BMW 3 series 1994 vs Mercedes SL 1998
| Gearbox: | Manual | Automatic | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine: | 1.8 Petrol | 5.0 Petrol | |
| Camshaft drive: | Timing chain | Double-row timing chain | |
Performance | |||
| Power: | 115 HP | 306 HP | |
| Torque: | 168 NM | 460 NM | |
| Acceleration 0-100 km/h: | 12 seconds | 6.5 seconds | |
|
Mercedes SL is a more dynamic driving. BMW 3 series engine produces 191 HP less power than Mercedes SL, whereas torque is 292 NM less than Mercedes SL. Due to the lower power, BMW 3 series reaches 100 km/h speed 5.5 seconds later. | |||
Fuel consumption | |||
| Fuel consumption (l/100km): | 8.1 | 12.5 | |
|
The BMW 3 series is a better choice when it comes to fuel economy. BMW 3 series consumes 4.4 litres less fuel per 100 km than the Mercedes SL, which means that by driving the BMW 3 series over 15,000 km in a year you can save 660 litres of fuel. | |||
| Fuel tank capacity: | 65 litres | 80 litres | |
| Full fuel tank distance: | 800 km in combined cycle | 640 km in combined cycle | |
| 1010 km on highway | 900 km on highway | ||
| 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. | |||
Engines | |||
| Average engine lifespan: | 440'000 km | 480'000 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 Mercedes SL engine could be longer. | |||
| Engine production duration: | 9 years | 11 years | |
| Engine spread: | Installed on at least 2 other car models, including BMW 5 sērija, BMW Z3 | Installed on at least 6 other car models, including Mercedes E klase, Mercedes ML, Mercedes S klase, Mercedes CLK, Mercedes CLS | |
| In general, the longer and for more car models an engine is produced, the better its serviceability and availability of spare parts. Mercedes SL might be a better choice in this respect. | |||
Dimensions | |||
| Length: | 4.43 m | 4.50 m | |
| Width: | 1.71 m | 1.81 m | |
| Height: | 1.35 m | 1.29 m | |
|
BMW 3 series is smaller, but higher. BMW 3 series is 7 cm shorter than the Mercedes SL, 10 cm narrower, while the height of BMW 3 series is 6 cm higher. | |||
| Trunk capacity: | 230 litres | 265 litres | |
|
Mercedes SL has more luggage space. BMW 3 series has 35 litres less trunk space than the Mercedes SL. | |||
| Turning diameter: | 10 meters | 10.7 meters | |
| The turning circle of the BMW 3 series is 0.7 metres less than that of the Mercedes SL, which means BMW 3 series can be easier to manoeuvre in tight streets and parking spaces. | |||
| Gross weight (kg): | 1`770 | 2`210 | |
| Safety: | no data | ||
| Quality: | low | high | |
| Mercedes SL has fewer problems. According to annual technical inspection data BMW 3 series has serious deffects in 190 percent more cases than Mercedes SL, so Mercedes SL quality is probably significantly better | |||
| Average price (€): | 7600 | 16 200 | |
| Pros and Cons: |
BMW 3 sērija has
|
Mercedes SL has
| |