Car comparison

BMW M3 Coupe (E46) 3.2i 24VvsAC Cobra (MK IV) 5.0 V8

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

New comparison

BMW M3 Coupe (E46)

3.2i 24V

343 hp3246 ccGasolineRWDManualNaturally aspiratedCoupe2000-2003
VS

AC Cobra (MK IV)

5.0 V8

370 hp4942 ccGasolineRWDManualNaturally aspiratedCoupe2000-2001

Comparison overview

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

Best choices

BMW M3 Coupe (E46) 3.2i 24V

  • Quickest 0-100 km/h
    5.2 s
  • Fastest top speed
    265 km/h
    165 mph Unrestricted
    250 km/h
    155 mph Restricted
  • Largest trunk
    410 L
  • Best overall score
    65/100
  • Best economy score
    75/100
  • Best practicality score
    56/100

AC Cobra (MK IV) 5.0 V8

  • Most powerful
    370 hp
    276 kW
  • Highest torque
    579 Nm
    427 lb-ft
  • Lightest
    900 kg
    1,984 lb
  • Best power-to-weight
    411 hp/t
    307 kW/t
    2.4 kg/hp
  • Lowest city consumption
    14.1 L/100 km
    16.7 mpg US
    20.0 mpg UK
  • Best performance score
    77/100

Specification comparison

Specification comparison
ModelBMWM3 Coupe (E46)3.2i 24VACCobra (MK IV)5.0 V8
Power
343hp256kW
370hp276kW
Torque
365Nm269lb-ft
579Nm427lb-ft
Curb weight
1,495kg3,296lb
900kg1,984lb
Gross weight
2,000kg4,409lb
1,340kg2,954lb
Top speed
Unrestricted
265 km/h165 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph
Calculated
Unrestricted
265 km/h165 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph
Calculated
To 99% top speed
68.4s99% target: 262 km/h / 163 mph
Calculated
52.2s99% target: 262 km/h / 163 mph
Calculated
0-100 km/h
5.2s
5.3s
0-200 km/h
17.8s
Calculated
15.8s
Calculated
0-60 mph
4.9s
Calculated
5.1s
Calculated
Fuel consumption
11.9L/100 km19.8mpg US23.7mpg UK
-
Fuel consumption city
17.8L/100 km13.2mpg US15.9mpg UK
14.1L/100 km16.7mpg US20.0mpg UK
Fuel consumption highway
8.4L/100 km28mpg US33.6mpg UK
-
Quarter mile
13.3s
Calculated
13.2s
Calculated
Power-to-weight
229hp/t171kW/t104hp/1000 lb
Calculated
411hp/t307kW/t186hp/1000 lb
Calculated
Torque-to-weight
244Nm/t163lb-ft/ton
Calculated
643Nm/t430lb-ft/ton
Calculated
Estimated range
529km329mi
Calculated
-
Displacement
3,246cc198cu in
4,942cc302cu in
Length
4,492mm177in
4,200mm165in
Width
1,780mm70in
1,746mm69in
Height
1,372mm54in
1,200mm47in
Wheelbase
2,731mm108in
2,285mm90in
Front track
1,508mm59in
1,420mm56in
Rear track
1,525mm60in
1,485mm58in
Trunk volume
410L
-
Max trunk volume-
270L
Doors
2
2
Seats
5
2
Fuel tank
63L
75L

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 Coupe (E46) 3.2i 24VAC Cobra (MK IV) 5.0 V8PowerTorque
  • BMW M3 Coupe (E46) 3.2i 24V: Power / Torque
  • AC Cobra (MK IV) 5.0 V8: Power / Torque
Dyno simulation data table
VehiclePeak power RPMPeak torque RPMMax engine speed
BMWM3 Coupe (E46)3.2i 24V7,900 rpm4,900 rpm8,150 rpm
ACCobra (MK IV)5.0 V85,750 rpm4,500 rpm6,000 rpm

Acceleration curve

Estimated speed over time for selected vehicles.

Acceleration and drag-race table
MetricBMWM3 Coupe (E46)3.2i 24VACCobra (MK IV)5.0 V8
Acceleration checkpoints
0-60 mph
0-97 km/h
4.9 s
5.1 s
0-100 km/h
0-62 mph
5.2 s
5.3 s
0-200 km/h
0-124 mph
17.8 s
15.8 s
Top speed
Unrestricted
265 km/h165 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph
Likely limited
Unrestricted
265 km/h165 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph
Likely limited
Drag race simulation
60 ft
18 m
2.2 s
2.4 s
330 ft
101 m
5.8 s
6.0 s
1/8 mile
201 m
8.7 s
8.8 s
1000 ft
305 m
11.2 s
11.2 s
1/4 mile
402 m
13.3 s
13.2 s
Trap speed
1/4 mile
402 m
175 km/h
109 mph
183 km/h
114 mph

Power comparison

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

Chart data table
VehicleValue
BMWM3 Coupe (E46)3.2i 24V
343 hp
256 kW
ACCobra (MK IV)5.0 V8
370 hp
276 kW

AC Cobra (MK IV) 5.0 V8 has 27 hp more than BMW M3 Coupe (E46) 3.2i 24V.

The biggest power difference is between BMW M3 Coupe (E46) 3.2i 24V and AC Cobra (MK IV) 5.0 V8: 27 hp (20 kW).

Torque comparison

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

Chart data table
VehicleValue
BMWM3 Coupe (E46)3.2i 24V
365 Nm
269 lb-ft
ACCobra (MK IV)5.0 V8
579 Nm
427 lb-ft

Curb weight comparison

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

Chart data table
VehicleValue
BMWM3 Coupe (E46)3.2i 24V
1,495 kg
3,296 lb
ACCobra (MK IV)5.0 V8
900 kg
1,984 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 Coupe (E46)3.2i 24V
Unrestricted
265 km/h165 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph
ACCobra (MK IV)5.0 V8
Unrestricted
265 km/h165 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 Coupe (E46)3.2i 24V5.2 s
ACCobra (MK IV)5.0 V85.3 s

Although AC Cobra (MK IV) 5.0 V8 has more power, BMW M3 Coupe (E46) 3.2i 24V is quicker from 0-100 km/h.

The biggest 0-100 km/h difference is between BMW M3 Coupe (E46) 3.2i 24V and AC Cobra (MK IV) 5.0 V8: 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 Coupe (E46)3.2i 24V
229 hp/t
171 kW/t
4.4 kg/hp
ACCobra (MK IV)5.0 V8
411 hp/t
307 kW/t
2.4 kg/hp

Performance spider chart

Radar chart comparing normalized performance and fuel-consumption scores.

Chart data table
VehiclePowerAccelerationTop speed
BMWM3 Coupe (E46)3.2i 24V
343 hp
256 kW
5.2 s
Unrestricted
265 km/h165 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph
ACCobra (MK IV)5.0 V8
370 hp
276 kW
5.3 s
Unrestricted
265 km/h165 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 Coupe (E46)3.2i 24V
Power
343 hp
256 kW
0-100 km/h5.2 s
Top speed
Unrestricted
265 km/h165 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph
Doors/seats
2 doors
5 seats
Trunk
410 L
14.5 cu ft
Length
4,492 mm
176.9 in
Height
1,372 mm
54.0 in
ACCobra (MK IV)5.0 V8
Power
370 hp
276 kW
0-100 km/h5.3 s
Top speed
Unrestricted
265 km/h165 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph
Doors/seats
2 doors
2 seats
Trunk
270 L
9.5 cu ft
Length
4,200 mm
165.4 in
Height
1,200 mm
47.2 in

Detailed score breakdown

Detailed score breakdown
VehicleBMWM3 Coupe (E46)3.2i 24VACCobra (MK IV)5.0 V8
Power
343 hp
256 kW
370 hp
276 kW
Torque
365 Nm
269 lb-ft
579 Nm
427 lb-ft
Acceleration
5.2 s
5.3 s
Top speed
Unrestricted
265 km/h165 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph
Unrestricted
265 km/h165 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph
Lightness
1,495 kg
3,296 lb
900 kg
1,984 lb
Fuel consumption
11.9 L/100 km
19.8 mpg US
23.7 mpg UK
-
Practicality
Doors/seats
2 doors
5 seats
Trunk
410 L
14.5 cu ft
Length
4,492 mm
176.9 in
Height
1,372 mm
54.0 in
Doors/seats
2 doors
2 seats
Trunk
270 L
9.5 cu ft
Length
4,200 mm
165.4 in
Height
1,200 mm
47.2 in
Range score
529 km
329 mi
-
Trunk score
410 L
14.5 cu ft
270 L
9.5 cu ft
Power-to-weight score
229 hp/t
171 kW/t
4.4 kg/hp
411 hp/t
307 kW/t
2.4 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 Coupe (E46) 3.2i 24V
Consumption11.9 L/100 km19.8 mpg US23.7 mpg UK
Cost / 100 km20.83 LC100 km
Cost / 100 mi33.51 LC100 mi
Annual fuel used1,785 L472 US gal393 UK gal
Annual fuel cost3,124 LC/year

Head-to-head comparisons

BMW M3 Coupe (E46) 3.2i 24V

  • Is 0.1 s quicker from 0-100 km/h
  • Has 140 L more trunk volume

Pros

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

Cons

  • Lowest power
  • Heaviest

AC Cobra (MK IV) 5.0 V8

  • Has 27 hp more
  • Has 214 Nm more
  • Is 595 kg lighter
  • Has 182 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 Coupe (E46) 3.2i 24V
AC Cobra (MK IV) 5.0 V8
Compare selected cars
2 vehicles selected

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