Both cars are available with petrol engines. BMW 5 series is available also with diesel engines. Diesel engines typically offer better fuel efficiency and higher torque compared to other engine types.
BMW 3 series petrol engines consumes on average 1.3 litres less fuel per 100 km than BMW 5 series. This comparison does not take engine capacity into account, so to compare the fuel consumption of specific engines, select the car version!
BMW 3 series is smaller. BMW 3 series is 27 cm shorter than the BMW 5 series, 5 cm narrower, while the height of BMW 3 series is 3 cm lower.
Trunk capacity:
495 litres
560 litres
Trunk max capacity: with rear seats folded down
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1670 litres
BMW 5 series has more luggage space. BMW 3 series has 65 litres less trunk space than the BMW 5 series.
Turning diameter:
11.7 meters
12.1 meters
The turning circle of the BMW 3 series is 0.4 metres less than that of the BMW 5 series, which means BMW 3 series can be easier to manoeuvre in tight streets and parking spaces.
