BMW Compact

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BMW Compact (E36)

Manufacturer	BMW
Production	1993-2004 371,498 built [1]
Successor	BMW Compact (E46)
Class	Compact car
Body style(s)	3-door hatchback
Layout	FR layout
Engine(s)	1.6 L I4 102 PS (101 hp/75 kW) 1.9 L 105 PS (104 hp/77 kW) 1.8 L I4 140 PS (138 hp/103 kW) 1.9 L I4 140 PS (138 hp/103 kW) 2.5 L I6 170 PS (168 hp/125 kW) 1.6 L I4 Petrol/Biogas 87 PS (86 hp/64 kW) 1.7 L I4 diesel 90 PS (89 hp/66 kW)
Wheelbase	2700 mm (106.3 in)
Length	4210 mm (165.7 in)
Width	1700 mm (66.9 in)
Curb weight	1175 kg (2590 lb)−1290 kg (2844 lb)

The BMW Compact is a compact car / small family car, basically a truncated liftback version of the BMW 3 Series, produced by the German automaker BMW between 1993 and 2004. The wheelbase remained the same as the full-size sibling. From 1994, it was based on the BMW E36 platform, switching to the BMW E46 platform in 2001. Production of BMW Compact ceased in 2004 when it was succeeded by the 1 Series.

The car was available in 316i, 316g (compressed natural gas)^[2], 318ti, 318tds (diesel) and later as a 323ti. The title 'Ti'(Touring International) used on the more powerful versions, harking back to the ti models of the sixties.

Contents 1 E36/5 1.1 Trims 1.2 Sales 2 E46 3 Racing 4 Engines 5 References 6 External links

[edit] E36/5

The BMW E36/5 Compact shares its suspension with the BMW Z3, M Coupe/Roadster, which has E36 front suspension and rear suspension based on the E30. From front bumper to A pillar, the Compact looks identical to the E36 sedan, sharing both front fenders, bumpers, lights and the hood.

In order to save space, the E36/5 made use of a smaller semi-trailing arm rear axle derived from the older 3-series (E30). The inherent design of the trailing arm suspension was that it favoured oversteer. Consequently, the Compact received mixed reviews from the automotive press, some claiming the chassis was the most balanced of the E36 range, while others said that the car wandered and darted in a straight line, and was uncomposed in the corners.

[edit] Trims

In North America, these models were equipped with a 1.8 litre, 138 bhp (103 kW; 140 PS) four-cylinder M42 engine for the 1995 model year. In 1996, the engine was expanded to 1.9 liters (M44), a treatment given to all 318i/318is. As some changes were required to make the car compliant with OBD-II, power curve adjustments occurred at the same time. European buyers had the option of a smaller 1.6 litre engine, a four-cylinder diesel, and German buyers had the exclusive and rare 323ti option with a 2.5L, 170 PS (125 kW; 168 hp) Inline-6.

The interior was all BMW: apart from a simple one piece dashboard, it shared the same seats and trim as the full-sized 3-series. 318ti came in different trim levels, including the base, Active and Sport. Sport package is similar to the ones offered to coupe/sedan models, giving the car the suspension upgrade, colour coded bumpers, foglights, alloy wheels, sport seats and the like. Active package offered comfort items such as OBC(On-board computer), cruise control, sunroof and remote keyless entry.

The Clubsport edition was only offered in the model year 1995. It received the treatment of BMW Individual, much like the 1995 M3 lightweight and 1995 BMW E34 540i M-sport. The car had upgraded suspension, limited slip differential, sport seats, and full M-aerodynamic package including front and rear bumpers as well as side mirrors. It should be noted the Sport package for 1995 318ti had all the performance upgrade with no exterior distinction from the base model. Starting 1996, the sport package included the M-aerodynamic package like the Clubsport model, with the exception using the standard side mirror. Also there is a rare California edition of the vehicle, introduced in 1996, featured a Webasto style folding canvas roof reminiscent of those used in the Citroën 2CV. 1999 is a unique year for 318ti in US, since the introduction of E46 sedan/coupe models, BMW has made a decision not to offer the four-cylindered cars available to the rest of the world. All 1999 318ti's came with the sport package. It is the rarest and most sought after of the E36 318 lineup by enthusiasts, being the lightest, fastest, best handling and least expensive.

To celebrate the 50th birthday of the German automobile magazine "Auto Motor und Sport", BMW M GmbH handbuilt (at least) one M3 compact. The car embodied all the technical and optical characteristics of the stock E36 M3, but in the compact body, and more. A quad exhaust tip, Recaro sports seats, four-point seatbelts and an alcantara steering wheel and gear lever were specific for this model. The car was donated to the automobile magazine, but there are no details of the car's present whereabouts.

During 1993/4, BMW built several prototype 5-door compacts, which looked outwardly even more similar to the saloon right back to the C-pillar. However, following the initially disappointing sales response to the Compact (in comparison to the Saloon & Coupe models) BMW decided not to offer a 5-door variant. The prototypes were stripped and the bodyshells disposed of.

[edit] Sales

The car was offered in the United States and Canada for model years 1995 through 1999. Despite being reasonably priced, starting at $19,900, the 318ti never enjoyed popularity in North America, selling much better in Europe. While consumers desired a less expensive BMW, two factors conspired to keep sales low in the US. First, the US market only sporadically supports the hatchback body style. Second, the SUV craze was beginning to surge.

[edit] E46

BMW Compact (E46)

Manufacturer	BMW
Production	2000-2004
Successor	BMW 1 series
Class	Compact car
Body style(s)	3-door hatchback
Layout	FR layout
Engine(s)	1.8 L I4 115 PS (113 hp/85 kW) 2.0 L I4 143 PS (141 hp/105 kW) 2.5 L I6 192 PS (189 hp/141 kW) 2.0 L I4 diesel 115 PS (113 hp/85 kW) 2.0 L I4 diesel 150 PS (148 hp/110 kW)
Wheelbase	2725 mm (107.3 in)
Length	4260 mm (167.7 in)
Width	1750 mm (68.9 in)
Curb weight	1300 kg (2866 lb)−1405 kg (3097 lb)

The TI/Compact was redesigned in 2000 (as part of the E46 line), but was never exported to North America. Althought the E46 compact was never imported in the USA, there have been many attempts for importing them. The E46 Compact does not feature styling similar to the rest of E46 cars. Most notably, the headlight assembly on the Compact models differ greatly from either coupe, sedan/touring models.

After 2001, all Compact models had electric windows, leather steering wheel, traction control and alarm. The newer Compact also had better suspension, more interior space and a better interior finish.

In 2004, the TI/Compact was effectively replaced by the BMW 1 Series (the 1-Series did not go to North America until 2008). However, various Internet sources claim that the Compact is being considered for a revival for the 2009-2012 model year^{[citation needed]}. It's claimed it will sport the same exterior as the TI/Compact (which is still regarded as fresh and not old-fashioned.), but BMW haven't confirm any such information yet. One reason for this may be the unsatisfactory sales of the hatchback version of the 1 Series (especially when compared to the 1 Series coupe and convertible versions).

Despite the fact that once the TI/Compact was regarded as too bizarre-looking (when compared to other, more conventional BMW models of the time like the BMW 3 Series sedan, for example), many BMW enthusiasts and fans are now critical of that move. They feel that the TI/Compact has grown into its looks and now looks fresh compared to other cars of the same age like Audi A3 and Volkswagen Golf, for example. The automotive press even states that "It still looks as fresh as it was years ago, when it was brand new. It ages as well as good wine." Also, Mercedes Benz CLC, which was regarded as TI/Compact's MB rival is still produced. It has been in production since 2002 and updated through the years. In addition, the 1 Series failed to achieve the success of the Compact in terms of buyer's satisfactory levels (although selling numbers are not low, many 1 Series hatchback owners regard buying that car as a mistake. Also, they feel that the 1 Series coupe and convertible versions are better value for money).

The TI/Compact is currently enjoying a revival of interest in buyers, partially due to its affordability (compared with other 5-7 year old BMW models), compact dimensions, relatively low fuel consumption and interesting design, which is regarded as chic and exotic. The automotive press states that the E46 Compact is a popular starters car for new BMW owners who later buy a larger vehichle from the marque. Although the TI/Compact went out of production less than 10 years ago in 2004, it now has a cult following in Europe.

[edit] Racing

A Motorsport version of the car was briefly considered by BMW but it was concluded that such a production run would never return adequate profits. Despite this, the 16-valve versions 318ti compact and the various verions of the 318is (as 2 or 4-door E36, or as 2-door E30) won overall championships in the German endurance racing series on the Nürburgring, VLN [1] in 2002, 2004 & 2006 and RCN/CHC in 2003, as its class ("V2 standard cars up to 1850 cc") usually has the most entries due to the low costs, and thus slightly more points are rewarded according to the special scoring system. Yet, it was beaten to both the VLN and the RCN/CHC title by 1600 cc Opel Corsa once (VLN 2003, RCN/CHC 2005).

[edit] Engines

Versions available to the European market:

E36:

• 1994-1998, 316i: 1596 cc, I4, 8 valves, 75 kW (102 PS; 101 hp), 150 N·m (110 lb·ft)
• 1999-2001, 316i: 1895 cc, I4, 8 valves, 77 kW (105 PS; 103 hp), 165 N·m (122 lb·ft)
• 1995-2000, 316g: 1596 cc, I4 petrol/biogas, 8 valves, 75 kW (102 PS; 101 hp), 150 N·m (110 lb·ft)
• 1994-1995, 318ti: 1796 cc, I4, 16 valves, 103 kW (140 PS; 138 hp), 175 N·m (129 lb·ft)
• 1995-2000, 318tds: 1665 cc, I4 diesel, 8 valves, 66 kW (90 PS; 89 hp), 190 N·m (140 lb·ft)
• 1996-1999, 318ti: 1896 cc, I4, 16 valves, 103 kW (140 PS; 138 hp), 180 N·m (130 lb·ft)
• 1998-2000, 323ti: 2494 cc, I6, 24 valves, 125 kW (170 PS; 168 hp), 245 N·m (181 lb·ft)

E46:

• 2001-2004, 316ti: 1796 cc, I4, 16 valves, 85 kW (116 PS; 114 hp), 175 N·m (129 lb·ft)
• 2002-2004, 318ti: 1995 cc, I4, 16 valves, 105 kW (143 PS; 141 hp), 200 N·m (150 lb·ft)
• 2003-2004, 320td: 1995 cc, I4 diesel, 16 valves, 110 kW (150 PS; 148 hp), 330 N·m (240 lb·ft)
• 2001-2004, 325ti: 2494 cc, I6, 24 valves, 141 kW (192 PS; 189 hp), 245 N·m (181 lb·ft)

[edit] References

[edit] External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: BMW 3 Series

• 318ti.org
• BMW World

v • d • e « previous — BMW road car timeline, 1980s–present
Type	Series	1980s										1990s										2000s										2010s
		0	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	0	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	0	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	0
Small family	3 Compact															E36/5						E46/5
	1 Series																									E81 / E82 / E87 / E88
Compact exec	3 Series	E21				E30							E36								E46							E90 / E91 / E92 / E93
Executive	5 Series	E12		E28							E34								E39							E60 / E61
Luxury Coupé	6 Series	E24										E31 (8 series)														E63 / E64
Luxury	7 Series	E23							E32								E38							E65 / E66 / E67 / E68							F01 / F02
Roadster	Z Series									E30 (Z1)								E36/7 & E36/8 (Z3)							E85 / E86 (Z4)						E89 (Z4)
Supercar/GT		E26 (M1)																				E52 (Z8)
Sports Activity	X1																															E84
	X3																									E83
	X5																					E53							E70
	X6																													E71 / E72
Progressive Activity	5 GT																															F07