3 or 5 Series?

MentalMinnie

Can anyone offer some advice? We're looking to buy one of the above, estate. We've been looking at Autotrader and the 5 series look to be cheaper, and for a better spec. Is there a reason? Are 5's more expensive to service or something? My DH thinks there must be a reason!!

slyracoon

More expensive to run.

More petrol, bigger wheels = expensive tyres etc.

colino

Always has been the case that while similar models are more expensive new, the 5 series depreciates more quickly. Could be that wayne and waynetta artificially keep the 3 price up while the 5 follows the natural slide to bangerdom.
If you really need the estate part, it will be the 5 for you, the 3 isn't much bigger than the saloon it is based on.

NeverEnough

5 series is a very spacious and comfortable estate, much bigger than the 3. Usually much better spec but obviously bigger engine and overall more expensive to run. I would sooner have a 5 series anyday over a 3, though, as I do long distances and prefer bigger cars. Its also down to your personal likes and dislikes- have a good look at both models first.

DKLS

What kind of driving are you doing? if its hours and hours on the motorway, I would go 5 series, if its lower mileage I would be more tempted by the 3.

Luxury cars tend to have massive depreciation, my neighbour has just bought a 5yr old 7 series for less than 10K, the original price was 72k!, hell of a car for the money.

Buellguy

DKLS wrote: »

What kind of driving are you doing? if its hours and hours on the motorway, I would go 5 series, if its lower mileage I would be more tempted by the 3.

Luxury cars tend to have massive depreciation, my neighbour has just bought a 5yr old 7 series for less than 10K, the original price was 72k!, hell of a car for the money.

What he said - as long as you can afford the running costs (tax, tyres, petrol etc)

CrazyRed

Having had both, I think I can add a comment here:

3 series - quite small inside - the estate is very limited in it's available space. However, insurance costs (dependent on engine size) will be lower and fuel economy SLIGHTLY better.

5 series - veritable Tank. Large inside, lovely, comfortable car, brilliant for 'distance' motoring but a bit unwieldy around town - it's a big car and quite wide so they tend to get 'supermarket car park bruising' regularly). Fuel consumption is a bit heavier than the 3-series - round town - but on a run, they really are economical.

For both of them - standard service/consumable parts aren't too badly price (ECP/GSF - try the main dealer for service filters - you'd be surprised) but anything non-standard, or BMW only can be expensive dependent on what it is (fuel lines for mine came to under a hundred quid, which I thought reasonable, but one lifter for the tailgate was nearly £70!). Parts are generally quite long-lasting, except for standard consumables (suspension/brakes) - the 5's a lot heavier than a 3, so the front suspension components can wear more rapidly.

Bear in mind that my experiences are all with the older (E34/E36) models, not the far more modern stuff.

TBH, I'd plump for the 5 - the saving you'll make in the purchase price will go a long way towards compensating for the additional running costs.

motorguy

The optimum 5 series is the 520d and in the 3 series range its the 320d.

Both have the same engine and whilst the 3 series typically runs on 16s or 17s, the 5 series will be running on 17s or 18s.

Other than tyre cost then, running costs should be similar. Stray into the larger engined cars though and running costs will rise.

colino

Sorry to disagree pgilc1, but the "little" diesel in the beemer was horrible and took away the whole character of the marque. If you really need an oil burner and an estate, drive nothing less than a 530D (preferably auto with leather and the electric pack), you'll never look back.

neilmcl

colino wrote: »

Sorry to disagree pgilc1, but the "little" diesel in the beemer was horrible and took away the whole character of the marque. If you really need an oil burner and an estate, drive nothing less than a 530D (preferably auto with leather and the electric pack), you'll never look back.

I tend to agree, whilst the 320d is perfectly acceptable in saloon format if we're talking estate then the 330d or 525d/530d are the ones to go for.

MentalMinnie

The reason behind wanting a touring is that we plan to start a family in the next couple of years, so we'll have all the usual that goes with kids, and we also have a dog, hence the boot. My husband also occasionally travels with his work as a welder fabricator so he can have a boot load of tools to car around. We're hoping to get at least 5-6 years out of the car. Thats minimum.

The only thing i'm concerned about is the size. I'm still a learner, although i've actually been able to drive for years, just with someone in the car (couldn't be bothered to take lessons and actually pass my test. Shameful, i know). We currently drive a Vectra, which i find easy to drive. Are the BMW's massive in comparison?