BMW E46 3 Series Compact Drive & Review

Walkaround and driving impressions of the BMW E46 Compact, the last 3 Series 3 door hatch.

[@Snakeplayerp]

I got the 325ti! Yeah, that's a pure joy to drive. The engine, the weight distribution / center of gravity, the multi-link rear suspension, the hydro-electric power-steering, the seating position, the practical side (small, lot of space inside, reversing radar), ... All I miss is a limited slip diff, and maybe 100hp (ahah), better silentblocs (maybe?), and a better sound system.

[@Lot76CARS]

Agreed the six cylinders are absolutely the ones to get!

[@Aznag1980]

Yes you refere and sayd the best about on this car

[@wtfronsson]

Just got one of these, the 318Ti. It is a rust free e46 _in Finland_, which is almost like a unicorn already. Our 20 year old cars are usually about 50% rust because of the road salt. The interior is an Individual package with leather cup seats, also in peak condition. It cost 1500e. Just boggles my mind how a gem like this can even exist. Come summer, I'll be looking at some suspension and wheels for faster cornering. Perhaps one day a 3 liter engine will fall into the bay.

[@Lot76CARS]

Enjoy, they’re a great package!

[@flemit35]

I had the 320TD, it was excellent fantastic handling and good amount of power in a light car. probably the best engine after the 325TI

[@Lot76CARS]

Perfect combination of power and economy.

[@boebker007]

I just bought a original february 2006 316ti. It was a showroom model. They were build till 2005.

[@Lot76CARS]

Good choice, this was a 316ti and despite the badge it's an 1800cc and enough power.

[@boebker007]

@@Lot76CARS yes i have the same one and same colour. Love IT.

[@sixstringguitarist1937]

Nice vid. I'm in the UK too (South East) and I've found one of these for sale but it's a 2002 325ti compact one. Manual Cloth seats , drivers seat has some small cloth freying on upper back support but nothing that's worth bothering with. 76,500 miles genuine, 2 owners (he's the second owner then) Full Service history. Looks absolutely spotless and like new almost. I'm tempted to have a look at it and have a drive of it. I need a solid enough reliable car with bit of power if want it, and for every day to and from work and general run around with the odd 1 hour drive to and from places etc. I must be mental because he's asking £2500 for it..For £2500 I can get a 1 series 2008/09 but yes with 100,000 miles minimum if I'm lucky. With more newer plate reliable cars now days, seems for the money buying something older I immediately think it's going to be a money pit and never ending issues.🤔 I'm very tempted though. As I say it looks seriously tidy/clean for its age. I want reliability though and not to have to keep getting where I work to look at it on the ramp 😅

[@Aznag1980]

Also the e46 Compact dont have the subframe cracking problem About the rust youre correct thats what i research too.

[@dark_memer42]

Can confirm. I have a 51 318ti with zero rust. Imola red.

[@markonmotoring]

Very interesting and informative review. Strange that these never seemed to be anywhere near as popular as the 1 series. To think that smaller premium cars like the 1 series and A Class are big sellers these days. These dint look to have much space but for two people (and a washing machine apparently) it's probably a pretty safe bet and a bit different to many other smaller cars. Perhaps a future collectable classic.

[@ColonelForkEyes]

it was a case of the right car, marketed the wrong way.

[@MrFlyingguy]

just bought a 316ti with 53k and fsh for £1995.. its an auto box with sunroof and cruise.... thanks for your extremely competent and comprehensive report on the range.

[@Lot76CARS]

Thanks, I truly think they’re undervalued yet really practical. Enjoy!

[@jayjay378378]

I bought the same car with 38k for £3k mint condition fsh 1 owner ,love this car it handles even better than our 21 plate hybrid corolla

[@Lot76CARS]

@@jayjay378378 I still struggle to see why they’re so cheap, they rev freely the steering is really sharp, decent handling and a good boot, what’s not to like? Hope you get much enjoyment from your purchase!

[@jayjay378378]

@@Lot76CARS yeah lovely car Good boot amazing handling some people say it's not a proper bmw can't see why it isn't but great car for the money and can still fit the kids in

[@duskshadowpaws4434]

funny enough I'm buying a 316ti at the end of this month for £1600, 50K on the clock, manual transmission and cruise control (no sunroof though). I don't think the one I'm buying has air con though as the center console on the bmw in this vid differs from the one I'm buying (lack of temperature dials etc. on the one I'm buying) either way for what it is I'm paying a bargain price for it because it's clean af, the last owner really took care of it

[@morosanuandrei4692]

I have the 318 ti and love it will all my heart, maybe one day I will do a engine swap for the 330

[@ColonelForkEyes]

Of course the 325ti is awesome but the 320td is an absolute peach also. I've been running a 320td as a second car for six years now. It's the ES version with the six speed manual. Totally standard other than an ECU remap. Got me a solid 63mpg on a 600 mile round trip last weekend, never see less than 43mpg round town. It's got similar bhp and way more torque than an M52B28. Of course it sounds awful by comparison, but for daily use it's fantastic.

[@fkutw4tt3rtub3]

Just got me one! It wasn't easy to find a good review on this model and this even showcases a n46 engine which mine has. I just hope it won't get me many troubles and will serve me good as a 1st car :) Gotta be careful with the body, body parts are the hardest to find.

[@pedroleitao5102]

I am thinking about buying one 320d Compact, you can still find them at a very afordable price. Thank you for your Review!

[@gjonifasko5958]

Bmw e46 compact 😈❤🥵🥵🥵

[@sammythewhammy69]

Damnit, you made me crave another car!

[@sammythewhammy69]

I love these cars! Shame that I will be camping when it premier's. If this video is like the rest of yours it will be well worth watching :)

[@Lot76CARS]

Thanks for your comment much appreciated, this car is close to my heart having known it since it was registered to a close relative in 2004

[@sammythewhammy69]

@@Lot76CARS Welp, looks like I won't be camping since i got pinged by the covid app. At least I will be around for the premier.

[@Lot76CARS]

@@sammythewhammy69 oh no! That’s terrible, how annoying, hope this will be some small compensation.

[@Aznag1980]

This car introduces the fast steering rack and sport steering on the e46 saloon.

[@Lot76CARS]

Interesting, the steering is very precise and I assumed similar to other E46s, thanks for pointing that out.

[@Aznag1980]

@@Lot76CARS yes it is . Great handling car and could be better with some upgrades

[@Snakeplayerp]

@@Aznag1980 what updates do you suggest? :)

[@Aznag1980]

@@Snakeplayerp strut bar Bilstein b???. I have to check But mine is still original with the Sport Sachs

[@Aznag1980]

I forgot about the most talking Power flex bushings all the way But some bushings maybe stick to the originals because the ride will be very stiff All i know is that e46 compact already have Sport suspension Even the non M Packet. I guess this car all original with is Msport Sachs 0 kilometres new bushings already a good sport driving car that can attach corners very well and go all foot down on Highway so...... Myne still drive like in ice with already 3100000km

[@keithjefferies9862]

Good clear review

[@Victor-DOOM]

Good review nice car my favourite colour.

[@user-px4yi5jw8x]

Love this

[@Lot76CARS]

Thanks, this was a low mileage example and a bit cosseted, but I even I was surprised how well it drove in the current era.

[@robertoaino3052]

I got a e46 compact 318TD😎

[@al3dhell831]

e46 compact is the best car!

[@lenpastoor5997]

I have a e46 325ti with the m54b30 swap

[@Lot76CARS]

Now that must be quite a car, even the standard 325Ti is reasonably quick!

[@lenpastoor5997]

@@Lot76CARS it surprises quite a few people

[@Peter-oz8ec]

Have one for sale. ( 316 ti ) cheap. August 2023. U.K.

[@Aznag1980]

Wtf Only realize this one got the mod of the springs so the boot open auto!

[@johnsxn661]

I’m selling my current car to buy a golf mk6 and an e46 can’t wait 🥵

[@Lot76CARS]

Two cars has to be better than one, all bases covered!

[@johnsxn661]

@@Lot76CARS exactly 👌😂

[@kampuput619]

Can the front seats be adjusted forwards and backwards?

[@Lot76CARS]

Yes, they’re pretty flexible and most people can achieve a very comfortable seating position.

[@kampuput619]

@@Lot76CARS Nice! Granted that the back seats are folded down, do you think it has more cargo space than a Civic EK9?

[@Lot76CARS]

@@kampuput619 EK9, yes I think the compact would be bigger. New Civics possibly the same or bigger than the Compact.

[@nierlluc4705]

@@Lot76CARSJust chiming in, how about the EP3, type R and non-type R? As far as I remember, the non-tye R are slightly roomier than the type R but in the end, both got bigger boot space than its EK9 predecessor. But is it bigger than the compact E46?

[@Lot76CARS]

@@nierlluc4705 Probably this is a more accurate source of data www.automobiledimension.com/car-comparison.php

[@morosanuandrei4692]

I have the battery in the front of the car ...

[@Lot76CARS]

Well that's a interesting conversion!

[@nicoandres6796]

Es un auto hermoso fin

[@Lot76CARS]

muchas gracias por ver!

[@myerwerl]

Damn thats ugly 😂

[@Lot76CARS]

A face only a mother could love….

[@Aznag1980]

Thats what she sayd when she see you Too!😅