Car comparison

BMW M3 Convertible (E36) 3.2vsAC Ace 4.6 i V8 32V

Compare specs, acceleration, fuel consumption, dimensions, practicality, and estimated running costs side by side.

New comparison

BMW M3 Convertible (E36)

3.2

321 hp3201 ccGasolineRWDManualNaturally aspiratedCabriolet / convertible1995-1999
VS

AC Ace

4.6 i V8 32V

326 hp4601 ccGasolineRWDManualNaturally aspiratedCabriolet / convertible1997-2000

Comparison overview

Use the estimates as comparison hints and verify exact figures before making decisions.

Best choices

BMW M3 Convertible (E36) 3.2

  • Quickest 0-100 km/h
    5.6 s
  • Fastest top speed
    260 km/h
    162 mph Unrestricted
    250 km/h
    155 mph Restricted
  • Lowest highway consumption
    7.7 L/100 km
    30.5 mpg US
    36.7 mpg UK
  • Largest trunk
    230 L
  • Best overall score
    57/100
  • Best economy score
    77/100
  • Best practicality score
    42/100

AC Ace 4.6 i V8 32V

  • Most powerful
    326 hp
    243 kW
  • Highest torque
    427 Nm
    315 lb-ft
  • Lightest
    1,510 kg
    3,329 lb
  • Best power-to-weight
    216 hp/t
    161 kW/t
    4.6 kg/hp
  • Lowest city consumption
    15.1 L/100 km
    15.6 mpg US
    18.7 mpg UK
  • Best performance score
    67/100

Specification comparison

Specification comparison
ModelBMWM3 Convertible (E36)3.2ACAce4.6 i V8 32V
Power
321hp239kW
326hp243kW
Torque
350Nm258lb-ft
427Nm315lb-ft
Curb weight
1,560kg3,439lb
1,510kg3,329lb
Gross weight
1,980kg4,365lb
-
Top speed
Unrestricted
260 km/h162 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph
Calculated
Unrestricted
260 km/h162 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph
Calculated
To 99% top speed
75.1s99% target: 257 km/h / 160 mph
Calculated
74.2s99% target: 257 km/h / 160 mph
Calculated
0-100 km/h
5.6s
5.7s
0-200 km/h
20.1s
Calculated
20.1s
Calculated
0-60 mph
5.3s
Calculated
5.4s
Calculated
Fuel consumption
11.1L/100 km21.2mpg US25.4mpg UK
-
Fuel consumption city
17L/100 km13.8mpg US16.6mpg UK
15.1L/100 km15.6mpg US18.7mpg UK
Fuel consumption highway
7.7L/100 km30.5mpg US36.7mpg UK
10.5L/100 km22.4mpg US26.9mpg UK
Quarter mile
13.7s
Calculated
13.8s
Calculated
Power-to-weight
206hp/t153kW/t93hp/1000 lb
Calculated
216hp/t161kW/t98hp/1000 lb
Calculated
Torque-to-weight
224Nm/t150lb-ft/ton
Calculated
283Nm/t189lb-ft/ton
Calculated
Estimated range
559km347mi
Calculated
-
Displacement
3,201cc195cu in
4,601cc281cu in
Length
4,433mm175in
4,420mm174in
Width
1,710mm67in
1,870mm74in
Height
1,340mm53in
1,300mm51in
Wheelbase
2,700mm106in
2,470mm97in
Front track
1,422mm56in
1,590mm63in
Rear track
1,444mm57in
1,570mm62in
Trunk volume
230L
185L
Max trunk volume-
300L
Doors
2
2
Seats
4
2
Fuel tank
62L
90L

Performance charts

Use the estimates as comparison hints and verify exact figures before making decisions.

Dyno simulation

Estimated stock-style power and torque curves by engine speed.

BMW M3 Convertible (E36) 3.2AC Ace 4.6 i V8 32VPowerTorque
  • BMW M3 Convertible (E36) 3.2: Power / Torque
  • AC Ace 4.6 i V8 32V: Power / Torque
Dyno simulation data table
VehiclePeak power RPMPeak torque RPMMax engine speed
BMWM3 Convertible (E36)3.27,400 rpm3,250 rpm7,650 rpm
ACAce4.6 i V8 32V5,800 rpm4,600 rpm6,050 rpm

Acceleration curve

Estimated speed over time for selected vehicles.

Acceleration and drag-race table
MetricBMWM3 Convertible (E36)3.2ACAce4.6 i V8 32V
Acceleration checkpoints
0-60 mph
0-97 km/h
5.3 s
5.4 s
0-100 km/h
0-62 mph
5.6 s
5.7 s
0-200 km/h
0-124 mph
20.1 s
20.1 s
Top speed
Unrestricted
260 km/h162 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph
Likely limited
Unrestricted
260 km/h162 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph
Likely limited
Drag race simulation
60 ft
18 m
2.3 s
2.3 s
330 ft
101 m
6.0 s
6.0 s
1/8 mile
201 m
9.0 s
9.1 s
1000 ft
305 m
11.6 s
11.6 s
1/4 mile
402 m
13.7 s
13.8 s
Trap speed
1/4 mile
402 m
169 km/h
105 mph
169 km/h
105 mph

Power comparison

Bar comparison chart for Power. Higher is better · hp / kW

Chart data table
VehicleValue
BMWM3 Convertible (E36)3.2
321 hp
239 kW
ACAce4.6 i V8 32V
326 hp
243 kW

AC Ace 4.6 i V8 32V has 5 hp more than BMW M3 Convertible (E36) 3.2.

The biggest power difference is between BMW M3 Convertible (E36) 3.2 and AC Ace 4.6 i V8 32V: 5 hp (4 kW).

Torque comparison

Bar comparison chart for Torque. Higher is better · Nm / lb-ft

Chart data table
VehicleValue
BMWM3 Convertible (E36)3.2
350 Nm
258 lb-ft
ACAce4.6 i V8 32V
427 Nm
315 lb-ft

Curb weight comparison

Bar comparison chart for Curb weight. Lower is better · kg / lb

Chart data table
VehicleValue
BMWM3 Convertible (E36)3.2
1,560 kg
3,439 lb
ACAce4.6 i V8 32V
1,510 kg
3,329 lb

Top speed without limiter comparison

Bar comparison chart for Top speed without limiter. Higher is better · km/h / mph

Chart data table
VehicleValue
BMWM3 Convertible (E36)3.2
Unrestricted
260 km/h162 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph
ACAce4.6 i V8 32V
Unrestricted
260 km/h162 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph

0-100 km/h comparison

Bar comparison chart for 0-100 km/h. Lower is better · seconds

Chart data table
VehicleValue
BMWM3 Convertible (E36)3.25.6 s
ACAce4.6 i V8 32V5.7 s

Although AC Ace 4.6 i V8 32V has more power, BMW M3 Convertible (E36) 3.2 is quicker from 0-100 km/h.

The biggest 0-100 km/h difference is between BMW M3 Convertible (E36) 3.2 and AC Ace 4.6 i V8 32V: 0.1 s.

Power-to-weight comparison

Bar comparison chart for Power-to-weight. Higher is better · hp/t / kW/t

Chart data table
VehicleValue
BMWM3 Convertible (E36)3.2
206 hp/t
153 kW/t
4.9 kg/hp
ACAce4.6 i V8 32V
216 hp/t
161 kW/t
4.6 kg/hp

Performance spider chart

Radar chart comparing normalized performance and fuel-consumption scores.

Chart data table
VehiclePowerAccelerationTop speed
BMWM3 Convertible (E36)3.2
321 hp
239 kW
5.6 s
Unrestricted
260 km/h162 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph
ACAce4.6 i V8 32V
326 hp
243 kW
5.7 s
Unrestricted
260 km/h162 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph

Most attractive quadrant

Scatter chart with performance score on the X axis and practicality score on the Y axis.

Chart data table
VehiclePerformance scorePracticality score
BMWM3 Convertible (E36)3.2
Power
321 hp
239 kW
0-100 km/h5.6 s
Top speed
Unrestricted
260 km/h162 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph
Doors/seats
2 doors
4 seats
Trunk
230 L
8.1 cu ft
Length
4,433 mm
174.5 in
Height
1,340 mm
52.8 in
ACAce4.6 i V8 32V
Power
326 hp
243 kW
0-100 km/h5.7 s
Top speed
Unrestricted
260 km/h162 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph
Doors/seats
2 doors
2 seats
Trunk
185 L
6.5 cu ft
Length
4,420 mm
174.0 in
Height
1,300 mm
51.2 in

Detailed score breakdown

Detailed score breakdown
VehicleBMWM3 Convertible (E36)3.2ACAce4.6 i V8 32V
Power
321 hp
239 kW
326 hp
243 kW
Torque
350 Nm
258 lb-ft
427 Nm
315 lb-ft
Acceleration
5.6 s
5.7 s
Top speed
Unrestricted
260 km/h162 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph
Unrestricted
260 km/h162 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph
Lightness
1,560 kg
3,439 lb
1,510 kg
3,329 lb
Fuel consumption
11.1 L/100 km
21.2 mpg US
25.4 mpg UK
-
Practicality
Doors/seats
2 doors
4 seats
Trunk
230 L
8.1 cu ft
Length
4,433 mm
174.5 in
Height
1,340 mm
52.8 in
Doors/seats
2 doors
2 seats
Trunk
185 L
6.5 cu ft
Length
4,420 mm
174.0 in
Height
1,300 mm
51.2 in
Range score
559 km
347 mi
-
Trunk score
230 L
8.1 cu ft
185 L
6.5 cu ft
Power-to-weight score
206 hp/t
153 kW/t
4.9 kg/hp
216 hp/t
161 kW/t
4.6 kg/hp
Overall
Fixed score
Fixed score

Fuel cost and annual usage

Estimate running costs from combined consumption, your annual distance, and the fuel price in your local currency.

Enter the fuel price in your local currency, for example €/L, $/gal, £/L or any other local currency.

LC = Local Currency

Fuel cost and annual usage
VehicleBMW M3 Convertible (E36) 3.2
Consumption11.1 L/100 km21.2 mpg US25.4 mpg UK
Cost / 100 km19.43 LC100 km
Cost / 100 mi31.26 LC100 mi
Annual fuel used1,665 L440 US gal366 UK gal
Annual fuel cost2,914 LC/year

Head-to-head comparisons

BMW M3 Convertible (E36) 3.2

  • Is 0.1 s quicker from 0-100 km/h
  • Has 45 L more trunk volume

Pros

  • Quickest 0-100 km/h in this comparison
  • Highest top speed
  • Largest trunk

Cons

  • Lowest power
  • Heaviest

AC Ace 4.6 i V8 32V

  • Has 5 hp more
  • Has 77 Nm more
  • Is 50 kg lighter
  • Has 10 hp/t better power-to-weight

Pros

  • Most powerful
  • Highest torque
  • Lightest
  • Best power-to-weight ratio

Cons

  • Slowest 0-100 km/h
  • Smallest trunk

Choose cars to compare

Brand
Model
Generation
Engine or modification
BMW M3 Convertible (E36) 3.2
AC Ace 4.6 i V8 32V
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