BMW 3 series 1999 vs SAAB 9-3 1998
| Gearbox: | Manual | Manual | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine: | 2.8 Petrol | 2.2 Diesel | |
| Camshaft drive: | Timing chain | Timing chain | |
Performance | |||
| Power: | 193 HP | 115 HP | |
| Torque: | 280 NM | 260 NM | |
| Acceleration 0-100 km/h: | 7 seconds | 10.9 seconds | |
|
BMW 3 series is more dynamic to drive. BMW 3 series engine produces 78 HP more power than SAAB 9-3, whereas torque is 20 NM more than SAAB 9-3. Thanks to more power BMW 3 series reaches 100 km/h speed 3.9 seconds faster. | |||
Fuel consumption | |||
| Fuel consumption (l/100km): | 9.1 | 6.2 | |
| Real fuel consumption: | 9.8 l/100km | 6.8 l/100km | |
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The SAAB 9-3 is a better choice when it comes to fuel economy. By specification BMW 3 series consumes 2.9 litres more fuel per 100 km than the SAAB 9-3, which means that if you drive 15,000 km in a year, the BMW 3 series could require 435 litres more fuel. By comparing actual fuel consumption based on user reports, BMW 3 series consumes 3 litres more fuel per 100 km than the SAAB 9-3. | |||
| Fuel tank capacity: | 63 litres | 68 litres | |
| Full fuel tank distance: | 690 km in combined cycle | 1090 km in combined cycle | |
| 900 km on highway | 1470 km on highway | ||
| 640 km with real consumption | 1000 km with real consumption | ||
| SAAB 9-3 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 | 420'000 km | |
| Engine resource depends largely on regular maintenance and the quality of the oils and fuels used. | |||
| Engine production duration: | 7 years | 7 years | |
| Engine spread: | Installed on at least 3 other car models, including BMW 5 sērija, BMW 7 sērija, BMW Z3 | Used only for this car | |
| In general, the longer and for more car models an engine is produced, the better its serviceability and availability of spare parts. BMW 3 series might be a better choice in this respect. | |||
Dimensions | |||
| Length: | 4.49 m | 4.63 m | |
| Width: | 1.76 m | 1.71 m | |
| Height: | 1.37 m | 1.43 m | |
| BMW 3 series is 14 cm shorter than the SAAB 9-3, 5 cm wider, while the height of BMW 3 series is 6 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 (€): | 2400 | 2000 | |
| 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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