BMW 316 Review
N reg auto version (from new) is slow of the mark mated to the 1.6 engine. The engine needs to be worked hard or the auto transmission kept in sports mode to make the car shift and at high revs the engine is noisy. The car is also unresponsive to the throttle if you need to make a clean fast getaway at a busy junction. There appears to be a whole full second delay before anything responds, not good for zipping in and out of traffic. Car is quiet on the motorway, low wind noise, and on idle the engine is quiet..sometimes I think I have stalled the engine.The doors never shut cleanly either, always needing a good slam to make them close properly, all passengers underestimate the amount of force needed to successfully close the doors often trying 3-4 times! Sounds trivial, but on a BMW you would expect the doors to shut with precision.
The engine bay is clean and tidy and all the bits you need to get to for routine maintainance is easy to get to..though the dip stick is a bit twisted..works fine though.Interior is not the interior of the saloon version from the same era, and is black, and well, black..BMW dials are extremely clear though. But some switches are obsured from view e.g. heated window switch. The steering wheel is also offset to the left slightly, I like it dead head on.
Rear space seems claustraphobic due to the small rear windows, and the rear backs BMW use for the front seats get scuffed.
The remote alarm fob is also so easy to press inadvertenly, the button is not recessed and if you are standing near the car with the key in your pocket it is possible to accidently lock or unlock the car.Aircon draws into the cabin some fumes from the engine and gives us a headache on long journeys..the air con compressor was replaced twice because it made cow mooing noises, and the brake discs were replaced at only 15,000 miles as they caused braking judder ‘it happens’ was the technicians comment.
Steering is nice and tight, braking firm, but the car needs more power (or rather a bigger engine) My feeling is this car is getting long in the tooth with cars such as the Audi A3 being more roomy better…and the new BMW compact should be along soon….