BMW 316ti 1000km Road Test

It's the cheapest ticket to BMW ownership, but the 316ti Compact still has the engineering integrity and most of the other virtues that make BMW one of the premier brands.

Value for money

Pricing

The 316ti is priced at $41,750. There's a long, expensive options list, which includes a five-speed-sequential automatic at an extra $2,600.

Warranty

Two years/unlimited kilometres. Three years is the industry average.

Standard features

A single CD player, automatic airconditioning, power front widows and mirrors and remote central locking are standard.

Retained value

The Compact's resale values are weaker than the 318i sedan, but at 66 per cent after three years they are still healthy.

Design and function

Ergonomics

If automotive design, in terms of what you can reach from the seat, is supposed to be focused on making the driver's task safe, efficient and pleasurable, the 316ti is one of the best.

The dash layout is, by luxury car standards, refreshingly basic, with the minimal number of buttons and switches required and clear white-on-black instruments. Several oddment storage bins, mostly uncovered, are provided.

There's plenty of seat height adjustment, and sufficient travel for tall drivers. The seat belt occasionally gets caught on the backrest release lever when you try to pull it forward.

The wheel is also height and reach-adjustable, and vision is clear around the car.

Innovation

The 1.8 litre engine (it's not a 1.6 as the car's name suggests) incorporates the unique Valvetronic system, which dispenses with a conventional throttle butterfly and instead uses electrically powered variable-inlet valve lift to control the fuel/air supply.

Safety

Safety equipment includes two front, four side and two window airbags, plus three lap/sash belts and head restraints in the back seat. The 318i scored four stars out of five in Euro NCAP crash tests.

Comfort

The driver's seat is typically BMW firm, but offers great support and comfort on a long drive.

Space and practicality

The new Compact is larger than the previous model; this is particularly noticeable in the back seat and the boot.

The back seat's deep cushion may be a bit hard for some, but head and leg room are generous by hatch standards and a couple of adults can travel comfortably.

Entry and exit is also relatively easy, with the front seats moving forward sufficiently to leave plenty of room for climbing in and out. The rear windows are hinged and can be opened for ventilation.

The boot floor is long, wide and shallow, with three child restraint anchors immediately behind the rear seat. The seat-back is split 60/40, and with either side folded you have a long 1.6 metres of floor space. The front seats do not have to be pushed forward in this configuration, and the rear-seat-head restraints can be left in place.

A load cover and 12-volt power socket are provided; the battery lives under the floor, while the space saver spare is carried externally.

Build and finish quality

Outstanding, especially the taut, solid body. There's no timber, leather or chrome in the cabin, but the dark toned plastics are of high quality.

On the road

Fuel efficiency

The test manual used 7.3 litres/100 km on the highway and 9.8 litres/100 km in town, which is average for a 1.8.

Performance

The 1.8 is quite long legged and tractable, with substantial torque produced at accessible revs, and cruises easily at 2800 rpm/100 km/h in fifth. At no stage, though, does it feel particularly strong or enthusiastic.

This is partly due to the BMW's weight - 1.4 tonnes is leaden by three-door hatch standards, and 85 kW is always going to drag rather than drive this much metal.

There's a bit more punch on premium unleaded, but still insufficient to complement the car's otherwise sporty, involving character.

The five-speed manual gearbox action is precise and slick, with just the right weighting on the lever as it goes into each gate. The clutch is fine.

Ride

Ride comfort is excellent, and shows a level of suspension tuning finesse which less expensive hatchbacks can't match.

Handling and steering

The 316ti uses the same suspension layout as the sedan, slightly lowered and stiffened, with a relatively low spec (in BMW terms) wheel/tyre combination: 15 inch alloys with 195/65 budget Michelins.

It's superbly balanced - rear-wheel drive delivers perfect 50/50 weight distribution - responsive and agile, but the skinny high profile Michelins are more about ride comfort than outright grip and razor sharp handling.

Push the 316 hard and there's greater understeer and body roll than seriously sporty BMWs.

The steering though is more meaty and communicative than the overassisted setup on some other 3 Series models.

Braking

The brakes, fitted with ABS, are also powerful and progressive. Traction control is standard, while braking pressure is individually monitored and adjusted at each wheel.

Smoothness and quietness

The 1.8 is beautifully refined by four-cylinder standards, particularly in its absence of vibration.