| BMW 3 Series Compact | |
|---|---|
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| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | BMW |
| Production | 1994–2004 |
| Body and chassis | |
| Class | compact executive car (C) |
| Body style | 3-door hatchback |
| Layout | Front-engine, rear-wheel-drive |
| Chronology | |
| Successor | BMW 1 Series (E87) |
The BMW 3 Series Compact is a car which was produced from 1994 through 2004 by BMW. It is a 3-door hatchback version of the BMW 3 Series through two generations, for the E36 platform in 1993 and E46 platform in 2001. Unlike most hatchback competitors which were transverse engine front-wheel drive, the 3 Series Compact uses the longitudinal engine rear-wheel drive layout.[1]
In 2004, the 3 Series Compact was replaced by the 1 Series which encompassed 3-door and 5-door hatchback, coupé and convertible body styles (the coupé and convertible models have been marketed separately as the 2 Series since 2014) as BMW's entry-level cars; a new nameplate was created since the 1 Series is smaller than the contemporary 3 Series despite sharing mechanical components. The 3 Series GT, introduced in 2013, is not a successor to the 3 Series Compact, despite also using a hatchback rear opening.