BMW 3 series and BMW 5 series have the same engine power, the torque is the same for both cars. BMW 3 series reaches 100 km/h speed 0.3 seconds faster.
Fuel consumption
Fuel consumption (l/100km):
5.9
6.1
Real fuel consumption:
6.5 l/100km
6.9 l/100km
The BMW 3 series is a better choice when it comes to fuel economy. By specification BMW 3 series consumes 0.2 litres less fuel per 100 km than the BMW 5 series, which means that by driving the BMW 3 series over 15,000 km in a year you can save 30 litres of fuel. By comparing actual fuel consumption based on user reports, BMW 3 series consumes 0.4 litres less fuel per 100 km than the BMW 5 series.
Fuel tank capacity:
61 litres
70 litres
Full fuel tank distance:
1030 km in combined cycle
1140 km in combined cycle
1320 km on highway
1450 km on highway
930 km with real consumption
1010 km with real consumption
BMW 5 series gets more mileage on one fuel tank.
Dimensions
Length:
4.52 m
4.84 m
Width:
1.82 m
1.85 m
Height:
1.44 m
1.49 m
BMW 3 series is smaller. BMW 3 series is 32 cm shorter than the BMW 5 series, 3 cm narrower, while the height of BMW 3 series is 5 cm lower.
Trunk capacity:
460 litres
500 litres
Trunk max capacity: with rear seats folded down
1385 litres
1650 litres
BMW 5 series has more luggage space. BMW 3 series has 40 litres less trunk space than the BMW 5 series. The maximum boot capacity (with all rear seats folded down) is larger in BMW 5 series (by 265 litres).
BMW 3 series has slightly fewer faults. Deffect rate in annual technical inspection is similar for both cars, it's slightly higher for BMW 5 series, so BMW 3 series quality could be a bit better.
