BMW 3 series 1993 vs Volkswagen Beetle 1998
| Gearbox: | Manual | Manual | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine: | 1.6 Petrol | 2.0 Petrol | |
| Camshaft drive: | Timing chain | Timing belt | |
| Engine chain usually needs to be replaced less often than the timing belt, but the cost of replacing the chain is usually higher. Chain motors are considered to be more reliable, but noisier and more vibration generating. | |||
Performance | |||
| Power: | 102 HP | 115 HP | |
| Torque: | 150 NM | 170 NM | |
| Acceleration 0-100 km/h: | 12 seconds | 10.9 seconds | |
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Volkswagen Beetle is a more dynamic driving. BMW 3 series engine produces 13 HP less power than Volkswagen Beetle, whereas torque is 20 NM less than Volkswagen Beetle. Due to the lower power, BMW 3 series reaches 100 km/h speed 1.1 seconds later. | |||
Fuel consumption | |||
| Fuel consumption (l/100km): | 7.7 | 8.7 | |
| Real fuel consumption: | 8.0 l/100km | 8.9 l/100km | |
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The BMW 3 series is a better choice when it comes to fuel economy. By specification BMW 3 series consumes 1 litres less fuel per 100 km than the Volkswagen Beetle, which means that by driving the BMW 3 series over 15,000 km in a year you can save 150 litres of fuel. By comparing actual fuel consumption based on user reports, BMW 3 series consumes 0.9 litres less fuel per 100 km than the Volkswagen Beetle. | |||
| Fuel tank capacity: | 52 litres | 55 litres | |
| Full fuel tank distance: | 670 km in combined cycle | 630 km in combined cycle | |
| 880 km on highway | 790 km on highway | ||
| 650 km with real consumption | 610 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) | |
| Front-wheel drive cars (Volkswagen Beetle) have better traction on slippery roads and when climbing hills, better fuel economy, and are less expensive to purchase. On the disadvantage side, FWD cars usually have less towing capacity, poorer acceleration and harder handling. Rear-wheel drive cars (BMW 3 series) have better handling on dry roads, better acceleration, more even weight distribution and more fun to drive. RWD is also better for towing large loads. The cons of rear-wheel drive are less interior and trunk space and more difficulty maneuvering in wet and snowy conditions. | |||
Engines | |||
| Average engine lifespan: | 420'000 km | 580'000 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 Volkswagen Beetle engine could be longer. | |||
| Engine production duration: | 9 years | 4 years | |
| Engine spread: | Used only for this car | Installed on at least 3 other car models, including Volkswagen Golf, Skoda Octavia, Volkswagen Bora | |
| In general, the longer and for more car models an engine is produced, the better its serviceability and availability of spare parts. | |||
Dimensions | |||
| Length: | 4.21 m | 4.08 m | |
| Width: | 1.70 m | 1.72 m | |
| Height: | 1.39 m | 1.50 m | |
| BMW 3 series is 13 cm longer than the Volkswagen Beetle, 2 cm narrower, while the height of BMW 3 series is 11 cm lower. | |||
| Trunk capacity: | 325 litres | 209 litres | |
| Trunk max capacity: with rear seats folded down |
1030 litres | 525 litres | |
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BMW 3 series has more luggage capacity. BMW 3 series has 116 litres more trunk space than the Volkswagen Beetle. The maximum boot capacity (with all rear seats folded down) is larger in BMW 3 series (by 505 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 Beetle, which means BMW 3 series can be easier to manoeuvre in tight streets and parking spaces. | |||
| Gross weight (kg): | 1`635 | 1`650 | |
| Safety: | |||
| Quality: | below average | average | |
| Volkswagen Beetle has fewer problems. According to annual technical inspection data BMW 3 series has serious deffects in 20 percent more cases than Volkswagen Beetle, so Volkswagen Beetle quality is probably better | |||
| Average price (€): | 2000 | 1800 | |
| Pros and Cons: |
BMW 3 sērija has
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Volkswagen Beetle has
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