BMW 3 series 1998 vs Volvo S40 1996
| Gearbox: | Manual | Manual | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine: | 2.0 Petrol | 1.7 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 | 115 HP | |
| Torque: | 190 NM | 165 NM | |
| Acceleration 0-100 km/h: | 9.9 seconds | 11 seconds | |
|
BMW 3 series is more dynamic to drive. BMW 3 series engine produces 35 HP more power than Volvo S40, whereas torque is 25 NM more than Volvo S40. Thanks to more power BMW 3 series reaches 100 km/h speed 1.1 seconds faster. | |||
Fuel consumption | |||
| Fuel consumption (l/100km): | 8.9 | 8.6 | |
| Real fuel consumption: | 9.5 l/100km | 8.7 l/100km | |
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The Volvo S40 is a better choice when it comes to fuel economy. By specification BMW 3 series consumes 0.3 litres more fuel per 100 km than the Volvo S40, which means that if you drive 15,000 km in a year, the BMW 3 series could require 45 litres more fuel. By comparing actual fuel consumption based on user reports, BMW 3 series consumes 0.8 litres more fuel per 100 km than the Volvo S40. | |||
| Fuel tank capacity: | 63 litres | 60 litres | |
| Full fuel tank distance: | 700 km in combined cycle | 690 km in combined cycle | |
| 920 km on highway | 890 km on highway | ||
| 660 km with real consumption | 680 km with real consumption | ||
| 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) | |
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 | 4 years | |
| Engine spread: | Installed on at least 2 other car models, including BMW 5 sērija, BMW Z3 | Used also on Volvo V40 | |
| 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. | |||
Dimensions | |||
| Length: | 4.47 m | 4.48 m | |
| Width: | 1.74 m | 1.72 m | |
| Height: | 1.42 m | 1.41 m | |
| Both cars are similar in size. BMW 3 series is 1 cm shorter than the Volvo S40, 2 cm wider, while the height of BMW 3 series is 1 cm higher. | |||
| Trunk capacity: | 440 litres | 471 litres | |
| Trunk max capacity: with rear seats folded down |
no data | 853 litres | |
|
Volvo S40 has more luggage space. BMW 3 series has 31 litres less trunk space than the Volvo S40. | |||
| Turning diameter: | 10 meters | 11 meters | |
| The turning circle of the BMW 3 series is 1 metres less than that of the Volvo S40, which means BMW 3 series can be easier to manoeuvre in tight streets and parking spaces. | |||
| Gross weight (kg): | 1`865 | 1`720 | |
| Safety: | no data | ||
| Quality: | below average | below average | |
| Volvo S40 has slightly fewer faults. Deffect rate in annual technical inspection is similar for both cars, it's slightly higher for BMW 3 series, so Volvo S40 quality could be a bit better. | |||
| Average price (€): | 2200 | 800 | |
| Rating in user reviews: | 7.5/10 | 7.1/10 | |
| Pros and Cons: |
BMW 3 sērija has
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Volvo S40 has
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