Thinking about a compact....

Post Wed Apr 25, 2007 11:47 am

Nearly came back to the E30 scene last week but the planned purchase of a written off sport didn't materialise in the end.

But when i put my sensible hat on, I do recall the reasons why I got out of the E30 scene and this gets me thinking about the E36 Compact, especially after reading through the engine swap thread of Jazzman and his brother.

The Compact just seems a logical step forwards and they are pretty cheap.

Still have 6 pot jap turbo transplants going around in my head, would be a good combination still I think.

Anyone got any experience of compacts? What are the known trouble spots? Are parts still dirt cheap? Do E36 saloon bumpers fit such as M3 stuff? What is interchangeable between saloons/coupes and the compact?

Cheers

Lee

Post Wed Apr 25, 2007 12:08 pm

A friend of mine has got a 316i compact and has just fitted an mtech (m3 style) front and rear bumper. The rear needed some work to make it fit iirc.

Post Wed Apr 25, 2007 5:20 pm

An honest opinion from someone who has had a couple;

They're okay but they're not a patch on the saloon. The trim quality isn't great, you've got rear drums and a pimply plastic dash that looks like it came from a '79 Skoda Estelle. If you want an E36 buy the saloon as they're a much better car in every respect. Coupes are coming down in price now and the E36 Touring is a nice thing. I missed out on a damaged 325tds Touring with half leather today but it was just too dear.

If you must have a Compact, get the 318Ti.

Post Wed Apr 25, 2007 5:24 pm

Drumz of powAh!

Post Wed Apr 25, 2007 5:32 pm

My '2000 model 316i compact has the 1895cc big block donk, rear discs and traction!

not sure why but hey its another switch that lights up in the dark, the sort of thing that would appeal to a toyota owner.....
She is a rare 'motorsport' compact with no sunroof and is being readied for a victim as we speak.
Beemerlad, get rid of that mousefur lined tinselled up turd and come and buy a proper car !

Post Wed Apr 25, 2007 5:37 pm

pacerpete wrote: Beemerlad, get rid of that mousefur lined tinselled up turd and come and buy a proper car !

Not a chance. He'll be glowering at the German Wunderkind from his fake ratskin lined cocoon prentending to be at the controls of an 840Ci with the eerie, distant rumble of a Rice V8 as a soundtrack.

I don't think I've ever had a Compact with grey bumpers, flat paint and no 'roof. How terribly council. Trouble is with all these EWS keys about.........

Post Wed Apr 25, 2007 9:18 pm

thanks for the comments folks, maybe i'll look at a touring instead as I'm used to proper build quality now

Post Wed Apr 25, 2007 9:50 pm

E30BeemerLad wrote:thanks for the comments folks, maybe i'll look at a touring instead as I'm used to proper build quality now

Good idea! Look at my latest edition...

http://www.e30zone.net/modules.php?name ... ic&t=62314

I hate the compact, one of the worst cars BMW have made (in my opinion of course!)

I wouldn't mind a 535d touring with all the M styling in black!

Post Wed Apr 25, 2007 10:08 pm

that's a nice looking chariot Simon, would have to shift the soararse on first

I had the use of an 02 316ti (E46) for about 6 months before i got the E-dirty, was a gutless car but very well balanced, trim was pretty gash even though it was an SE, I certainly would not have written the cheque for Ã‚£18K for one

I just don't know if I would miss the solid express that is the soarer, despite the comments from those ASBO E30 rapists

Post Thu Apr 26, 2007 10:15 am

hahaha Time to dry dock the Lexarse!!

You're going to have to find a very straight car to replace it. Lots more Technology in those boats of yours!

Post Fri Apr 27, 2007 6:42 am

i was thinking about buying a e3@ but thought better of it, the m3 had been round the world by the looks of the miles on it and they wanted 6k! still like the idea of a 328i sport.

Post Sat Apr 28, 2007 12:11 am

no offence but compacts are the devils work your money will be better spent on on the touring imho

200

Post Sat Apr 28, 2007 7:31 pm

my womans compact drives spot on and is well screwed together, but E36's have never been as well built as an E34 say.

I didn't like them until we owned one! Drives just like a bmw does all the dna is there even if they look odd.

I wanted her to get a nice 323i coupe but she wouldn't have it