It Turns Out The New BMW 3-Series Is The Same Size As My E34 525i

The new BMW 3-series is almost identical in size and mass to the 5-series of yesteryear. Here's how they compare...
It Turns Out The New BMW 3-Series Is The Same Size As My E34 525i

This is my BMW E34 525i Non-Vanos Touring. It’s slow, heavy, needs a lot of work and feels like a barge. And despite it not being born with airbags, it’s a car that I feel safe driving. The reason for that is because of its size; it feels massive.

So it might come as a surprise to learn that the E34 5-series is almost dimensionally identical as the new 3-series, a car which has been upscaled so much it’s larger than a whole host of already big BMWs.

It Turns Out The New BMW 3-Series Is The Same Size As My E34 525i

In fact, if we look at the numbers, the old E34’s 4720mm length, 1751mm width and 1412mm height makes it only 11mm longer than a modern-day 3-series Touring, while the 5er’s width and height is actually 76mm and 28mm narrower and shorter; so while the E34 is slightly longer, it is now smaller overall versus the new 3-series.

As for weight, a 330i Sport Touring tips the scales at 1650kg, while my E34 Touring weighs in at, you guessed it, 1650kg…

It Turns Out The New BMW 3-Series Is The Same Size As My E34 525i

Of course, the driving experience between both models - old and new - is completely different. You can read more about the new 3-series Touring here, but suffice it to say it craps all over my old 5-series in every respect except noise, because a BMW M50 engine with stainless pipes is hard to rival. Yep, BMW’s ‘30i’ engine - effectively the modern equivalent to the 25i - might be in another league in performance terms, but its inline-four soundtrack isn’t that great.

An E34 and E39 Touring. Not much seems to have changed between these generations
An E34 and E39 Touring. Not much seems to have changed between these…

Getting back to car sizes, it’s clear that bigger is better from generation to generation. If only our roads were following suit, we might actually be able to fit our X5-sized BMW 1-series on our streets in a few years’ time…

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Comments

MikeyFD3S

Amazing how cars are getting bigger, but the roads and car parking spaces are not. Causes some issues in old town centres and alike

05/10/2020 - 10:32 |
36 | 0
Anonymous

Went to replace my wife’s e46 coupe and drove a new 3 series. It felt too big and “Lexus like”. Ended up with a 2 series, which is nearly the same dimensions as the old 3, while retaining the sporty feel

05/10/2020 - 14:28 |
24 | 0
Tomislav Celić

When you consider the price increase and demand, this thing makes sense

05/10/2020 - 17:22 |
8 | 2
Anonymous

Cars get bigger with each gen, hence the introduction of the 1 series, A Class, A1, Up!, Adam & all the SUV classes from X3 to Q3’s to Volkswagens difficult line up.

Not really a big deal unless you are a badge snob.

05/10/2020 - 19:25 |
10 | 0
Anonymous

Hi guys
Can you help me to find out good e34 bmw ??

05/11/2020 - 17:43 |
0 | 0
Anonymous

I’ve noticed the same issue with my 2010 Opel Corsa Utility (South African small pickup) it is he same size as the older 1992 Toyota SRX 1-tonner.

05/12/2020 - 04:47 |
0 | 0
Nick🔰(2019 Mazda 6™ Crew)

The old one has a certain charm about it that the new one doesn’t, but both are amazing cars.

05/12/2020 - 23:31 |
0 | 0
vatelite

Man, even the kidney

06/16/2020 - 15:39 |
0 | 0
Anonymous

Nah, bigger isn’t always better. BMW has lost its way, the 2-series is the only thing they make that retains any of that classic BMW magic.

07/18/2020 - 00:59 |
0 | 0