Launched in 1994, the BMW 3 Series compact was based on the popular E36, and was BMW’s first hatchback model, in an attempt to introduce new younger customers to the BMW market who couldn’t stretch to those larger saloons. From the A pillar forward, the Compact is identical to any other E36, with the same body panels and suspension. 

The car is known as the E36/5, and rear of the A pillars the wheelbase is the same, but the overall length is 200mm shorter than the rest of the 3 Series saloon range. The rear suspension used is from the previous 80’s E30 range, and also the same used on the later Z3. This was a less complex setup, often thought of as a cost cutting exercise, but really it was a setup that worked, as seen on the E30 M3. 

There were a range of engines to choose from with the compact which started with the 1.6 or 1.8 litre in 1994, then a 1.7 litre diesel in 1995, followed by 1.9 litres with various outputs through to 1999. 

Most of the Compacts on the road have been snapped up by people in the drifting world, so to find one in such original condition, with such low mileage really is something quite unique.    

The seller of this 2000 BMW 316 has been the owner for the past 2 years, and in that time he has covered only approximately 50 miles in it!

Purchased purely because of its low mileage, and being a big BMW fan, the 316 was an opportunity not to miss. The car came from a dealer who had purchased it for the number plate which was on it at the time, and the car was then sold to our seller. 

The original intention was to spruce up the bodywork and use the car, but life sometimes gets in the way, and 2 years later the seller doesn’t really have the time to do it, especially with a new addition to the family. This is why this extremely low 22,994 mile 316 is up for grabs.

The V5 is present and shows 3 previous keepers. 

Unfortunately, the dealer who had the car threw the paperwork away because of data protection, leaving nothing but the V5. We can see on the online MOT history that the car has had very little use, and the mileage looks to tally up.

There is a current MOT on the car which is valid until the 13th September 2022. 

Inside, the BMW is pretty much as you would expect for any 22,994 mile car. There is very little wear to be seen on the seats or carpet, but they would benefit from a valet. 

The dashboard is free from any scuffs or damage, and all the switchgear is in excellent condition, clearly not having had much use. There are no warning lights displayed on the dash and the service indicator is showing 4 lights. The odometer is displaying 22,994 miles. The electric windows and mirrors operate correctly, and the rear has pop out opening quarter windows. The original radio is reported to be working, but does require the code to be entered, which the seller has. Unfortunately he has been told it will not enter until the car has been driven for a number of miles because the code was entered incorrectly too many times. 

The headlining and the material on the A pillars is the only thing to mention on the interior. It has started to sag but the seller is including enough material to re-trim this, which is a 99% match to the original. Inside the boot is nice and clean with the warning triangle present, and a factory sealed BMW first aid kit. The parcel shelf has suffered some sun damage and has faded, lower down under the false floor is the original jack and wheel brace.

Finished in Black 2, the 316i is in good condition, with no noticeable dings to mention when looking around the car. Starting at the front, other than a small amount of condensation, the headlights are free from any chips thanks to the such low mileage, and there are minimal stone chips to be seen on the front. The bonnet looks to align as it should with the grille and wings. 

Around to the sides, the doors, like the bonnet, look to line up correctly, and there are no noticeable dings or dents looking down the flanks of the compact BMW. There are a few light scratches around the car which it has picked up over the years, but these could be reduced by a detailer carrying out paint correction and machine polish. The glass all looks to be free from any scratches and the seller has fitted new door window rubbers replacing the perished and split ones. 

At the rear of the small hatchback is in good condition like the rest, with no obvious marks to mention. The lights are in good order and have no splits or cracks to the clusters. Rear parking sensors are fitted from the factory and are working as they should. 

The steel wheels are the originals covered with the factory wheel trims, and these do have some scuffs. The centre caps have been replaced with some new ones. Fitted on each corner are Pirelli tyres. They are not matching as they’ve been replaced at different times. 

With 22,994 miles covered, it is safe to say the 316 has plenty of life left in the 1.9 litre engine. The car fires up first time with no untoward noises coming from the engine. The seller has recently fitted a new water temperature sensor. 

The seller reports that the gear change is smooth through the 4-speed automatic gearbox, with no noises coming from the transmission. 

Looking underneath, the car is nice and dry, with no oil leaks to be seen coming from the engine or the differential. 

It’s not very often you see a car from 2000’s with such low mileage, they’ve usually been purchased and used. Not with this one! Looking at the online MOT history it’s had very little use, with just a few hundred miles covered each year.

A good detailing would see this a completely different car. Who is going to be the one to take this 22,994 mile, 2000 BMW 316 to the next level.