BMW 5 series is more dynamic to drive. BMW 5 series engine produces 21 HP more power than BMW 3 series, whereas torque is 100 NM more than BMW 3 series. Thanks to more power BMW 5 series reaches 100 km/h speed 0.3 seconds faster.
Fuel consumption
Fuel consumption (l/100km):
8.0
6.5
Real fuel consumption:
8.9 l/100km
7.6 l/100km
The BMW 3 series is a better choice when it comes to fuel economy. By specification BMW 5 series consumes 1.5 litres more fuel per 100 km than the BMW 3 series, which means that if you drive 15,000 km in a year, the BMW 5 series could require 225 litres more fuel. By comparing actual fuel consumption based on user reports, BMW 5 series consumes 1.3 litres more fuel per 100 km than the BMW 3 series.
Fuel tank capacity:
70 litres
61 litres
Full fuel tank distance:
870 km in combined cycle
930 km in combined cycle
1090 km on highway
1120 km on highway
780 km with real consumption
800 km with real consumption
BMW 3 series gets more mileage on one fuel tank.
Dimensions
Length:
4.84 m
4.52 m
Width:
1.85 m
1.82 m
Height:
1.49 m
1.44 m
BMW 5 series is larger. BMW 5 series is 32 cm longer than the BMW 3 series, 3 cm wider, while the height of BMW 5 series is 5 cm higher.
Trunk capacity:
500 litres
460 litres
Trunk max capacity: with rear seats folded down
1650 litres
1385 litres
BMW 5 series has more luggage capacity. BMW 5 series has 40 litres more trunk space than the BMW 3 series. The maximum boot capacity (with all rear seats folded down) is larger in BMW 5 series (by 265 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
