3 Series Compact; Bad Idea?
Discussion
So, staying true to form, I've changed my mind over which car I'd rather like for the 2nd time in 24 hours. Right now it's the 3 Series Compact. Heard mixed opinions about this, some say it isn't a 'proper' BMW, others say its reasonably good. I'd be looking to spend around £3k. What does PH think?
Patrick Bateman said:
Had a 320Td ES, good car despite the s
te spec. I imagine a 325Ti Sport would be quite a good drive especially.
None of this changes the fact it's an ugly little st, however.
The 3 Series with its arse chopped off look I can kinda go for, but the headlights on the E46 version aren't brilliant if I'm honest. Currently looking at E36 models, much cheaper (can get decent specced one for sub £1k) but are they much worse than the E46?te spec. I imagine a 325Ti Sport would be quite a good drive especially.None of this changes the fact it's an ugly little s
t, however.The E36 is a particularly bad 3-series even before they chopped it in half and welded on the arse end of an E30...
Suppose they're OK as sub-£1k bangers - but I wouldn't have one.
On the other hand, although the E46 compact is visually challenging to look at, they're a pretty decent car - don't really know why BMW replaced the 'compact' with the 1-series, as I'd quite like an E90 based 3-door 'hot hatch'.
Suppose they're OK as sub-£1k bangers - but I wouldn't have one.
On the other hand, although the E46 compact is visually challenging to look at, they're a pretty decent car - don't really know why BMW replaced the 'compact' with the 1-series, as I'd quite like an E90 based 3-door 'hot hatch'.
My wife's E46 is reasonable to drive, a little lacking in steering feel due to its weight, but then all of the body shapes will suffer from that. Power delivery is smooth with plenty of urge from low in the rev range and while not really a quick car it does feel like it picks up speed without to much effort. The compact does not get the 3 litre so you would have to settle for the 2.5.
Reasonably refined cruising with not much cabin noise, though the sport suspension can be a bit harsh on bumpier roads. I have had it return 40mph on a steady 70mph motorway run, mid thirties is probably more typical, around town anything from 17 to 23 mpg depending on traffic.
The boot is not very big, less than 2/3rds the volume my Impreza saloon has and quite narrow, seats fold of course so it is possible to expand that significantly.
Rear wiper motor assembly is a poor design, the seals allow the washer water to leak into the gearbox section which gradually binds up until the plastic gears get stripped. That is the only mechanical issue we have had with the car in the five years we have had it.
Personally I would have preferred the coupe or saloon, she wanted the compact as it is about eight inches shorter and so a bit easier to park.
ETA - Forgot to say, the traction control is rather intrusive and will cut the power with very little provocation. Best to turn it off if you need to pull out of a junction smartly in the wet.
Reasonably refined cruising with not much cabin noise, though the sport suspension can be a bit harsh on bumpier roads. I have had it return 40mph on a steady 70mph motorway run, mid thirties is probably more typical, around town anything from 17 to 23 mpg depending on traffic.
The boot is not very big, less than 2/3rds the volume my Impreza saloon has and quite narrow, seats fold of course so it is possible to expand that significantly.
Rear wiper motor assembly is a poor design, the seals allow the washer water to leak into the gearbox section which gradually binds up until the plastic gears get stripped. That is the only mechanical issue we have had with the car in the five years we have had it.
Personally I would have preferred the coupe or saloon, she wanted the compact as it is about eight inches shorter and so a bit easier to park.
ETA - Forgot to say, the traction control is rather intrusive and will cut the power with very little provocation. Best to turn it off if you need to pull out of a junction smartly in the wet.
Edited by Toltec on Saturday 24th December 23:36
Baryonyx said:
Ugly looking, and at the bottom end of the market the interior is pretty woeful and they're not terribly well equipped. The real problem is that they just don't feel exciting to drive. IIRC, an E46 318ti was the first BMW I drove and it really let me down, I was hugely disappointed.
They'll be the same as any other e46, M3 excluded obviously, in terms of excitement. (Engines being equal of course)Patrick Bateman said:
They'll be the same as any other e46, M3 excluded obviously, in terms of excitement. (Engines being equal of course)
Yes, I think you've summed that up quite nicely. Sadly, that generation of 3 series was never brilliant as far as excitement goes. Which is a shame, as despite my appreciation of Mercedes engineering, if I was buying German I am decidedly a BMW man.Baryonyx said:
Yes, I think you've summed that up quite nicely. Sadly, that generation of 3 series was never brilliant as far as excitement goes. Which is a shame, as despite my appreciation of Mercedes engineering, if I was buying German I am decidedly a BMW man.
In what way?I've not driven any e36 or e90 cars so can't compare. I wouldn't have thought there'd be much between any of the normal 3 series in terms of excitement though, especially between the e46 and e90.
Patrick Bateman said:
In what way?
I've not driven any e36 or e90 cars so can't compare. I wouldn't have thought there'd be much between any of the normal 3 series in terms of excitement though, especially between the e46 and e90.
My experience with the E90 is more limited, but the E36 struck me as a bit more classically 'German' and also felt livelier on the road. The E46 is no doubt a step forward in terms of modern engineering but seems to have taken fairly big steps in being more refined and relaxed, and feels less engaging as a result. That said, I'm sure the larger engined variants of all models can provide some fun.I've not driven any e36 or e90 cars so can't compare. I wouldn't have thought there'd be much between any of the normal 3 series in terms of excitement though, especially between the e46 and e90.
As I've mentioned above, the real problem with the compact for me was the awful looks and the low rent feel of the car. Perhaps the best way to assess each generation is by looking at it's M3, and I suspect of all generations I'm really most in love with the E30 M3. Though I would happily have an E60 M3 too!
EDLT said:
Chicharito said:
The E36 is a particularly bad 3-series even before they chopped it in half and welded on the arse end of an E30...
Ah yes, the E30. That was known for being a terrible car. You literally can't give away E30 M3s.s m said:
Chicharito said:
The E36 Compact was known for being very wayward due to the mis-match of E36 front end with old tech. E30 rear.
So basically the same suspension set up as an E30 then? Both the E36 and E30 use the same basic set-up at the frontte. Which is why they're worth about 2p these days.It was largely attributed to the E30 rear setup being hopelessly outclasses / outdated by the time the E36 was launched.
DanB7290 said:
The 3 Series with its arse chopped off look I can kinda go for, but the headlights on the E46 version aren't brilliant if I'm honest. Currently looking at E36 models, much cheaper (can get decent specced one for sub £1k) but are they much worse than the E46?
Here's an old Performance Car article
Anyone know what room is like for a tall driver in these compacts? are they the same interior wise as a similar age 3 series (don't care about rear passenger space, just driver comfort)?
Seen a 325ti SE automatic I quite like the look of, but don't fancy travelling if they are tiny inside.
Seen a 325ti SE automatic I quite like the look of, but don't fancy travelling if they are tiny inside.
I don't think they're awful cars and providing you're not looking for a B-Road machine and accept that they're pretty sluggish they're a decent car to commute in.
My Mum has had a 316i Compact Auto since 1999 (bought it at 3 years old) and it's been a great little run around. Okay so it's getting a little tired now after 13 years and 170k miles but it's still fairly comfortable to drive, the steering is nice and precise and if you're really ham-fisted you can slide around in it in the rain but that's probably thanks to the LSD that was fitted to it sometime before she bought it.
My Mum has had a 316i Compact Auto since 1999 (bought it at 3 years old) and it's been a great little run around. Okay so it's getting a little tired now after 13 years and 170k miles but it's still fairly comfortable to drive, the steering is nice and precise and if you're really ham-fisted you can slide around in it in the rain but that's probably thanks to the LSD that was fitted to it sometime before she bought it.
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