Car comparison

BMW M3 Convertible (E46) 3.2i 24VvsAC 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 (E46)

3.2i 24V

343 hp3246 ccGasolineRWDManualNaturally aspiratedCabriolet / convertible2001-2006
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 (E46) 3.2i 24V

  • Quickest 0-100 km/h
    5.5 s
  • Fastest top speed
    260 km/h
    162 mph Unrestricted
    250 km/h
    155 mph Restricted
  • Most powerful
    343 hp
    256 kW
  • Lowest highway consumption
    8.8 L/100 km
    26.7 mpg US
    32.1 mpg UK
  • Largest trunk
    300 L
  • Best overall score
    59/100
  • Best economy score
    74/100
  • Best practicality score
    44/100

AC Ace 4.6 i V8 32V

  • 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 (E46)3.2i 24VACAce4.6 i V8 32V
Power
343hp256kW
326hp243kW
Torque
365Nm269lb-ft
427Nm315lb-ft
Curb weight
1,655kg3,649lb
1,510kg3,329lb
Gross weight
2,100kg4,630lb
-
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
76.2s99% target: 257 km/h / 160 mph
Calculated
74.2s99% target: 257 km/h / 160 mph
Calculated
0-100 km/h
5.5s
5.7s
0-200 km/h
20.0s
Calculated
20.1s
Calculated
0-60 mph
5.2s
Calculated
5.4s
Calculated
Fuel consumption
12.1L/100 km19.4mpg US23.3mpg UK
-
Fuel consumption city
17.9L/100 km13.1mpg US15.8mpg UK
15.1L/100 km15.6mpg US18.7mpg UK
Fuel consumption highway
8.8L/100 km26.7mpg US32.1mpg UK
10.5L/100 km22.4mpg US26.9mpg UK
Quarter mile
13.6s
Calculated
13.8s
Calculated
Power-to-weight
207hp/t155kW/t94hp/1000 lb
Calculated
216hp/t161kW/t98hp/1000 lb
Calculated
Torque-to-weight
221Nm/t148lb-ft/ton
Calculated
283Nm/t189lb-ft/ton
Calculated
Estimated range
521km324mi
Calculated
-
Displacement
3,246cc198cu in
4,601cc281cu in
Length
4,492mm177in
4,420mm174in
Width
1,780mm70in
1,870mm74in
Height
1,363mm54in
1,300mm51in
Wheelbase
2,731mm108in
2,470mm97in
Front track
1,508mm59in
1,590mm63in
Rear track
1,525mm60in
1,570mm62in
Trunk volume
300L
185L
Max trunk volume-
300L
Doors
2
2
Seats
4
2
Fuel tank
63L
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 (E46) 3.2i 24VAC Ace 4.6 i V8 32VPowerTorque
  • BMW M3 Convertible (E46) 3.2i 24V: Power / Torque
  • AC Ace 4.6 i V8 32V: Power / Torque
Dyno simulation data table
VehiclePeak power RPMPeak torque RPMMax engine speed
BMWM3 Convertible (E46)3.2i 24V7,900 rpm4,900 rpm8,150 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 (E46)3.2i 24VACAce4.6 i V8 32V
Acceleration checkpoints
0-60 mph
0-97 km/h
5.2 s
5.4 s
0-100 km/h
0-62 mph
5.5 s
5.7 s
0-200 km/h
0-124 mph
20.0 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
2.2 s
2.3 s
330 ft
101 m
5.9 s
6.0 s
1/8 mile
201 m
8.9 s
9.1 s
1000 ft
305 m
11.5 s
11.6 s
1/4 mile
402 m
13.6 s
13.8 s
Trap speed
1/4 mile
402 m
170 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 (E46)3.2i 24V
343 hp
256 kW
ACAce4.6 i V8 32V
326 hp
243 kW

BMW M3 Convertible (E46) 3.2i 24V has 17 hp more than AC Ace 4.6 i V8 32V.

The biggest power difference is between AC Ace 4.6 i V8 32V and BMW M3 Convertible (E46) 3.2i 24V: 17 hp (13 kW).

Torque comparison

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

Chart data table
VehicleValue
BMWM3 Convertible (E46)3.2i 24V
365 Nm
269 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 (E46)3.2i 24V
1,655 kg
3,649 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 (E46)3.2i 24V
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 (E46)3.2i 24V5.5 s
ACAce4.6 i V8 32V5.7 s

The biggest 0-100 km/h difference is between BMW M3 Convertible (E46) 3.2i 24V and AC Ace 4.6 i V8 32V: 0.2 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 (E46)3.2i 24V
207 hp/t
155 kW/t
4.8 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 (E46)3.2i 24V
343 hp
256 kW
5.5 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 (E46)3.2i 24V
Power
343 hp
256 kW
0-100 km/h5.5 s
Top speed
Unrestricted
260 km/h162 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph
Doors/seats
2 doors
4 seats
Trunk
300 L
10.6 cu ft
Length
4,492 mm
176.9 in
Height
1,363 mm
53.7 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 (E46)3.2i 24VACAce4.6 i V8 32V
Power
343 hp
256 kW
326 hp
243 kW
Torque
365 Nm
269 lb-ft
427 Nm
315 lb-ft
Acceleration
5.5 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
1,655 kg
3,649 lb
1,510 kg
3,329 lb
Fuel consumption
12.1 L/100 km
19.4 mpg US
23.3 mpg UK
-
Practicality
Doors/seats
2 doors
4 seats
Trunk
300 L
10.6 cu ft
Length
4,492 mm
176.9 in
Height
1,363 mm
53.7 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
521 km
324 mi
-
Trunk score
300 L
10.6 cu ft
185 L
6.5 cu ft
Power-to-weight score
207 hp/t
155 kW/t
4.8 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 (E46) 3.2i 24V
Consumption12.1 L/100 km19.4 mpg US23.3 mpg UK
Cost / 100 km21.18 LC100 km
Cost / 100 mi34.08 LC100 mi
Annual fuel used1,815 L479 US gal399 UK gal
Annual fuel cost3,176 LC/year

Head-to-head comparisons

BMW M3 Convertible (E46) 3.2i 24V

  • Has 17 hp more
  • Is 0.2 s quicker from 0-100 km/h
  • Has 115 L more trunk volume

Pros

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

Cons

  • Heaviest

AC Ace 4.6 i V8 32V

  • Has 62 Nm more
  • Is 145 kg lighter
  • Has 9 hp/t better power-to-weight

Pros

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

Cons

  • Slowest 0-100 km/h
  • Lowest power
  • Smallest trunk

Choose cars to compare

Brand
Model
Generation
Engine or modification
BMW M3 Convertible (E46) 3.2i 24V
AC Ace 4.6 i V8 32V
Compare selected cars
2 vehicles selected

Popular comparisons

3.2i 24V
3.2
VS
BMWM3 Convertible (E46)3.2i 24VvsBMWM3 Convertible (E36)3.2
3.2i 24V
4.0 V8
VS
BMWM3 Convertible (E46)3.2i 24VvsBMWM3 Convertible (E93)4.0 V8
4.6 i V8 32V
AMG CLK 55 V8
VS
ACAce4.6 i V8 32VvsMercedes-BenzCLK (A208)Facelift 1999AMG CLK 55 V8
3.2i 24V
3.2i 24V
VS
BMWM3 Convertible (E46)3.2i 24VvsBMWM3 Coupe (E46)3.2i 24V
4.6 i V8 32V
Z28 5.7 i V8
VS
ACAce4.6 i V8 32VvsChevroletCamaro IVFacelift 1998Z28 5.7 i V8
3.2i 24V
3.2
VS
BMWM3 Convertible (E46)3.2i 24VvsBMWM3 Coupe (E36)3.2
4.6 i V8 32V
645Ci
VS
ACAce4.6 i V8 32VvsBMW6 Series Convertible (E64)645Ci
3.2i 24V
3.2
VS
BMWM3 Convertible (E46)3.2i 24VvsBMWM3 (E36)3.2
4.6 i V8 32V
5.3
VS
ACAce4.6 i V8 32VvsAston MartinVirage Volante5.3
3.2i 24V
4.0 V8
VS
BMWM3 Convertible (E46)3.2i 24VvsBMWM3 (E90)4.0 V8
4.6 i V8 32V
CLK 500
VS
ACAce4.6 i V8 32VvsMercedes-BenzCLK (A209)CLK 500
3.2i 24V
4.0 V8
VS
BMWM3 Convertible (E46)3.2i 24VvsBMWM3 Coupe (E92)4.0 V8
BMW M3 Convertible (E46) 3.2i 24V vs AC Ace 4.6 i V8 32V - car comparison - FastVsFaster