BMW 3 series is more dynamic to drive. BMW 3 series engine produces 75 HP more power than BMW 5 series, whereas torque is 100 NM more than BMW 5 series. Thanks to more power BMW 3 series reaches 100 km/h speed 1.3 seconds faster.
Fuel consumption
Fuel consumption (l/100km):
9.6
9.9
Real fuel consumption:
11.3 l/100km
10.8 l/100km
The BMW 5 series is a better choice in terms of fuel economy based on user-reported consumption, although the specification shows otherwise. By specification BMW 3 series consumes 0.3 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 45 litres of fuel. But when we compare the real fuel consumption reported by users, BMW 3 series consumes 0.5 litres more fuel per 100 km than the BMW 5 series.
Fuel tank capacity:
63 litres
70 litres
Full fuel tank distance:
650 km in combined cycle
700 km in combined cycle
910 km on highway
930 km on highway
550 km with real consumption
640 km with real consumption
BMW 5 series gets more mileage on one fuel tank.
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:
10 years
7 years
Engine spread:
Installed on at least 3 other car models, including BMW 5 sērija, BMW X6, BMW Z4
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.
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