BMW 3 series is more dynamic to drive. BMW 3 series engine produces 14 HP more power than BMW 5 series, whereas torque is 20 NM more than BMW 5 series. Thanks to more power BMW 3 series reaches 100 km/h speed 0.9 seconds faster.
Fuel consumption
Fuel consumption (l/100km):
6.8
8.2
Real fuel consumption:
7.6 l/100km
8.3 l/100km
The BMW 3 series is a better choice when it comes to fuel economy. By specification BMW 3 series consumes 1.4 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 210 litres of fuel. By comparing actual fuel consumption based on user reports, BMW 3 series consumes 0.7 litres less fuel per 100 km than the BMW 5 series.
Fuel tank capacity:
61 litres
70 litres
Full fuel tank distance:
890 km in combined cycle
850 km in combined cycle
1070 km on highway
1070 km on highway
800 km with real consumption
840 km with real consumption
Drive type
Wheel drive type:
4x4 - AWD (all-wheel-drive)
All wheel drive (AWD, 4x4)
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:
16 years
12 years
Engine spread:
Installed on at least 4 other car models, including BMW 5 sērija, BMW X5, BMW 7 sērija, BMW X6
Installed on at least 6 other car models, including BMW 3 sērija, BMW X5, BMW 7 sērija, BMW X3, BMW X6
In general, the longer and for more car models an engine is produced, the better its serviceability and availability of spare parts.
Dimensions
Length:
4.58 m
4.84 m
Width:
1.78 m
1.85 m
Height:
1.40 m
1.47 m
BMW 3 series is smaller. BMW 3 series is 26 cm shorter than the BMW 5 series, 7 cm narrower, while the height of BMW 3 series is 7 cm lower.
Trunk capacity:
440 litres
520 litres
BMW 5 series has more luggage space. BMW 3 series has 80 litres less trunk space than the BMW 5 series.
BMW 3 series has slightly fewer faults. Deffect rate in annual technical inspection is similar for both cars, it's slightly higher for BMW 5 series, so BMW 3 series quality could be a bit better.
