car embodied all the technical and optical characteristics of the standard E36 M3, but in the compact body. Quad exhaust tips, Recaro sports seats, four-point seatbelts, an Alcantara steering wheel and gear lever were specific for this model. North American models In North America, the sole model available was the 318ti, initially powered by a DOHC 1.8 litre, inline-four BMW M42 engine. In 1996, to make the car compliant with OBD-II, the M42 was replaced by the 1.9 litre M44 engine. The E36 Compact was popular in its home market in Europe, which prompted BMW to market the car to North America in late 1994 (for the 1995 model year). BMW ceased import of the BMW Compact to North America in 1999 after a very short 4-year run due to a combination of poor sales, and BMW's decision to phase out all 4-cylinder vehicles in the United States. The failure of the E36 Compact precluded the E46 Compact's entry into the North American market, and prompted BMW to reconfigure the BMW Compact's successor, the BMW 1 Series, from a liftback to a coupe before attempting to market the car in North America again. Sales figures The total production for 1993 to 1999 (ie excluding 2000, the final year of production) is 371,498. Second generation (E46/5; 2000) In 2000, the 3 Series Compact was redesigned using the then-new E46 platform. This updated Compact has the model code E46/5. As per the rest of the E46 range, the wheelbase was increased by . The overall length is also increased by . The exterior styling has several differences to the rest of the E46 3 Series range, notably the distinctive headlights and tail-lights. Mechanically, the Compact shares many elements with the rest of the E46 range, however the steering rack has a faster ratio. The E46/5 was not sold in North America as its predecessor didn't prove to be a sales success in that market. Transmissions Transmission options are mostly the same as the equivalent E46 coupe/sedan model. From early 2003, the 325ti was available with a 6-speed SMG-II automated manual transmission. Models Petrol engines * Used instead of the N42 engine in countries where vehicles tax charges favour smaller engines. † Used instead of the N46 engine in countries where vehicles tax charges favour smaller engines. Diesel engines References Compact 3 Series Compact Compact cars Hatchbacks Cars introduced in 1993 Rear-wheel-drive vehicles