BMW 3 series 1987 vs BMW 5 series 1981
| Gearbox: | Manual | Manual | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine: | 1.8 Petrol | 2.0 Petrol | |
| Camshaft drive: | Timing belt | Timing belt | |
Performance | |||
| Power: | 113 HP | 125 HP | |
| Torque: | 162 NM | 170 NM | |
| Acceleration 0-100 km/h: | 11 seconds | 11 seconds | |
| BMW 3 series engine produces 12 HP less power than BMW 5 series, whereas torque is 8 NM less than BMW 5 series. | |||
Fuel consumption | |||
| Fuel consumption (l/100km): | 8.5 | 8.8 | |
| Real fuel consumption: | 8.7 l/100km | 9.2 l/100km | |
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The BMW 3 series is a better choice in terms of fuel economy based on user-reported consumption, although the specification shows otherwise. By specification BMW 3 series consumes 0.3 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 45 litres of fuel. By comparing actual fuel consumption based on user reports, BMW 3 series consumes 0.5 litres less fuel per 100 km than the BMW 5 series. | |||
| Fuel tank capacity: | 55 litres | 70 litres | |
| Full fuel tank distance: | 640 km in combined cycle | 790 km in combined cycle | |
| 820 km on highway | 1070 km on highway | ||
| 630 km with real consumption | 760 km with real consumption | ||
| BMW 5 series gets more mileage on one fuel tank. | |||
| Read the article "Fuel Efficiency: How to Reduce Fuel Consumption" to learn more about fuel economy. | |||
Engines | |||
| Average engine lifespan: | 420'000 km | 440'000 km | |
| Engine resource depends largely on regular maintenance and the quality of the oils and fuels used. | |||
| Engine production duration: | 7 years | 15 years | |
| Engine spread: | Used also on BMW 5 sērija | Used also on BMW 3 sērija | |
| 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. | |||
| Hydraulic tappets: | yes | no | |
| The BMW 3 series engine has hydraulic tappets (lifters), providing quieter operation and no need for periodic adjustment, but they are more complex in design and can cause serious engine damage in case of failure. | |||
Dimensions | |||
| Length: | 4.32 m | 4.62 m | |
| Width: | 1.64 m | 1.70 m | |
| Height: | 1.38 m | 1.42 m | |
|
BMW 3 series is smaller. BMW 3 series is 30 cm shorter than the BMW 5 series, 6 cm narrower, while the height of BMW 3 series is 4 cm lower. | |||
| Trunk capacity: | 425 litres | 460 litres | |
| Trunk max capacity: with rear seats folded down |
425 litres | no data | |
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BMW 5 series has more luggage space. BMW 3 series has 35 litres less trunk space than the BMW 5 series. | |||
| Turning diameter: | 10 meters | 11 meters | |
| The turning circle of the BMW 3 series is 1 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. | |||
| Gross weight (kg): | 1`545 | 1`730 | |
| Safety: | no data | no data | |
| Quality: | no data | no data | |
| Average price (€): | 4600 | 7000 | |
| Pros and Cons: |
BMW 3 sērija has
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BMW 5 sērija has
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