BMW 3 series 2003 vs Volvo C70 2006
| Gearbox: | Manual | Automatic | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine: | 2.0 Petrol | 2.5 Petrol | |
| Camshaft drive: | Timing chain | Timing belt | |
| Engine chain usually needs to be replaced less often than the timing belt, but the cost of replacing the chain is usually higher. Chain motors are considered to be more reliable, but noisier and more vibration generating. | |||
Performance | |||
| Power: | 143 HP | 220 HP | |
| Torque: | 200 NM | 320 NM | |
| Acceleration 0-100 km/h: | 10 seconds | 8 seconds | |
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Volvo C70 is a more dynamic driving. BMW 3 series engine produces 77 HP less power than Volvo C70, whereas torque is 120 NM less than Volvo C70. Due to the lower power, BMW 3 series reaches 100 km/h speed 2 seconds later. | |||
Fuel consumption | |||
| Fuel consumption (l/100km): | 7.8 | 9.8 | |
| Real fuel consumption: | 8.3 l/100km | 9.8 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 litres less fuel per 100 km than the Volvo C70, which means that by driving the BMW 3 series over 15,000 km in a year you can save 300 litres of fuel. By comparing actual fuel consumption based on user reports, BMW 3 series consumes 1.5 litres less fuel per 100 km than the Volvo C70. | |||
| Fuel tank capacity: | 63 litres | 62 litres | |
| Full fuel tank distance: | 800 km in combined cycle | 630 km in combined cycle | |
| 1030 km on highway | 920 km on highway | ||
| 750 km with real consumption | 630 km with real consumption | ||
| 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. | |||
Drive type | |||
| Wheel drive type: | Rear wheel drive (RWD) | Front wheel drive (FWD) | |
| Front-wheel drive cars (Volvo C70) 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: | 380'000 km | 390'000 km | |
| Engine resource depends largely on regular maintenance and the quality of the oils and fuels used. | |||
| Engine production duration: | 6 years | 4 years | |
| Engine spread: | Used only for this car | Installed on at least 3 other car models, including Volvo V50, Volvo S40, Volvo C30 | |
| In general, the longer and for more car models an engine is produced, the better its serviceability and availability of spare parts. Volvo C70 might be a better choice in this respect. | |||
| Hydraulic tappets: | yes | no | |
| The BMW 3 series engine has hydraulic tappets (lifters), providing quieter operation and no need for periodic adjustment, but they are more complex in design and can cause serious engine damage in case of failure. | |||
Dimensions | |||
| Length: | 4.49 m | 4.58 m | |
| Width: | 1.76 m | 1.82 m | |
| Height: | 1.37 m | 1.40 m | |
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BMW 3 series is smaller. BMW 3 series is 9 cm shorter than the Volvo C70, 6 cm narrower, while the height of BMW 3 series is 3 cm lower. | |||
| Trunk capacity: | 260 litres | 200 litres | |
| Trunk max capacity: with rear seats folded down |
300 litres | 404 litres | |
| Even though the car is shorter, BMW 3 series has 60 litres more trunk space than the Volvo C70. The Volvo C70 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 Volvo C70 (by 104 litres). | |||
| Turning diameter: | 10 meters | 12.7 meters | |
| The turning circle of the BMW 3 series is 2.7 metres less than that of the Volvo C70, which means BMW 3 series can be easier to manoeuvre in tight streets and parking spaces. | |||
| Gross weight (kg): | 1`925 | 2`090 | |
| Safety: | no data | ||
| Quality: | above average | below average | |
| BMW 3 series has fewer problems. According to annual technical inspection data Volvo C70 has serious deffects in 50 percent more cases than BMW 3 series, so BMW 3 series quality is probably significantly better | |||
| Average price (€): | 6200 | 4800 | |
| Pros and Cons: |
BMW 3 sērija has
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Volvo C70 has
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