SAAB 9-3 2006 vs BMW Z4 2003
| Gearbox: | Manual | Manual | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine: | 1.9 Diesel | 2.5 Petrol | |
| Diesel (SAAB 9-3) engines typically outperform gasoline engines in terms of fuel efficiency and low-end torque. This makes them more economical and better suited for towing or long-distance travel. However, gasoline (BMW Z4) engines mostly are lighter, quieter, and offer better acceleration and responsiveness, especially in smaller vehicles. For more information, see the article "Diesel or Petrol: Fuel Economy and Key Differences." | |||
| Camshaft drive: | Timing belt | Timing chain | |
| Timing belt usually needs to be replaced more often than the chain, but it is usually significantly cheaper. Timing belt motors are generally quieter and less vibrating than chain motors. | |||
Performance | |||
| Power: | 150 HP | 192 HP | |
| Torque: | 320 NM | 245 NM | |
| Acceleration 0-100 km/h: | 10 seconds | 7 seconds | |
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BMW Z4 is a more dynamic driving. SAAB 9-3 engine produces 42 HP less power than BMW Z4, but torque is 75 NM more than BMW Z4. Due to the lower power, SAAB 9-3 reaches 100 km/h speed 3 seconds later. | |||
Fuel consumption | |||
| Fuel consumption (l/100km): | 5.9 | 8.9 | |
| Real fuel consumption: | 6.4 l/100km | 9.5 l/100km | |
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The SAAB 9-3 is a better choice when it comes to fuel economy. By specification SAAB 9-3 consumes 3 litres less fuel per 100 km than the BMW Z4, which means that by driving the SAAB 9-3 over 15,000 km in a year you can save 450 litres of fuel. By comparing actual fuel consumption based on user reports, SAAB 9-3 consumes 3.1 litres less fuel per 100 km than the BMW Z4. | |||
| Fuel tank capacity: | 63 litres | 55 litres | |
| Full fuel tank distance: | 1060 km in combined cycle | 610 km in combined cycle | |
| 980 km with real consumption | 570 km with real consumption | ||
| SAAB 9-3 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: | Front wheel drive (FWD) | Rear wheel drive (RWD) | |
| Front-wheel drive cars (SAAB 9-3) 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 Z4) 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: | 420'000 km | 440'000 km | |
| Engine resource depends largely on regular maintenance and the quality of the oils and fuels used. | |||
| Engine production duration: | 6 years | 7 years | |
| Engine spread: | Used also on SAAB 9-5 | Installed on at least 3 other car models, including BMW 5 sērija, BMW 3 sērija, BMW X3 | |
| In general, the longer and for more car models an engine is produced, the better its serviceability and availability of spare parts. BMW Z4 might be a better choice in this respect. | |||
Dimensions | |||
| Length: | 4.64 m | 4.09 m | |
| Width: | 1.76 m | 1.78 m | |
| Height: | 1.43 m | 1.30 m | |
| SAAB 9-3 is 55 cm longer than the BMW Z4, 2 cm narrower, while the height of SAAB 9-3 is 13 cm higher. | |||
| Trunk capacity: | 235 litres | 240 litres | |
| Trunk max capacity: with rear seats folded down, if possible |
no data | 260 litres | |
| Turning diameter: | 11 meters | 9.8 meters | |
| The turning circle of the SAAB 9-3 is 1.2 metres more than that of the BMW Z4, which means SAAB 9-3 can be harder to manoeuvre in tight streets and parking spaces. | |||
| Gross weight: | 2`040 kg | 1`560 kg | |
| Safety: | |||
| Quality: | high | above average | |
| SAAB 9-3 has fewer problems. According to annual technical inspection data BMW Z4 has serious deffects in 25 percent more cases than SAAB 9-3, so SAAB 9-3 quality is probably significantly better | |||
| Average price (€): | 4400 | 7200 | |
| Pros and Cons: |
SAAB 9-3 has
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BMW Z4 has
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