Super TestCar reviews - BMW - 3 Series - 318ti Sport 3-dr hatchBMW models3 Series 318i Executive sedan 318i sedan 318ti Sport 3-dr hatch 320d sedan 320i Gran Turismo 320i sedan 323i Touring 330Ci convertible 330Ci coupe 330d sedan 330e 330i sedan 335i Convertible 335i coupe 335i Touring 340i Compact 5-dr hatch range Convertible range Coupe and Convertible Coupe and Convertible diesels Coupe range GT M3 and M4 M3 Competition M3 coupe M3 CS M3 sedan range sedan range Touring Research BMW Overview7 May 2003 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... Model release date: 1 May 1996 to 1 May 2001 All car reviewsAlfa Romeo Abarth Alpine Alpina Audi Aston Martin BMW Bentley Chevrolet Chery Citroen Chrysler Dodge Cupra Ferrari DS Ford Fiat FPV Foton GWM Great Wall Holden Haval HSV Honda Hyundai Hummer Isuzu Infiniti Jeep Jaguar Lamborghini Kia LDV Land Rover Lotus Lexus Maserati Mahindra McLaren Mazda Mercedes-Benz Mercedes-AMG Mini MG Nissan Mitsubishi Peugeot Opel Proton Porsche Renault Ram Rover Rolls-Royce Skoda Saab SsangYong Smart Suzuki Subaru Toyota Tesla Volvo Volkswagen |
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