BMW 5 and 3 series difference.

John_Rambo

Hi, a friend wants a BMW and she felt a bit bamboozled when calling various garages. Can one of you tell us what is the difference between a two liter diesel 5 series and a two liter diesel 3 series 08 BMW? I am suggesting an estate car as she is fairly active, kids, dogs etc... So any other issues or suggestions from the BMW experts would be ace.

Many thanks in advance.

-Corkie-

5 series is a way more superior car in every way. The 5 series touring are a fine machine and look great imo.

EPM

Ones bigger than the other. Same engine but the 5 series is from a class above the 3

pajo1981

The 3 is better to drive, has a less dated looking interior, and is less naff on the outside.

Anan1

Let her drive both and see which she prefers. I thought the 2008 3 series a nicer car than the 5, but the car's not for me.

John_Rambo

Perfect. I presume the 5 series will be a bit more sluggish? Thanks again. Anan1, great advice, she will be test driving both, she just wanted to here the difference from someone who isn't trying to sell one to her if you know what I mean...

Anan1

John_Rambo wrote: »

Perfect. I presume the 5 series will be a bit more sluggish? Thanks again.

You'll want to double-check this, but when I did my research in 2007 I seem to remember that the 3 was slightly heavier than the 5.

John_Rambo

This is he research!! What did you settle for Anan1 and why? Am I right in guessing the BHP is 150 on these cars? Do they come with run flats?

Sorry for badgering you.

pajo1981

John_Rambo wrote: »

This is he research!! What did you settle for Anan1 and why? Am I right in guessing the BHP is 150 on these cars? Do they come with run flats?

Sorry for badgering you.

177BHP on the ED versions

bazz26

08 318d is 143bhp,
08 320d is 177bhp,
08 520d is 177bhp.

John_Rambo

Lads, you're a great help. She's moving from a hothatch, so she likes her umph. Again... thanks.

(anyone know anything about the Saab diesels? ... same year, 1.8)

kebrosnan

As Anan1 says, drive both and decide from there. I went for a 5 series because I found the 3 series interior to be cramped but maybe that is just me. There are plenty of 08 520d's out there so there should be a good deal to be had especially coming up to December when generally nothing moves on the forecourts.

Anan1

John_Rambo wrote: »

This is he research!! What did you settle for Anan1 and why? Am I right in guessing the BHP is 150 on these cars? Do they come with run flats?

Sorry for badgering you.

It was for my mother, she went for the 3 series. She just liked it more, said it felt more solid. The current 3 series was launched with 163bhp, I think it went up to 177bhp in 2008. Post-08 cars are more powerful and cheaper to tax, but they may be more problematic long-term due to things like the particulate filter and various other emissions-lowering technology. Run-flats were standard on all except the M cars. They're extremely practical for a woman driving alone, but I found them uncomfortable on anything bigger than the 16" wheels.

bazz26

From looking at these cars myself recently you will find that the 5 Series is generally better equipped than a similar year 3 Series, at least in Ireland anyway they are. Things like auto lights, parking sensors, rain sensing wipers, I-drive, bluetooth, etc are pretty much standard on the 5 Series, leather seats are also alot more common on the 5 Series.

kebrosnan

John_Rambo wrote: »

Lads, you're a great help. She's moving from a hothatch, so she likes her umph. Again... thanks.

What car is she coming from? I recently came from an Octavia vRS to a 535d. I drove a 520d but found it under powered, hence I went for the full fat version but that comes at an extra price.

John_Rambo

kebrosnan wrote: »

535d

Agh! Another model!! What is the BHP on that? She's coming from a VWGolfGTiMkv...

J77

John_Rambo wrote: »

Agh! Another model!! What is the BHP on that? She's coming from a VWGolfGTiMkv...

A 2008 535d has 286bhp and over 400lb/ft of torque. It's a 3.0l twin turbo straight 6. Basically it's damn fast. There's pretty high depreciation on them so you can pick up one quite cheap considering they cost over 70k new. Seems unnecessary though unless her previous hot hatch was an Audi S3 or focus RS.

there's also a 530d and a 525d.

If shes also interested in a Saab, the ttid 9-3 is a great car. 1.9 twin turbo diesel 180bhp. here's an example with really low mileage

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Saab/9-3/1.9TTiD-/201021198190442/advert?channel=CARS

kebrosnan

It's a 3 litre twin turbo diesel, 286bhp. Plenty of power but remember it is a heavy car.

Leonard Hofstadter

John_Rambo wrote: »

Agh! Another model!! What is the BHP on that? She's coming from a VWGolfGTiMkv...

A 520d is going to be quite underpowered... 163(or 177) hp vs 200 hp, but the 5 series is of course much heavier than the Golf GTi.

A proper 5 series has a six cylinder engine anyway, not a four cylinder engine like an 8k Ford Ka.

Get the 530d, that is properly fast without being as complicated as the 535d. They are also more common and a little cheaper to buy, but will still be more than quick enough for most people.

The 08 525d/530d/535d are all €630 to tax(with the auto, and there is no point in buying one of these with a manual), so they are no dearer to run than a Golf GTi from that point of view either, but being diesel they may actually turn out to be a little cheaper to run because of better mpg and the lower cost of diesel:)!

The 5 series is a much nicer car IMO, the 3 is not special enough and is very cramped. I would be looking at a high spec Mondeo if I was thinking of a 3 series, though again, even the smaller Mondeo will not have the go of a Golf GTI.

Squall19

I had a new 318d rental car in germany for 2 weeks in October and thought it was a fantastic car, really comfortabe, nice inside with a great gps and loads of leg room, it was huge inside it, really suprised by that.

It had 143bhp and coming from faster tuned cars like a 300bhp Mazda 3 mps and 170bhp Fabia Vrs it didnt lack power at all, plenty of grunt for the autobahn and the gear box was fantastic, very smooth and lovely torque with every gear change, long distance comfort is just class.It did an average of 5.5l ( 51mpg ) while I had it with mostly motorway driving.I would love one, especially a 320d with 184bhp