BMW 5-Series BMW 5-Series 2008 BMW 3-Series BMW 3-Series 2012

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BMW 5-Series vs. BMW 3-Series Price Comparison (MSRP)

The sticker prices, before adjusting for remaining feature differences. Usually these are the numbers you will see on the window stickers.

Models in short supply often sell at or even above these prices.

BMW 5-Series vs. BMW 3-Series Invoice Comparison

Lowest Total Price: $50,470

BMW 3-Series 328i   
Difference: $42,400

Lowest Total Invoice: $46,545

BMW 3-Series 328i   
Difference: $39,245

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  Down Payment Interest Rate Term
Model Year200820122012
Model5-Series3-Series3-Series
TrimM5328i335i
Body4dr Sedan4dr Sedan4dr Sedan
Base Price $83,900 $34,900 $42,400
Base Invoice $77,370 $32,290 $39,190
Sunshade, rear, power 575 575 575
iPod integration 400    
HD radio 350    
Satellite radio - one year subscription 595 350 350
Heated steering wheel 200    
Folding second row seats 475    
Heated second row seats 350    
Head-up display (HUD) 1,200    
Proximity key 1,000    
Wood trim 0    
Rear spoiler 0    
BMW Assist   650 650
Premium Package   3,600 1,900
Cold Weather Package   1,350 1,350
Obstacle detection, rear   750 750
Sport Line   2,500 1,700
Technology Package   2,550 2,550
Steering-linked headlights   900  
Metallic paint (extra cost)   550 550
Adaptive dampers - electrical   900 900
Sunshade, rear, power 525 525 525
iPod integration 365    
HD radio 315    
Satellite radio - one year subscription 540 320 320
Heated steering wheel 180    
Folding second row seats 430    
Heated second row seats 320    
Head-up display (HUD) 1,010    
Proximity key 910    
Wood trim 0    
Rear spoiler 0    
BMW Assist   590 590
Premium Package   3,275 1,730
Cold Weather Package   1,230 1,230
Obstacle detection, rear   685 685
Sport Line   2,275 1,545
Technology Package   2,320 2,320
Steering-linked headlights   820  
Metallic paint (extra cost)   500 500
Adaptive dampers - electrical   820 820
Options (change) 5,145 14,675 11,275
Options (change) 4,595 13,360 10,265
Destination 825 895 895
Gas Tax 3,000 0 0
Total Price $92,870 $50,470 $54,570
Total Invoice $85,790 $46,545 $50,350

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While we strive for accuracy, the site is not error-free, and prices can change at any time.

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TrueDelta Value Comparison: BMW 5-Series vs. BMW 3-Series

Lowest Adjusted Price and Invoice: BMW 3-Series 328i
TrueDelta Adjusted Price Difference: $40,365
TrueDelta Adjusted Invoice Difference: $37,365
Model Year200820122012
Model5-Series3-Series3-Series
TrimM5328i335i
Body4dr Sedan4dr Sedan4dr Sedan
Engine500hp V10240hp I4300hp I6
TransmissionS7M6M6
DrivetrainRWDRWDRWD
EPA Fuel Economy (city/highway)11/17 MPG14/20 MPG14/20 MPG
Audio (watts, speakers)420, 13?, 9?, 9
Tire (rear if not all the same)255/40-19225/45-18225/45-18
Total Price$92,870$50,470$54,570
Adjustments for Features-2,03500
Feature-Adjusted Total Price$90,835$50,470$54,570
Cost Above Minimum$0$0$4,100
Total Invoice$85,790$46,545$50,350
Adjustments for Features-1,88000
Feature-Adjusted Total Invoice$83,910$46,545$50,350
Cost Above Minimum$0$0$3,805

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Features Comparison: BMW 5-Series vs. BMW 3-Series

Model Year200820122012
Model5-Series3-Series3-Series
TrimM5328i335i
Body4dr Sedan4dr Sedan4dr Sedan
Transmission and Drivetrain 
7-speed automated manual$1200  
6-speed manual $150$150
RWD$0$0$0
Accessories 
Hands-free trunk or liftgate $100$100
Remote app $25$25
Tilt/telescoping steering wheel, manual $250$250
Tilt/telescoping steering wheel, power$350  
Brakes, Airbags, and Other Safety 
Active or whiplash-reducing head restraints, front seats $0$0
Knee airbag, driver $75$75
Knee airbag, passenger $75$75
Tires, run-flat $150$150
Cargo Management 
Rear seat pass-through$100  
Ski sack$50  
Drivetrain 
Limited-slip rear differential$300  
Engine / Motor 
Automatic start / stop $150$150
Regenerative braking $0$0
Exterior 
Body kit$0  
Bright-finished exhaust tip(s)$25  
Rear spoiler$200  
Infotainment 
Bluetooth audio streaming $25$25
CD changer, remote$200  
iPod integration$100  
Media drive $15$15
MP3-compatible player $50$50
SMS text-to-speech reader $25$25
Surround sound$250  
Traffic information $25$25
USB port $25$25
Voice control for external devices $0$0
Instruments, Lights, and Mirrors 
Compass $0$0
Steering-linked headlights $150$150
Seats and Interior Trim 
Leather door panel trim$250  
Manual thigh support length adjuster, driver seat $50$50
Manual thigh support length adjuster, passenger seat $50$50
Power headrest height adjuster, driver seat$50  
Power headrest height adjuster, passenger seat$50  
Power thigh bolsters, driver seat$100  
Power thigh bolsters, passenger seat$100  
Wood trim$300  
Suspension, Wheels, and Tires 
Electronic systems calibration selector $200$200
Sport suspension (upgrade) $0$0
Ultra-sport suspension (upgrade)$0  
Total Value of Features$3,625$1,590$1,590
Value of Feature Adjustments$2,035$0$0
Value of Feature Adjustments-1,88000

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Specifications Comparison: BMW 5-Series vs. BMW 3-Series

Model Year20082012
Model5-Series3-Series
Body4dr Sedan4dr Sedan
Wheelbase113.7 in110.6 in
Length191.1 in182.5 in
Width72.7 in71.3 in
Height57.8 in56.3 in
Curb Weight4,089 lb.3,759 lb.
Fuel Capacity18.5 gal.15.8 gal.
Row 1 Headroom37.7 in40.3 in
Row 1 Shoulder Room57.3 in55.1 in
Row 1 Legroom41.5 in42.0 in
Row 2 Headroom37.9 in37.7 in
Row 2 Shoulder Room57.2 in55.1 in
Row 2 Legroom36.0 in35.1 in
Cargo Volume14.0 ft313.0 ft3

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Option Package Details
BMW 3-Series 328i

Obstacle detection, rear
FeatureValueRequested?
Obstacle detection, rear250Yes
Obstacle detection, front150Yes
Total Requested400100%
Total Not Requested00%
Steering-linked headlights
FeatureValueRequested?
Steering-linked headlights150No
Xenon HID headlights500Yes
Total Requested50077%
Total Not Requested15023%
Sunshade, rear, power
FeatureValueRequested?
Sunshade, rear, power225Yes
Sunshades, second row125Yes
Total Requested350100%
Total Not Requested00%
BMW Assist
FeatureValueRequested?
Telematics service, such as OnStar200Yes
SMS text-to-speech reader25No
Bluetooth audio streaming25No
Remote app25No
Total Requested20073%
Total Not Requested7527%
Premium Package
FeatureValueRequested?
Sunroof900Yes
Proximity key250Yes
Hands-free trunk or liftgate100No
Leather seating surfaces900Yes
Power 4-way lumbar adjuster, driver seat150Yes
Power 4-way lumbar adjuster, passenger seat150Yes
Universal garage door opener100Yes
Auto-dimming rearview mirror150Yes
Auto-dimming driver-side mirror75Yes
Compass0No
Power-folding mirrors50Yes
Auto-dimming passenger-side mirror75Yes
Power fore-aft adjuster, driver seat100Yes
Power height adjuster, driver seat100Yes
Power tilt adjuster, driver seat50Yes
Power recliner, driver seat100Yes
Power recliner, passenger seat100Yes
Power fore-aft adjuster, passenger seat100Yes
Memory system, driver seat200Yes
Power height adjuster, passenger seat100Yes
Power tilt adjuster, passenger seat50Yes
Total Requested370097%
Total Not Requested1003%
Cold Weather Package
FeatureValueRequested?
Heated front seats200Yes
Heated second row seats200Yes
Folding second row seats300Yes
Heated steering wheel100Yes
Headlight washers50Yes
Second-row 3-section 3-person split bench150No
Total Requested85085%
Total Not Requested15015%
Sport Line
FeatureValueRequested?
Sport suspension (upgrade)250Yes
Special exterior trim0No
Special interior trim0No
Dark-colored headliner (optional)0No
Door sill trim plates100Yes
225/45YR18 tires400No
Manual thigh support adjuster, driver seat50No
Power seatback bolsters, driver100Yes
Manual thigh support adjuster, passenger seat50No
Power seatback bolsters, passenger seat100Yes
Front sport buckets100Yes
Total Requested65057%
Total Not Requested50043%
Technology Package
FeatureValueRequested?
Navigation system600Yes
Head-up display (HUD)350Yes
Voice control for nav and audio100Yes
Traffic information25No
Media drive, large15No
Total Requested105096%
Total Not Requested404%

Option Package Details
BMW 3-Series 335i

Obstacle detection, rear
FeatureValueRequested?
Obstacle detection, rear250Yes
Obstacle detection, front150Yes
Total Requested400100%
Total Not Requested00%
Sunshade, rear, power
FeatureValueRequested?
Sunshade, rear, power225Yes
Sunshades, second row125Yes
Total Requested350100%
Total Not Requested00%
BMW Assist
FeatureValueRequested?
Telematics service, such as OnStar200Yes
SMS text-to-speech reader25No
Bluetooth audio streaming25No
Remote app25No
Total Requested20073%
Total Not Requested7527%
Cold Weather Package
FeatureValueRequested?
Heated front seats200Yes
Heated second row seats200Yes
Folding second row seats300Yes
Heated steering wheel100Yes
Headlight washers50Yes
Second-row 3-section 3-person split bench150No
Total Requested85085%
Total Not Requested15015%
Sport Line
FeatureValueRequested?
Sport suspension (upgrade)250Yes
Special exterior trim0No
Special interior trim0No
Dark-colored headliner (optional)0No
Door sill trim plates100Yes
225/45YR18 tires400No
Manual thigh support adjuster, driver seat50No
Power seatback bolsters, driver100Yes
Manual thigh support adjuster, passenger seat50No
Power seatback bolsters, passenger seat100Yes
Front sport buckets100Yes
Total Requested65057%
Total Not Requested50043%
Technology Package
FeatureValueRequested?
Navigation system600Yes
Head-up display (HUD)350Yes
Voice control for nav and audio100Yes
Traffic information25No
Media drive, large15No
Total Requested105096%
Total Not Requested404%
Premium Package
FeatureValueRequested?
Proximity key250Yes
Hands-free trunk or liftgate100No
Leather seating surfaces900Yes
Universal garage door opener100Yes
Auto-dimming driver-side mirror75Yes
Compass0No
Power-folding mirrors50Yes
Auto-dimming passenger-side mirror75Yes
Total Requested145094%
Total Not Requested1006%

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