Comparison: Turning circle BMW 3{series} vs. competitors 2025

Turning circle is important for city driving, even for a Sedans like the BMW 318d are a popular choice for their balance of comfort, performance, and practicality. While they may not offer the same level of cargo space as station wagons, a good turning circle can help them navigate narow streets. Turning circle is measured in meters it takes for the 318d to complete a whole circle (diameter). With it’s length of 4713 mm and wheelbase of 2851 mm, the BMW 318d has a turning circle of 11 m. The best turning abilities you can find amongst similar vehicles has Aixam Ambition City ( ), which is 8 m. For comparison, the wheelbase of the Ambition City is 1795 mm and the length is 4713 mm. On the contrary, the worst-in-class value of 12 m belongs to the BMW X5 3.0d . It’s wheelbase is 2820 mm and width is 1872 mm.

BMW 3{series} - How has the turning circle changed over the generations?

BMW 3 generations
  • 3er-Reihe, Model year 1975 (E21) 10 m
  • 3er-Reihe, Model year 1979 ) (E21 (1. Facelift) 10 m
  • 3er-Reihe, Model year 1982 (E30) 10 m
  • 3er-Reihe, Model year 1987 ) (E30 (1. Facelift) 10 m
  • 3er-Reihe, Model year 1990 (3er-Reihe E36) 10 m
  • 3er-Reihe, Model year 1998 (E46) 10 m
  • 3er-Reihe, Model year 2000 ) (3er-Reihe E46 (1. Facelift) 10 m
  • 3er-Reihe, Model year 2005 (3er-Reihe E90/E91/E92/E93) 11 m
  • 3er-Reihe, Model year 2008 ) (3er-Reihe E90/E91/E92/E93 (1. Facelift) 11 m
  • 3er-Reihe, Model year 2012 (3er-Reihe F30/F31/F34/F80) 11 m
  • 3er-Reihe, Model year 2015 ) (3er-Reihe F30/F31/F34/F80 (1. Facelift) 11 m
  • 3er-Reihe, Model year 2019 (3er-Reihe G20/G21/G80) 11 m
  • 3er-Reihe, Model year 2022 ) (3er-Reihe G20/G21/G80/G81 (1. Facelift) 11 m
  • 3er-Reihe, Model year 2024 ) (3er-Reihe G20/G21/G80/G81 (2. Facelift) 11 m
The difference in Turning circle between first generation (E21) from 1975 and last generation (3er-Reihe G20/G21/G80/G81 (2. Facelift)) from 2024 is 1 m.
The turning circle of the current generation of 3{series} is 11 m.

Variants

BMW 3 variants: 3 Limousine vs. 3 M Performance Limousine vs. 3 M Performance Touring vs. 3 M3 CS Touring vs. 3 M3 Limousine vs. 3 M3 Touring vs. 3 Touring
  • 3{series} Limousine 11 m
  • 3{series} Touring 11 m
  • 3{series} M Performance Limousine 12 m
  • 3{series} M Performance Touring 12 m
  • 3{series} M3 CS Touring 12 m
  • 3{series} M3 Limousine 12 m
  • 3{series} M3 Touring 12 m

The turning circle compared to other BMW models

BMW 3 vs other current cars by BMW
  • i3s 10 m
  • 8{series} Cabrio 11 m
  • 8{series} Coupé 11 m
  • 8{series} M Performance Cabrio 11 m
  • 8{series} M Performance Coupé 11 m
  • i5 M Performance Limousine 11 m
  • i5 M Performance Touring 11 m
  • 4{series} Cabrio 11 m
  • 4{series} Coupé 11 m
  • 3{series} Limousine 11 m
  • 3{series} Touring 11 m
  • 2{series} Coupé 11 m
  • 2{series} M Performance Coupé 11 m
  • 2{series} M2 Coupé 11 m
  • 3{series} Gran Turismo 11 m
  • Z4 M Performance Roadster 11 m
  • Z4 Roadster 11 m
  • X1 11 m
  • X1 M Performance 11 m
  • 2{series} Active Tourer 11 m
  • iX1 11 m
  • iX2 11 m
  • 2{series} Gran Coupé 11 m
  • 2{series} Gran Coupé M Performance 11 m
  • 1{series} 11 m
  • 1{series} M Performance 11 m
  • X2 11 m
  • X2 M Performance 11 m
  • 5{series} M5 Limousine 12 m
  • 5{series} M5 Touring 12 m
  • 5{series} Touring 12 m
  • iX 12 m
  • iX M Performance 12 m
  • 8{series} Gran Coupé 12 m
  • 8{series} M Performance Gran Coupé 12 m
  • 8{series} M8 Cabrio 12 m
  • 8{series} M8 Coupé 12 m
  • 8{series} M8 Gran Coupé 12 m
  • X5 12 m
  • X5 M 12 m
  • X5 M Performance 12 m
  • X6 12 m
  • X6 M 12 m
  • X6 M Performance 12 m
  • i5 Limousine 12 m
  • i5 Touring 12 m
  • 7{series} 12 m
  • 7{series} M Performance 12 m
  • 4{series} Gran Coupé 12 m
  • 4{series} M Performance Cabrio 12 m
  • 4{series} M Performance Coupé 12 m
  • 4{series} M Performance Gran Coupé 12 m
  • 4{series} M4 Cabrio 12 m
  • 4{series} M4 Coupé 12 m
  • 4{series} M4 CS Coupé 12 m
  • 3{series} M Performance Limousine 12 m
  • 3{series} M Performance Touring 12 m
  • 3{series} M3 CS Touring 12 m
  • 3{series} M3 Limousine 12 m
  • 3{series} M3 Touring 12 m
  • i4 12 m
  • i4 M Performance 12 m
  • X3 M 12 m
  • X3 M Performance 12 m
  • X4 12 m
  • X4 M 12 m
  • X4 M Performance 12 m
  • 5{series} Limousine 12 m
  • 3{series} M3 CS Limousine 12 m
  • X3 12 m
  • i8 Roadster 12 m
  • i7 13 m
  • i7 M Performance 13 m
  • X7 13 m
  • X7 M Performance 13 m

How does the turning circle of the BMW 3{series} compare to it's nearest competitors?

BMW 3 vs. similar cars
  • aixamAixam Ambition 2023 8 m
  • aixamAixam Emotion 2020 8 m
  • aixamAixam Minauto 2023 8 m
  • Casalini 550 2022 9 m
  • Casalini M20 2022 9 m
  • Ligier JS 60 2020 9 m
  • peugeotPeugeot 508 2023 10 m
  • seatSEAT Ateca 2020 10 m
  • bmwBMW 3er-Reihe 2024 11 m
  • bydBYD Seal 2023 11 m
  • XPeng P7 2024 11 m
  • alpinaALPINA B7/B11/B12 1987 (7er-Reihe) 11 m
  • alpinaALPINA B3/B6/B8/C1/D3 1987 (3er-Reihe) 11 m
  • ladaLada Granta 2013 11 m
  • borgwardBorgward Isabella 1954 11 m
  • vwVW Arteon 2020 11 m
  • cadillacCadillac XT4 2020 11 m
  • dsDS Automobiles DS 7 2022 11 m
  • jaguarJaguar XF 2008 11 m
  • hyundaiHyundai Grand Santa Fe 2013 11 m
  • mercedes-benzMercedes-Benz GLC 2015 11 m
  • mercedes-benzMercedes-Benz CLS 2004 11 m
  • hyundaiHyundai ix55 2009 11 m
  • alpinaALPINA XD3 2013 11 m
  • lexusLexus ES 2021 12 m
  • bydBYD Han 2022 12 m
  • nioNIO ET7 2022 12 m
  • bmwBMW i5 2023 12 m
  • alpinaALPINA XD4 2021 12 m
  • bmwBMW X5 2000 12 m

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