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5. BMW 3 Series Compact
The third-generation BMW 3 Series, better known as the E36, spawned a curious short-tailed version called the Compact. Up front however, it was all regular 3 Series, meaning there’s room for one of BMW’s signature straight sixes.
We’d suggest opting for one of the more powerful versions of the M52 powerplant, such as the 2.8 deployed in the contemporary 328i, 528i, 728i and Z3. It’s a simple swap in the E36 Compact, although it’s slightly more complex in the later E46 Compact.
Of course, you could also use the S50 engine from the M3, which was offered with up to 320bhp. Or you could go bonkers and cram a 4.7-litre V8 in there, just as tuning house Hartge did.
Given the massive increase in power offered by a swap, you will also be wanting to upgrade the car’s chassis to cope.
Thankfully, because the compacts’ front ends are identical to their larger 3 Series twins, there are plenty of parts to choose from. You can even opt to swap in the suspension set-up from the M3, should you wish.
If your Compact is an E36, it’s a bit trickier to finesse the rear end. That’s because it used the trailing-arm rear suspension set-up from the previous 3 Series saloon, the E30, which can make it feel slippery when pushed hard.
The E46 Compact shared its rear axle with the contemporary saloon, so it’s much easier to upgrade.
Regardless, a Compact is very easy to turn into a rapid hot rod. Best of all, it’s a project that will neither incinerate your wallet nor fry your brain in trying to work it out.
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