The examples and perspective in this article deal primarily with the United States and do not represent a worldwide view of the subject. Please improve this article and discuss the issue on the talk page. (December 2010)

BMW Compact (E36)

Manufacturer	BMW
Production	1993–2000 371,498 built [1]
Successor	BMW E46 Compact
Class	Compact car
Body style	3-door hatchback
Layout	FR layout
Engine	1.6 L I4 102 PS (75 kW; 101 hp) 1.9 L 105 PS (77 kW; 104 hp) 1.8 L I4 140 PS (100 kW; 140 hp) 1.9 L I4 140 PS (100 kW; 140 hp) 2.5 L I6 170 PS (130 kW; 170 hp) 1.6 L I4 Petrol/Biogas 87 PS (64 kW; 86 hp) 1.7 L I4 diesel 90 PS (66 kW; 89 hp)
Wheelbase	2,700 mm (110 in)
Length	4,210 mm (166 in)
Width	1,700 mm (67 in)
Curb weight	1,175 kg (2,590 lb)−1,290 kg (2,800 lb)

1995 BMW 318ti

1995 BMW 318ti Sport

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. 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), is unique to the Compact range and is used on the more powerful versions, harking back to the BMW New Class 'Ti' models of the sixties.

E36 Compact (E36/5)

From front bumper to A pillar, the Compact is identical to the BMW 3 Series (E36) sedan, sharing the front fenders, bumpers, lights, windshield, wing mirrors, and the hood. As with the entire E36 range, the E36/5 also shares an identical wheelbase. Similarities with the E36 sedan/coupe range end here; from the A pillar rearwards, the E36/5 is unique from others in the E36 range featuring unique framed doors, windows, roof, trunk pan, taillights, and suspension.

The BMW E36/5 Compact shares its suspension with the BMW Z3. The front employs the E36's standard MacPherson strut design, while the rear suspension uses a semi trailing arm from the previous model BMW 3 Series (E30).

The E36/5 made use of the older semi-trailing arm rear axle, as opposed to the E36's Z-Axle Multi-link suspension, as the trailing arm design was smaller, it allowed for a more lower trunk floor height, fold down rear seats, and an exterior undermounted compact spare tire.

The inherent design of the trailing arm suspension was that it favoured oversteer. Consequently, the BMW 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. It is popular with enthusiasts, being the lightest, best handling and least expensive.

Engines and performance

In North America, the sole engine available was the DOHC 1.8 litre, 138 bhp (103 kW; 140 PS) four-cylinder BMW M42 engine for the 1995 model year. In 1996, to make the car compliant with OBD-II, the engine was updated and expanded to 1.9 liters BMW M44. Consequently, all E36 Compacts sold in North America were in 318ti form.

Outside North America, consumers had a wider range of engine choices.

Interior and trim levels

Apart from a simple one piece dashboard, the E36 Compact shared the same seats and trim as the full-sized 3-series.

The North American 318ti came in three different trim levels; Base, Active and Sport. Active package offered comfort items such as an on-board computer, cruise control, leather seats, alloy wheels, foglights and sunroof. The sport package equipped the car with M-technic suspension, foglights, alloy wheels, sport seats, and for 1995 only, a limited slip differential.

A Clubsport edition was offered in the model year 1995. 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 would be identical to the Clubsport edition as had all the performance upgrades, but has no exterior distinction from the base model. Starting 1996, the sport package included the M-aerodynamic package like the Clubsport model, with the exception of standard side mirror, and the limited slip differential was no longer available. All 1999 318ti's came with the sport package.

Also there is a very rare California edition of the vehicle, introduced in 1996, featured a Webasto style folding canvas roof reminiscent of those used in the Citroën 2CV.

In 1996, to celebrate the 50th birthday of the German automobile magazine Auto, Motor und Sport 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 widely regarded as a test mule for the Z3 M Coupe. The car was donated to the automobile magazine, and currently resides in the M GmbH headquarters in Garching, Munich.^[3]

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.

Sales

The E36 Compact was very popular in its home market in Europe, which prompted BMW to market the car to North America for the 1995 model year. The E36 Compact's front-engine, rear-wheel drive layout was unique for the segment, giving it no direct competitors in North America.

When introduced in the United States and Canada, despite being reasonably priced, starting at $19,900 (USD), the 318ti never enjoyed popularity in North America. While consumers desired a less expensive BMW, North American consumers, America in particular, dislike the hatchback bodystyle. Also the popularity of sport utility vehicles at the time overshadowed the compact BMW.

BMW ceased importation of the BMW Compact to North America after the 1999 model year after a very short 4 year run due to a combination of poor sales, and BMW's desire to reposition themselves more upmarket by phasing out all 4-cylinder vehicles with the introduction of the new BMW E46 3-series. The failure of the E36 Compact precluded the E46 Compact's entry into the North American market.

The failure of the E36 BMW Compact in North America also prompted BMW to reconfigure the BMW Compact's ultimate successor, the BMW 1 Series, from a hatchback to a coupe before attempting to market the car in North America again.

BMW 3 Series Compact (E46)

BMW Compact (E46/5)

Manufacturer	BMW
Production	2000–2004
Assembly	Jakarta, Indonesia (Gaya Motor)
Successor	BMW 1 series
Class	Compact car
Body style	3-door hatchback
Layout	FR layout
Engine	1.8 L I4 115 PS (85 kW; 113 hp) 2.0 L I4 143 PS (105 kW; 141 hp) 2.5 L I6 192 PS (141 kW; 189 hp) 2.0 L I4 diesel 115 PS (85 kW; 113 hp) 2.0 L I4 diesel 150 PS (110 kW; 150 hp)
Wheelbase	2,725 mm (107.3 in)
Length	4,260 mm (168 in)
Width	1,750 mm (69 in)
Curb weight	1,300 kg (2,900 lb)−1,405 kg (3,100 lb)

The TI/Compact was redesigned in 2000 as part of the E46 line. Build and quality of finish was much-improved over that of the E36 Compact. Despite this, the E46 Compact was not as successful^{[citation needed]} as its predecessor. The E46 Compact was never marketed in North America, leaving its sole direct competitor in the class, the latecomer W203 Mercedes-Benz CLC-Class, to be the lone choice in the segment. The Mercedes, like the E36 Compact, also never enjoyed popularity in North America.

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.

BMW E46 Compact

The TI/Compact is mechanically identical to the E46-series saloon, estate, coupe and convertible - in a package eight inches shorter.

The steering was also sharpened, offering a quicker rack than any other 3 Series model

In 2004, the TI/Compact was effectively replaced by the BMW 1 Series however the 1-Series did not appear in North America until 2008.

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 versions 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 ^[4] 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 1800 cc Opel Corsa once (VLN 2003, RCN/CHC 2005).

Engines

E46

References

External links

• www.318ti.org

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: BMW 3 Series