BMW Serija 3 E21 or BMW Serija 5 E12?

1975–1983 vs 1972–1981 · Sedan vs Sedan

In short

Length: Serija 3 E21 4,355 mm, Serija 5 E12 4,620 mm — a 27 cm difference.
Boot: Serija 3 E21 425 l, Serija 5 E12 460 l.
Lowest consumption: Serija 3 E21 8.1 l/100 km, Serija 5 E12 10.5 l/100 km.
Power: Serija 3 E21 55–105 kW, Serija 5 E12 66–160 kW.
Standard equipment: Serija 3 E21 13 items (Base), Serija 5 E12 16 items (Base).
Neither is listed on Autodrom right now.

BMW Serija 3 E211975–1983 · 6 engines · Base, S-PaketSpecifications →Listings →

BMW Serija 5 E121972–1981 · 7 engines · Base, SESpecifications →Listings →

Only differences

better value

	BMW Serija 3 E211975–1983no listings	BMW Serija 5 E121972–1981no listings
Dimensions
Length	Length4,355 mm	Length4,620 mm
Width	Width1,610 mm	Width1,690 mm
Height	Height1,380 mm	Height1,425 mm
Wheelbase	Wheelbase2,563 mm	Wheelbase2,636 mm
Ground clearance	Ground clearance145 mm	Ground clearance145 mm
Trunk volume	Trunk volume425 l	Trunk volume460 l
Curb weight	Curb weight1,010 kg–1,180 kg	Curb weight1,250 kg–1,420 kg
Fuel tank	Fuel tank58 l	Fuel tank70 l
Engines
Production years	Production years1975–1983	Production years1972–1981
Body type	Body typeSedan	Body typeSedan
Number of engines	Number of engines6	Number of engines7
Power	Power55–105 kW (75–143 hp)	Power66–160 kW (90–218 hp)
Displacement (l)	Displacement (l)1.6–2.3	Displacement (l)1.8–3.5
Fuel	FuelPetrol	FuelPetrol
Gearbox	GearboxManual	GearboxManual, Automatic
Drivetrain	DrivetrainRear-wheel	DrivetrainRear-wheel
Lowest consumption	Lowest consumption8.1 l/100 km · 315	Lowest consumption10.5 l/100 km · 518
Best 0–100 km/h	Best 0–100 km/h8.9 s · 323i	Best 0–100 km/h7.5 s · M535i
Top speed	Top speed190 km/h	Top speed220 km/h
Trim levelsBase · Base
Items in the base trim	Items in the base trim13 · Base	Items in the base trim16 · Base
Items in the top trim	Items in the top trim20 · S-Paket	Items in the top trim21 · SE
Equipment · Comfort1 · 2
Front Power Windows	Front Power Windows—	Front Power Windows✓
Power Steering	Power Steering✓	Power Steering✓
Equipment · Interior6 · 7
Black Interior	Black Interior✓	Black Interior✓
Fabric	Fabric✓	Fabric✓
Driver's Seat Height Adjustment	Driver's Seat Height Adjustment—	Driver's Seat Height Adjustment✓
5 Seats	5 Seats✓	5 Seats✓
Rear Armrest	Rear Armrest✓	Rear Armrest—
Folding Rear Seat	Folding Rear Seat—	Folding Rear Seat✓
Tinted Windows	Tinted Windows✓	Tinted Windows✓
Front centre armrest	Front centre armrest✓	Front centre armrest✓
Equipment · Multimedia2 · 1
Audio Preparation	Audio Preparation✓	Audio Preparation—
12V Socket	12V Socket✓	12V Socket✓
Equipment · Visibility & lights1 · 2
Halogen Headlights	Halogen Headlights✓	Halogen Headlights✓
Fog Lights	Fog Lights—	Fog Lights✓
Equipment · Anti-theft0 · 1
Central Locking	Central Locking—	Central Locking✓
Equipment · Exterior3 · 3
Steel Wheels	Steel Wheels✓	Steel Wheels✓
R13 Wheels	R13 Wheels✓	R13 Wheels—
R14 Wheels	R14 Wheels—	R14 Wheels✓
Full-size spare wheel	Full-size spare wheel✓	Full-size spare wheel✓
On Autodrom now
Listings	Listings0	Listings0

Frequently asked questions

Which is bigger — BMW Serija 3 E21 or BMW Serija 5 E12?

Length: BMW Serija 5 E12 4,620 mm, BMW Serija 3 E21 4,355 mm (a 265 mm difference). Wheelbase: 2,636 vs 2,563 mm. Boot: 460 vs 425 l.

Which uses less fuel — BMW Serija 3 E21 or BMW Serija 5 E12?

The most frugal BMW Serija 3 E21 uses 8.1 l/100 km (315); the most frugal BMW Serija 5 E12 10.5 l/100 km (518).

Which is more powerful — BMW Serija 3 E21 or BMW Serija 5 E12?

The strongest BMW Serija 3 E21 makes 105 kW (143 hp) (323i); the strongest BMW Serija 5 E12 160 kW (218 hp) (M535i).

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