Car comparison

Alpina B8 (E36) 4.6 i V8 32VvsBMW M3 (E36) 3.2

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

New comparison

Alpina B8 (E36)

4.6 i V8 32V

333 hp4619 ccGasolineRWDManualNaturally aspiratedSedan1995-1998
VS

BMW M3 (E36)

3.2

321 hp3201 ccGasolineRWDManualNaturally aspiratedSedan1995-1998

Comparison overview

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

Best choices

Alpina B8 (E36) 4.6 i V8 32V

  • Fastest top speed
    281 km/h
    175 mph
  • Most powerful
    333 hp
    248 kW
  • Highest torque
    470 Nm
    347 lb-ft
  • Best power-to-weight
    222 hp/t
    166 kW/t
    4.5 kg/hp
  • Best estimated range
    841 km
    522 mi
  • Best overall score
    71/100
  • Best performance score
    71/100
  • Best economy score
    77/100

BMW M3 (E36) 3.2

  • Quickest 0-100 km/h
    5.5 s
  • Lightest
    1,460 kg
    3,219 lb
  • Lowest combined fuel consumption
    11.0 L/100 km
    21.4 mpg US
    25.7 mpg UK
  • Best practicality score
    76/100

Specification comparison

Specification comparison
ModelAlpinaB8 (E36)4.6 i V8 32VBMWM3 (E36)3.2
Power
333hp248kW
321hp239kW
Torque
470Nm347lb-ft
350Nm258lb-ft
Curb weight
1,500kg3,307lb
1,460kg3,219lb
Gross weight
1,980kg4,365lb
1,950kg4,299lb
Top speed
281 km/h
175 mph
Unrestricted
265 km/h165 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph
Calculated
To 99% top speed
56.4s99% target: 278 km/h / 173 mph
Calculated
51.8s99% target: 262 km/h / 163 mph
Calculated
0-100 km/h
5.6s
5.5s
0-200 km/h
15.6s
Calculated
16.1s
Calculated
0-60 mph
5.4s
Calculated
5.3s
Calculated
Fuel consumption
11.3L/100 km20.8mpg US25.0mpg UK
11L/100 km21.4mpg US25.7mpg UK
Fuel consumption city-
16.9L/100 km13.9mpg US16.7mpg UK
Fuel consumption highway-
7.5L/100 km31.4mpg US37.7mpg UK
Quarter mile
13.4s
Calculated
13.4s
Calculated
Power-to-weight
222hp/t166kW/t101hp/1000 lb
Calculated
220hp/t164kW/t100hp/1000 lb
Calculated
Torque-to-weight
313Nm/t210lb-ft/ton
Calculated
240Nm/t160lb-ft/ton
Calculated
Estimated range
841km522mi
Calculated
564km350mi
Calculated
Displacement
4,619cc282cu in
3,201cc195cu in
Length
4,433mm175in
4,433mm175in
Width
1,698mm67in
1,696mm67in
Height
1,373mm54in
1,365mm54in
Wheelbase
2,700mm106in
2,710mm107in
Front track
1,412mm56in
1,422mm56in
Rear track
1,434mm56in
1,438mm57in
Trunk volume
395L
-
Doors
4
4
Seats
5
5
Fuel tank
95L
62L

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.

Alpina B8 (E36) 4.6 i V8 32VBMW M3 (E36) 3.2PowerTorque
  • Alpina B8 (E36) 4.6 i V8 32V: Power / Torque
  • BMW M3 (E36) 3.2: Power / Torque
Dyno simulation data table
VehiclePeak power RPMPeak torque RPMMax engine speed
AlpinaB8 (E36)4.6 i V8 32V5,700 rpm3,900 rpm5,950 rpm
BMWM3 (E36)3.27,400 rpm3,250 rpm7,650 rpm

Acceleration curve

Estimated speed over time for selected vehicles.

Acceleration and drag-race table
MetricAlpinaB8 (E36)4.6 i V8 32VBMWM3 (E36)3.2
Acceleration checkpoints
0-60 mph
0-97 km/h
5.4 s
5.3 s
0-100 km/h
0-62 mph
5.6 s
5.5 s
0-200 km/h
0-124 mph
15.6 s
16.1 s
Top speed
281 km/h
175 mph
Unrestricted
265 km/h165 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph
Limited
Drag race simulation
60 ft
18 m
2.5 s
2.5 s
330 ft
101 m
6.2 s
6.1 s
1/8 mile
201 m
9.1 s
9.0 s
1000 ft
305 m
11.5 s
11.4 s
1/4 mile
402 m
13.4 s
13.4 s
Trap speed
1/4 mile
402 m
185 km/h
115 mph
183 km/h
113 mph

Power comparison

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

Chart data table
VehicleValue
AlpinaB8 (E36)4.6 i V8 32V
333 hp
248 kW
BMWM3 (E36)3.2
321 hp
239 kW

Alpina B8 (E36) 4.6 i V8 32V has 12 hp more than BMW M3 (E36) 3.2.

The biggest power difference is between BMW M3 (E36) 3.2 and Alpina B8 (E36) 4.6 i V8 32V: 12 hp (9 kW).

Torque comparison

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

Chart data table
VehicleValue
AlpinaB8 (E36)4.6 i V8 32V
470 Nm
347 lb-ft
BMWM3 (E36)3.2
350 Nm
258 lb-ft

Curb weight comparison

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

Chart data table
VehicleValue
AlpinaB8 (E36)4.6 i V8 32V
1,500 kg
3,307 lb
BMWM3 (E36)3.2
1,460 kg
3,219 lb

Top speed without limiter comparison

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

Chart data table
VehicleValue
AlpinaB8 (E36)4.6 i V8 32V
281 km/h
175 mph
BMWM3 (E36)3.2
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
AlpinaB8 (E36)4.6 i V8 32V5.6 s
BMWM3 (E36)3.25.5 s

Although Alpina B8 (E36) 4.6 i V8 32V has more power, BMW M3 (E36) 3.2 is quicker from 0-100 km/h.

The biggest 0-100 km/h difference is between BMW M3 (E36) 3.2 and Alpina B8 (E36) 4.6 i V8 32V: 0.1 s.

Fuel consumption comparison

Bar comparison chart for Fuel consumption. Lower is better · L/100 km / mpg US / mpg UK

Chart data table
VehicleValue
AlpinaB8 (E36)4.6 i V8 32V
11.3 L/100 km
20.8 mpg US
25.0 mpg UK
BMWM3 (E36)3.2
11.0 L/100 km
21.4 mpg US
25.7 mpg UK

Power-to-weight comparison

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

Chart data table
VehicleValue
AlpinaB8 (E36)4.6 i V8 32V
222 hp/t
166 kW/t
4.5 kg/hp
BMWM3 (E36)3.2
220 hp/t
164 kW/t
4.5 kg/hp

Estimated range comparison

Bar comparison chart for Estimated range. Higher is better · km / mi

Chart data table
VehicleValue
AlpinaB8 (E36)4.6 i V8 32V
841 km
522 mi
BMWM3 (E36)3.2
564 km
350 mi

Performance spider chart

Radar chart comparing normalized performance and fuel-consumption scores.

Chart data table
VehiclePowerAccelerationTop speed
AlpinaB8 (E36)4.6 i V8 32V
333 hp
248 kW
5.6 s
281 km/h
175 mph
BMWM3 (E36)3.2
321 hp
239 kW
5.5 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
AlpinaB8 (E36)4.6 i V8 32V
Power
333 hp
248 kW
0-100 km/h5.6 s
Top speed
281 km/h
175 mph
Doors/seats
4 doors
5 seats
Trunk
395 L
13.9 cu ft
Length
4,433 mm
174.5 in
Height
1,373 mm
54.1 in
BMWM3 (E36)3.2
Power
321 hp
239 kW
0-100 km/h5.5 s
Top speed
Unrestricted
265 km/h165 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph
Doors/seats
4 doors
5 seats
Trunk-
Length
4,433 mm
174.5 in
Height
1,365 mm
53.7 in

Performance vs fuel economy

Cars closer to the top-right corner combine stronger performance with better fuel economy scores.

Performance vs fuel economy data table
VehiclePerformance scoreFuel economy score
AlpinaB8 (E36)4.6 i V8 32V
Power
333 hp
248 kW
0-100 km/h5.6 s
Top speed
281 km/h
175 mph
11.3 L/100 km
20.8 mpg US
25.0 mpg UK
BMWM3 (E36)3.2
Power
321 hp
239 kW
0-100 km/h5.5 s
Top speed
Unrestricted
265 km/h165 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph
11.0 L/100 km
21.4 mpg US
25.7 mpg UK

Alpina B8 (E36) 4.6 i V8 32V is closest to the top-right balance target for performance and fuel economy.

Acceleration vs fuel consumption

Cars closer to the lower-left corner offer a better mix of quick acceleration and low fuel consumption.

Acceleration vs fuel consumption data table
VehicleFuel consumption, L/100 km0-100 km/h, s
AlpinaB8 (E36)4.6 i V8 32V
11.3 L/100 km
20.8 mpg US
25.0 mpg UK
5.6 s
BMWM3 (E36)3.2
11.0 L/100 km
21.4 mpg US
25.7 mpg UK
5.5 s

Power-to-weight vs fuel consumption

The shaded area favors higher power-to-weight with lower combined fuel consumption.

Power-to-weight vs fuel consumption data table
VehiclePower-to-weight, hp/tFuel consumption, L/100 km
AlpinaB8 (E36)4.6 i V8 32V
222 hp/t
166 kW/t
4.5 kg/hp
11.3 L/100 km
20.8 mpg US
25.0 mpg UK
BMWM3 (E36)3.2
220 hp/t
164 kW/t
4.5 kg/hp
11.0 L/100 km
21.4 mpg US
25.7 mpg UK

Detailed score breakdown

Detailed score breakdown
VehicleAlpinaB8 (E36)4.6 i V8 32VBMWM3 (E36)3.2
Power
333 hp
248 kW
321 hp
239 kW
Torque
470 Nm
347 lb-ft
350 Nm
258 lb-ft
Acceleration
5.6 s
5.5 s
Top speed
281 km/h
175 mph
Unrestricted
265 km/h165 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph
Lightness
1,500 kg
3,307 lb
1,460 kg
3,219 lb
Fuel consumption
11.3 L/100 km
20.8 mpg US
25.0 mpg UK
11.0 L/100 km
21.4 mpg US
25.7 mpg UK
Practicality
Doors/seats
4 doors
5 seats
Trunk
395 L
13.9 cu ft
Length
4,433 mm
174.5 in
Height
1,373 mm
54.1 in
Doors/seats
4 doors
5 seats
Trunk-
Length
4,433 mm
174.5 in
Height
1,365 mm
53.7 in
Range score
841 km
522 mi
564 km
350 mi
Trunk score
395 L
13.9 cu ft
-
Power-to-weight score
222 hp/t
166 kW/t
4.5 kg/hp
220 hp/t
164 kW/t
4.5 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
VehicleAlpina B8 (E36) 4.6 i V8 32VBMW M3 (E36) 3.2
Consumption11.3 L/100 km20.8 mpg US25 mpg UK11 L/100 km21.4 mpg US25.7 mpg UK
Cost / 100 km19.78 LC100 km19.25 LC100 km
Cost / 100 mi31.82 LC100 mi30.98 LC100 mi
Annual fuel used1,695 L448 US gal373 UK gal1,650 L436 US gal363 UK gal
Annual fuel cost2,966 LC/year2,888 LC/year

Head-to-head comparisons

Alpina B8 (E36) 4.6 i V8 32V

  • Has 12 hp more
  • Has 120 Nm more
  • Has 16 km/h (10 mph) higher top speed
  • Has 2 hp/t better power-to-weight
  • Has 277 km (172 mi) more estimated range

Pros

  • Highest top speed
  • Most powerful
  • Highest torque
  • Best power-to-weight ratio
  • Best estimated range

Cons

  • Slowest 0-100 km/h
  • Highest combined fuel consumption
  • Heaviest

BMW M3 (E36) 3.2

  • Is 40 kg lighter
  • Is 0.1 s quicker from 0-100 km/h
  • Uses 0.3 L/100 km less fuel

Pros

  • Quickest 0-100 km/h in this comparison
  • Lightest
  • Lowest combined fuel consumption

Cons

  • Lowest power
  • Lowest top speed

Choose cars to compare

Brand
Model
Generation
Engine or modification
Alpina B8 (E36) 4.6 i V8 32V
BMW M3 (E36) 3.2
Compare selected cars
2 vehicles selected

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