BMW 3 series 1999 vs SAAB 9-3 2000
| Gearbox: | Manual | Automatic | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine: | 2.8 Petrol | 2.0 Petrol | |
| Camshaft drive: | Timing chain | Timing chain | |
Performance | |||
| Power: | 193 HP | 150 HP | |
| Torque: | 280 NM | 240 NM | |
| Acceleration 0-100 km/h: | 7 seconds | 10.4 seconds | |
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BMW 3 series is more dynamic to drive. BMW 3 series engine produces 43 HP more power than SAAB 9-3, whereas torque is 40 NM more than SAAB 9-3. Thanks to more power BMW 3 series reaches 100 km/h speed 3.4 seconds faster. | |||
Fuel consumption | |||
| Fuel consumption (l/100km): | 9.1 | 10.2 | |
| Real fuel consumption: | 9.8 l/100km | 10.1 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 1.1 litres less fuel per 100 km than the SAAB 9-3, which means that by driving the BMW 3 series over 15,000 km in a year you can save 165 litres of fuel. By comparing actual fuel consumption based on user reports, BMW 3 series consumes 0.3 litres less fuel per 100 km than the SAAB 9-3. | |||
| Fuel tank capacity: | 63 litres | 64 litres | |
| Full fuel tank distance: | 690 km in combined cycle | 620 km in combined cycle | |
| 900 km on highway | 850 km on highway | ||
| 640 km with real consumption | 630 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) | |
| Front-wheel drive cars (SAAB 9-3) 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 | 350'000 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 3 series engine could be longer. | |||
| Engine production duration: | 7 years | 11 years | |
| Engine spread: | Installed on at least 3 other car models, including BMW 5 sērija, BMW 7 sērija, BMW Z3 | Used also on SAAB 9-5 | |
| In general, the longer and for more car models an engine is produced, the better its serviceability and availability of spare parts. | |||
Dimensions | |||
| Length: | 4.49 m | 4.64 m | |
| Width: | 1.76 m | 1.71 m | |
| Height: | 1.37 m | 1.44 m | |
| BMW 3 series is 15 cm shorter than the SAAB 9-3, 5 cm wider, while the height of BMW 3 series is 7 cm lower. | |||
| Trunk capacity: | 410 litres | no data | |
| Turning diameter: | 10 meters | 10.5 meters | |
| The turning circle of the BMW 3 series is 0.5 metres less than that of the SAAB 9-3, which means BMW 3 series can be easier to manoeuvre in tight streets and parking spaces. | |||
| Gross weight (kg): | 1`895 | 1`600 | |
| Safety: | no data | ||
| Quality: | low | high | |
| SAAB 9-3 has fewer problems. According to annual technical inspection data BMW 3 series has serious deffects in 410 percent more cases than SAAB 9-3, so SAAB 9-3 quality is probably significantly better | |||
| Average price (€): | 2600 | 2400 | |
| Rating in user reviews: | 7.7/10 | 7.8/10 | |
| Pros and Cons: |
BMW 3 sērija has
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SAAB 9-3 has
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