3er vs 5er size

[ride365]

this comparison was pointed out in the Roundel review of the 525i. i was so surprised, i wanted to see the numbers side by side (data taken from bmw's website).


325i : 525i

38.4 : 38.7 - head room - front (in.)
37.5 : 37.8 - head room - rear (in.)
41.4 : 41.7 - leg room - front (in.)
34.4 : 34.2 - leg room - rear (in.)
54.4 : 56.8 - shoulder room - front (in.)
54.2 : 55.9 - shoulder room - rear (in.)
91.0 : 93.0 - passenger volume (cu.ft.)
10.7 : 11.1 - cargo volume (cu.ft.)


the 5 series is wider (shoulder room), but everything else is essentially the same (within 0.3 inches). note that the 3 series actually has marginally more rear leg room.

kurt

[edit: adjusted cargo volumes]

[pps-325xit]

Compared both a 5-series and 3-series wagon. Couldn't justify >+10-15k price differential for just a little added width (as you discovered), about 8-9 more inches behind the rear seats with the same 2.5 liter engine, and added luxury tax (last year). :thumb:

[bmw325]

Very interesting. I guess the 5 just seems a lot bigger because it looks a lot bigger on the outside-- so you assume the interior is more roomy. Maybe that extra width creates the illusion of lots more space than a 3 series. I've always thought that the rear leg room on the E46 was quite good for a car its size-- most people are impressed w/ the leg room actually.

[Kaz]

I sat in a E39 wagon when I was shopping around. It did feel wider (the center console is definitely wider, giving that sense, probably moreso with someone in the passenger seat), and in the wagon, when you turn around, there is definitely more cargo room.

I thought about a 525 Touring for a little while after that trip, but decided the actual increase in room was minimal, and it cost a lot more, for a heavier (read: slower, less nimble) car with the same drivetrain, especially for the extra $10k to get one comparably equipped.

[Cal]

It would be interesting to compare the e46 3 series room to that of the e34 5 series. Given how close the e46 is to the e39, I wouldn't be surprised to see the e46 be just as big interiorwise as the e34. My cousins have an e34 525i, and whenever they sit on my e46, they always brag about how much bigger their e34 is. Well, I guess it may feel like it, but numbers wise it'll be close.

[bmw325]

I'm 99% positive that the e46 has more room than the e34. It definitely has more rear leg room. The E34's rear is a joke. The e39 is much bigger than the e34- and look at the comparison chart-- if the e46 is within a hair's width of the e39-- its definitely bigger than an e34 on the inside.

[Nick325xiT 5spd]

The five series doesn't exactly feel bigger, but it did feel a lot more comfy.
Nick

[bmw325]

The seats are definitely better in the 5 and the armrests are better placed and more comfortable.

[Magna]

actually, i believe the cargo space for the 3 series sedan is 10.7 while for the 5 series sedan it's 11.1, only .4 cu in difference, but you can visually see the difference. on 3 series coupe the cargo space is even smaller than 10.7, forget the figure though.

[bmw325]

Why is the cargo space on the coupe smaller- they seem to have the same trunk as the sedan. In fact the coupe is slightly longer, so I'd think it would have a slightly bigger trunk. Any thoughts?

[ride365]

Originally posted by Magna
actually, i believe the cargo space for the 3 series sedan is 10.7 while for the 5 series sedan it's 11.1

assuming that info is correct, i changed my original data.

[fuz]

I noticed the 5 is a lot smaller on inside than you'd think from the outside. I never took a look at the # though, so this is pretty interesting. However the smallness only seems apparent in the seating area and legroom where it seems rather snug. There seems to be much more width and overall cabin space. I guess it's just not very well utilized.