philipj.simpson
BMW E36 Compact
The BMW Compact was a small family car which was basically a truncated hatchback version of the BMW E36 platform.
The car was available in 316i, 316g (compressed natural gas), 318ti and 318tds (diesel). 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 Tii models of the sixties and seventies.
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 idential 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 and M Coupe/Roadster. The front employed the E36's standard MacPherson strut design. However the and rear suspension used a semi trailing arm from the previous model BMW 3 Series (E30) which allowed for more a 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. It is the rarest and most sought after of the E36 318 lineup by enthusiasts, being the lightest, fastest, best handling and least expensive.
Apart from a simple one piece dashboard, the E36 Compact shared the same seats and trim as the full-sized 3-series. 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.
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.
BMW E36 Compact
The BMW Compact was a small family car which was basically a truncated hatchback version of the BMW E36 platform.
The car was available in 316i, 316g (compressed natural gas), 318ti and 318tds (diesel). 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 Tii models of the sixties and seventies.
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 idential 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 and M Coupe/Roadster. The front employed the E36's standard MacPherson strut design. However the and rear suspension used a semi trailing arm from the previous model BMW 3 Series (E30) which allowed for more a 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. It is the rarest and most sought after of the E36 318 lineup by enthusiasts, being the lightest, fastest, best handling and least expensive.
Apart from a simple one piece dashboard, the E36 Compact shared the same seats and trim as the full-sized 3-series. 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.
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.