BMW 3 series 2001 vs Volkswagen Golf 2003
| Gearbox: | Manual | Manual | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine: | 1.8 Petrol | 1.6 Petrol | |
| Camshaft drive: | Timing chain | Timing chain | |
Performance | |||
| Power: | 116 HP | 116 HP | |
| Torque: | 175 NM | 155 NM | |
| Acceleration 0-100 km/h: | 11 seconds | 10.8 seconds | |
| BMW 3 series and Volkswagen Golf have the same engine power, but BMW 3 series torque is 20 NM more than Volkswagen Golf. BMW 3 series reaches 100 km/h speed 0.2 seconds later. | |||
Fuel consumption | |||
| Fuel consumption (l/100km): | 6.9 | 6.4 | |
| Real fuel consumption: | 8.2 l/100km | 7.3 l/100km | |
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The Volkswagen Golf is a better choice when it comes to fuel economy. By specification BMW 3 series consumes 0.5 litres more fuel per 100 km than the Volkswagen Golf, which means that if you drive 15,000 km in a year, the BMW 3 series could require 75 litres more fuel. By comparing actual fuel consumption based on user reports, BMW 3 series consumes 0.9 litres more fuel per 100 km than the Volkswagen Golf. | |||
| Fuel tank capacity: | 63 litres | 55 litres | |
| Full fuel tank distance: | 910 km in combined cycle | 850 km in combined cycle | |
| 1180 km on highway | 1030 km on highway | ||
| 760 km with real consumption | 750 km with real consumption | ||
| BMW 3 series gets more mileage on one fuel tank. | |||
| Read the article "Fuel Efficiency: How to Reduce Fuel Consumption" to learn more about fuel economy. | |||
Drive type | |||
| Wheel drive type: | Rear wheel drive (RWD) | Front wheel drive (FWD) | |
Engines | |||
| Average engine lifespan: | 350'000 km | 350'000 km | |
| Engine resource depends largely on regular maintenance and the quality of the oils and fuels used. | |||
| Engine production duration: | 6 years | 4 years | |
| Engine spread: | Used only for this car | Installed on at least 7 other car models, including Volkswagen Passat, Skoda Octavia, Audi A3 | |
| In general, the longer and for more car models an engine is produced, the better its serviceability and availability of spare parts. Volkswagen Golf might be a better choice in this respect. | |||
| Volkswagen Golf 2003 1.6 engine: Owners of vehicles with this engine often report difficulties starting in cold weather. Carbon buildup tends to cause sticking in the intake valves, throttle body, and EGR valve, leading to performance ... More about Volkswagen Golf 2003 1.6 engine | |||
Dimensions | |||
| Length: | 4.26 m | 4.20 m | |
| Width: | 1.75 m | 1.76 m | |
| Height: | 1.41 m | 1.48 m | |
| BMW 3 series is 6 cm longer than the Volkswagen Golf, 1 cm narrower, while the height of BMW 3 series is 7 cm lower. | |||
| Trunk capacity: | 310 litres | 350 litres | |
| Trunk max capacity: with rear seats folded down |
1100 litres | 1305 litres | |
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Volkswagen Golf has more luggage space. Despite its longer length, BMW 3 series has 40 litres less trunk space than the Volkswagen Golf. This could mean that the BMW 3 series uses more space in the cabin, so the driver and passengers could be more spacious and comfortable. The maximum boot capacity (with all rear seats folded down) is larger in Volkswagen Golf (by 205 litres). | |||
| Turning diameter: | 10 meters | 10.9 meters | |
| The turning circle of the BMW 3 series is 0.9 metres less than that of the Volkswagen Golf, which means BMW 3 series can be easier to manoeuvre in tight streets and parking spaces. | |||
| Power steering: | Hydraulic power steering | Electric power steering | |
| Hydraulic power steering is technologically more complex, louder, increases fuel consumption and requires more servicing. It has the advantages of more power, less strain on the car's electrical system and better feedback (feeling) when steering. | |||
| Gross weight (kg): | 1`800 | 1`810 | |
| Safety: | |||
| Quality: | low | above average | |
| Volkswagen Golf has fewer problems. According to annual technical inspection data BMW 3 series has serious deffects in 40 percent more cases than Volkswagen Golf, so Volkswagen Golf quality is probably significantly better | |||
| Average price (€): | 2200 | 1800 | |
| Rating in user reviews: | 7.9/10 | 8.2/10 | |
| Pros and Cons: |
BMW 3 sērija has
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Volkswagen Golf has
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