BMW 3 series is more dynamic to drive. BMW 3 series engine produces 41 HP more power than BMW 5 series, whereas torque is 20 NM more than BMW 5 series. Thanks to more power BMW 3 series reaches 100 km/h speed 0.8 seconds faster.
Fuel consumption
Fuel consumption (l/100km):
7.2
9.8
Real fuel consumption:
9.9 l/100km
9.9 l/100km
The BMW 3 series is a better choice when it comes to fuel economy. By specification BMW 3 series consumes 2.6 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 390 litres of fuel.
Fuel tank capacity:
63 litres
70 litres
Full fuel tank distance:
870 km in combined cycle
710 km in combined cycle
1120 km on highway
1000 km on highway
630 km with real consumption
700 km with real consumption
Engines
Average engine lifespan:
350'000 km
460'000 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 5 series engine could be longer.
Engine production duration:
7 years
7 years
Engine spread:
Installed on at least 2 other car models, including BMW 5 sērija, BMW 6 sērija
Installed on at least 6 other car models, including BMW 3 sērija, BMW X5, BMW 7 sērija, BMW X3, BMW Z4
In general, the longer and for more car models an engine is produced, the better its serviceability and availability of spare parts. BMW 5 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 3 series has fewer problems. According to annual technical inspection data BMW 5 series has serious deffects in 55 percent more cases than BMW 3 series, so BMW 3 series quality is probably significantly better
