This Is The ///M Compact BMW Should Have Built

"DailyTurismo" (thedailyturismo)
12/12/2013 at 12:39 • Filed to: Daily Turismo

When BMW introduced the 3-series compact in 1993, the Ti (Turismo Internazionale) version it appeared like a winner. Unfortunately, the 318Ti was gutless in stock form but this one has had an engine swap from the E36 M3.

From the firewall forward the 318ti Compact is identical to the basic E36 sedan, but behind the A-pillar the compact BMW is unique. It has a hatchback rear, uses the older E30 semi-trailing rear suspension (shared with the Z3/M Roadster & M Coupe) and is noticeably more tail happy than the regular E36 -which is already prone to violent outbursts of oversteer. The biggest problem with the 318ti (aside from questionable styling) is the use of a gutless 1.8 liter 4-banger - so buy one that has had an injection of steroids. Find this !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! for sale in Phoenix, AZ currently bidding for $4,050 on ebay with 3 days to go.

Wait a minute...the old deja vu alarm is going off...have we seen this car before? Yup - this exact same car was for sale in Folsom, CA in April 2013 - and !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! . It isn't clear if this is the same seller or a new owner, but unfortunately the troublesome evap emissions leak has not been fixed...not a good sign at all.

The S52B32US is good for 240 horsepower and 236 ft-lbs of torque - a huge bump up from the stock 138 horsepower inline-4. The transmission is also now swapped for a 5-speed from the M3 and the ZF transmission is known for crisp shifting and decent gear spacing, well suited for sporty driving.

The interior of this 318ti looks well kept, and has leather seats swapped in from an M3. It looks like a good place to do a track day, autoX or just a simple trip to the grocery store.

See a better I-6 swapped compact? email us here: !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!!

Originally posted as !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! on !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! .

!!! UNKNOWN CONTENT TYPE !!!

DISCUSSION (100)

Converse > DailyTurismo
12/12/2013 at 12:48

I'd say NP. But, EVAP problems can be worrisome if you don't know what they are. Love the car though.

duurtlang > DailyTurismo
12/12/2013 at 12:48

These were available as 323ti from the factory, with an i6. I consider it quite surprising the US never got those with their cheap gas and all.

Kinja'd!!!

ddavidn > DailyTurismo
12/12/2013 at 12:52

Hmmmmm. I have mixed feelings. I feel weird when I see those wheels and that kit on that body. I usually laugh at them (there are a couple around here but the have they 318 engine) and shake my head. But this one has done a full swap. Correctly. How am I supposed to feel about this fake M3???

Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire > DailyTurismo
12/12/2013 at 12:53

Troublesome Evap Leak? Yeah, I got that. My car runs just fine.

CCC (formerly CyclistCarCoexist) > DailyTurismo
12/12/2013 at 12:57

Kinja'd!!!

I found this a few weeks back.

With-a-G is back to not having anything written after his username > DailyTurismo
12/12/2013 at 12:59

OH MY GOSH

I've seen this guy around town before and I posted ridiculous instagrams and laughed at the supreme dorkiness of putting an M-badge on a 318 hatch.

If this is true, please forgive me....

Shady Balkan Subject, Drives an Alfa > DailyTurismo
12/12/2013 at 13:04

The Compacts are fugly, both the E36 and E46 versions. They were aimed at women and this is the reason 90% of them are with the 4 cylinders. The same mistake will be done by Mercedes later with their C-Class coupe. Nobody wanted those cars. The only thing that makes the E36 decent looking is the M-Pack.

As duurtlang said they were offered here in Europe as 323i, but good luck finding decent ones.

_MCA_ > Shady Balkan Subject, Drives an Alfa
12/12/2013 at 13:10

You taught me something new - I'm a bimmerphile and yet never knew they made an e46 compact.

BeaterGT > DailyTurismo
12/12/2013 at 13:11

Such a terrible looking car.

_MCA_ > DailyTurismo
12/12/2013 at 13:12

I've driven a similar swap and it was very hoonible, but it felt cheap and wanted to fishtail under hard turning.

PaulCahill-Go2Fast > With-a-G is back to not having anything written after his username
12/12/2013 at 13:12

the 318Ti had a factory available M package...

etype > DailyTurismo
12/12/2013 at 13:13

The M GmbH built one Compact with a S50B32 and 321 euro-horses....

Kinja'd!!!

I was never a big fan of the Compact but I kind of like this one ;-)

maximum_sarge > DailyTurismo
12/12/2013 at 13:15

I see this as an affordable alternative to buying the Clownshoe M... Worth less than half the price, but probably 90% as fun.

Kinja'd!!!

Stapleface-Now Hyphenated! > DailyTurismo
12/12/2013 at 13:18

If I was in the market for a used vehicle, I'd already be writing the check. I've always loved the E36 hatchbacks. The design still doesn't look dated to me. Add in the fact that they have the updated mill, and I'm sold. If only it wasn't in red. Blue looks so much better on BMW's.

Mark Schmidt > DailyTurismo
12/12/2013 at 13:18

There was a turbo charged one that ran the one lap years ago. Think it was in an issue of car and driver

klurejr > DailyTurismo
12/12/2013 at 13:19

I always liked the looks of the 318, just too bad they were so anemic. So much potential.

LodestarRunner > CCC (formerly CyclistCarCoexist)
12/12/2013 at 13:19

Crackpipe! 204k?

dave the swede car guy > DailyTurismo
12/12/2013 at 13:21

And now we have tomorrows NPOCP post

_MCA_ > maximum_sarge
12/12/2013 at 13:21

Oh man, I want one so bad, but in Estoril Blue.

jeffAA > DailyTurismo
12/12/2013 at 13:21

I had a 1995 318ti ClubSport. Just sold it a couple of years ago. It was really fun to autocross it.

Fookin' Prawns > DailyTurismo
12/12/2013 at 13:22

I'll take the engine.

With-a-G is back to not having anything written after his username > PaulCahill-Go2Fast
12/12/2013 at 13:23

I'm trying to find that here

Stephen > duurtlang
12/12/2013 at 13:23

The larger engine was likely not offered in the compact to protect sales of (more expensive) 3-series coupes.

Ratchet when he's all hopped up on synthetic energon > DailyTurismo
12/12/2013 at 13:23

I really do like the 318ti body... I just refuse to buy a used Bimmer that isn't powered by an I6. It's like buying a Honda sans VTEC.

Shady Balkan Subject, Drives an Alfa > _MCA_
12/12/2013 at 13:23

Kinja'd!!!

A girlfriend of mine own an E46 318ti(140 hp) and it is actually a rather good car, but the styling is too cute in a bad way.

Autolegend86 > DailyTurismo
12/12/2013 at 13:25

BMW made a single E36 M3 Compact in 1996 for a German magazine.

Kinja'd!!!

RafaelValenca > duurtlang
12/12/2013 at 13:26

we got those here in Brazil, i absolutely love them since the first time i saw one in the 90´s the I6 here got 160 hp´s and its just enough, theyre lovely though around here like 95% of them got the auto-5 box

DailyTurismo > Autolegend86
12/12/2013 at 13:27

Nice! I wonder why that guy is holding a giant bottle of bubbly and a cake next to the open hood pic...

wbizarre - OEM fetishist > DailyTurismo
12/12/2013 at 13:27

This thing appears to have whole e36 interior swapped into it! The original ti's had interiors more in resemblance with the e30.

DailyTurismo > _MCA_
12/12/2013 at 13:27

fishtail under hard turning = fun?

StevenG > Shady Balkan Subject, Drives an Alfa
12/12/2013 at 13:28

A face only its mother could love.

Those headlight are terrible. That has to be the ugliest Bimmer to ever roll out of Munich.

Vracktal > DailyTurismo
12/12/2013 at 13:29

The 2003+ E46 version that came later was available with a 2.5l I6 coupled with a 6-speed that made it fairly rapid.

Kinja'd!!!

Curiously, this post is well timed since i'm considering buying one of these. I like the styling more than the earlier model, it's pretty much the last BMW made before Bangle entered the scene so it's how I imagine BMW would have gone with their next design language if he'd never worked there.

_MCA_ > DailyTurismo
12/12/2013 at 13:30

Still more exciting than the Honda Del Slow I currently drive daily.

CCC (formerly CyclistCarCoexist) > LodestarRunner
12/12/2013 at 13:32

Must be.

_MCA_ > Shady Balkan Subject, Drives an Alfa
12/12/2013 at 13:33

Those are some derpy-as-fuck headlights, and I see the what you mean by 'cute'. Someone graft a ZHP front end onto it, stat!

duurtlang > Stephen
12/12/2013 at 13:33

I'm sure you're right, it's just so... foreign to me. The quirks of the US market I guess.

In Europe the E36 coupe was available as a 316i, 318is, 320i, 323i, 325i (earlier ones), 328i and M3. The sedan and wagon added the 318tds, 325td and 325tds diesels. All of these were available in the same year, with the exception of the 325i which was replaced by the 323i and 328i.

_MCA_ > Shady Balkan Subject, Drives an Alfa
12/12/2013 at 13:34

I'd drive this one, though... got a soft spot for Estoril Blue:

Kinja'd!!!

Peter > DailyTurismo
12/12/2013 at 13:34

I've always loved these cars. Same goes for the scrunched of Merc of the early 00s.

jeebus > ddavidn
12/12/2013 at 13:37

They sold them with that kit. It was an option.

Drakkon- Most Glorious and Upright Person of Genius > DailyTurismo
12/12/2013 at 13:37

Too nice to make a rally car... but WHAT a rally car!

ZHP Sparky, the 5th > wbizarre - OEM fetishist
12/12/2013 at 13:38

whoaa, just learnt something new!

mrandreww > DailyTurismo
12/12/2013 at 13:38

2JZ + RWD swapped 7th gen celica. BOOM.

http://www.newcelica.org/forums/showthr…

Lime - Light > DailyTurismo
12/12/2013 at 13:38

An E36 M3 in decent condition is probably about as much $$ as doing this full swap and has the advantage of not being horribly ugly and disproportionate. There's no good reason for this to exist.

Buying it on eBay after someone put the money in to it isn't a horrible idea I guess but you still end up with an M3 with wrong things in the wrong places.

Drakkon- Most Glorious and Upright Person of Genius > dave the swede car guy
12/12/2013 at 13:38

Except with an auction, the price is a moving target.

ddavidn > jeebus
12/12/2013 at 13:40

Wat. How didn't I know this...

etype > DailyTurismo
12/12/2013 at 13:44

The magazine celebrated its 50th birthday and BMW gave them the testcar as a "gift"...

wbizarre - OEM fetishist > duurtlang
12/12/2013 at 13:46

Yet another BMW the US was cheated out of, along with a proper e36 m3.

jeebus > ddavidn
12/12/2013 at 13:46

to be fair, they didn't come with those wheels. But you got M-Bumpers, M-Skirts, and M-molding (that black strip).

ddavidn > jeebus
12/12/2013 at 13:47

Huh. Interesting. I guess I can back off a little, then.

Still, selfishly, don't want them to have my wheels...

Brent Worrell > With-a-G is back to not having anything written after his username
12/12/2013 at 13:49

May god have mercy on your soul lol Seriously some people DO mean business when they throw those badges on.

MannyBones > Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire
12/12/2013 at 13:49

Yay for states with no emissions testing!

JSali > DailyTurismo
12/12/2013 at 13:52

This is what should be done to a 318ti... Or any E36 for that matter

http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthre…

jeebus > ddavidn
12/12/2013 at 13:55

what wheels do you have?

ddavidn > jeebus
12/12/2013 at 13:58

Same ones, mine have the BMW MOTORSPORT stamped into them, can't tell if these do or not.

jeebus > ddavidn
12/12/2013 at 14:03

And I assume you don't drive an official LTW M3. In which case, you are posing just as much as they are. :)

_MCA_ > Vracktal
12/12/2013 at 14:04

Those headlights... feels bad man.

Secondhand News > DailyTurismo
12/12/2013 at 14:05

The car looks like it needs a bolus of viagra in the azz...

ddavidn > jeebus
12/12/2013 at 14:06

I don't have an LTW, but they are the original wheels, so I'm not sure how much the car is posing?

The World of Vee > DailyTurismo
12/12/2013 at 14:09

I can't be bothered to find it right now, but there was a bimmerphile that had a 318ti and a totaled M Roadster that was swapping all the MRoadster bits into the 318. If I recall, the M was a rear end collision so all the engine goodies were still in good nick.

I'd still take a clownshoe, but I would love to swap one of these myself, that's be so much fun!

The World of Vee > Ratchet when he's all hopped up on synthetic energon
12/12/2013 at 14:10

hence you swap in your own!

mlevere1988 > maximum_sarge
12/12/2013 at 14:11

Rather have the M Coupe because it came from the factory that way and it has all of the M bits in the right places.

ZeGerman > DailyTurismo
12/12/2013 at 14:12

The EVAP issue could be something as simple as needing a new gas cap. I'm assuming the owner is somewhat knowledgeable and has already tried that. Nevertheless, an EVAP problem shouldn't be hard to fix, so I don't know why it hasn't been dealt with here.

Also, I don't know where you get the idea that the standard E36 chassis is prone to "violent outbursts of oversteer". As an E36 owner who goes to the track and auto-x, I can tell you most assuredly that it is not prone to such antics. It's 50/50 weight distribution and chassis configuration make it one of the most well balanced cars in the biz. The compacts and Z3 coupes were known for being a bit more tail happy, but I think that probably has more to do with having a shorter wheelbase than much else. Regardless, I've ridden in them enough as a passenger during track days to know that they are not that scary at all. Sure, you have to be more attentive than if you were driving something which understeers until the cows come home, but that doesn't make them scary. It just means they're more of a sports car, and less of a transportation appliance.

I've also ridden in an S52 swapped compact such as this, and let me tell you, they are fast. A truly deadly track weapon. I don't think this car is worth more than about $6k, which it's already exceeding in bidding (with the reserve not met...), but the car is worth whatever someone pays for it I guess. Regardless, if it sells in the $6-7k range, the dollar-to-fun ratio is still epic with this car.

jeebus > ddavidn
12/12/2013 at 14:17

E36 M3s were sold with Doublespoke 1 (style 22), Doublespoke 2 (style 39), and Contour (style 23). The wheels on the car above are LTW (style 24)..which I believe was an option, but still was designed for the LTW M3.

I'm only being nitpicky since you were.

Brendan Bonney > DailyTurismo
12/12/2013 at 14:17

Because this one off was made for a BMW Motorsport anniversary iirc.

avusblau > DailyTurismo
12/12/2013 at 14:18

I've got one, Guess in what color.It's a 4 cyl and slow but I love it. Whole dashboard has been changed in this one(It's probably a coupe interior) and the colors are mismatched. In regular one climatronic wasn't available. Too bad that the steering wheel is stock (basic) and seats are only sportsitze not M power. Wiring is probably a mess and a big one. I see only one mirror is electric, too much buttons for windows in cenral console, around shiftknob. If somebody will try to work on it, other than mechanical stuff It's going to be an adventure, and not a pleasant one. Sorry for my english. I'm from polandball country:)

pieceofSchmitt > DailyTurismo
12/12/2013 at 14:19

my friend had a 318ti in high school. i could smoke it with my Saturn which made him mad cause he had to put premium in it.

ddavidn > jeebus
12/12/2013 at 14:24

I guess they aren't the same wheels then. I have the center wheel, but with text. Couldn't tell you if it has the polish option or not, they were painted white when I got the car.

Kinja'd!!!

I didn't see them say in the ad which wheels they were, so I just assumed they were the same as mine and not from an LTW.

I only learn things by being wrong.

and001 > DailyTurismo
12/12/2013 at 14:32

So you only got 240hp with the US spec e36 M3. Pretty sad, over here we had like 280 then 320hp later. But I think that was one reason why the e46 M3 was so successful, as it should have been a great improvement over its predecessor. We were quite disappointed to hear that it was just like an evolution of the last version. I suspect the same thing with the f80/82. It has yet nothing to do with the former V8 M3.

jeffAA > jeffAA
12/12/2013 at 14:34

Edit: Found it!

Kinja'd!!!

Vracktal > _MCA_
12/12/2013 at 14:34

I like them! Especially when the halos are on.

Kinja'd!!!

kenhitch > duurtlang
12/12/2013 at 14:34

The ti kind of tanked in the US. By the time the 323 was introduced I think they felt it wasn't worth bringing over another iteration of the hatch.

avusblau > ZeGerman
12/12/2013 at 14:38

wheelbase in Compact is the same as in any other bodystyle for example M power side skirts fit perfectly in coupe ,seden, touring and compact It't 2,7meters. Shocks and springs and mounting points are different, so the overall geometry of rear is more like E30 one. I know this because I've changed all parts in my rear suspension:) Today my rear strut bar arrived:)

protodad > DailyTurismo
12/12/2013 at 14:40

Pretty sure a 318ti with an M5 V8 took home the top spot for One Lap in its early days.

avusblau > DailyTurismo
12/12/2013 at 14:45

This is a AC Schnitzer S3 edition with M-engine "from factory". They are pretty rare.

http://www.m5board.com/vbulletin/owne…

Kinja'd!!!

s52mocupe > DailyTurismo
12/12/2013 at 14:49

Kinja'd!!!

Proper E36 dash swap is a nice touch; the OEM ti dash was horrendous.

iamxpl > DailyTurismo
12/12/2013 at 14:52

Kinja'd!!!

looks like there was poop on the drivers shoe.

Trunk Impaired 318 > With-a-G is back to not having anything written after his username
12/12/2013 at 14:53

The sport package for the ti came with M side trim and '99s were given an M3 steering wheel (I happen to own an aforementioned '99 sport)

v12zzz > Vracktal
12/12/2013 at 14:53

OKAY WANT REAL BAD

Mr-Clutch > DailyTurismo
12/12/2013 at 14:54

318, no thank you.

The Real Dacia Sandero > DailyTurismo
12/12/2013 at 14:57

Kinja'd!!!

Should have swapped the wheel...

vr6geek > DailyTurismo
12/12/2013 at 15:00

A good friend of mine had a 318ti for a little while and loved it. It's a nice little car when you consider the fact that it's RWD, has a manual, and has a somewhat-decent hatch on it. Yeah, the engine is super underpowered, but as a daily driver it's not bad. He had planned on an engine swap from an M3, but his lack of mechanical training meant it would be a pricey operation. He ended up selling it to a neighbor for his teenage daughter to drive...in any case, I love spotting one of these on the road. This, the E30 M3, and the M Coupe are the only BMWs I'm extremely fond of.

Tom Hegedosh > DailyTurismo
12/12/2013 at 15:02

I had built a 332ti many years ago. Sold it due to reliability issues.

Kinja'd!!!

With-a-G is back to not having anything written after his username > Trunk Impaired 318
12/12/2013 at 15:03

Sounds like you're the guy to ask.

Trunk Impaired 318 > With-a-G is back to not having anything written after his username
12/12/2013 at 15:04

I can tell you anything and everything about the E36/5

hotballs > DailyTurismo
12/12/2013 at 15:06

Kinja'd!!!

Cool swap bro, but even just an m3 wheel is like 85 bucks used.

Trunk Impaired 318 > DailyTurismo
12/12/2013 at 15:07

Clean swaps like this usually go for around 7-8k

Garrett Davis > wbizarre - OEM fetishist
12/12/2013 at 15:12

This is what I came to say. That must have taken some time. I actually prefer the look of the TI's dash better, it looks less dated.

Garrett Davis > The Real Dacia Sandero
12/12/2013 at 15:18

I've got an M Sport steering wheel in mine. Much, MUCH nicer than the one that came on it.

Kinja'd!!!

ZeGerman > avusblau
12/12/2013 at 15:23

So it is. I always thought it was shortened a bit, but I now see it's 2700mm just like the standard E36 chassis.

Garrett Davis > s52mocupe
12/12/2013 at 15:23

I feel the exact opposite. Design-wise, I actually thing the TI interior holds up to age much better than the standard e36 dash. But what can I say, I'm biased:

Kinja'd!!!

nb2abarth > DailyTurismo
12/12/2013 at 15:23

in 1997/8 i went to dealership to test a new ti, and seriously considered it. the sales which i knew actually told me this is a crappy bmw and i should not get one. he advised me to get a used low mileage 318i sedan for same price instead. but i liked the ti a lot, it was compact, the engine didnt feel underpower. i had a lot of seat time in a e36 325i, e36m3 and a z3 1.8 and bk then 140hp wasnt too shabby, cars in that segment(vr6, gsr, impreza 2.5rs,240sx) were all around 150 to 170hp . I was living in snow country back then and finally decided a fwd car was more suitable and got an integra gsr.

BoxerFanatic, troublesome iconoclast. > DailyTurismo
12/12/2013 at 15:24

BMW + M + compact + hatchback.

Might as well just Z4 M Coupe, and get an actual sports car.

Kinja'd!!!

Not like a car that small needs rear seats anyway... it might as well save the weight, and get sleeker.

the new 2-series coupe, 2+2 isn't bad, certainly better than the 1-coupe it replaces.

But they need to bring out a new sports car again, and I know turbocharging is their thing... but there is something about a healthy, optimized atmospheric engine that is sublime... BMW Motorsport division used to hold to that in the past.

Garrett Davis > With-a-G is back to not having anything written after his username
12/12/2013 at 15:28

They didn't have M3 badges, just the ///M badges, mirrors, similar body kit, steering wheel, etc.

Factory except the fog lights and rims:

Kinja'd!!!

m2m, apex detective > DailyTurismo
12/12/2013 at 15:29

It's already been mentioned by someone, but there's this.

This fine specimen is a 2003 325Ti with M bits, a very compact RWD coupe with rear seats, a 2.5 I6, and an output of not-too-shabby 192 PS/141 kW.

Kinja'd!!!

With the M kit, it looks a bit more interesting imho.

Kinja'd!!!

Many of them have suffered the same fate as Supras and Z cars everywhere ... untasty tuning measures. That said, there are still some nice ones to be found on the almight intarwebs, and if you spend a little time looking for these cars in, say, Germany, you'll end up with one that even has a nice interior/config.

Kinja'd!!!

Park this next to a current 3-series or even something like an Audi A4 and you'll realize how tiny it is, short even:

Kinja'd!!!

Shane Eudy > DailyTurismo
12/12/2013 at 15:35

...the regular E36 -which is already prone to violent outbursts of oversteer.

What a load of horseshit. The E36 is one of the most beautifully balanced cars of the last 2 decades. It's true that it doesn't take much to coax it into a drift if you're so inclined, but it is FAR from a tail-happy car, especially in US spec where the stock alignment settings pretty much guarantee terminal understeer.

@oswaldhoogev1 > DailyTurismo
12/12/2013 at 15:42

An engine swap in a compact Beemer (not exactly "a BMW compact", but a compact BMW nonetheless):

An E30 BMW with an M5 E34 motor swap. Yes, that's 315 bhp sir! http://www.autoscout24.nl/Details.aspx?i…

DudeDoYouEvenPeanutButter > Ratchet when he's all hopped up on synthetic energon
12/12/2013 at 15:46

The E30 M3 would like you to know that your statement is foolish.

Ducati Steve > Vracktal
12/12/2013 at 15:49

Pretty sure Bangle's first project was the E36 ti. Hence the derision over its looks. Have a 1995 318ti. New bushings, sport exhaust, chip, lightweight flywheel, KW suspension. Is more fun than people realize and amazing mpg. Can steer with right foot in the corners. M42 engine should be good to well over 500000km. Cheap thrills. Lets not forget that BMW's was known for bulletproof 4 bangers.

DailyTurismo > s52mocupe
12/12/2013 at 16:02

I had it in the back of my head that the 3-compact had its own dash, but didn't put 2 and 2 together when I recognized the M3 dash.

SkidRo > DailyTurismo
12/12/2013 at 16:05

Why do people always stop on the mirrors. If you are going to fake an M3, and this is a good fake, spend the extra $200 (or whatever) and get the correct mirrors. And drop that crappy stereo.