BMW 5 series 2003 vs BMW 3 series 2006

 
BMW 5 series
2003 - 2005
BMW 3 series
2006 - 2008
Gearbox: ManualManual
Engine: 3.0 Diesel3.0 Diesel
Camshaft drive: Timing chainTiming chain

Performance

Power: 218 HP197 HP
Torque: 500 NM400 NM
Acceleration 0-100 km/h: 7.1 seconds7.4 seconds
BMW 5 series is more dynamic to drive.
BMW 5 series engine produces 21 HP more power than BMW 3 series, whereas torque is 100 NM more than BMW 3 series. Thanks to more power BMW 5 series reaches 100 km/h speed 0.3 seconds faster.

Fuel consumption

Fuel consumption (l/100km): 6.95.9
Real fuel consumption: 7.7 l/100km6.8 l/100km
The BMW 3 series is a better choice when it comes to fuel economy.
By specification BMW 5 series consumes 1 litres more fuel per 100 km than the BMW 3 series, which means that if you drive 15,000 km in a year, the BMW 5 series could require 150 litres more fuel.
By comparing actual fuel consumption based on user reports, BMW 5 series consumes 0.9 litres more fuel per 100 km than the BMW 3 series.
Fuel tank capacity: 70 litres61 litres
Full fuel tank distance: 1010 km in combined cycle1030 km in combined cycle
1270 km on highway1270 km on highway
900 km with real consumption890 km with real consumption

Engines

Average engine lifespan: 480'000 km420'000 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 BMW 5 series engine could be longer.
Engine production duration: 3 years5 years
Engine spread: Installed on at least 3 other car models, including BMW 3 sērija, BMW X5, BMW X3Installed on at least 6 other car models, including BMW 5 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. BMW 3 series might be a better choice in this respect.
BMW 5 sērija 2003 3.0 engine: The BMW M57 engine is regarded as one of the best German-built power units. Its inline-six layout is praised for reliability, and cars equipped with this engine are often more desirable on the used market. Despite delivering ...  More about BMW 5 sērija 2003 3.0 engine 

BMW 3 sērija 2006 3.0 engine: The BMW M57 engine is regarded as one of the best German-built power units. Its inline-six layout is praised for reliability, and cars equipped with this engine are often more desirable on the used market. Despite delivering strong performance, the ...  More about BMW 3 sērija 2006 3.0 engine 

Dimensions

Length: 4.84 m4.52 m
Width: 1.85 m1.82 m
Height: 1.47 m1.42 m
BMW 5 series is larger.
BMW 5 series is 32 cm longer than the BMW 3 series, 3 cm wider, while the height of BMW 5 series is 5 cm higher.
Trunk capacity: 520 litres460 litres
BMW 5 series has more luggage capacity.
BMW 5 series has 60 litres more trunk space than the BMW 3 series.
Turning diameter: 11 meters11 meters
Gross weight (kg): 2`1552`045
Safety:
Quality:
below average

low
BMW 5 series has fewer problems.
According to annual technical inspection data BMW 3 series has serious deffects in 10 percent more cases than BMW 5 series, so BMW 5 series quality is probably slightly better
Average price (€): 44004200
Rating in user reviews: 8.3/10 7.7/10
Pros and Cons: BMW 5 sērija has
  • more power
  • longer expected engine lifespan
  • roomier boot
  • fewer faults
  • higher ratings in user reviews
BMW 3 sērija has
  • lower fuel consumption
  • higher safety
  • lower price
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