e36 compacts

[dips346]

need some info on the compacts
from what models is the parts interchangable from
i.e wings,bonnet,lights,suspension,sub frames and so on please

[Jhonno]

front ends are shared with the saloon

suspension, not 100% in terms of like for like, but all e36 stuff will fit, think its only the m3 struts that differ apart from brakes which differ across the range

[Chase007]

I have been thinking of getting one as a run around myself what u lot think

[dips346]

so i guess the front panel work must be saloon stuff as well

[whipsey]

i've just sold my compact the front end is the same the rear subframe uses the same diff as the e30

[Andyboy]

Doors are unique, front end panels are saloon but the headlamps are unique and not shared with any other E36 with different connectors. E30 style rear suspension (but not the same) and E30 rear brakes.

[ShakeyC]

Sounds like the E36 Compact really was a bodge to fill an irrelavent gape in the market.

[Andyboy]

Not irrelevant - they sold thousands of them and it opened up a new market. It also allowed BMW to build the Z3 which for a time was the worlds best selling sports car.

[darkchild]

Sounds like the E36 Compact really was a bodge to fill an irrelavent gape in the market.

BMW had to expand its market to survive. I can't say I'm keen on them (the dash is hideous) and they're clearly built to a cost but the E36 compact was a success. A couple of people I know who purchased them have stuck with the marque and upgraded to E46's, E90's etc.

The E46 compact was a cracking car under the ugly bodywork.

[dips346]

the dash is hideous is a under statement .....lol

[Andyboy]

The E36 Compact sold well because it was a BMW for Golf money. A basic 316i isn't a great drivers car but it's okay and compared to a lot of the rubbish around in 1994 (Astra Mark 3, Escort V, Golf 3.......Maestro) it was alright. They don't seem to rot badly, the interior is a bit crap and they are mechanically very tough. Chances are if you bought one new in '94 and looked after it, it would still be going with 200k and minimal costs plusnit's still worth £800. The others would be rusty scrap of weigh-in value only.
The E46 Compact was a very good car but it missed the point of the original because it was more expensive. It's a much better looker than the E36 which was really a bit of a spastic (the fuel filler smack in the middle of the rear 1/4 panel - what was that about?) but because it had the proper dashboard and rear axle it could never be cheap like the E36. Also, the Mini didn't help its cause at all.
Truth be told, the E46 Compact is a much better car than the 1 Series. Looks apart it handles and drives as well but has better visibility, decent rear legroom and a useable boot.

[bss325i]

...... a lot of the rubbish around in 1994 (Astra Mark 3, Escort V, Golf 3.......Maestro)

A Maestro in 94?

Truth be told, the E46 Compact is a much better car than the 1 Series. Looks apart it handles and drives as well but has better visibility, decent rear legroom and a useable boot.

And is better looking althogh i still like the 1 series looks.

[Chase007]

......

And is better looking althogh i still like the 1 series looks.

A 2Dr 1 Series i hope they look ok.

[78dude]

Frankly speaking, I have always had a soft spot for the E36 Compact versions because I think they are cool. Like Andyboy is saying, you get an allright car for Golf money and that is good. I know also that in Germany its populare to convert them to an "M3"

[E30BeemerLad]

I had a an 02 plate E46 316ti compact which I blagged the use of for 6 months, it was an SE version so had climate & rear parking sensors etc, think the list on it was about £18K.

Dash was nice, standard audio pathetic for a car of that price, seats/trim felt very cheap and it was hugely lacking in grunt, a bit better when wound up on the motorway but crap through the gears. ASC turned off it was a hoot to chuck about and felt very precise.

E36 compacts can be made to look quite nice, but that dashboard arghhhhh!

[nickstoner]

i fort they were ugly it was a bmw with a bad case of slim fast on the arse lol

[ShakeyC]

Not irrelevant - they sold thousands of them and it opened up a new market. It also allowed BMW to build the Z3 which for a time was the worlds best selling sports car.

May have sold lots of cars in each market, to me neither Compact or Z3 I would never consider buying if i was after such cars i think they are that pointless same as the new 1 series which im not a fan off either in my personal opinion.

[darkchild]

Not irrelevant - they sold thousands of them and it opened up a new market. It also allowed BMW to build the Z3 which for a time was the worlds best selling sports car.

May have sold lots of cars in each market, to me neither Compact or Z3 I would never consider buying if i was after such cars i think they are that pointless same as the new 1 series which im not a fan off either in my personal opinion.

Correct, they aren't BMW's finest hour but BMW couldn't go on making just the 3, 5 and 7 series forever. The eighties with the E30, E32 and E34 was BMW's peak IMO but they had to expand the model range and create niche markets to survive. It's all about the $ at the end of the day.

[BMracing]

I liked them, I know a couple of people that have had them and been very happy with them. My old dear had a very nice late ti sport with a factory fitted bodykit. Not sure what they did, if anything with the suspension, but it handled very well imo.
Shame we never got a 6 pot model over here.

[jaistanley]

When the hassle of the BTB manifolds was going on I nearly bought a late ti with all the body kit etc so I could drop my MRoadster stuff into it and have a 3.2 Compact/M3 type thingus. Always thought that'd be cool.

Then I started getiing all excited about the prospect of getting a crash damaged MCoupé with the S54 and swapping the engine/electrics over to an E46 compact; and fitting E46 M3 runing gear. Then my manifold came through and I woke up. The E30 is too retro cool to ignore..

[Simon13]

My missus has had a 318ti E36 compact with leathers and A/C. Great little car. Looks not to my taste but it handled nicely had enough grunt from the 1.9 M44 to make it fun and did 32mpg all day long. Nothing went wrong and we just ran it.

She now has a 2.8 Z3. Now i'm not a huge fan of either cars but this thing is a weapon, nice and light handles like an E30 and is pretty rapid. Does look a bit homo, but the engine more than makes up for any short comings of which there aren't many really. Also does a solid 29 when driving normally on the commute

don't knock them till you try them, but basic models always are sh!t on any car range with no good options ticked from new

[dips346]

i have 1 now

[ShakeyC]

i have 1 now

Is it destined for a full saloon boot transplant? An uncompacted compact

[town325i]

REALY THE COMPACT WAS AIMED AT THE WOMEN DRIVER THAT STRUGGLED JUDGING THE SALOON BOOT WHEN REVERSING. THESE ARE GOOD CARS TO DRIVE A LITTLE FAST TO DRIFT IN THE WET BUT GOOD FUN IF YOU HAVE THE 318TI. MY MISSUS HAS GOT ONE ON A P PLATE AND IT ONLY COST £950 FULL DEALER SERVICE HISTORY TAXED AND MOT,D PROPER STANDARD THOUGH IT WAS STEEL WHEELS AND TRIMS THE LOT BUT A BARGAIN NON THE LESS

[DieselMeister]

/Capslock

What model Dips?

I seem to remember a tasty number done by AC Schnitzer - may have had the the late S3 3.2 six in it (250bhp?). There have been lots of other tasty conversion including 2.8s, M3 running gear and not forgetting a couple of V12s (RD and who else?). There was an LHD 323 (2.5) but I can't remember whtehr any RHD sixes were made by the factory. The E46 as said is pig ugly but a good car and could be had with the 2.5 if I recall.

Real world the 318ti was good fun - revvy and rear drive was rare at the time. Should be dirt cheap now too.

[dips346]

/Capslock

What model Dips?

I seem to remember a tasty number done by AC Schnitzer - may have had the the late S3 3.2 six in it (250bhp?). There have been lots of other tasty conversion including 2.8s, M3 running gear and not forgetting a couple of V12s (RD and who else?). There was an LHD 323 (2.5) but I can't remember whtehr any RHD sixes were made by the factory. The E46 as said is pig ugly but a good car and could be had with the 2.5 if I recall.

Real world the 318ti was good fun - revvy and rear drive was rare at the time. Should be dirt cheap now too.

nothing big ,just a clean base car to play with
its a 318ti 1995 ,black with some nasty grey bumpers
but not much is staying

[DieselMeister]

If you've not found a rust free E30 to house the V12....

[dips346]

If you've not found a rust free E30 to house the V12....

the v12 is going in a e36 m3 ac wide arch coupe

[DieselMeister]

[AlexBaur325]

Im not a fan of the E36 compact. I don't like the backend of them and the image isnt great IMHO...a lot ive come across tend to be driven by very pretentios (sp) people who think that they are the dogs because they have a BMW...

I agree with comments that at the end of the day its all about dollar and in that respect the comapct was a cash cow, however i dont consider it a "proper" BMW and would never buy one.

(i bet i sound i right snob now )

[Mox3d]

Quirky handling things. But generally good fun. As said, the front is basically e36 four door with e30 inspired trailing arm/ sub axle rear. I've never like them nor disliked them really.

I'd describe as a perfectly good runabout though.

[Simon13]

Im not a fan of the E36 compact. I don't like the backend of them and the image isnt great IMHO...a lot ive come across tend to be driven by very pretentios (sp) people who think that they are the dogs because they have a BMW...

I agree with comments that at the end of the day its all about dollar and in that respect the comapct was a cash cow, however i dont consider it a "proper" BMW and would never buy one.

(i bet i sound i right snob now )

you do, and have you driven one to confirm your subjective opinion?

[pacerpete]

Compacts are aesthetically challenged but otherwise very good cars. They are seldom rusty and are excellent sellers with much higher values and demand than similar age/spec coupes or saloons. A 318ti is a very pleasant tram for pootling about in and excellent on fuel.

[Simon13]

32mpg combined our one used to turn in and a bit more on a run

[MarkF]

E36 compact with M3 engine and running gear FTW!!!