Car comparison

BMW M3 Convertible (E36) 3.2vsAston Martin Virage Volante 5.3

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

Aston Martin Virage Volante

5.3

336 hp5340 ccGasolineRWDManualNaturally aspiratedCabriolet / convertible1990-1995

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
  • Lightest
    1,560 kg
    3,439 lb
  • Best power-to-weight
    206 hp/t
    153 kW/t
    4.9 kg/hp
  • Best overall score
    57/100
  • Best economy score
    77/100
  • Best practicality score
    42/100

Specification comparison

Specification comparison
ModelBMWM3 Convertible (E36)3.2Aston MartinVirage Volante5.3
Power
321hp239kW
336hp251kW
Torque
350Nm258lb-ft
510Nm376lb-ft
Curb weight
1,560kg3,439lb
1,790kg3,946lb
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
88.1s99% target: 257 km/h / 160 mph
Calculated
0-100 km/h
5.6s
6.0s
0-200 km/h
20.1s
Calculated
22.5s
Calculated
0-60 mph
5.3s
Calculated
5.7s
Calculated
Fuel consumption
11.1L/100 km21.2mpg US25.4mpg UK
-
Fuel consumption city
17L/100 km13.8mpg US16.6mpg UK
-
Fuel consumption highway
7.7L/100 km30.5mpg US36.7mpg UK
-
Quarter mile
13.7s
Calculated
14.1s
Calculated
Power-to-weight
206hp/t153kW/t93hp/1000 lb
Calculated
188hp/t140kW/t85hp/1000 lb
Calculated
Torque-to-weight
224Nm/t150lb-ft/ton
Calculated
285Nm/t191lb-ft/ton
Calculated
Estimated range
559km347mi
Calculated
-
Displacement
3,201cc195cu in
5,340cc326cu in
Length
4,433mm175in
4,737mm186in
Width
1,710mm67in
1,854mm73in
Height
1,340mm53in
1,321mm52in
Wheelbase
2,700mm106in
2,610mm103in
Front track
1,422mm56in
-
Rear track
1,444mm57in
-
Trunk volume
230L
-
Max trunk volume-
330L
Doors
2
2
Seats
4
2
Fuel tank
62L
113L

Performance charts

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

Acceleration curve

Estimated speed over time for selected vehicles.

Acceleration and drag-race table
MetricBMWM3 Convertible (E36)3.2Aston MartinVirage Volante5.3
Acceleration checkpoints
0-60 mph
0-97 km/h
5.3 s
5.7 s
0-100 km/h
0-62 mph
5.6 s
6.0 s
0-200 km/h
0-124 mph
20.1 s
22.5 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
6.1 s
1/8 mile
201 m
9.0 s
9.2 s
1000 ft
305 m
11.6 s
11.9 s
1/4 mile
402 m
13.7 s
14.1 s
Trap speed
1/4 mile
402 m
169 km/h
105 mph
164 km/h
102 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
Aston MartinVirage Volante5.3
336 hp
251 kW

Aston Martin Virage Volante 5.3 has 15 hp more than BMW M3 Convertible (E36) 3.2.

The biggest power difference is between BMW M3 Convertible (E36) 3.2 and Aston Martin Virage Volante 5.3: 15 hp (11 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
Aston MartinVirage Volante5.3
510 Nm
376 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
Aston MartinVirage Volante5.3
1,790 kg
3,946 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
Aston MartinVirage Volante5.3
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
Aston MartinVirage Volante5.36.0 s

Although Aston Martin Virage Volante 5.3 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 Aston Martin Virage Volante 5.3: 0.4 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
Aston MartinVirage Volante5.3
188 hp/t
140 kW/t
5.3 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
Aston MartinVirage Volante5.3
336 hp
251 kW
6.0 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
Aston MartinVirage Volante5.3
Power
336 hp
251 kW
0-100 km/h6.0 s
Top speed
Unrestricted
260 km/h162 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph
Doors/seats
2 doors
2 seats
Trunk
330 L
11.7 cu ft
Length
4,737 mm
186.5 in
Height
1,321 mm
52.0 in

Detailed score breakdown

Detailed score breakdown
VehicleBMWM3 Convertible (E36)3.2Aston MartinVirage Volante5.3
Power
321 hp
239 kW
336 hp
251 kW
Torque
350 Nm
258 lb-ft
510 Nm
376 lb-ft
Acceleration
5.6 s
6.0 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
1,790 kg
3,946 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
330 L
11.7 cu ft
Length
4,737 mm
186.5 in
Height
1,321 mm
52.0 in
Range score
559 km
347 mi
-
Trunk score
230 L
8.1 cu ft
330 L
11.7 cu ft
Power-to-weight score
206 hp/t
153 kW/t
4.9 kg/hp
188 hp/t
140 kW/t
5.3 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 230 kg lighter
  • Is 0.4 s quicker from 0-100 km/h
  • Has 18 hp/t better power-to-weight

Pros

  • Quickest 0-100 km/h in this comparison
  • Highest top speed
  • Lightest
  • Best power-to-weight ratio

Cons

  • Lowest power
  • Smallest trunk

Aston Martin Virage Volante 5.3

  • Has 15 hp more
  • Has 160 Nm more
  • Has 100 L more trunk volume

Pros

  • Most powerful
  • Highest torque
  • Largest trunk

Cons

  • Slowest 0-100 km/h
  • Heaviest

Choose cars to compare

Brand
Model
Generation
Engine or modification
BMW M3 Convertible (E36) 3.2
Aston Martin Virage Volante 5.3
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