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BMW 5 Series vs. BMW M3

In comparing the BMW 5 Series to the BMW M3, the BMW 5 Series has the advantage in the areas of new vehicle base pricing, typical lower range of pricing for one- to five-year-old used cars, and fuel efficiency and interior volume. The BMW M3 has the advantage in the areas of overall quality score and base engine power. Based on this comparison of the BMW 5 Series versus the BMW M3, the BMW 5 Series is a better car than the BMW M3.

BMW 5 Series versus BMW M3 Pricing

A used 2023 BMW 5 Series ranges from $56,511 to $83,042 while a used 2023 BMW M3 is priced between $86,463 to $119,955. For a new model, the BMW 5 Series's price is between $58,260 and $88,966, with the BMW M3 priced between $79,014 and $109,058.

BMW 5 Series versus BMW M3 Quality Rating

The iSeeCars Overall Quality rating for the BMW 5 Series is 7.8 out of 10 while the BMW M3's quality rating is 8.2 out of 10. This results in the BMW 5 Series being ranked 13 out of 29 Best Luxury Midsize Cars and the BMW M3 being ranked 12 out of 39 Best Luxury Small Cars.

Engine Power and Fuel Efficiency Comparison

For engine performance, the BMW 5 Series’s base engine makes 248 horsepower, and the BMW M3 base engine makes 473 horsepower. The 5 Series is rated to deliver an average of 28 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 594 miles. The M3 is rated to deliver an average of 19 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 359 miles. Both models use premium unleaded.

Passenger Space Comparison

The BMW 5 Series, a midsize car, has the advantage of offering more interior volume, reflected in more front shoulder room, rear shoulder room, rear leg room, and trunk space. The BMW M3, a compact car, has the advantage in the areas of front head room, front leg room and rear head room.

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Pricing

New Asking Price:

$58,260 - $88,966

Used Asking Price:

$56,511 - $83,042

5-Year Depreciation (lower is better):

59.1%

Pricing

New Asking Price:

$79,014 - $109,058

Used Asking Price:

$86,463 - $119,955

5-Year Depreciation (lower is better):

41.1%

iSeeCars Scores & Rankings

Overall Score:

7.8 / 10

Reliability:

8.7 / 10

Retained Value:

7.0 / 10

Safety:

Not available

iSeeCars Scores & Rankings

Overall Score:

8.2 / 10

Reliability:

7.7 / 10

Retained Value:

8.8 / 10

Safety:

Not available

iSeeCars Rankings

Most Reliable Luxury Midsize Cars

4 / 29
13 / 29

Luxury Midsize Cars with Best Resale Value

26 / 29

iSeeCars Rankings

Luxury Small Cars with Best Resale Value

7 / 39

Most Reliable Luxury Small Cars

10 / 39
12 / 39

Summary Review

Not yet available

Summary Review

Not yet available

Pros and Cons

Not yet available

Pros and Cons

Not yet available

Available Body Styles

Sedan

Available Body Styles

Sedan

Available Drivetrain Options

Gasoline, Plug-In Hybrid

Available Drivetrain Options

Gasoline

Trim Levels

530i, 530i xDrive, 540i, 540i xDrive, M550i xDrive

Trim Levels

Base, Competition, Competition xDrive

Warranty Information

Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:

4 years / 50000 miles

Warranty, Powertrain

4 years / 50000 miles

Warranty, Roadside Assistance:

4 years

Warranty Information

Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:

4 years / 50000 miles

Warranty, Powertrain

4 years / 50000 miles

Warranty, Roadside Assistance:

4 years

Safety Ratings

NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):

Not yet available

IIHS Safety Rating:

Not yet available

Safety Ratings

NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):

Not yet available

IIHS Safety Rating:

Not yet available

Base Drivetrain Specifications

Horsepower:

248 hp @ 5200 rpm

Torque:

257 foot-lbs @ 1450 rpm

Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):

0.066 hp per pound

Base Drivetrain Specifications

Horsepower:

473 hp @ 6250 rpm

Torque:

406 foot-lbs @ 2650 rpm

Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):

0.123 hp per pound

Engine Specifications

Engine Size:

2 liters

Engine Configuration:

Inline

Number of Cylinders:

4

Transmission:

Automatic

Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:

RWD / AWD

EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway/Combined MPG):

25 / 33 / 28

Range (city/hwy):

450 / 594 miles

Recommended Fuel Type:

Premium Unleaded

Engine Specifications

Engine Size:

3 liters

Engine Configuration:

Inline

Number of Cylinders:

6

Transmission:

Manual

Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:

RWD / AWD

EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway/Combined MPG):

16 / 23 / 19

Range (city/hwy):

250 / 359 miles

Recommended Fuel Type:

Premium Unleaded

Standard/Optional Features

Apple CarPlay:

Standard

Android Auto:

Standard

Wireless Smartphone Charging:

Available

Keyless Entry:

Standard

Keyless Ignition:

Standard

Adaptive Cruise Control:

Available

Heated Seats:

Available

Cooled/Ventilated Seats:

Available

Leather Upholstery:

Standard

Navigation System:

Standard

Sunroof/Moonroof:

Standard

Heated Steering Wheel:

Available

Standard/Optional Features

Apple CarPlay:

Standard

Android Auto:

Standard

Wireless Smartphone Charging:

Available

Keyless Entry:

Standard

Keyless Ignition:

Standard

Adaptive Cruise Control:

Available

Heated Seats:

Standard

Cooled/Ventilated Seats:

Available

Leather Upholstery:

Standard

Navigation System:

Standard

Sunroof/Moonroof:

Available

Heated Steering Wheel:

Available

Safety Equipment

Forward Collision Warning:

Standard

Pedestrian Detection:

Standard

Lane Departure Warning:

Standard

Lane Keeping Assist:

N/A

Blind Spot Monitoring:

Standard

Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:

Standard

360-Degree Camera:

N/A

Rear Seat Reminder:

N/A

Driver Attention Monitoring:

Standard

Safety Equipment

Forward Collision Warning:

Standard

Pedestrian Detection:

Standard

Lane Departure Warning:

Standard

Lane Keeping Assist:

N/A

Blind Spot Monitoring:

Standard

Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:

Standard

360-Degree Camera:

N/A

Rear Seat Reminder:

N/A

Driver Attention Monitoring:

Standard

Interior Dimensions

Front Head Room:

38.8 inches

Front Leg Room:

41.4 inches

Front Shoulder Room:

58.7 inches

Rear Head Room:

37.5 inches

Rear Leg Room:

36.5 inches

Rear Shoulder Room:

55.9 inches

Cargo Space:

14 cubic feet

Overall Interior Volume:

99.0 cubic feet

Interior Dimensions

Front Head Room:

40.6 inches

Front Leg Room:

41.6 inches

Front Shoulder Room:

56 inches

Rear Head Room:

37.8 inches

Rear Leg Room:

35.6 inches

Rear Shoulder Room:

54.6 inches

Cargo Space:

13 cubic feet

Overall Interior Volume:

95.0 cubic feet

Exterior Dimensions

Curb Weight:

3783 lbs

Width:

83.7 inches

Height:

58.2 inches

Length:

195.8 inches

Wheelbase:

117.1 inches

Ground Clearance:

5.5 inches

Exterior Dimensions

Curb Weight:

3840 lbs

Width:

81.4 inches

Height:

56.4 inches

Length:

189.1 inches

Wheelbase:

112.5 inches

Ground Clearance:

4.7 inches

Standard Wheel/Tire Information

Wheel Size:

18.0 x 8.0 inches

Wheel Type:

alloy

Tire Size:

245/45R18

Standard Wheel/Tire Information

Wheel Size:

18.0 x 9.5 inches

Wheel Type:

painted alloy

Tire Size:

275/40R18