BMW 3 series 1998 vs Subaru Impreza 1998
| 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 | 218 HP | |
| Torque: | 190 NM | 290 NM | |
| Acceleration 0-100 km/h: | 9.9 seconds | 6.3 seconds | |
| 
Subaru Impreza is a more dynamic driving. BMW 3 series engine produces 68 HP less power than Subaru Impreza, whereas torque is 100 NM less than Subaru Impreza. Due to the lower power, BMW 3 series reaches 100 km/h speed 3.6 seconds later.  | |||
Fuel consumption | |||
| Fuel consumption (l/100km): | 8.9 | 10.1 | |
| Real fuel consumption: | 9.5 l/100km | 11.2 l/100km | |
| 
The BMW 3 series is a better choice when it comes to fuel economy. By specification BMW 3 series consumes 1.2 litres less fuel per 100 km than the Subaru Impreza, which means that by driving the BMW 3 series over 15,000 km in a year you can save 180 litres of fuel. By comparing actual fuel consumption based on user reports, BMW 3 series consumes 1.7 litres less fuel per 100 km than the Subaru Impreza.  | |||
| Fuel tank capacity: | 63 litres | 50 litres | |
| Full fuel tank distance: | 700 km in combined cycle | 490 km in combined cycle | |
| 920 km on highway | 620 km on highway | ||
| 660 km with real consumption | 440 km with real consumption | ||
| BMW 3 series 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) | All wheel drive (AWD, 4x4) | |
Engines | |||
| Average engine lifespan: | 420'000 km | 290'000 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: | 7 years | 9 years | |
| Engine spread: | Installed on at least 2 other car models, including BMW 5 sērija, BMW Z3 | Used only for this car | |
| 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. | |||
| 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: | 4.47 m | 4.35 m | |
| Width: | 1.74 m | 1.69 m | |
| Height: | 1.42 m | 1.40 m | |
| 
BMW 3 series is larger. BMW 3 series is 12 cm longer than the Subaru Impreza, 5 cm wider, while the height of BMW 3 series is 2 cm higher.  | |||
| Trunk capacity: | 440 litres | no data | |
| Turning diameter: | 10 meters | 10.8 meters | |
| The turning circle of the BMW 3 series is 0.8 metres less than that of the Subaru Impreza, which means BMW 3 series can be easier to manoeuvre in tight streets and parking spaces. | |||
| Gross weight (kg): | 1`865 | 1`000 | |
| Safety: | no data | no data | |
| Quality: | low  | above average  | |
| Subaru Impreza has fewer problems. According to annual technical inspection data BMW 3 series has serious deffects in 180 percent more cases than Subaru Impreza, so Subaru Impreza quality is probably significantly better  | |||
| Average price (€): | 2200 | 4800 | |
| Pros and Cons: | 
BMW 3 sērija has    
    
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Subaru Impreza has    
    
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