BMW 3 Series Compact

The BMW 3 Series Compact is a 3-door hatchback version of the BMW 3 Series, which was produced from 1993 through 2004. Initially based on the E36 platform, it switched to the E46 platform in 2001.

BMW 3 Series Compact
Overview
Manufacturer	BMW
Production	1993–2004
Body and chassis
Class	Subcompact executive car (C)
Body style	3-door hatchback
Layout	Front-engine, rear-wheel-drive
Chronology
Successor	BMW 1 Series

The launch models were powered by four-cylinder petrol engines, with the range expanded over the years to include a four-cylinder compressed natural gas engine,[1] four-cylinder diesel engines and six-cylinder petrol engines. Unlike most hatchback competitors, the 3 Series Compact uses rear-wheel drive (instead of front-wheel drive).

In 2004, the 3 Series Compact was replaced by the 1 Series. The 3 Series GT, introduced in 2013, is not a successor to the 3 Series Compact, despite also using a hatchback rear opening.

E36/5 (1994–2000)

E36/5
Overview
Production	1993–2000
Body and chassis
Platform	BMW 3 Series (E36)
Powertrain
Engine	Petrol: 1.6–1.9 L M43 I4 1.8 L M42 I4 1.9 L M44 I4 2.5 L M52 I6 Diesel: 1.7 L M41 I4 CNG: 1.6 L M43 I4
Dimensions
Wheelbase	2,700 mm (106.3 in)
Length	4,210 mm (165.7 in)
Width	1,698 mm (66.9 in)
Height	1,393 mm (54.8 in)
Curb weight	1,175 kg (2,590 lb)−1,290 kg (2,844 lb)

Launched in 1994, the E36 3 Series Compact (model code E36/5), was BMW's first hatchback since the 2002 Touring model was discontinued in 1974.

From the front bumper to the A-pillar, the E36/5 is identical to the E36 saloon. From the A-pillar rearwards, the E36/5 is unique from others in the E36 range.[2] Although the overall length of the E36/5 is approximately 200 millimetres (7.9 in) shorter than the rest of the E36 3 Series range, the length of the wheelbase is the same.

A large sunroof, covered by a folding canvas roof was available from mid-1995.[3] This model was known as either the California Top Edition or the Open Air Edition.[4][5]

In September 1996 (model year 1997), the 3 Series compact received a facelift. Changes included revised tail-lights, grille, bumpers and mirrors.[6]

• 
  Post-facelift 316i front
• 
  Post-facelift 316i rear

Suspension

The front suspension uses the E36's MacPherson strut design, while the rear suspension uses a semi-trailing arm from the previous generation E30 models (instead of the Z-Axle multi-link suspension used by the rest of the E36 range). This rear suspension arrangement - which is also used on the Z3 - is more compact and cheaper to produce.[6] Some reviewers believe that this arrangement causes the E36/5's handling to be prone to oversteer.[7][8]

Interior

The interior is mostly similar to the E36 saloon models, apart from the folding rear seats and dashboard which shares some elements with the previous generation E30 3 Series.[6]

Models

Name	Power	Torque	Engine	Acceleration 0-100 km/h (62 mph) (seconds)	Top speed	Years
316i	75 kW (102 PS; 101 hp) at 5,500 rpm	150 N⋅m (111 lb⋅ft) at 3,900 rpm	M43B16 I4	12.3	188 km/h (117 mph)	1994–1999
	77 kW (105 PS; 103 hp) at 5,300 rpm	165 N⋅m (122 lb⋅ft) at 2,500 rpm	M43B19 I4	11.9	190 km/h (118 mph)	1999–2000
316g*	60 kW (82 PS) at 5,500 rpm	127 N⋅m (94 lb⋅ft) at 3,900 rpm	M43B16 I4	15.6	-	1995–2000
318ti	103 kW (140 PS; 138 hp) at 6,000 rpm	175 N⋅m (129 lb⋅ft) at 4,500 rpm	M42B18 I4	9.9	209 km/h (130 mph)	1994–1995
	180 N⋅m (133 lb⋅ft) at 4,300 rpm	M44B19 I4	9.9	209 km/h (130 mph)	1995–1998
323ti	125 kW (170 PS; 168 hp) at 5,500 rpm	245 N⋅m (181 lb⋅ft) at 3,950 rpm	M52B25 I6	7.8	230 km/h (143 mph)	1997–2001
318tds (diesel)	66 kW (90 PS; 89 hp) at 4,400 rpm	190 N⋅m (140 lbf⋅ft) at 2,000 rpm	M41D17 I4 turbo	13.9	175 km/h (109 mph)	1995–2001

* Bivalent drive: The 316g can run either on gasoline or compressed natural gas (CNG). 75 kW (102 PS) when running on gasoline.

Prototype models

M3 Compact
In 1996, to celebrate the 50th birthday of the German automobile magazine Auto, Motor und Sport, BMW M hand-built one M3 Compact.[9] The car embodied all the technical and optical characteristics of the standard E36 M3, but in the compact body. Quad exhaust tips, Recaro sports seats, four-point seatbelts, an Alcantara steering wheel and gear lever were specific for this model.[10]

North American models

In North America, the sole model available was the 318ti, initially powered by a DOHC 1.8 litre, 138 hp (103 kW; 140 PS) inline-four BMW M42 engine.[11] In 1996, to make the car compliant with OBD-II, the M42 was replaced by the 1.9 litre M44 engine.

The E36 Compact was popular in its home market in Europe, which prompted BMW to market the car to North America in late 1994 (for the 1995 model year). BMW ceased import of the BMW Compact to North America in 1999 after a very short 4-year run due to a combination of poor sales, and BMW's decision to phase out all 4-cylinder vehicles in the United States.[2] The failure of the E36 Compact precluded the E46 Compact's entry into the North American market, and prompted BMW to reconfigure the BMW Compact's successor, the BMW 1 Series, from a liftback to a coupe before attempting to market the car in North America again.

Sales figures

The total production for 1993 to 1999 (ie excluding 2000, the final year of production) is 371,498.[12]

E46/5 (2000–2004)

E46/5
Overview
Production	2000–2004
Body and chassis
Platform	BMW 3 Series (E46)
Powertrain
Engine	Petrol: 1.6 L N40 I4 1.6 L N45 I4 1.8–2.0 L N42 I4 1.8–2.0 L N46 I4 2.5 L M54 I6 Diesel: 2.0 L M47 I4
Dimensions
Wheelbase	2,725 mm (107.3 in)
Length	4,260 mm (167.7 in)
Width	1,751 mm (68.9 in)
Height	1,408 mm (55.4 in)
Curb weight	1,300 kg (2,866 lb)−1,405 kg (3,097 lb)

Rear view

In 2000, the 3 Series Compact was redesigned using the then-new E46 platform. This updated Compact has the model code E46/5.

As per the rest of the E46 range, the wheelbase was increased by 25 mm (1.0 in). The overall length is also increased by 52 mm (2.0 in).[13]

The exterior styling has several differences to the rest of the E46 3 Series range, notably the distinctive headlights and tail-lights.[14] Mechanically, the Compact shares many elements with the rest of the E46 range, however the steering rack has a faster ratio.[15]

The E46/5 was not sold in North America as its predecessor didn't prove to be a sales success in that market.

Suspension

The rear suspension uses a multi-link design, compared with the semi-trailing arm design used by its predecessor.[16]

Transmissions

Main article: BMW 3 Series (E46) § manual transmissions

Transmission options are mostly the same as the equivalent E46 coupe/sedan model.

From early 2003, the 325ti was available with a 6-speed SMG-II automated manual transmission.[17]

Models

Petrol engines

Model	Years	Engine	Power	Torque
316ti	2002–2004	N40B16*	85 kW (114 hp) at 6,100 rpm	150 N⋅m (111 lbf⋅ft) at 4,300 rpm
	2004	N45B16†	85 kW (114 hp) at 6,000 rpm
	2001–2004	N42B18	85 kW (114 hp) at 5,600 rpm	175 N⋅m (129 lbf⋅ft) at 3,750 rpm
	2004	N46B18
318ti	2001–2004	N42B20	105 kW (141 hp) at 6,000 rpm	200 N⋅m (148 lbf⋅ft) at 3,750 rpm
	2004	N46B20
325ti	2001–2004	M54B25	141 kW (189 hp) at 6,000 rpm	245 N⋅m (181 lbf⋅ft) at 3,500 rpm

* Used instead of the N42 engine in countries where vehicles tax charges favour smaller engines.
† Used instead of the N46 engine in countries where vehicles tax charges favour smaller engines.

Diesel engines

Model	Years	Engine	Power	Torque
318td	2003–2004	M47D20	85 kW (114 hp) at 4,000 rpm	280 N⋅m (207 lbf⋅ft) at 1,750 rpm
320td	2001–2004	M47D20	110 kW (150 hp) at 4,000 rpm	330 N⋅m (243 lbf⋅ft) at 2,000 rpm

References

1. "3' E36 316g Diagram Selection". www.realoem.com. Retrieved 23 June 2008.
2. Karr, Anthony (2016-11-18). "Worst Sports Cars: BMW 3 Series Hatchback/Compact". Motor1. Retrieved 2019-10-13.
3. "54112267291 COVER, FOLDING TOP SCHWARZ". www.realoem.com. Retrieved 11 September 2017.
4. "1996 BMW 318ti California Top Edition Manual Transmission For Sale". www.automobilefinds.com. Retrieved 11 September 2017.
5. "E36 316i 1.9i Compact Individual – Open Air Edition/ California Model". www.wordpress.com. Retrieved 11 September 2017.
6. "BMW 3 Series Compact (1994 - 2001) used car review". www.rac.co.uk. Retrieved 1 September 2017.
7. "BMW 3 Series Compact – The Ugly Duckling Of The Family". www.bmwblog.com. Retrieved 1 September 2017.
8. "Guilty pleasures: why the 318ti is a baby BMW with potential". www.msn.com. Retrieved 1 September 2017.
9. "Did BMW ever build an one-off E36 M3 3.2 Compact?". www.bmwblog.com. Archived from the original on 8 July 2012. Retrieved 8 September 2017.
10. "BMW E36 3-Series and M3 Club - 1996 BMW M3 Compact E36". www.drive-my.com. Retrieved 8 September 2017.
11. "3'E36 Compact 318ti US model selection". www.realoem.com. Retrieved 10 September 2017.
12. Kittler, Eberhard (2001). Deutsche Autos seit 1990. 5. Stuttgart: Motorbuch Verlag. p. 134. ISBN 3-613-02128-5.
13. "Review: BMW E46 3-Series compact (2001-05)". www.australiancar.reviews. Retrieved 11 September 2017.
14. "BMW 325ti". www.motoring.com.au. Retrieved 11 September 2017.
15. "BMW 3 Series Compact (2001 - 2005) used car review". www.rac.co.uk. Retrieved 11 September 2017.
16. "BMW 325ti Compact 2001 - Geneva Auto Show". www.caranddriver.com. Retrieved 11 September 2017.
17. "3' E46 325ti Manual gearbox GS6S37BZ (SMG)". www.realoem.com. Retrieved 11 September 2017.