BMW X3 E83 or Mercedes-Benz ML W163?

2003–2010 vs 1997–2005 · SUV 5-door vs SUV 5-door

In short

Length: X3 E83 4,569 mm, ML W163 4,638 mm — a 7 cm difference.
Boot: X3 E83 480 l, ML W163 633 l.
Lowest consumption: X3 E83 6.5 l/100 km, ML W163 9.4 l/100 km.
Power: X3 E83 110–210 kW, ML W163 110–255 kW.
Standard equipment: X3 E83 33 items (Base), ML W163 27 items (Classic).
On Autodrom: X3 E83 from €1,800 (2 listings); no ML W163 is listed right now.

BMW X3 E832003–2010 · 9 engines · Base, M Sportpaket, Edition Lifestyle, Edition ExclusiveSpecifications →2 listings from €1,800 →

Mercedes-Benz ML W1631997–2005 · 9 engines · Classic, Elegance, Inspiration, Final EditionSpecifications →Listings →

Only differences

better value

	BMW X3 E832003–20102 listings · from €1,800	Mercedes-Benz ML W1631997–2005no listings
Dimensions
Length	Length4,565 mm–4,569 mm	Length4,587 mm–4,638 mm
Width	Width1,853 mm	Width1,840 mm
Height	Height1,674 mm	Height1,815 mm–1,820 mm
Wheelbase	Wheelbase2,795 mm	Wheelbase2,820 mm
Ground clearance	Ground clearance201 mm	Ground clearance190 mm–210 mm
Trunk volume	Trunk volume480 l	Trunk volume633 l
Curb weight	Curb weight1,740 kg–1,855 kg	Curb weight1,985 kg–2,225 kg
Fuel tank	Fuel tank67 l	Fuel tank83 l
Engines
Production years	Production years2003–2010	Production years1997–2005
Body type	Body typeSUV 5-door	Body typeSUV 5-door
Number of engines	Number of engines9	Number of engines9
Power	Power110–210 kW (150–286 hp)	Power110–255 kW (150–347 hp)
Displacement (l)	Displacement (l)2.0–3.0	Displacement (l)2.3–5.4
Fuel	FuelDiesel, Petrol	FuelDiesel, Petrol
Gearbox	GearboxManual, Automatic	GearboxAutomatic, Manual
Drivetrain	DrivetrainAll-wheel (4x4)	DrivetrainAll-wheel (4x4)
Lowest consumption	Lowest consumption6.5 l/100 km · 2.0d	Lowest consumption9.4 l/100 km · 270 CDI
Best 0–100 km/h	Best 0–100 km/h6.6 s · 3.0sd	Best 0–100 km/h6.9 s · 55 AMG
Top speed	Top speed240 km/h	Top speed235 km/h
Trim levelsBase · Classic
Items in the base trim	Items in the base trim33 · Base	Items in the base trim27 · Classic
Items in the top trim	Items in the top trim37 · M Sportpaket	Items in the top trim36 · Elegance
Equipment · Comfort8 · 7
Air Conditioning	Air Conditioning—	Air Conditioning✓
Climate Control, 2-zone	Climate Control, 2-zone✓	Climate Control, 2-zone—
Rear Air Vents	Rear Air Vents✓	Rear Air Vents—
Cruise Control	Cruise Control—	Cruise Control✓
Steering Wheel Height Adjustment	Steering Wheel Height Adjustment✓	Steering Wheel Height Adjustment✓
Steering Wheel Reach Adjustment	Steering Wheel Reach Adjustment✓	Steering Wheel Reach Adjustment—
Front Power Windows	Front Power Windows✓	Front Power Windows✓
Rear Power Windows	Rear Power Windows✓	Rear Power Windows✓
Power Steering	Power Steering✓	Power Steering✓
Power-adjustable mirrors	Power-adjustable mirrors✓	Power-adjustable mirrors✓
Equipment · Interior4 · 4
Fabric	Fabric✓	Fabric✓
Driver's Seat Height Adjustment	Driver's Seat Height Adjustment✓	Driver's Seat Height Adjustment✓
Load Cover	Load Cover✓	Load Cover✓
Front centre armrest	Front centre armrest✓	Front centre armrest✓
Equipment · Multimedia3 · 2
Audio System	Audio System✓	Audio System✓
12V Socket	12V Socket✓	12V Socket✓
AUX input	AUX input✓	AUX input—
Equipment · Visibility & lights1 · 1
Fog Lights	Fog Lights✓	Fog Lights✓
Equipment · Safety10 · 7
Driver's Airbag	Driver's Airbag✓	Driver's Airbag✓
Front Passenger Airbag	Front Passenger Airbag✓	Front Passenger Airbag✓
Front Side Airbags	Front Side Airbags✓	Front Side Airbags✓
Curtain Airbags	Curtain Airbags✓	Curtain Airbags—
Rear Isofix Mounts	Rear Isofix Mounts✓	Rear Isofix Mounts—
Traction Control	Traction Control✓	Traction Control✓
Brake assist (BAS)	Brake assist (BAS)✓	Brake assist (BAS)✓
Hill Start Assist	Hill Start Assist✓	Hill Start Assist—
ABS	ABS✓	ABS✓
Electronic Stability Control (ESP)	Electronic Stability Control (ESP)✓	Electronic Stability Control (ESP)✓
Equipment · Anti-theft2 · 2
Central Locking	Central Locking✓	Central Locking✓
Immobilizer	Immobilizer✓	Immobilizer✓
Equipment · Exterior5 · 4
Alloy Wheels	Alloy Wheels✓	Alloy Wheels✓
R16 Wheels	R16 Wheels—	R16 Wheels✓
R17 Wheels	R17 Wheels✓	R17 Wheels—
Roof Rails	Roof Rails✓	Roof Rails—
Full-size spare wheel	Full-size spare wheel—	Full-size spare wheel✓
Compact spare wheel	Compact spare wheel✓	Compact spare wheel—
Engine skid plate	Engine skid plate✓	Engine skid plate✓
On Autodrom now
Listings	Listings2	Listings0
Price from	Price from€1,800	Price fromnot specified
Average price	Average price€5,150	Average pricenot specified

Frequently asked questions

Which is bigger — BMW X3 E83 or Mercedes-Benz ML W163?

Length: Mercedes-Benz ML W163 4,638 mm, BMW X3 E83 4,569 mm (a 69 mm difference). Wheelbase: 2,820 vs 2,795 mm. Boot: 633 vs 480 l.

Which uses less fuel — BMW X3 E83 or Mercedes-Benz ML W163?

The most frugal BMW X3 E83 uses 6.5 l/100 km (2.0d); the most frugal Mercedes-Benz ML W163 9.4 l/100 km (270 CDI).

Which is more powerful — BMW X3 E83 or Mercedes-Benz ML W163?

The strongest BMW X3 E83 makes 210 kW (286 hp) (3.0sd); the strongest Mercedes-Benz ML W163 255 kW (347 hp) (55 AMG).

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