Hi guys i know this is a Ford forum but has anyone had any experiences with BMW compacts as thinking of getting one as a daily.

Cheers Jason

 

what year you looking at?

 

52/53 plate

 

if its a 4 pot i personally i wouldnt bother, seen far too many valvetronic issues with them.

basically from 2001 onwards, BM introduced valetronic into their engines, ive seen numerous issues with these. pre 2004 motors also suffered from tensioner issues which caused the chain to jump and muller the motor

better off with an A3 in my opinion

 

Thanks for the advice, ive got a 53 plate 1.6 focus as a daily at the minute but fancy something a bit more upmarket, will have to have a look at the A3

 

whats your budget?

 

Do these 52/53 compacts have different engines to the saloon 1.9 petrols? Reason I ask is because I know a couple of people with saloons and they never seem to have an issue with them.
One is 2000 and another is 2001 318's

 

Compacts are poo, the A3 would be a better option. Or even a later Focus?

 

i really do not like the look of the compacts, better with a regular 3 series IMO.

 

You can get a 2.5 litre 6-cylinder in them - 325ti

Faster than an E46 330i if both in top gear over most in-gear increments - down to the 325ti being 10% lighter and shorter-geared. Hatchback can be useful for sticking bikes etc in the back as well

 

Its a Ford forum correct but must people on here have Bms

 

About 1500-2000, but not really sure what car to get now, so many differant cars round for that money

 

I bought a 2004 Compact diesel, with the later, better 150bhp engine that does'nt go wrong. Had it remapped and it's awesome as a daily driver. Pulls well, comfortable and does 59mpg.

 

We had a 52 plate 318ti compact and the chain jumped, so sold the car for £500 and some one fixed it up but he said it was a right pain as you have to use special tools, he wont really talk about it so I think he lost out we he sold it on.
Dan

 

Its not sounding like a good choice of car then

 

There are many series of BMW compact models. Are you talking about which compact model?.If you tell me exact compact model then I will definitely tell you about that.

 

Plus, just for the record, , as well as the diesel and 4-pot engines you can get a 2.5 litre 6-cylinder in them - 325ti

Faster than an E46 330i if both in top gear over most in-gear increments - down to the 325ti being 10% lighter and shorter-geared. Hatchback can be useful for sticking bikes etc in the back as well

 

agreed, the 325i is the one to have if you want petrol, they go well

i'd be looking at a octavia VRS, one of the best cars ive ever owned or like i said earlier, audi a3

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2002-SKODA...item3383958e17

 

LHD220Turbo can you answer my question seeing as you seem to know everything about BMW's, I'm interested to know

 

I know that but he's talking about the 4pots which are in the saloons aswell.

 

To be honest was thinking a compact as i need a hatchback for my bike and i like the interior of these, descisions.

 

IIRC the 1st valvetronic version was introduced in 2001 on the compacts, so earlier e46's didnt have this engine fitted.

the valetrnic is fitted to numerous engines within the BMW range, the ones i have seen had issues was mainly the early ones (<2004).
I'm not 100% certain on the engine codes, but basically anything without a throttle butterfly will have valetronic.

i'm searching the net now for a list but no joy at mo

 

go and have a look at the boot on a VRS, they are huge

 

I know chap I was just curious when he said the 4pots aren't good.

I'm not clued up on them either but I guess the folks I know have the earlier throttle butterfly engine.

 

Ah, didn't see that in the original post, just thought he wanted to know about Compacts in general. Thought I'd mention the 6- cylinder version in case Cossie330 didn't know about them

 

Doesnt have to be a 4 pot, any engine would do, appreciate the comments guys