memory (E36 compacts) had an E30 rear suspension setup to cut development costs and price...

[Swarley]

The E36 compact had the rear suspension from the E30.

Oh beaten to it.

I think it was also a length problem with the normal suspension, or am I thinking of the z3.

Edited by Swarley on Sunday 25th July 18:01

[niva441]

Avoid the 318tds, it made teh original Ford turbo diesel seem powerful (and it was less efficient).

[notax]

I like mine so much I'm building another one Mind you it does have an M3 engine...

As previous posters have stated, the E36 Compact was never available as a 325 - although swapping to this engine is very straight forward and the engines can be bought very cheaply. For piccies of mine see www.team-notax.co.uk

[Liquid Knight]

For some reason Compacts cost 40% more to insure compared to the saloon or coupe version.

[swansea v6]

I like the sound of dropping the 2.5 straight six in there, how easy is it exactly :0

[MarJay]

Or you could buy an E46 325ti compact with proper suspension?

[gtidriver]

I had a imola red m sport 325ti, it was a top gear magazine lifer car, lots of spec xenons, full heated leather, 6disc changer, rear parking sensors, Traded it for a mkv gti, tWas a sad day.

Long motorway trips suited that car best due to the quite low seating position, the down side was thirst and the lack of sixth gear, good ones are rare now. I still see it around,although it's not in the same washed twice a week condition that I sold it in.

If I was looking to buy a BMW and could find a good spec low mileage one I'd seriously consider it.