BMW 3 series 2003 vs Mercedes SL 2006
| Gearbox: | Manual | Automatic | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine: | 2.0 Petrol | 3.5 Petrol | |
| Camshaft drive: | Timing chain | Double-row timing chain | |
Performance | |||
| Power: | 143 HP | 272 HP | |
| Torque: | 200 NM | 350 NM | |
| Acceleration 0-100 km/h: | 10 seconds | 6.6 seconds | |
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Mercedes SL is a more dynamic driving. BMW 3 series engine produces 129 HP less power than Mercedes SL, whereas torque is 150 NM less than Mercedes SL. Due to the lower power, BMW 3 series reaches 100 km/h speed 3.4 seconds later. | |||
Fuel consumption | |||
| Fuel consumption (l/100km): | 7.8 | 10.3 | |
| Real fuel consumption: | 8.3 l/100km | 11.8 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 2.5 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 375 litres of fuel. By comparing actual fuel consumption based on user reports, BMW 3 series consumes 3.5 litres less fuel per 100 km than the Mercedes SL. | |||
| Fuel tank capacity: | 63 litres | 80 litres | |
| Full fuel tank distance: | 800 km in combined cycle | 770 km in combined cycle | |
| 1030 km on highway | 1030 km on highway | ||
| 750 km with real consumption | 670 km with real consumption | ||
| Read the article "Fuel Efficiency: How to Reduce Fuel Consumption" to learn more about fuel economy. | |||
Engines | |||
| Average engine lifespan: | 380'000 km | 450'000 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: | 6 years | 13 years | |
| Engine spread: | Used only for this car | Installed on at least 9 other car models, including Mercedes C klase, Mercedes E klase, Mercedes ML, Mercedes S klase | |
| 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: | 4.49 m | 4.54 m | |
| Width: | 1.76 m | 1.82 m | |
| Height: | 1.37 m | 1.30 m | |
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BMW 3 series is smaller, but higher. BMW 3 series is 5 cm shorter than the Mercedes SL, 6 cm narrower, while the height of BMW 3 series is 7 cm higher. | |||
| Trunk capacity: | 260 litres | 235 litres | |
| Trunk max capacity: with rear seats folded down |
300 litres | 339 litres | |
| Even though the car is shorter, BMW 3 series has 25 litres more trunk space than the Mercedes SL. The Mercedes SL may have more interior space, so the cabin could be more spacious and more comfortable for the driver and passengers. The maximum boot capacity (with all rear seats folded down) is larger in Mercedes SL (by 39 litres). | |||
| Turning diameter: | 10 meters | 11 meters | |
| The turning circle of the BMW 3 series is 1 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`925 | 2`120 | |
| Safety: | no data | ||
| Quality: | high | above average | |
| BMW 3 series has fewer problems. According to annual technical inspection data Mercedes SL has serious deffects in 30 percent more cases than BMW 3 series, so BMW 3 series quality is probably significantly better | |||
| Average price (€): | 6200 | 13 400 | |
| Pros and Cons: |
BMW 3 sērija has
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Mercedes SL has
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