BMW 3 series 2008 vs Volvo S40 2007
| Gearbox: | Manual | Manual | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine: | 2.0 Petrol | 2.0 Petrol | |
| Camshaft drive: | Timing chain | Timing chain | |
Performance | |||
| Power: | 143 HP | 145 HP | |
| Torque: | 190 NM | 185 NM | |
| Acceleration 0-100 km/h: | 9.1 seconds | 9.5 seconds | |
|
BMW 3 series is more dynamic to drive. BMW 3 series engine produces 2 HP less power than Volvo S40, but torque is 5 NM more than Volvo S40. Despite less power, BMW 3 series reaches 100 km/h speed 0.4 seconds faster. | |||
Fuel consumption | |||
| Fuel consumption (l/100km): | 5.9 | 7.4 | |
| Real fuel consumption: | 7.7 l/100km | 8.2 l/100km | |
|
The BMW 3 series is a better choice when it comes to fuel economy. By specification BMW 3 series consumes 1.5 litres less fuel per 100 km than the Volvo S40, which means that by driving the BMW 3 series over 15,000 km in a year you can save 225 litres of fuel. By comparing actual fuel consumption based on user reports, BMW 3 series consumes 0.5 litres less fuel per 100 km than the Volvo S40. | |||
| Fuel tank capacity: | 63 litres | 55 litres | |
| Full fuel tank distance: | 1060 km in combined cycle | 740 km in combined cycle | |
| 1310 km on highway | 960 km on highway | ||
| 810 km with real consumption | 670 km with real consumption | ||
| BMW 3 series gets more mileage on one fuel tank. | |||
Drive type | |||
| Wheel drive type: | Rear wheel drive (RWD) | Front wheel drive (FWD) | |
| Ground clearance: | 144 mm (5.7 inches) | 135 mm (5.3 inches) | |
Engines | |||
| Average engine lifespan: | 350'000 km | 480'000 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 Volvo S40 engine could be longer. | |||
| Engine production duration: | 6 years | 6 years | |
| Engine spread: | Installed on at least 2 other car models, including BMW 5 sērija, BMW 1 sērija | Installed on at least 4 other car models, including Volvo V70, Volvo S80, Volvo V50, Volvo C30 | |
| In general, the longer and for more car models an engine is produced, the better its serviceability and availability of spare parts. Volvo S40 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: | 4.53 m | 4.48 m | |
| Width: | 1.82 m | 1.77 m | |
| Height: | 1.42 m | 1.45 m | |
|
BMW 3 series is larger, but slightly lower. BMW 3 series is 5 cm longer than the Volvo S40, 5 cm wider, while the height of BMW 3 series is 3 cm lower. | |||
| Trunk capacity: | 460 litres | 404 litres | |
| Trunk max capacity: with rear seats folded down |
no data | 883 litres | |
|
BMW 3 series has more luggage capacity. BMW 3 series has 56 litres more trunk space than the Volvo S40. | |||
| Turning diameter: | 11 meters | 11 meters | |
| Power steering: | Electric power steering | Hydraulic power steering | |
| Electric power steering is simpler, quieter, more fuel-efficient, more configurable and provides additional features such as auto-steering for lane assist and parking. The disadvantages of electric power steering are possible overheating under prolonged load conditions and insufficient feedback (feeling) during steering. | |||
| Gross weight (kg): | 1`880 | 1`850 | |
| Safety: | no data | no data | |
| Quality: | above average | below average | |
| BMW 3 series has fewer problems. According to annual technical inspection data Volvo S40 has serious deffects in 30 percent more cases than BMW 3 series, so BMW 3 series quality is probably significantly better | |||
| Average price (€): | 5800 | 4200 | |
| Pros and Cons: |
BMW 3 sērija has
|
Volvo S40 has
| |