BMW 3 Series Compact

The BMW 3 Series Compact is a car which was produced from 1994 through 2004 by BMW. It is a 3-door hatchback version of the BMW 3 Series through two generations, for the E36 platform in 1993 and E46 platform in 2001. Unlike most hatchback competitors which were transverse engine front-wheel drive, the 3 Series Compact uses the longitudinal engine rear-wheel drive layout.[1]

In 2004, the 3 Series Compact was replaced by the 1 Series which encompassed 3-door and 5-door hatchback, coupé and convertible body styles (the coupé and convertible models have been marketed separately as the 2 Series since 2014) as BMW's entry-level cars; a new nameplate was created since the 1 Series is smaller than the contemporary 3 Series despite sharing mechanical components. The 3 Series GT, introduced in 2013, is not a successor to the 3 Series Compact, despite also using a hatchback rear opening.

First generation (E36; 1994)

Launched in March 1994, the E36 3 Series Compact (model code E36/5), was BMW's first hatchback since the

Models

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

M3 Compact prototype

In 1996, to celebrate the 50th birthday of the German automobile magazine Auto, Motor und Sport, BMW M hand-built one M3 Compact.[11] 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.[12]

Reception and sales figures

The E36 Compact received a positive reception, as it retained the ride/handling compromise of the saloon and coupe, with the Compact being more responsive (due to lighter weight) and more prone to oversteer (due to its different suspension), while also having a practical cargo hold. The pricing was also attractive, as the North American base price of the Compact (318ti) was $20,370 USD which undercut the next-cheapest BMW 3 Series (the 318i saloon) by $5070 USD.[2]

The E36 Compact was popular in its home market in Europe, which prompted rival Mercedes-Benz to include a hatchback style for its C-Class lineup, known as the C-Class SportCoupé. Based on the success of the Saab 900 and Acura Integra, BMW imported the E36 Compact for North America in late 1994 (for the 1995 model year) but ceased in 1999 after a comparatively short four-year run due to a combination of poor sales, and BMW's decision to phase out all four-cylinder vehicles in the United States. 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. Similarly, the C-Class SportCoupé had a short sales run in North America and was withdrawn from that market while the saloon/wagon remained available.[13]

production	2001–2004
platform	BMW 3 Series (E46)
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
wheelbase	2725 mm
length	4260 mm
width	1751 mm
height	1408 mm
weight	1300 kg−1405 kg

BMW 3 Series Compact

First generation (E36; 1994)

Models

M3 Compact prototype

M3 Compact prototype

Reception and sales figures

Second generation (E46/5; 2001)

Transmissions

Models

Petrol engines

Diesel engines

Petrol engines

References

Diesel engines