BMW 3 series and BMW 5 series have the same engine power, the torque is the same for both cars. BMW 3 series reaches 100 km/h speed 0.6 seconds faster.
Fuel consumption
Fuel consumption (l/100km):
5.8
6.0
Real fuel consumption:
8.0 l/100km
9.2 l/100km
The BMW 3 series is a better choice when it comes to fuel economy. By specification BMW 3 series consumes 0.2 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 30 litres of fuel. By comparing actual fuel consumption based on user reports, BMW 3 series consumes 1.2 litres less fuel per 100 km than the BMW 5 series.
Fuel tank capacity:
60 litres
70 litres
Full fuel tank distance:
1030 km in combined cycle
1160 km in combined cycle
1270 km on highway
1480 km on highway
750 km with real consumption
760 km with real consumption
BMW 5 series gets more mileage on one fuel tank.
Ground clearance:
140 mm (5.5 inches)
141 mm (5.6 inches)
Engines
Average engine lifespan:
300'000 km
300'000 km
Engine resource depends largely on regular maintenance and the quality of the oils and fuels used.
Engine production duration:
7 years
7 years
Dimensions
Length:
4.63 m
4.91 m
Width:
1.81 m
1.86 m
Height:
1.43 m
1.46 m
BMW 3 series is smaller. BMW 3 series is 27 cm shorter than the BMW 5 series, 5 cm narrower, while the height of BMW 3 series is 4 cm lower.
Trunk capacity:
480 litres
520 litres
BMW 5 series has more luggage space. BMW 3 series has 40 litres less trunk space than the BMW 5 series.
Turning diameter:
11.3 meters
12 meters
The turning circle of the BMW 3 series is 0.7 metres less than that of the BMW 5 series, which means BMW 3 series can be easier to manoeuvre in tight streets and parking spaces.
BMW 3 series has fewer problems. According to annual technical inspection data BMW 5 series has serious deffects in 80 percent more cases than BMW 3 series, so BMW 3 series quality is probably significantly better