BMW 3 Series vs BMW 5 series

I'm on my 3rd 3er, they fit into my demographic and style more than the 5, besides, better handling and less curb weight. The only 5 I'd want to own would be an M5. Also, I don't need the cargo or passenger capacity of the 5er since I very rarely have a passenger. In a perfect world, someone like myself should be driving a Z4 M coupe for practicality, performance and rarity sake.

If it's a sedan, the 5. The 3-series looks funny with 4 doors. IMO. The 5 series has to be one of the best handling sedans of it's size.

I've owned 5's and have driven 3's as loaner cars. Space, power, and handling were all better in the 5's compared to the 3's. During my ownership of each 5, I never once wished I had gotten a 3 instead.

I've borrowed my employers 550 and it's epic!, unfortunately I can't afford one and would struggle to purchase the 530. I would opt for the 330/335 over a 525/528 though.

Ideal car the 530 Wagon.

An 8-series with a carphone.

I haven't tried the new generation-- or any version of a BMW since maybe 7years ago. At the time, I found that the cockpit of the 5 was built for someone proportioned completely different from me. Armrests, window ledges, wheel placement-- all wrong. Bespoke tailored for someone else.
By contrast, the 3 was much more comfortable than its size would have suggested.

I like the looks of the 3 coupe but I'd want the space in the 5.

What 5 vs. what 3? There are many different variants. A 550 is faster than a 325i, but a 335i is way faster than any 525i or 530. Did the two cars you compared have sports packages? You need to know the cars before you compare. Also, new M3 versus new M5 the M3 will handle better.

Yeah, I should have mentioned that I'm talking about the E46 sedan, don't care for the E90's. No way handling is better in the 5 than the 3er of the same engine capacity, the 5er is much heavier, thus not as agile as the 3er, that's if we're comparing apples to apples and not M5 to 325i.

for the new models pictured above - the 3. I think the "new" 5 series looks like ass.

+1, one of the most under-appreciated yet somewhat mainstream cars I can think of. I'd love to come across a well-maintained 840i in a few years when I can afford a second car.

The e90 3-series is much better looking than the e60 5-series. With that said, if you do get a new 5-series, don't be one of those people that gets the smallest engine, like the 528. It's a big, heavy 5-series, at least get the 535.

Defintely a 3. Less weight, more agile, more engaging to drive and cheaper. I don't normally need to carry more than one passenger on extended trips, so the relatively small increase of space in the 5 is of no use. Actually a 1-series couple would be even better, if only they weren't so hideously ugly.

I have driven both a lot and honestly I just love the way the 3 handles. They really "killed it" on that design.