IT is not a name we would have chosen for an entry level BMW. ‘Compact’ gives off all the wrong vibes. As if it has somehow been emasculated.
This second generation version does not have the same ‘chopped-off’ look at the rear and has a far more complete look. It is eight inches shorter than the non-compact full-blown 3-series saloon but, thankfully, does have the main car’s suspension. The last one suffered from not enjoying such parity with its contemporary.
It used to be the only BMW under IR£20,000 but this one will cost in the region of IR£23,250 ex-works when it gets here in August.
The four cylinder 316ti is in real life a 1.8-litre (surprise!!) and develops 115bhp with a claimed 40.9mpg. BMW claim it’s to be the first in a production car with Valvetronic air supply.
BMW compare it with human breathing. Whenever we are required to make a great effort, we breathe in a deep and long process of ventilation.
Whenever we need less oxygen, we do not throttle the supply of air by, say, closing our nose or mouth, but simply breathe in a flatter process. In a conventional combustion engine the throttle butterfly system, used to help the supply of air, is basically comparable to a human being keeping his or her nose or mouth at least partially closed. Valvetronic, on the other hand, has the ability to get deep, long ventilation (what they call large valve lift) and flat, short ventilation (short valve lift), and so is able to breathe in line with whatever demands are placed on the engine.
Effectively it lets the engine ‘breathe’ as it needs to under a variety of circumstances.
BMW claim the net result is better economy and more pulling power. It was impossible on my brief but enjoyable preview drive to vouch for either claim, It’s not that I dispute them, it’s just our driving route was not typical of normal driving nor conducive to critical mpg analysis. We also drove a ‘conventional’ 325ti (2944cc, 192bhp), on the flat and were impressed, though few will buy it here. It did, however, reinforce earlier impressions of the 316ti that the car now feels more ‘mature’ on the road. That is no doubt thanks to the 3-series suspension. On the downside, the Compact’s roofline is quite low and rear seat space is... , well, it’s compact.
They expect the Compact to do really well here; the last one, despite its perceived drawbacks was immensely popular. This one is clearly better. Except for the name.
May 2001
by Eddie Cunningham