[BavariaExclusive]

The stupidest thing I've heard recently. "5 series and 3 series have the same engine but a bigger body." WTF? That statement itself needed a moment of silence. I had no words to argue back.

[Boss330]

Why was that stupid?

Yes, the cars have the same engine options (apart from the M models)
Yes, the 5-series have a bigger body than the 3-series

There are differences apart from the size of the body of course...

[The Beast]

You want to expand on that...

[Das Johnson]

The suspension eats the 3 series for breakfast, Its the same as on the 7 and the rolls! I'd tell those snooty ignorant 3 series owners a thing or two.

[BMWrules7]

Originally Posted by Boss330

Why was that stupid?

Yes, the cars have the same engine options (apart from the M models)
Yes, the 5-series have a bigger body than the 3-series

There are differences apart from the size of the body of course...

Lol. Reminds me of an old bmw statement for the e36... The e36 has the same sunroof as its 7 series brethren.

Well, you could look at it that way to say that the e36 enjoyed a more technological sunroof.

Or, you could say that the 7 series model, at the time, had a 3 series sunroof. Which makes sense that bmw would use a high volume part in the 7. But, bmw marketing twisted it around to make it seem like the 3 series was lucky to have the 7's roof.

In reality, the 3 always had significantly more technology in its production underpinnings. It's BMWs bread and butter. The 7 had more visible tech, but it was still hand crafted in some areas.

[COBodom]

What is this thread about ?

[ezmaass]

I'm completely lost about the purpose of this thread? Are we really talking about having "mine is better than yours" conversations?

Personally, I LOVE the 3-series. Drove them for 13 years straight prior to my current 5... and I'd probably still be driving one if it wasn't that I was getting a bit tired of the harder ride and needed more room. The 3 is a very agile, sporty car - maybe not as high tech as the 5, or as luxurious, but it'll give you more driving thrills if you like sporty driving any day of the week.

[550Reasons]

Im lost because, they do have the same engine and it is a bigger body lol
only one that isnt is the 550i

[BMWrules7]

Originally Posted by ezmaass

I'm completely lost about the purpose of this thread? Are we really talking about having "mine is better than yours" conversations?

Personally, I LOVE the 3-series. Drove them for 13 years straight prior to my current 5... and I'd probably still be driving one if it wasn't that I was getting a bit tired of the harder ride and needed more room. The 3 is a very agile, sporty car - maybe not as high tech as the 5, or as luxurious, but it'll give you more driving thrills if you like sporty driving any day of the week.

Agreed. Plus, the seven series is designed to make you feel like you're driving a 3 series.

The 3 series is the benchmark. You don't build a 7 series to feel like a boat. You build a 7 series to make it "feel" like you're driving a nimble 3 series.

[e85sbm]

Originally Posted by BavariaExclusive

The stupidest thing I've heard recently. "5 series and 3 series have the same engine but a bigger body." WTF? That statement itself needed a moment of silence. I had no words to argue back.

No words to argue back.......hmm, maybe because it is a true statement?

A true statement that is a bit lame, however, there is nothing that really can be said as all manufacturers are reducing production costs and doing more and more part sharing.

[martin mustang]

The biggest difference with the arrival of the F10, the 5 series is now built on the 7 series chassis, hence a different car worth the price difference, this was never the case before, and hence the 3 / 5 series argument use to stand up but no longer the case with the F10 going forward.

[The X Men]

I think what the OP is trying to say is that the 5 series is not a bigger 3 series anymore. The F10 is more like a smaller 7 series than a bigger 3 series. The quality of the car speaks for itself.

[dadysev]

What would the 7 series peeps say about our 5's??? lol

[SonicEndeavor]

Originally Posted by martin mustang

The biggest difference with the arrival of the F10, the 5 series is now built on the 7 series chassis, hence a different car worth the price difference, this was never the case before, and hence the 3 / 5 series argument use to stand up but no longer the case with the F10 going forward.

Except that BMW is reversing course with the next generation where all models from the 3 series and up will share the same platform. This platform will debut with the new 7 series next year. It will be interesting to see how they pull this off.

[ARKONE]

Originally Posted by dadysev

What would the 7 series peeps say about our 5's??? lol

I really don't get people ripping on other models. I owned a 3-series and it was a great car (E90), and now I own an F10. It used to be that 3 & 5 series shared the same platform, but now 5 & 7 share the same platform so the 3 series is no longer anywhere near the 5 series.

Most people that drive a 7, are older. A 5-series is a baby 7-series that is way faster. I mean most 3-series are around $40-$50, while most 5 series are around $65-$85 and 7 series hover around $90-$100.

Each car serves a different purpose

3-series: get them early so the consumers stick to the brand (example: ME)
5-series: a true luxury sports sedan
7-series: Once a person "grows up" and no longer need a ludicrous amount of power, they might get a 7 series.

[SonicEndeavor]

Originally Posted by tfa372

I really don't get people ripping on other models. I owned a 3-series and it was a great car (E90), and now I own an F10. It used to be that 3 & 5 series shared the same platform, but now 5 & 7 share the same platform so the 3 series is no longer anywhere near the 5 series.

Most people that drive a 7, are older. A 5-series is a baby 7-series that is way faster. I mean most 3-series are around $40-$50, while most 5 series are around $65-$85 and 7 series hover around $90-$100.

Each car serves a different purpose

3-series: get them early so the consumers stick to the brand (example: ME)
5-series: a true luxury sports sedan
7-series: Once a person "grows up" and no longer need a ludicrous amount of power, they might get a 7 series.

You might want to check your numbers. The 760 is every bit as fast as the 550i, in fact a tic faster at 0-60 in 4.2 seconds and has an even more "ludicrous amount of power" at 540 hp. The 750 comes in around 4.5 seconds.
Also, the 5 series is no longer a sports sedan. It's too heavy and sprung way to soft. It's simply a mid sized luxury sedan.

[Noggie]

Looking at myself, having owned an e30, e36, e46 and e46M I decided to go for a 5 because I'm getting older and wanted the increased comfort and the additional gadgets the 5 can offer over a 3.

So I would say that there is a lot more than just a bigger body, it's a completely different car.

[BMWrules7]

Originally Posted by martin mustang

The biggest difference with the arrival of the F10, the 5 series is now built on the 7 series chassis, hence a different car worth the price difference, this was never the case before, and hence the 3 / 5 series argument use to stand up but no longer the case with the F10 going forward.

Really? Or, is the 7 series really built on the 5 series chassis.

Logic and production mechanics tell us that the 7 is built on the 5 chassis.

Bmw marketing wants us all to believe the 5 is built on the 7 chassis.

[Noggie]

Originally Posted by BMWrules7

Really? Or, is the 7 series really built on the 5 series chassis.

Logic and production mechanics tell us that the 7 is built on the 5 chassis.

Bmw marketing wants us all to believe the 5 is built on the 7 chassis.

The current 7 came in -09, the F10 came in -11, so logic dictates that whatever came last is built on the platform of the first. If the current 5 and 7 is built on the same platform, the 5 is indeed built on the 7 platform.

in -92 the BMW 850 CSi was released with a mirror design used on the e36 M3 from -93. These mirrors are today referred to as e36 M3 mirrors, and not CSi mirrors despite being used on this car first.
The reason being that there was only built about 1500 850 CSi's, and thousands of e36 M3's.

Just because there is built more 5's than 7's does not mean that whatever it is built most of owns the design or the platform.

[martin mustang]

Originally Posted by BMWrules7

Really? Or, is the 7 series really built on the 5 series chassis.

Logic and production mechanics tell us that the 7 is built on the 5 chassis.

Bmw marketing wants us all to believe the 5 is built on the 7 chassis.

I see your point, you spot on the only winner here is not 5, 3, or 7 owners but surely all mite BMW, I was coming from the basis that the 5 use to share it with the 3, while with higher price, now with the 7 series instead, I guess a plus for the 5 F10 if compared to E60, 7 series owners now paying more! that cost more!

[martin mustang]

Originally Posted by SonicEndeavor

Except that BMW is reversing course with the next generation where all models from the 3 series and up will share the same platform. This platform will debut with the new 7 series next year. It will be interesting to see how they pull this off.

Not a surprise, quantity never worked for the benefit of quality, I see BMW going the same path as Merc did in the 90's volume 1st, sad for sure!

[HighlandPete]

Originally Posted by SonicEndeavor

Except that BMW is reversing course with the next generation where all models from the 3 series and up will share the same platform. This platform will debut with the new 7 series next year. It will be interesting to see how they pull this off.

I wonder if that will mean the 3-series platform will be more advanced using something like the multi-link front suspension as currently used in the 5/6/7 and X5/6. Imagine this may be so, as Audi use multi-link in the A4 and Mercedes have moved to multi-link on their C-Class cars.

HighlandPete