BMW Serija 3 E21 or Volkswagen Passat B1 (Typ 32)?

1975–1983 vs 1973–1980 · Sedan vs Hatchback 3-door/Hatchback 5-door/Wagon

In short

Length: Serija 3 E21 4,355 mm, Passat B1 (Typ 32) 4,270 mm — a 9 cm difference.
Boot: Serija 3 E21 425 l, Passat B1 (Typ 32) 550 l.
Lowest consumption: Serija 3 E21 8.1 l/100 km, Passat B1 (Typ 32) 7 l/100 km.
Power: Serija 3 E21 55–105 kW, Passat B1 (Typ 32) 37–63 kW.
Standard equipment: Serija 3 E21 13 items (Base), Passat B1 (Typ 32) 12 items (L).
Neither is listed on Autodrom right now.

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

Volkswagen Passat B1 (Typ 32)1973–1980 · 8 engines · L, LS, TS, GLSSpecifications →Listings →

Only differences

better value

	BMW Serija 3 E211975–1983no listings	Volkswagen Passat B1 (Typ 32)1973–1980no listings
Dimensions
Length	Length4,355 mm	Length4,192 mm–4,270 mm
Width	Width1,610 mm	Width1,620 mm
Height	Height1,380 mm	Height1,360 mm–1,385 mm
Wheelbase	Wheelbase2,563 mm	Wheelbase2,470 mm
Ground clearance	Ground clearance145 mm	Ground clearance130 mm
Trunk volume	Trunk volume425 l	Trunk volume425 l–550 l
Curb weight	Curb weight1,010 kg–1,180 kg	Curb weight900 kg–1,000 kg
Fuel tank	Fuel tank58 l	Fuel tank50 l
Engines
Production years	Production years1975–1983	Production years1973–1980
Body type	Body typeSedan	Body typeHatchback 3-door, Hatchback 5-door, Wagon
Number of engines	Number of engines6	Number of engines8
Power	Power55–105 kW (75–143 hp)	Power37–63 kW (50–86 hp)
Displacement (l)	Displacement (l)1.6–2.3	Displacement (l)1.3–1.6
Fuel	FuelPetrol	FuelPetrol, Diesel
Gearbox	GearboxManual	GearboxManual, Automatic
Drivetrain	DrivetrainRear-wheel	DrivetrainFront-wheel
Lowest consumption	Lowest consumption8.1 l/100 km · 315	Lowest consumption7 l/100 km · 1.5 D
Best 0–100 km/h	Best 0–100 km/h8.9 s · 323i	Best 0–100 km/h11.5 s · 1.6
Top speed	Top speed190 km/h	Top speed172 km/h
Trim levelsBase · L
Items in the base trim	Items in the base trim13 · Base	Items in the base trim12 · L
Items in the top trim	Items in the top trim20 · S-Paket	Items in the top trim19 · GLS
Equipment · Comfort1 · 0
Power Steering	Power Steering✓	Power Steering—
Equipment · Interior6 · 5
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✓
Load Cover	Load Cover—	Load Cover✓
Tinted Windows	Tinted Windows✓	Tinted Windows—
Front centre armrest	Front centre armrest✓	Front centre armrest—
Equipment · Multimedia2 · 2
Audio Preparation	Audio Preparation✓	Audio Preparation✓
12V Socket	12V Socket✓	12V Socket✓
Equipment · Visibility & lights1 · 1
Halogen Headlights	Halogen Headlights✓	Halogen Headlights✓
Equipment · Safety0 · 1
Rear Door Child Locks	Rear Door Child Locks—	Rear Door Child Locks✓
Equipment · Exterior3 · 3
Steel Wheels	Steel Wheels✓	Steel Wheels✓
R13 Wheels	R13 Wheels✓	R13 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 Volkswagen Passat B1 (Typ 32)?

Length: BMW Serija 3 E21 4,355 mm, Volkswagen Passat B1 (Typ 32) 4,270 mm (a 85 mm difference). Wheelbase: 2,563 vs 2,470 mm. Boot: 425 vs 550 l.

Which uses less fuel — BMW Serija 3 E21 or Volkswagen Passat B1 (Typ 32)?

The most frugal BMW Serija 3 E21 uses 8.1 l/100 km (315); the most frugal Volkswagen Passat B1 (Typ 32) 7 l/100 km (1.5 D).

Which is more powerful — BMW Serija 3 E21 or Volkswagen Passat B1 (Typ 32)?

The strongest BMW Serija 3 E21 makes 105 kW (143 hp) (323i); the strongest Volkswagen Passat B1 (Typ 32) 63 kW (86 hp) (1.6).

Other comparisons

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