BMW 3 series engine produces 20 HP less power than BMW 5 series, whereas torque is 10 NM less than BMW 5 series. Despite less power, BMW 3 series reaches 100 km/h speed 0.2 seconds faster.
Fuel consumption
Fuel consumption (l/100km):
7.9
9.8
Real fuel consumption:
9.0 l/100km
10.7 l/100km
The BMW 3 series is a better choice when it comes to fuel economy. By specification BMW 3 series consumes 1.9 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 285 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 BMW 5 series.
Fuel tank capacity:
60 litres
70 litres
Full fuel tank distance:
750 km in combined cycle
710 km in combined cycle
960 km on highway
930 km on highway
660 km with real consumption
650 km with real consumption
BMW 3 series gets more mileage on one fuel tank.
Engines
Average engine lifespan:
420'000 km
420'000 km
Engine resource depends largely on regular maintenance and the quality of the oils and fuels used.
Engine production duration:
11 years
7 years
Engine spread:
Installed on at least 4 other car models, including BMW 1 sērija, BMW X3, BMW X1, BMW Z4
Installed on at least 3 other car models, including BMW 3 sērija, BMW Z4, BMW Z3
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:
4.52 m
4.84 m
Width:
1.82 m
1.85 m
Height:
1.42 m
1.47 m
BMW 3 series is smaller. BMW 3 series is 32 cm shorter than the BMW 5 series, 3 cm narrower, while the height of BMW 3 series is 5 cm lower.
Trunk capacity:
460 litres
520 litres
BMW 5 series has more luggage space. BMW 3 series has 60 litres less trunk space than the BMW 5 series.
BMW 5 series has fewer problems. According to annual technical inspection data BMW 3 series has serious deffects in 10 percent more cases than BMW 5 series, so BMW 5 series quality is probably slightly better
