Model Year | 2009 | 2008 | |
Model | BMW 3-Series | Mercedes-Benz R-Class | |
Engine | turbocharged 3.0L I6 Diesel DOHC-4v 265 hp@4200 425 lb-ft@1750 |
turbocharged 3.0L V6 Diesel DOHC-4v 215 hp@3800 398 lb-ft@1400 |
|
Transmission | 6-speed shiftable automatic | 7-speed shiftable automatic | |
Drivetrain | RWD | AWD | |
Body | 4dr Wagon | 4dr SUV | |
Difference | |||
Wheelbase | 108.7 in | 126.6 in | -17.9 in |
Length | 178.2 in | 203.0 in | -24.8 in |
Width | 71.5 in | 75.7 in | -4.2 in |
Height | 55.8 in | 65.4 in | -9.6 in |
Curb Weight | 3947 lb. | 4939 lb. | -992 lb. |
Fuel Capacity | 15.9 gal. | 25.1 gal. | -9.2 gal. |
Headroom, Row 1 | 38.5 in | 39.8 in | -1.3 in |
Shoulder Room, Row 1 | 55.4 in | 60.3 in | -4.9 in |
Legroom, Row 1 | 41.5 in | 39.8 in | 1.7 in |
Headroom, Row 2 | 38.0 in | 40.4 in | -2.4 in |
Shoulder Room, Row 2 | 55.1 in | 59.6 in | -4.5 in |
Legroom, Row 2 | 34.6 in | 36.2 in | -1.6 in |
Headroom, Row 3 | 0.0 in | 37.2 in | -37.2 in |
Shoulder Room, Row 3 | 0.0 in | 52.8 in | -52.8 in |
Legroom, Row 3 | 0.0 in | 32.4 in | -32.4 in |
Total Legroom | 76.1 in (over 2 rows) | 108.4 in (over 3 rows) | -32.3 in |
Cargo Volume, Minimum | 24.8 ft3 | 15.3 ft3 | 9.5 ft3 |
Cargo Volume, Behind R2 | 24.8 | 42.2 ft3 | -17.4 |
Cargo Volume, Maximum | 58.0 ft3 | 85.0 ft3 | -27 ft3 |
2009 BMW 3-Series Seat Room and Comfort: Pros | ||
Year | Body/Powertrain | Comment |
2010 | 4dr Sedan 230-horsepower 3.0L I6 6-speed shiftable automatic RWD |
Relatively small back seat room. see full BMW 3-Series review |
2008 | 2dr Coupe 414-horsepower 4.0L V8 6-speed manual RWD |
Power seats are very comfortable, even for long hauls. see full BMW 3-Series review |
2008 | 2dr Hardtop conv. turbocharged 300hp 3.0L I6 6-speed shiftable automatic RWD |
Sport seats fit me exceptionally well. Plush enough for the wife to enjoy a long drive. see full BMW 3-Series review |
2008 | 4dr Wagon 230-horsepower 3.0L I6 6-speed shiftable automatic AWD |
I found the sport package seats comfortable see full BMW 3-Series review |
2009 BMW 3-Series Seat Room and Comfort: Cons | ||
Year | Body/Powertrain | Comment |
2010 | 4dr Sedan 230-horsepower 3.0L I6 6-speed shiftable automatic AWD |
tight and not too useful a space see full BMW 3-Series review |
2010 | 4dr Sedan 230-horsepower 3.0L I6 6-speed shiftable automatic AWD |
Rear seat room not as expansive as competitors. Trunk capacity could be better. see full BMW 3-Series review |
2010 | 4dr Sedan turbocharged 300hp 3.0L I6 6-speed shiftable automatic RWD |
Tight for large people. Fine for kids. Smaller than a G37, much smaller than a Maxima. see full BMW 3-Series review |
2009 | 4dr Sedan 414-horsepower 4.0L V8 7-speed automated manual RWD |
Wish the rear seats had 1" more legroom. see full BMW 3-Series review |
2009 | 2dr Coupe turbocharged 300hp 3.0L I6 6-speed shiftable automatic AWD |
Limited for adults see full BMW 3-Series review |
2009 | 4dr Sedan turbocharged 300hp 3.0L I6 6-speed manual AWD |
With a 6-foot driver, rear seat room is barely adequate for adults, for short trips. This is typical for this car segment, though. see full BMW 3-Series review |
2009 | 0 | Not much room in rear see if driver is 6 feet tall see full BMW 3-Series review |
2008 | 4dr Sedan turbocharged 300hp 3.0L I6 6-speed shiftable automatic RWD |
A bit small for me, both in the seat and in the cabin in general. see full BMW 3-Series review |
2008 | 2dr Hardtop conv. turbocharged 300hp 3.0L I6 6-speed shiftable automatic RWD |
2 small for adults over 6 ft see full BMW 3-Series review |
2008 | 2dr Hardtop conv. turbocharged 300hp 3.0L I6 6-speed shiftable automatic RWD |
It has a back seat, but unless it is a short trip it is very tight for adults. see full BMW 3-Series review |
2008 Mercedes-Benz R-Class Seat Room and Comfort: Pros | ||
Year | Body/Powertrain | Comment |
2008 | 4dr SUV 268-horsepower 3.5L V6 7-speed shiftable automatic AWD |
Very roomie see full Mercedes-Benz R-Class review |
2007 | 4dr SUV 268-horsepower 3.5L V6 7-speed shiftable automatic AWD |
3rd row seats are big enough and comfortable enough for an adult. 2nd row seats are the best captain chairs I have ever sat in in a car. Glass roof gives additional room appearance. see full Mercedes-Benz R-Class review |
2007 | 4dr SUV 268-horsepower 3.5L V6 7-speed shiftable automatic AWD |
Great front view, comfortable seats. see full Mercedes-Benz R-Class review |
2007 | 4dr SUV 302-horsepower 5.0L V8 7-speed shiftable automatic AWD |
There is excellent legroom in the middle and rear seats. All four recline. see full Mercedes-Benz R-Class review |
2007 | 4dr SUV turbocharged 215hp 3.0L V6 Diesel 7-speed shiftable automatic AWD |
Outstanding room in the second row- tons of leg room. Very comfortable see full Mercedes-Benz R-Class review |
2008 Mercedes-Benz R-Class Seat Room and Comfort: Cons | ||
Year | Body/Powertrain | Comment |
2009 | 4dr SUV 268-horsepower 3.5L V6 7-speed shiftable automatic AWD |
Three different lumbar pumps...don't seem to be very different in what is inflated. see full Mercedes-Benz R-Class review |