BMW 3 series is more dynamic to drive. BMW 3 series engine produces 48 HP more power than BMW 5 series, whereas torque is 100 NM more than BMW 5 series. Thanks to more power BMW 3 series reaches 100 km/h speed 1.7 seconds faster.
Fuel consumption
Fuel consumption (l/100km):
11.0
10.0
Real fuel consumption:
11.4 l/100km
11.0 l/100km
The BMW 5 series is a better choice when it comes to fuel economy. By specification BMW 3 series consumes 1 litres more fuel per 100 km than the BMW 5 series, which means that if you drive 15,000 km in a year, the BMW 3 series could require 150 litres more fuel. By comparing actual fuel consumption based on user reports, BMW 3 series consumes 0.4 litres more fuel per 100 km than the BMW 5 series.
Fuel tank capacity:
63 litres
70 litres
Full fuel tank distance:
570 km in combined cycle
700 km in combined cycle
550 km with real consumption
630 km with real consumption
BMW 5 series gets more mileage on one fuel tank.
Drive type
Wheel drive type:
4x4 - AWD (all-wheel-drive)
All wheel drive (AWD, 4x4)
Engines
Average engine lifespan:
350'000 km
380'000 km
Engine resource depends largely on regular maintenance and the quality of the oils and fuels used.
Engine production duration:
10 years
7 years
Engine spread:
Installed on at least 3 other car models, including BMW 5 sērija, BMW X6, BMW Z4
Installed on at least 8 other car models, including BMW 3 sērija, BMW X5, BMW 7 sērija, BMW 1 sērija
In general, the longer and for more car models an engine is produced, the better its serviceability and availability of spare parts.
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
1385 litres
no data
BMW 5 series has more luggage space. BMW 3 series has 40 litres less trunk space than the BMW 5 series.
BMW 3 series has slightly fewer faults. Deffect rate in annual technical inspection is similar for both cars, it's slightly higher for BMW 5 series, so BMW 3 series quality could be a bit better.