Why is the E46 compact so overlooked?

[H_Kan]

Stu R said:

They were ugly in their day. Since then the 1 series has been released, so now they just look dated, and not *quite* as ugly.

I appreciate I'm in the minority here, but I actually really like the 1 series. Coupe is ok but really really like the hatch. An 130i would be awesome- sadly was out of budget.

[drivin_me_nuts]

Deluded said:

Loved my E36 Compact



Never had any problems with the handling. So, its based on an E30? Nowt wrong with that. Was a very good handling car and the rear end never gave me any hassle!

Mine to. My first BMW was a 318ti. It was a gem to drive. Not the most powerful, but that 1.9 engines was an absolute peach. You could thrash it within an inch of its life .. it was just so willing. There was bugger all else in the car equipment wise, but was a solid place to be.

the E46 325 is a cracking little car. Overlooked but just so sweet. So what it's ugly, big deal. It is well built and has the engine that BMW does best.

[F1GTRUeno]

T16OLE said:

Its been done, completely pointless though!

It will add no value and look odd and cost a packet

Well dependant on true cost, imagine a compact with the E46 M3 front end on, inclusive of engine and other good bits.

Probably better off just getting an E46 M3 though...

[m444ttb]

Deluded said:

Never had any problems with the handling. So, its based on an E30? Nowt wrong with that. Was a very good handling car and the rear end never gave me any hassle!

It is funny isn't it!? The criticisms ofnthe e36 compact never seem to come up when talking about the e30. I may reshell my 328 track car into a good compact shell if the rust gets any worse!

[CO2000]

There are some nice Motorsport ones such as

http://www.rally24.com/rally-cars-for-sale/rally-c...

[BDZ]

Considered a few of these until needs changed and 4 doors were required but the thing that put me off more than anything was the fact that the bonnet looks far too big for the front of the car and massively overhangs it.

I mean seriously, how did the bosses at BMW not pick up on that when they signed it off? The front looks like it's been butchered with a horrible oversize bodykit.

Not bad cars underneath though.

[Stu R]

H_Kan said:

I appreciate I'm in the minority here, but I actually really like the 1 series. Coupe is ok but really really like the hatch. An 130i would be awesome- sadly was out of budget.

I really rather like them now, with the right wheels and trim, but when they first came out I couldn't stand them. It's probably lack of taste on my part as I feel exactly the same about the Cayenne Turbo S

[B.J.W]

Stu R said:

H_Kan said:

I appreciate I'm in the minority here, but I actually really like the 1 series. Coupe is ok but really really like the hatch. An 130i would be awesome- sadly was out of budget.

I really rather like them now, with the right wheels and trim, but when they first came out I couldn't stand them. It's probably lack of taste on my part as I feel exactly the same about the Cayenne Turbo S

______________________________________________________________________________

That is the line - which you have just crossed

Maligned at the time, but I think the shape of the Compact has mellowed quite nicely. Not as fugly as everyone makes out in my opinion.

[Stu R]

[chriscoates]

H_Kan said:

I appreciate I'm in the minority here, but I actually really like the 1 series. Coupe is ok but really really like the hatch. An 130i would be awesome- sadly was out of budget.

I agree - for me a 1 series with the optional M Sport wheels really looks the part.

[gtidriver]

We had a 325ti msport in imola red with black heated leather, six disc changer, xenons and parking sensors. I believe it started life as a topgear lifer test car then went back to BMW. it was a great car that was very smooth to drive. I never managed much more than 30mpg.Would do no more than 146 mph though, I did try.If you can find a low mileage fsh one I'd recommend one.

[LuS1fer]

I believe the later Compacts inherted the good stuff underneath. My only gripe with the car is that it's no looker and the back end reminds me of an Astra with Lexus lights. For the right money, it would be on the list.

[Epic Winning]

I'd say it's biggest problem - apart from the slightly iffy looks - is the girly image it has, same goes with the Audi A3 - these 'posh' hatchbacks.

Real men bought the Ci Coupe

[Jobbo]

Epic Winning said:

I'd say it's biggest problem - apart from the slightly iffy looks - is the girly image it has, same goes with the Audi A3 - these 'posh' hatchbacks.

Real men bought the Ci Coupe

...for their wives

I loved the 325ti I test drove - or rather, my ex-wife test drove, since it was for her. The only reason we didn't end up buying one is that we couldn't find the right colour scheme, and they weren't new enough so she had a Volvo C30 instead. To drive, they're just brilliant. I compromised by getting myself a 330i Touring.

Perhaps that's why they're overlooked; you can get so many variants of E46 that people generally go for the coupe or cab for looks, or the saloon or Touring for practicality. The Compact doesn't offer anything more special than any other E46... now if they'd done a 330i Compact the lighter weight would have made it perform better than the other body styles so it would possibly have done better?

[PaulB81]

DR10 said:

I personally don't find them ugly. My father had a 320D Compact SE Auto from new back in '03 as seen here. He liked it too. 50k miles in 3 years, no problems.

I have the exact same car in the same colour. I really like it. Its quick enough and does handle better than I expected. It was supposed to be a stop gap car between my Impreza WRX and whatever quick thing came next but I ended up keeping it

[rb5230]

They are soo ugly, i`m not sure if they are uglier than the rediculous looking 1series but its close in the ugly stakes either way.

[Smike]

LuS1fer said:

I believe the later Compacts inherted the good stuff underneath.

???

I don't think the E36 Compact is that bad though - no-one seems to complain about the same basic rear design on the E30 M3 do they?

[Kentish]

I must be odd but I love them!

I had 2 e36 models a 318 TDS (remapped) and a 318 Ti Sport and I would not hesitate to buy a e46 320d or a 325Ti.

[DR10]

PaulB81 said:

DR10 said:

I personally don't find them ugly. My father had a 320D Compact SE Auto from new back in '03 as seen here. He liked it too. 50k miles in 3 years, no problems.

I have the exact same car in the same colour. I really like it. Its quick enough and does handle better than I expected. It was supposed to be a stop gap car between my Impreza WRX and whatever quick thing came next but I ended up keeping it

It's not the exact same one, is it? Is it a 320D auto non-leather with 18" wheels?

[pidsy]

there are a few e36 compacts out there with M3 evo engines in them. seriously twitchy but Very good fun.