BMW 3 series is more dynamic to drive. BMW 3 series engine produces 68 HP more power than BMW 5 series, whereas torque is 80 NM more than BMW 5 series. Thanks to more power BMW 3 series reaches 100 km/h speed 1.1 seconds faster.
Fuel consumption
Fuel consumption (l/100km):
6.8
8.0
Real fuel consumption:
8.1 l/100km
8.9 l/100km
The BMW 3 series is a better choice when it comes to fuel economy. By specification BMW 3 series consumes 1.2 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 180 litres of fuel. By comparing actual fuel consumption based on user reports, BMW 3 series consumes 0.8 litres less fuel per 100 km than the BMW 5 series.
Fuel tank capacity:
61 litres
70 litres
Full fuel tank distance:
890 km in combined cycle
870 km in combined cycle
1120 km on highway
1090 km on highway
750 km with real consumption
780 km with real consumption
Engines
Average engine lifespan:
420'000 km
480'000 km
Engine resource depends largely on regular maintenance and the quality of the oils and fuels used, but under equal conditions the average life of a BMW 5 series engine could be longer.
Engine production duration:
12 years
12 years
Engine spread:
Installed on at least 6 other car models, including BMW 5 sērija, BMW X5, BMW 7 sērija, BMW X3, BMW X6
Installed on at least 4 other car models, including BMW 3 sērija, BMW X5, BMW X3, BMW X6
In general, the longer and for more car models an engine is produced, the better its serviceability and availability of spare parts. BMW 3 series might be a better choice in this respect.
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
1375 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 275 litres).
BMW 5 series has fewer problems. According to annual technical inspection data BMW 3 series has serious deffects in 10 percent more cases than BMW 5 series, so BMW 5 series quality is probably slightly better
