BMW 3 series engine produces 13 HP less power than BMW 5 series, whereas torque is 30 NM less than BMW 5 series.
Fuel consumption
Fuel consumption (l/100km):
7.4
9.9
Real fuel consumption:
9.9 l/100km
10.8 l/100km
The BMW 3 series is a better choice when it comes to fuel economy. By specification BMW 3 series consumes 2.5 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 375 litres of fuel. By comparing actual fuel consumption based on user reports, BMW 3 series consumes 0.9 litres less fuel per 100 km than the BMW 5 series.
Fuel tank capacity:
61 litres
70 litres
Full fuel tank distance:
820 km in combined cycle
700 km in combined cycle
1030 km on highway
930 km on highway
610 km with real consumption
640 km with real consumption
Engines
Average engine lifespan:
420'000 km
460'000 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:
6 years
7 years
Engine spread:
Used also on BMW 5 sērija
Installed on at least 6 other car models, including BMW 3 sērija, BMW X5, BMW 7 sērija, BMW X3, BMW Z4
In general, the longer and for more car models an engine is produced, the better its serviceability and availability of spare parts. BMW 5 series might be a better choice in this respect.
Dimensions
Length:
4.58 m
4.84 m
Width:
1.78 m
1.85 m
Height:
1.40 m
1.47 m
BMW 3 series is smaller. BMW 3 series is 26 cm shorter than the BMW 5 series, 7 cm narrower, while the height of BMW 3 series is 8 cm lower.
Trunk capacity:
440 litres
520 litres
BMW 5 series has more luggage space. BMW 3 series has 80 litres less trunk space than the BMW 5 series.
BMW 3 series has fewer problems. According to annual technical inspection data BMW 5 series has serious deffects in 120 percent more cases than BMW 3 series, so BMW 3 series quality is probably significantly better
