3 Series Compact

Kingy · 14 May 2008 at 11:08

For some stupid reason my brother has decided that he likes the 3 series compact. Apart from being hideously ugly, and a car that you buy if you simply must have a badge (which in fairness, isn't why he wants it) but can't really afford one, what else is wrong with it?

pc-modd · 14 May 2008 at 11:21

How is it hideously ugly? :confused:

Skii · 14 May 2008 at 11:24

I like them, always have.

The 325 ti is on my future list

Dogbreath · 14 May 2008 at 11:27

I wouldn't say they are hideously ugly, but it does look as though someones reversed a coupe hard into a wall, or perhaps grafted the rear end of an Astra onto it.

I can't really see the point of them though, are they considerably cheaper than a proper BMW?

Muffin` · 14 May 2008 at 11:29

Brand new? commuter? e46 or e36? price?

paradigm · 14 May 2008 at 13:02

Muffin` said:
Brand new? commuter? e46 or e36? price?

It can't be brand new

danza · 14 May 2008 at 13:16

The E46 325ti sport is a good car if you can live with the looks.

stigggeh · 14 May 2008 at 13:29

I guess they are like marmite, I really like them. I would even go as far as saying they look better than a normal 3 series (imo of course)

Dave M · 14 May 2008 at 13:29

They're a hatch back aren't they? That'd be a good enough reason for me to be honest, I do miss being able to put the seats down and load it up.

GreenMint · 14 May 2008 at 13:33

They actually looks pretty nice

PC-M Vip3r · 14 May 2008 at 13:36

Thumbs up from me... And i agree then u think about does look like someone has stuck the rear end of a astra on to it.

pc-modd · 14 May 2008 at 13:40

PC-M Vip3r said:
Thumbs up from me... And i agree then u think about does look like someone has stuck the rear end of a astra on to it.

Not really.

NickXX · 14 May 2008 at 13:41

Nothing wrong with a 192bhp rwd hatch

RandomTom · 14 May 2008 at 14:07

I'm looking at getting one of these from around 2000 at the end of summer, looks like a smart 3 series, cheaper than A3s too, don't know how the 316/318 engines are, probably dog slow but might be my next car.

mjt · 14 May 2008 at 14:33

316ti is underpowered 318ti might just be ok, with ~140bhp
the 320td with 150bhp is probably quite good too

325ti is by far the one to go for if you can afford it tho

Dogbreath · 14 May 2008 at 14:37

pc-modd said:
Not really.

You don't think there's any resemblance then? (ignore stupid body kit on Astra, had probs finding a decent pic).

RandomTom · 14 May 2008 at 14:37

mjt said:
316ti is underpowered 318ti might just be ok, with ~140bhp
the 320td with 150bhp is probably quite good too

325ti is by far the one to go for if you can afford it tho

I've seen a rathr nice 318 for sale round my area, insurance for me in a few months when I'm 19 and have 2ncb will be about £800, but for the 325ti tesco won't insure me online; so I'm thinking it'll be silly money. I only do about 5000 a year but I think I'll still stick with a smaller engine.

mjt · 14 May 2008 at 14:51

if you don't want a particularly fast car, then i'm sure it's fine
0-60 9s and 39mpg apparently..

i do know that the 316i should be avoided like the plague though, the 3 series is not a light car

Scania · 14 May 2008 at 15:32

mjt said:
if you don't want a particularly fast car, then i'm sure it's fine
0-60 9s and 39mpg apparently..

i do know that the 316i should be avoided like the plague though, the 3 series is not a light car

The later 316i shares the same engine as the earlier e36 318i iirc, I had one (a '92 J reg) its engine was just fine, no performance car, thats for sure, but not slow, well built and it had a nice handling RWD chassis.

mjt · 14 May 2008 at 15:33

i think we're talking about e46s here
i was in an e46 316ti as soon as it was released and it was slow