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mattd View Drop Down
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Direct Link To This Post Topic: the E36 compact nice car- naff car?
    Posted: 09-June-2005 at 09:59
I own a 318ti se. My first BMW....I'ts an R reg with low miles and lots of toys. Am I too easily pleased and would it be better to trade up for a E36 coupe or saloon or is it worth holding on to. A new job has firmly placed a bee in my bonnet about changing it but should I bother?
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 09-June-2005 at 15:03
Never owned one, but if you're happy with her, run her.
currently driving a RENAULT clio sport 172!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 09-June-2005 at 17:45
Nothing wrong with the compact, I used to hate them - and I ended up buying one. Can't fault it, especialy the rear load area. More performance than 318is since it's lighter. I can drive for hundreds of miles in mine (more than I could say for the E30) and not get cramp etc. Dash is slightly different to E36 sallon/coupe on a design note.If you are happy, then why change?
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 09-June-2005 at 18:01

If you like any car, even an M3 ( lol ) thats all that matters.

Enjoy it whilst we can still drive for pleasure

Best Wishes

Nigel

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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 10-June-2005 at 11:58

I don't think the E36 compact is a very well balanced design, visually. The E46 manages it rather better. But when you're driving you can't see the styling, and driving is what BMWs do best.

The ti is nice and nippy, too.

Cheers, Neil
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 10-June-2005 at 15:09

hi mate i bought an n reg compact a few years back it was my first bmw it changed my view of bmw's for good. i thought they were overpriced, overweight and not "good looking". now i think back to all the fords,vauxhalls and rovers etc i have owned in the past and think why didn't i buy a bmw years ago. current car is E36 98 'S' 318 is coupe m tech sport, avus blue f.s.h. full toolkit, unopened first aid kit,un marked original alloys, half leather.keep your bm there are a lot worse cars out there    

    

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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 25-June-2005 at 20:04
Just driven mine from York to Orkney a fortnight ago (via ferry I hasten to add..) and then to Skye last week - got back tonight. Just over 2,500 miles all told (with travelling in-between). Can't fault it.
Back seats down, fully loaded - still pulls well, a great little cruiser.
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 26-June-2005 at 15:55
Compacts are for people who cant afford a whole one! the compact is the ugliest design BMW have ever made! im quite resolute on this one im afraid.mmm.
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 26-June-2005 at 16:10

Originally posted by snapon snapon wrote:

the compact is the ugliest design BMW have ever made!

The X3, 1 Series and new 3 Series are all far worse designs.

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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 26-June-2005 at 18:09
Originally posted by snapon snapon wrote:

Compacts are for people who cant afford a whole one! the compact is the ugliest design BMW have ever made! im quite resolute on this one im afraid.mmm.


I thought that, I mean putting the filler cap under the rear window - spoils the design a bit.
As for cheap, it was aimed as the bottom rung on the ladder (Ford Focus money), That may be for the bottom spec 316i, which is the no frills standard trim kicking out about 90 ish bhp, same with the deisel flavour - similar power. There is the ti which is the 318 with the M42/44 engine (140+ bhp) and a 323ti but not in this country. The Americans got a California roof option with a full roll back roof - great for their weather I suppose but not ours. The sports version has an LSD, lowered suspension, skirts and I expect a few other goodies.
The ti travels well under load, and eats miles. Unloaded it's pretty nippy - maybe skittish if unawares. I don't see it as a saloon or a coup, more of a family hatchback. The cabin design is different for a start, so I don't see it competing as such.
Funny realy, I hated the design, the look - and ended up buying one, go figure.
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 26-June-2005 at 18:33
My first BMW was a 1996 316i compact, boston green, bog standard, no frills, not even a rear wiper but i enjoyed every minute. I have to say i still have a soft spot for the E36 version although the E46 version is not so hot.
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 26-June-2005 at 18:59
I agree, I don't like the front lights on the E46 compact, it would look a lot better with the standard lights on. I wonder if they will make a compact version of the latest 3 series?
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 26-June-2005 at 19:25

Originally posted by Rhys Rhys wrote:

I agree, I don't like the front lights on the E46 compact, it would look a lot better with the standard lights on. I wonder if they will make a compact version of the latest 3 series?

Well they can't make it any worse.......can they?

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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 26-June-2005 at 19:28
Originally posted by Robbie Bradford Robbie Bradford wrote:


Well they can't make it any worse.......can they?



..don't tempt them
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 27-June-2005 at 16:26

Rhys wrote:
I agree, I don't like the front lights on the E46 compact, it would look a lot better with the standard lights on. I wonder if they will make a compact version of the latest 3 series?

Its ok i've had a word with wolfgang at BMW in the Fatherland and he assures me they wont be making anymore compact's!!!!!!! phew
Just Touring....
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 27-June-2005 at 17:55

I've owned my Silver Grey E46 Compact now for nine months

Great chassis and it fits in my garage.

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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 27-June-2005 at 19:33
..and mine fits the limited parking space I have (any bigger, and next door wouldn't be able to park anything up)
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 28-June-2005 at 09:14

Originally posted by Rhys Rhys wrote:

..any bigger, and next door wouldn't be able to park anything up

Which would make you about as welcome as a fart in a space suit!biggrin1

Entering an age of Austerity and now driving a Focus Diesel.
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 28-June-2005 at 10:41

 

Which would make you about as welcome as a fart in a space suit!biggrin1

 

 

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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 29-June-2005 at 16:36
Originally posted by snapon snapon wrote:

Compacts are for people who cant afford a whole one! the compact is the ugliest design BMW have ever made! im quite resolute on this one im afraid.mmm.


I own both and the compact is a 95'm and the Saloon is a 96'p, the Compact is a 318Ti the other a 328 with everything, the compact cost more and is still worth more.  Sorry but there was a good reason I bought one as a second car, they have stronger residuals than similar aged Saloons.  Also I suspect if you owned one you would appreciate what it has to offer over the saloon, like being able to actually fit large square objects into it!  And before you start it replaced a touring version , i really didn't loose all that much from the trade up/down.

Also I can't help but feel when I drive it that it just feels more nimble?  But that may be that fact that it hasn't got such a huge chunk of metal under the lid.  the steering feels really direct/lite compared to its big brother.

Just my opinion.


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