COMPACT. That's the name BMW gave its entry-level E36-based 3 Series hatchback when it was unveiled to the world at the 1993 Frankfurt motor show. Fast forward three years later and the stubby-tailed BMW arrived here. But all was not as it seemed with this particular E36 derivative. BMW decided to utilise a version of the 1983-1991 E30 rear suspension and not the expensive and sophisticated Z-link device that did so much to enhance the sedan and coupe 3 Series of the day. Add a fairly basic and low-specification interior and an unhappy "manx" style truncated profile and it's easy to see why critics were so disappointed with the E36 Compact. But that's what the Bavarian company had to do in order to keep its costs down, because the E36 Compact was going up against the likes of the VW Golf and Peugeot 306, as well as the then-rumoured Audi A3. And buyers didn't seem to care anyway, for the car proved to be a resounding success for BMW...