Volvo S40 2007 vs BMW 3 series 2008
| Gearbox: | Manual | Manual | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine: | 2.0 Petrol | 2.0 Petrol | |
| Camshaft drive: | Timing chain | Timing chain | |
Performance | |||
| Power: | 145 HP | 143 HP | |
| Torque: | 185 NM | 190 NM | |
| Acceleration 0-100 km/h: | 9.5 seconds | 9.1 seconds | |
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BMW 3 series is a more dynamic driving. Volvo S40 engine produces 2 HP more power than BMW 3 series, but torque is 5 NM less than BMW 3 series. Despite the higher power, Volvo S40 reaches 100 km/h speed 0.4 seconds later. | |||
Fuel consumption | |||
| Fuel consumption (l/100km): | 7.4 | 5.9 | |
| Real fuel consumption: | 8.2 l/100km | 7.7 l/100km | |
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The BMW 3 series is a better choice when it comes to fuel economy. By specification Volvo S40 consumes 1.5 litres more fuel per 100 km than the BMW 3 series, which means that if you drive 15,000 km in a year, the Volvo S40 could require 225 litres more fuel. By comparing actual fuel consumption based on user reports, Volvo S40 consumes 0.5 litres more fuel per 100 km than the BMW 3 series. | |||
| Fuel tank capacity: | 55 litres | 63 litres | |
| Full fuel tank distance: | 740 km in combined cycle | 1060 km in combined cycle | |
| 960 km on highway | 1310 km on highway | ||
| 670 km with real consumption | 810 km with real consumption | ||
| BMW 3 series gets more mileage on one fuel tank. | |||
Drive type | |||
| Wheel drive type: | Front wheel drive (FWD) | Rear wheel drive (RWD) | |
Engines | |||
| Average engine lifespan: | 480'000 km | 350'000 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 Volvo S40 engine could be longer. | |||
| Engine production duration: | 6 years | 6 years | |
| Engine spread: | Installed on at least 4 other car models, including Volvo V70, Volvo S80, Volvo V50, Volvo C30 | Installed on at least 2 other car models, including BMW 5 sērija, BMW 1 sērija | |
| In general, the longer and for more car models an engine is produced, the better its serviceability and availability of spare parts. Volvo S40 might be a better choice in this respect. | |||
| Hydraulic tappets: | no | yes | |
| 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: | 4.48 m | 4.53 m | |
| Width: | 1.77 m | 1.82 m | |
| Height: | 1.45 m | 1.42 m | |
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Volvo S40 is smaller, but slightly higher. Volvo S40 is 5 cm shorter than the BMW 3 series, 5 cm narrower, while the height of Volvo S40 is 3 cm higher. | |||
| Trunk capacity: | 404 litres | 460 litres | |
| Trunk max capacity: with rear seats folded down |
883 litres | no data | |
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BMW 3 series has more luggage space. Volvo S40 has 56 litres less trunk space than the BMW 3 series. | |||
| Turning diameter: | 11 meters | 11 meters | |
| Power steering: | Hydraulic power steering | Electric power steering | |
| Hydraulic power steering is technologically more complex, louder, increases fuel consumption and requires more servicing. It has the advantages of more power, less strain on the car's electrical system and better feedback (feeling) when steering. | |||
| Gross weight (kg): | 1`850 | 1`880 | |
| Safety: | no data | no data | |
| Quality: | below average | above average | |
| BMW 3 series has fewer problems. According to annual technical inspection data Volvo S40 has serious deffects in 30 percent more cases than BMW 3 series, so BMW 3 series quality is probably significantly better | |||
| Average price (€): | 4400 | 5800 | |
| Pros and Cons: |
Volvo S40 has
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BMW 3 sērija has
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