Why is the E46 compact so overlooked?
Discussion
davepoth said:
I've driven an E30 all the way to the Ring, round the ring twice, and back again. The rear suspension didn't inspire confidence.
Then I would politely suggest there was something wrong with it...or the driverMy E30 has been my first experience of RWD and it's so easy its ridiculous, it's progressive, easy to hold, the things fantastic
300bhp/ton said:
g3org3y said:
Wow, this thread went somewhat off topic!
Short answer to the OP: The compact looks worse than the coupe, saloon and touring.
Does it? I wouldn't say these pics fully support that. And certainly not the Touring at any rate. Short answer to the OP: The compact looks worse than the coupe, saloon and touring.
Touring is widely regarded as the most 'elegant' of E46 3er variants.
kambites said:
I've got to agree. The touring is the best looking model of the E46 and indeed of the E9x.
I'd disagree...sorry! The Ci Coupe is the best especially with 18" wheels. It's not styled ridiculously like most coupes, i.e OTT, and is the last of the traditional BMWs. Plus, it will age really well. E46 M3 Coupe more-so.g3org3y said:
Yes, it does. Your opinion regarding looks of course is entirely your own but you might have to join the Specsavers club if you think the Compact outshines the Coupe or Touring for looks.
Touring is widely regarded as the most 'elegant' of E46 3er variants.
Elegant??? Touring is widely regarded as the most 'elegant' of E46 3er variants.
not sure any BMW gets close to this, most are fugly and boring. I'll admit they are clean cut designs and I do really like the z4c's shape. But 3 Series elegant. Nope just don't see it. Jag Series III or the current Quattraporta, yep very elegant. As for the touring, just not me I'm afraid. To me very few estates actually look good an certainly not the e46. Too grown up and dull. If you had to stereotype a slightly plump overweight prim and proper female prison warden or matron. So elegant in terms of straight lines, no creases and no flare or excitement.
Btw - I know this view will be unpopular, but maybe I've just not been brainwashed by the German car makers yet. I like my cars to have a bit of flare about, a bit of drama, something different and interesting. Something not boring visually.
OP here....Seems it is a bit of a controversial motor...!
Sit it next to an E46 Coupe/Estate and yes its clearly not as good looking. But I think its a victim of the other models good looks. The Compact is not "bad looking", on its own its quite cool - its when you compare to the other that you see its not quite so resolved.
Personally I would rather have a 2 door compact hatch than a 4 door saloon for the same money. Its a shame they didn't fit the 330 or 330d engine to the compact!!!
Compare a 325ti or even a 320td to the same price Golf GTI (mk4!!!) and you get a newer car, RWD balance, a superb 6 cylinder petrol (or the best of that generation 4cyl diesel) and faster....
Its seems nuts that they are off the average petrolheads radar purely because it has a slightly better looking and more powerful sibling.
Sit it next to an E46 Coupe/Estate and yes its clearly not as good looking. But I think its a victim of the other models good looks. The Compact is not "bad looking", on its own its quite cool - its when you compare to the other that you see its not quite so resolved.
Personally I would rather have a 2 door compact hatch than a 4 door saloon for the same money. Its a shame they didn't fit the 330 or 330d engine to the compact!!!
Compare a 325ti or even a 320td to the same price Golf GTI (mk4!!!) and you get a newer car, RWD balance, a superb 6 cylinder petrol (or the best of that generation 4cyl diesel) and faster....
Its seems nuts that they are off the average petrolheads radar purely because it has a slightly better looking and more powerful sibling.
Edited by was8v on Thursday 17th March 09:54
Edited by was8v on Thursday 17th March 13:33
was8v said:
Its seems nuts that they are off the average petrolheads radar purely because it has a slightly better looking and more powerful sibling.
In my case, they'd be off the radar because they don't seem to offer anything over the estate version, except a fairly small saving in initial purchase price. kambites said:
was8v said:
Its seems nuts that they are off the average petrolheads radar purely because it has a slightly better looking and more powerful sibling.
In my case, they'd be off the radar because they don't seem to offer anything over the estate version, except a fairly small saving in initial purchase price. Not sure I understand the estate reference. In that sense what does a Focus hatch offer over a Focus Estate?
For me it's looks and image. If you're a family man and need an estate, then fair do's. But it ain't a cool image. And being young and single in an estate is just odd or weird, or maybe declaring that they've already given up and will be getting an MPV next
I'm not really a hatchback fan. But if you are a young 20 something and don't really need more than 2 proper seats, then I think the Compact is far more key. You'd want a pipe and slippers if you went with the estate.
300bhp/ton said:
Smaller and cheaper?
Not sure I understand the estate reference. In that sense what does a Focus hatch offer over a Focus Estate?
I don't know, which is why I'd buy a Focus estate over a Focus hatch, if I was in the market for that kind of car. In the case of the Focus, the estate is even usually cheaper second hand. Not sure I understand the estate reference. In that sense what does a Focus hatch offer over a Focus Estate?
I've never cared how long cars are, width makes a huge difference to how nice a car is to drive on the road, but length seems largely not to matter. Image isn't really something I consider much when buying a car; I drove an MGB when all my friends were in Novas. I don't think I'll never have a "cool" image, whatever I drive, and to be honest I don't think I want one anyway.
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