BMW 3 series is more dynamic to drive. BMW 3 series engine produces 20 HP more power than BMW 5 series, whereas torque is 50 NM more than BMW 5 series. Thanks to more power BMW 3 series reaches 100 km/h speed 0.6 seconds faster.
Fuel consumption
Fuel consumption (l/100km):
no data
8.0
Fuel tank capacity:
60 litres
70 litres
Ground clearance:
140 mm (5.5 inches)
141 mm (5.6 inches)
Engines
Average engine lifespan:
330'000 km
420'000 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:
9 years
9 years
Engine spread:
Installed on at least 11 other car models, including BMW 5 sērija, BMW X5, BMW 7 sērija, BMW 1 sērija
Installed on at least 7 other car models, including BMW 3 sērija, BMW X5, BMW 1 sērija, 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:
4.63 m
4.91 m
Width:
1.81 m
1.86 m
Height:
1.43 m
1.46 m
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 4 cm lower.
Trunk capacity:
480 litres
520 litres
BMW 5 series has more luggage space. BMW 3 series has 40 litres less trunk space than the BMW 5 series.
Turning diameter:
11.3 meters
12 meters
The turning circle of the BMW 3 series is 0.7 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.
BMW 3 series has fewer problems. According to annual technical inspection data BMW 5 series has serious deffects in 80 percent more cases than BMW 3 series, so BMW 3 series quality is probably significantly better