5 series or 3 series

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lawrenceots

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So, I'm deciding to take the plunge in a couple months and go for either a salon 2011/2012(new shape) 320 D or a similar age 5 series 520d (new shape again)

I want the pro sat nav option (standard on the 5seriws) but I'm weighing up, coat wise, they're is not.much difference - both between the 10-13k Mark. Spec wise, it'll be an auto (not fussed about paddle shift gears) with the good top spec idrive and bigger screen. Full Leather would be nice..

Anyone out there have any experience with these? I e driven a 12 3 series (manual) and it was very very nice. Just thinking for the little extra, go for a cared for 5 series that will give a longer life. I kmow 3 series have better mpg (only by a few, 5 series get over 60 ish) and that tax is cheaper at £20 - but that doesn't really bother me, in the real world, not.much change!

Any experiences / comments appreciated!
 
You need someone who has had both to get a good comment.. I was going to mention the better mpg ect as I was reading then you got to it.. My mechanic loves his BMW and he prefers 5 series and used to hae 3 series.. they usually know what they are talkking about :)

PS almost 100 miles per 10quid on a diesel 320d for me.
 
Aye, I just think there are more perks to the 5 series for it you see, even though arguable the 3 series is the newer design.. Good point. Amazing how economic these cars are mow!
 
I've got a 2013 520d msport touring and love it. The reason I went for the 5 instead of the 3 was the far superior interior and masses of room. It really is a different class. The tax is £130 and the mpg is defo higher than the 3 although still very good for a car of its class and size. In real terms I get about 40 around town and getting on for 60 on a run. I did try driving very responsibly on a run when I first got it and got in excess of 60 but its more fun driving as it should be driven and getting 58-60. Its got the 8 speed auto which is really really good and although its got flappies they aren't really needed, However the 3 is still a great car and probably more suited to a younger driver. Somebody once said when you've got a 3 you cant wait to get out of it to look at it because its such a pretty car and when you've got a 5 you just don't want to get out of it. Whichever way you go you wont be disappointed.
 
Cheers Gerry, good advice... reason I'm thinking skipping the step is literally... if they're similar ish price wise, well why not just go for it and bite the bullet and experience it. I keep looking online at reviews and all the rest, next step is to try a 5 series I think
 
I've got a 2011 320D msport touring. It really is a lovely car. I'd advice you to take the stated mpg with a decent pinch of salt, although it might be an accurate comparison between the 3 and the 5.
As @gerry s said, the interior quality and space of the 5 is a step up from the 3, but IMO at the expense of the fun of driving on twisty country roads. The 5 is much more of an "effortless glide/cruise" kind of car, the 3 feels more nimble.

We had two main reasons for going for the 3 over the 5.
1) The 5 certainly seems like a more mature person's car. It may sound weird but at 30 I didn't feel old enough to drive one!
2) The 5 is a physically bigger car. My wife if the main driver and has to park in some fairly tricky parking places as part of work, so the jump from a small hatchback to the 3-estate was as big as we could manage in one go!
 
BBR said:
Has anyone managed to do more than 100k miles in a BMW before the engine stopped working? Serious question.
Click to expand...

Yes, I managed to get 124,000 on a 528i SE before the brakes failed going down a hill:eek:.

As for an answer to the OP, the C class is the way to go!
 
I've got a 62 plate F30, which I assume is the one you're talking about. 320D MSport, 8 speed sports auto. Lovely car to drive. Didn't need the space of the 5 series and I think the 3 looks better anyway. £30 road tax, 45 around town and 55 on a run. If you go for a 3 get the adaptive suspension which puts an edge on the already excellent handling.
 
BBR said:
Has anyone managed to do more than 100k miles in a BMW before the engine stopped working? Serious question.
Click to expand...
I traded my 118d in at about 105k and it was still running as well as when I'd got it at 35k 5 years earlier. The diesels in particular are incredibly strong engines these days.
 
BBR said:
Has anyone managed to do more than 100k miles in a BMW before the engine stopped working? Serious question.
Click to expand...
Yup, did 110k in my 2011 520d in three and a half years, on my second one now...
 
I've got an F30 330d M-Sport with X-Drive and it's a fun car to drive. I common message I seem to hear online is that the 6 pots are more reliable than the 4 pots - would a 330d or 530d be an option? In eco mode I can get 38mpg pretty much all urban driving, with a heavy foot and lots of fun it goes down to about 32mpg (amazing for a 5 second car) but going easy on the motorway it's well into the high 50's.

But, two main things which annoy me about the 3 series which I think the 5 series is better on.

Firstly, the crap rear legroom considering the length of the car. Putting a baby seat (the rear facing type) behind the drivers side means I have to shift my seat forward a little - that's pretty bad, so I have to have it on the other side. My 3rd Gen CRV was actually 5 inches shorter and the difference is unbelievable. Stupid long bonnet.

Secondly, some of the controls are below eyeline and obscured by the steering wheel whereas the 5 series appears to have everything higher up and better thought out. I'm also not keen on the 3 series sat nav screen looking like an after thought. I prefer the more integrated look of the 5 series.

Ideally I'd have gone for a 530d but I wanted X-Drive and also the BIK tax and monthly payments goes up.
 
Ive got an M3 (2008) and love it, I've test driven a few, 3 series, 4 series and the 5 series. The 5 was the best of the bunch, plenty room and the road noise was a lot less in the 5 series (535 twin power turbo diesel) such a wonderful car, plenty power and plenty good MPG compared to the 19mpg my M3 manages :)

If I go for a new car again Id be swayed towards a 5 next time.
 
I have the 330d M Sport with upgrades to the multi media system and hi fi. Huge screen and really intuitive. Looked at the 5 series but I didn't need the room as there is just the two of us. I really enjoy driving this car. Love it to bits....
 
I'm buying a new BMW next year in August and was wondering whether anyone had any experience with the estate model. I was looking at the 320D SE Touring in particular. I am trying to decide between this and the saloon model as I really don't need the space of the estate but I'm sure it'll come in handy at sometime. My wife always seems to have something filling the boot of the Qashqai right now and my son was fairly taken with the boot opening via your foot !!!!
 
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