BMW 3 series 1991 vs Volvo V50 2004
| Body: | Sedan | Estate car / wagon | |
|---|---|---|---|
| The wagon generally has more cargo space due to a larger trunk door opening, a roof that extends as far back as possible, and the ability to convert the rear of the passenger compartment into cargo space. Sedans tend to be quieter than wagons due to a more isolated rear area. | |||
| Gearbox: | Manual | Manual | |
| Engine: | 2.5 Petrol | 2.5 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: | 192 HP | 220 HP | |
| Torque: | 245 NM | 320 NM | |
| Acceleration 0-100 km/h: | 8 seconds | 6.9 seconds | |
|
Volvo V50 is a more dynamic driving. BMW 3 series engine produces 28 HP less power than Volvo V50, whereas torque is 75 NM less than Volvo V50. Due to the lower power, BMW 3 series reaches 100 km/h speed 1.1 seconds later. | |||
Fuel consumption | |||
| Fuel consumption (l/100km): | 8.8 | 8.8 | |
| Fuel tank capacity: | 65 litres | 62 litres | |
| Full fuel tank distance: | 730 km in combined cycle | 700 km in combined cycle | |
| 980 km on highway | 930 km on highway | ||
| 640 km with real consumption | 650 km with real consumption | ||
Drive type | |||
| Wheel drive type: | Rear wheel drive (RWD) | Front wheel drive (FWD) | |
| Front-wheel drive cars (Volvo V50) 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: | 560'000 km | 390'000 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 3 series engine could be longer. | |||
| Engine production duration: | 6 years | 4 years | |
| Engine spread: | Used also on BMW 5 sērija | Installed on at least 3 other car models, including Volvo S40, Volvo C30, Volvo C70 | |
| In general, the longer and for more car models an engine is produced, the better its serviceability and availability of spare parts. Volvo V50 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: | 4.43 m | 4.51 m | |
| Width: | 1.70 m | 1.77 m | |
| Height: | 1.39 m | 1.45 m | |
|
BMW 3 series is smaller. BMW 3 series is 8 cm shorter than the Volvo V50, 7 cm narrower, while the height of BMW 3 series is 6 cm lower. | |||
| Trunk capacity: | 435 litres | 417 litres | |
| Trunk max capacity: with rear seats folded down |
no data | 1307 litres | |
| Even though the car is shorter, BMW 3 series has 18 litres more trunk space than the Volvo V50. The Volvo V50 may have more interior space, so the cabin could be more spacious and more comfortable for the driver and passengers. | |||
| 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 V50, which means BMW 3 series can be easier to manoeuvre in tight streets and parking spaces. | |||
| Gross weight (kg): | 1`790 | 1`850 | |
| Safety: | no data | ||
| Quality: | low | above average | |
| Average price (€): | 2400 | 2200 | |
| Rating in user reviews: | 7.2/10 | 6.4/10 | |
| Pros and Cons: |
BMW 3 sērija has
|
Volvo V50 has
| |