BMW 3 SERIES (1995-01) 316I 3DR COMPACT 1.9 SE
The BMW 3 Series (1995-2001), particularly the 316i 3-door Compact 1.9 SE, is a classic hatchback that offers a solid balance of style, practicality, and driving enjoyment. Known for its distinctive design, this model was popular among commuters and small families in the UK, thanks to its compact size and efficient performance. It’s an ideal choice for first-time drivers seeking a reliable vehicle that’s easy to handle and maintain, as well as for those looking for an affordable, stylish car for everyday use.
This particular badge from BMW’s 3 Series range stands out with its reputation for durability, comfort, and a smooth driving experience. Although it might not be the fastest in its class, it excels in offering a comfortable ride with decent fuel economy, making it a practical choice for city driving and regular trips. Compared to rivals, the BMW 3 Series has long been admired for its premium feel and sporty handling, qualities that set it apart in the small hatchback segment. If you’re considering a used BMW 3 Series (1995-01) 316i 3DR Compact 1.9 SE, it’s worth noting its popularity and the reliability often associated with this model, along with an average valuation of around £379 based on recent data.
average use
Based on the recent mileage data for the BMW 3 Series (1995-01) 316I 3DR Compact 1.9 SE, the most common recorded mileages fall within the 120,000 to 130,000 miles range, accounting for 13.7% of the samples. Notably, a significant portion of vehicles are also recorded between 150,000 and 160,000 miles (5.9%) and over 170,000 miles, with 5.9% in the 170,000 to 180,000 miles range and 2% exceeding 180,000 miles. Conversely, sightings in the lower mileage brackets like 20,000 to 30,000 miles are rare (only 2%). Overall, the data suggests that while these vehicles can accumulate high mileages, lower-millage, relatively younger vehicles are less commonly recorded in recent data, indicating a potential for high-mileage examples being more typical in the market for this model.
vehicle values
Based on the available data, the private sale valuation for a BMW 3 Series (1995-2001) 316I 3DR Compact 1.9 SE shows that vehicles in the price range of £0 to £1,000 are valued at 100% of their market estimate. This indicates that, within this sample, private sales for this model largely fall within the lower end of the price spectrum, suggesting that these cars may be considered affordable options or potentially high-mileage or older vehicles. However, the data does not provide information about higher price brackets, so insights into the value distribution across different price ranges are limited.
production years
The data indicates that the majority of BMW 3 Series (1995-01) 316I 3DR COMPACT 1.9 SE vehicles were manufactured in the year 2000, accounting for 98% of the sample. A small proportion, 2%, were manufactured in 2002. There is no data available for other years within the range. This suggests that most vehicles of this model from that period are concentrated around the year 2000, which may be relevant for valuation or historical research purposes.
colour popularity
The data for the BMW 3 Series (1995-01) 316I 3DR Compact 1.9 SE indicates that the most common paint colour is Silver, accounting for 31.4% of vehicles. Blue is also quite popular, representing 23.5%. Black, Red, and Green are reasonably common as well, with Black at 17.6%, Green at 15.7%, and Red at 9.8%. Bronze is the least common, at just 2%. Overall, the vehicle range tends to favor Silver and Blue hues, suggesting these colours are particularly popular among owners of this model.
ownership cycle
The data shows a diverse distribution of registered keepers for the BMW 3 Series (1995-01) 316I 3DR Compact 1.9 SE. Notably, the most common number of previous keepers is 6, accounting for nearly 20% of the vehicles. Interestingly, a significant proportion—around 37%—has had between 4 and 8 keepers. There are also small percentages with very few keepers (2-3) and some with higher numbers, such as 11, 12, 14, and even 17 previous keepers, indicating a mix of vehicles with relatively stable ownership histories and those with more frequent ownership changes. This diversity suggests that while some cars may have remained in single ownership or only a few, others have seen multiple owners over their lifespan.
engine choices
The data for the BMW 3 Series (1995-01) 316I 3DR COMPACT 1.9 SE indicates that the majority of these vehicles are equipped with an engine capacity of approximately 1.89 liters, accounting for 92.2% of the sample. A small proportion, around 5.9%, have a slightly larger engine capacity of 1.9 liters, while about 2% feature an engine of 1.796 liters. Notably, all vehicles in the dataset use petrol as their primary fuel source. This suggests a high consistency in engine size and fuel type for this model, with minor variations in engine capacity.
