When considering a luxury sedan, buyers have to keep their options wide open. And when considering a BMW sedan, there are two great options in the 3-Series and 5-Series. Both models offer tons of luxury and value, but can the smaller, cheaper 3-Series actually give the mid-size 5-Series a run for its money? Continue reading to find out.
See a side-by-side comparison of the 3-Series & 5-Series »
What the 3-Series Gets Right
Being the smaller and lower-positioned of the BMW sedans, the 3-Series has a big-time price advantage over the 5-Series. The base 2018 BMW 320i starts from $35,895 (destination fees included), giving it an $18,500 advantage over the base 2019 BMW 530i. In fact, buyers can stretch all the way to the range-topping 340i xDrive without overtaking the 5-Series’ entry fee. This allows buyers to get a better-equipped sedan and still save cash.
The 3-Series also offers various body styles for the needs of all buyers. Just need a luxury sedan? Get the standard 3-Series. Need a huge cargo area? The 3-Series Sports Wagon can handle that. Want the added space without the wagon look? Opt for the 3-Series Gran Turismo.
While the base BMW 320i cannot hang with the 5-Series in a straight line, physics takes hold once you enter the 330i and 340i. The 330i and 340i stuff the same four- and six-cylinder engines that power the 530i and 540i into the lighter 3-Series body. This translates into a few tenths of a second shaved off the 0-to-60 mph sprint time when compared to their 5-Series siblings.
The redesigned 2019 BMW 3-Series is around the corner with a larger body, roomier interior, a massive 17-cubic-foot trunk, and more powerful engines. All these updates will make it more competitive against the 5-Series, however, the all-new 3-Series will get a price increase.
What the 5-Series Gets Right
Being the larger of the two, the 5-Series boasts more room on the inside when compared to the 3-Series sedan. This larger cabin gives rear-seat passengers an extra 1.5 inches of leg room, plus the 5-Series’ seats are more comfortable on longer hauls. The 5-Series also has the larger trunk at 14.5 cubic feet.
As expected in a pricier sedan, the BMW 5-Series has more-premium standard equipment. This includes 17-inch wheels, a moonroof, power front seats, an 8.8-inch digital instrument cluster, a 10.2-inch touchscreen, and more. Plus, the 5-Series has a higher luxury ceiling for the buyer who wants a fully loaded sedan.
In the powertrain department, the 5-Series shares its four- and six-cylinder engines with the 3-Series, but the 5-Series pulls away in its range-topping performance trim: the M550i. This range-topping sedan boasts a 4.4-liter twin-turbocharged V8 powerplant that injects 456 horsepower and 480 pound-feet of torque that pushes it to 60 mph in 3.9 seconds. Plus, all the M-tuned chassis bits this sedan boasts help get it through the corners with minimal drama.
Need Cargo Room? Check Out the Wagon and Gran Turismo
It’s clear the BMW 3-Series cannot hang with the 5-Series, but it does one thing significantly better thanks to its Sport Wagon and Gran Turismo models: haul cargo. If you do a lot of cargo moving, and the 5-Series' 14.5-cubic-foot trunk just isn’t enough, the 3-Series has a few solutions for you.
Verdict: BMW 5-Series
The BMW 3-Series puts up a good fight, but the BMW 5-Series is the superior sedan in this battle. And it shouldn’t come as a surprise considering it's larger and more expensive. It offers additional interior room, more standard features, a performance-oriented model, and a higher luxury ceiling than the 3-Series.
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