Internal Space between BMW 3 series and 5 series

Preset No.3

Yesterday I was up in frank keane getting a few bits for my machine. Credit crunch etc etc, i was looking at maybe trading down. Either a 520D or a 325 or something like that. Now im not looking for advice on what car is better but its the inside space that has me a bit confused. Sitting in the 5 series, it felt very cramped yet when I was in the 3 series it was spacious. Has anyone else experienced the same differences between the 3 and 5 series?

Stephen

Dunno about any difference between the front of them, but the back seat of a 3 series is ridiculously cramped.

Feelgood

Id actually say the backseat in both of them us a good bit cramped unless you have the two front seats pulled up to the last.....

I wouldn't say that there is a hell of a difference between a 3 and a 5. Obviously the dash and centre console is bigger on the 5 and takes up a lot of room and the seats are bigger.

Much of a muchness really...

Anan1

I felt the 5 series to be a bit bigger inside, personally. On the other hand, the 3 series is newer, safer, and (an odd one, this) heavier.

pburns

Anan1 wrote: »

I felt the 5 series to be a bit bigger inside, personally. On the other hand, the 3 series is newer, safer, and (an odd one, this) heavier.

You think being heavier is an advantage?

Much of a muchness really, I'd think the 3-series is more compact and better for our crowded roads. If it's almost as spacious inside hard to see the advantage of a 5...

Anan1

pburns wrote: »

You think being heavier is an advantage?

Much of a muchness really, I'd think the 3-series is more compact and better for our crowded roads. If it's almost as spacious inside hard to see the advantage of a 5...

Sorry, I put that badly. I think it's odd that the 3 is heavier, but good that it's safer. The interior also seems a bit better put-together to me.

rebel.ranter

Does the size of the windows make a difference to the "feeling" of space in the cars? I think the high waistline of the 5 series might contribute to it feeling cramped.
The expected new 5 series looks like it will be a blown up version of the 3 series, there are some spyshots on Google images.
(Just google: new bmw 5 series)

cashmni1

I personaly think the 3 series is a lot smaller than the 5 (interior). I don't understand how anyone could think that the 3 is "roomier" than a 5 inside. Just my 2 c.

Preset No.3

cashmni1 wrote: »

I personaly think the 3 series is a lot smaller than the 5 (interior). I don't understand how anyone could think that the 3 is "roomier" than a 5 inside. Just my 2 c.

I know, im such a weirdo!!!!! Ive been driving BMW for about 8 years. Had 3 3 series coupes and Im on to my 2nd X5. I felt the 3 series had more room inside and Im 6'6" so space is important to me. When the seat is back there is enough leg room for a small shrew!!

So now I would weigh up the pros and cons of the 3 v 5. I like the look of the new 5 series which we should expect by the beginning of 2010.

Is it true that the 520d wouldnt pull you out of bed?

kenco

I tried both a few years back when I was making my decision and to me there was definately more space in the 5 but not by any huge degree.

That said it depends on the person, Im well over 6ft and have always found headroom a problem and it was not an issue in either.

Anan1

Preset No.3 wrote: »

Is it true that the 520d wouldnt pull you out of bed?

The 520d is no rocketship, but it should be comfortably quicker than an X5 3.0d.

ToxicPaddy

The 5 series is much bigger inside imo. Ive driven 3 and 5 series for years now and always found the 3 series to be a nice car to drive, very comfortable and steady on the road, but the back seat legroom is terrible and the boot is tiny.

The 5 series is a big spacious car with plenty of leg room and decent boot but you need to go for the mid range to larger engines to really get the performance it should have as the smaller engines are a joke..

Just my 2c

Tox