BMW 3 series 1991 vs Volvo 850 1994
| Gearbox: | Manual | Manual | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine: | 2.0 Petrol | 2.0 Petrol | |
| Camshaft drive: | Timing chain | Timing belt | |
| Engine chain usually needs to be replaced less often than the timing belt, but the cost of replacing the chain is usually higher. Chain motors are considered to be more reliable, but noisier and more vibration generating. | |||
Performance | |||
| Power: | 150 HP | 126 HP | |
| Torque: | 190 NM | 170 NM | |
| Acceleration 0-100 km/h: | 9.9 seconds | 11.7 seconds | |
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BMW 3 series is more dynamic to drive. BMW 3 series engine produces 24 HP more power than Volvo 850, whereas torque is 20 NM more than Volvo 850. Thanks to more power BMW 3 series reaches 100 km/h speed 1.8 seconds faster. | |||
Fuel consumption | |||
| Fuel consumption (l/100km): | 9.0 | 8.9 | |
| Real fuel consumption: | 9.3 l/100km | 9.8 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 0.1 litres more fuel per 100 km than the Volvo 850, which means that if you drive 15,000 km in a year, the BMW 3 series could require 15 litres more fuel. But when we compare the real fuel consumption reported by users, BMW 3 series consumes 0.5 litres less fuel per 100 km than the Volvo 850. | |||
| Fuel tank capacity: | 65 litres | 73 litres | |
| Full fuel tank distance: | 720 km in combined cycle | 820 km in combined cycle | |
| 690 km with real consumption | 740 km with real consumption | ||
| Volvo 850 gets more mileage on one fuel tank. | |||
| Read the article "Fuel Efficiency: How to Reduce Fuel Consumption" to learn more about fuel economy. | |||
Drive type | |||
| Wheel drive type: | Rear wheel drive (RWD) | Front wheel drive (FWD) | |
| Front-wheel drive cars (Volvo 850) have better traction on slippery roads and when climbing hills, better fuel economy, and are less expensive to purchase. On the disadvantage side, FWD cars usually have less towing capacity, poorer acceleration and harder handling. Rear-wheel drive cars (BMW 3 series) have better handling on dry roads, better acceleration, more even weight distribution and more fun to drive. RWD is also better for towing large loads. The cons of rear-wheel drive are less interior and trunk space and more difficulty maneuvering in wet and snowy conditions. | |||
Engines | |||
| Average engine lifespan: | 420'000 km | 480'000 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 Volvo 850 engine could be longer. | |||
| Engine production duration: | 7 years | 5 years | |
| Engine spread: | Installed on at least 2 other car models, including BMW 5 sērija, BMW Z3 | Installed on at least 2 other car models, including Volvo V70, Volvo S70 | |
| In general, the longer and for more car models an engine is produced, the better its serviceability and availability of spare parts. | |||
Dimensions | |||
| Length: | 4.43 m | 4.67 m | |
| Width: | 1.70 m | 1.76 m | |
| Height: | 1.39 m | 1.41 m | |
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BMW 3 series is smaller. BMW 3 series is 24 cm shorter than the Volvo 850, 6 cm narrower, while the height of BMW 3 series is 2 cm lower. | |||
| Trunk capacity: | 435 litres | 445 litres | |
| Trunk max capacity: with rear seats folded down |
1200 litres | no data | |
| BMW 3 series has 10 litres less trunk space than the Volvo 850. | |||
| Turning diameter: | 10 meters | 10.6 meters | |
| The turning circle of the BMW 3 series is 0.6 metres less than that of the Volvo 850, which means BMW 3 series can be easier to manoeuvre in tight streets and parking spaces. | |||
| Gross weight (kg): | 1`760 | 1`840 | |
| Safety: | no data | ||
| Quality: | below average | below average | |
| Volvo 850 has fewer problems. According to annual technical inspection data BMW 3 series has serious deffects in 15 percent more cases than Volvo 850, so Volvo 850 quality is probably better | |||
| Average price (€): | 2600 | 1400 | |
| Rating in user reviews: | 7.2/10 | 8.5/10 | |
| Pros and Cons: |
BMW 3 sērija has
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Volvo 850 has
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