BMW 3 Series Convertible (E36)
Car comparison
BMW 3 Series Convertible (E36) 328ivsBMW 3 Series Coupe (E36) 325i
Compare specs, acceleration, fuel consumption, dimensions, practicality, and estimated running costs side by side.
New comparisonBMW 3 Series Coupe (E36)
325i
Comparison overview
Use the estimates as comparison hints and verify exact figures before making decisions.
Best choices
BMW 3 Series Coupe (E36) 325i
- Lightest1,330 kg2,932 lb
- Best power-to-weight144 hp/t108 kW/t6.9 kg/hp
- Lowest combined fuel consumption8.8 L/100 km26.7 mpg US32.1 mpg UK
- Lowest city consumption12.9 L/100 km18.2 mpg US21.9 mpg UK
- Lowest highway consumption6.7 L/100 km35.1 mpg US42.2 mpg UK
- Best estimated range705 km438 mi
- Largest trunk405 L
- Best overall score51/100
- Best economy score83/100
- Best practicality score56/100
BMW 3 Series Convertible (E36) 328i
- Quickest 0-100 km/h7.7 s
- Fastest top speed240 km/h149 mph Unrestricted230 km/h143 mph Restricted
- Most powerful193 hp144 kW
- Highest torque280 Nm207 lb-ft
- Best performance score50/100
Specification comparison
| Model | BMW3 Series Convertible (E36)328i | BMW3 Series Coupe (E36)325i |
|---|---|---|
| Power | 193hp144kW | 192hp143kW |
| Torque | 280Nm207lb-ft | 244Nm180lb-ft |
| Curb weight | 1,505kg3,318lb | 1,330kg2,932lb |
| Gross weight | 1,830kg4,034lb | 1,790kg3,946lb |
| Top speed | Unrestricted 240 km/h149 mph Restricted 230 km/h143 mph Calculated | 232 km/h 144 mph |
| To 99% top speed | 98.5s99% target: 238 km/h / 148 mph Calculated | 93.3s99% target: 230 km/h / 143 mph Calculated |
| 0-100 km/h | 7.7s | 8.0s |
| 0-200 km/h | 32.1s Calculated | 34.8s Calculated |
| 0-60 mph | 7.3s Calculated | 7.6s Calculated |
| Fuel consumption | 9.3L/100 km25.3mpg US30.4mpg UK | 8.8L/100 km26.7mpg US32.1mpg UK |
| Fuel consumption city | 13.5L/100 km17.4mpg US20.9mpg UK | 12.9L/100 km18.2mpg US21.9mpg UK |
| Fuel consumption highway | 6.8L/100 km34.6mpg US41.5mpg UK | 6.7L/100 km35.1mpg US42.2mpg UK |
| Quarter mile | 15.5s Calculated | 15.8s Calculated |
| Power-to-weight | 128hp/t96kW/t58hp/1000 lb Calculated | 144hp/t108kW/t65hp/1000 lb Calculated |
| Torque-to-weight | 186Nm/t124lb-ft/ton Calculated | 183Nm/t123lb-ft/ton Calculated |
| Estimated range | 667km414mi Calculated | 705km438mi Calculated |
| Displacement | 2,793cc170cu in | 2,494cc152cu in |
| Length | 4,435mm175in | 4,433mm175in |
| Width | 1,710mm67in | 1,710mm67in |
| Height | 1,350mm53in | 1,366mm54in |
| Wheelbase | 2,700mm106in | 2,700mm106in |
| Front track | 1,410mm56in | 1,408mm55in |
| Rear track | 1,420mm56in | 1,421mm56in |
| Ground clearance | 110mm4in | 110mm4in |
| Trunk volume | 230L | 405L |
| Doors | 2 | 2 |
| Seats | 4 | 5 |
| Fuel tank | 62L | 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.
- BMW 3 Series Convertible (E36) 328i: Power / Torque
- BMW 3 Series Coupe (E36) 325i: Power / Torque
| Vehicle | Peak power RPM | Peak torque RPM | Max engine speed |
|---|---|---|---|
| BMW3 Series Convertible (E36)328i | 5,500 rpm | 3,500 rpm | 5,750 rpm |
| BMW3 Series Coupe (E36)325i | 5,900 rpm | 4,200 rpm | 6,150 rpm |
Acceleration curve
Estimated speed over time for selected vehicles.
| Metric | BMW3 Series Convertible (E36)328i | BMW3 Series Coupe (E36)325i |
|---|---|---|
| Acceleration checkpoints | ||
0-60 mph 0-97 km/h | 7.3 s | 7.6 s |
0-100 km/h 0-62 mph | 7.7 s | 8.0 s |
0-200 km/h 0-124 mph | 32.1 s | 34.8 s |
| Top speed | Unrestricted 240 km/h149 mph Restricted 230 km/h143 mph Likely limited | 232 km/h 144 mph |
| Drag race simulation | ||
60 ft 18 m | 2.5 s | 2.6 s |
330 ft 101 m | 6.8 s | 6.9 s |
1/8 mile 201 m | 10.2 s | 10.3 s |
1000 ft 305 m | 13.1 s | 13.3 s |
1/4 mile 402 m | 15.5 s | 15.8 s |
Trap speed 1/4 mile 402 m | 149 km/h 93 mph | 147 km/h 92 mph |
Power comparison
Bar comparison chart for Power. Higher is better · hp / kW
| Vehicle | Value |
|---|---|
| BMW3 Series Convertible (E36)328i | 193 hp 144 kW |
| BMW3 Series Coupe (E36)325i | 192 hp 143 kW |
BMW 3 Series Convertible (E36) 328i has 1 hp more than BMW 3 Series Coupe (E36) 325i.
The biggest power difference is between BMW 3 Series Coupe (E36) 325i and BMW 3 Series Convertible (E36) 328i: 1 hp (1 kW).
Torque comparison
Bar comparison chart for Torque. Higher is better · Nm / lb-ft
| Vehicle | Value |
|---|---|
| BMW3 Series Convertible (E36)328i | 280 Nm 207 lb-ft |
| BMW3 Series Coupe (E36)325i | 244 Nm 180 lb-ft |
Curb weight comparison
Bar comparison chart for Curb weight. Lower is better · kg / lb
| Vehicle | Value |
|---|---|
| BMW3 Series Convertible (E36)328i | 1,505 kg 3,318 lb |
| BMW3 Series Coupe (E36)325i | 1,330 kg 2,932 lb |
Top speed without limiter comparison
Bar comparison chart for Top speed without limiter. Higher is better · km/h / mph
| Vehicle | Value |
|---|---|
| BMW3 Series Convertible (E36)328i | Unrestricted 240 km/h149 mph Restricted 230 km/h143 mph |
| BMW3 Series Coupe (E36)325i | 232 km/h 144 mph |
0-100 km/h comparison
Bar comparison chart for 0-100 km/h. Lower is better · seconds
| Vehicle | Value |
|---|---|
| BMW3 Series Convertible (E36)328i | 7.7 s |
| BMW3 Series Coupe (E36)325i | 8.0 s |
The biggest 0-100 km/h difference is between BMW 3 Series Convertible (E36) 328i and BMW 3 Series Coupe (E36) 325i: 0.3 s.
Fuel consumption comparison
Bar comparison chart for Fuel consumption. Lower is better · L/100 km / mpg US / mpg UK
| Vehicle | Value |
|---|---|
| BMW3 Series Convertible (E36)328i | 9.3 L/100 km 25.3 mpg US 30.4 mpg UK |
| BMW3 Series Coupe (E36)325i | 8.8 L/100 km 26.7 mpg US 32.1 mpg UK |
The biggest fuel consumption difference is between BMW 3 Series Coupe (E36) 325i and BMW 3 Series Convertible (E36) 328i: 0.5 L/100 km.
Power-to-weight comparison
Bar comparison chart for Power-to-weight. Higher is better · hp/t / kW/t
| Vehicle | Value |
|---|---|
| BMW3 Series Convertible (E36)328i | 128 hp/t 96 kW/t 7.8 kg/hp |
| BMW3 Series Coupe (E36)325i | 144 hp/t 108 kW/t 6.9 kg/hp |
Estimated range comparison
Bar comparison chart for Estimated range. Higher is better · km / mi
| Vehicle | Value |
|---|---|
| BMW3 Series Convertible (E36)328i | 667 km 414 mi |
| BMW3 Series Coupe (E36)325i | 705 km 438 mi |
Performance spider chart
Radar chart comparing normalized performance and fuel-consumption scores.
| Vehicle | Power | Acceleration | Top speed |
|---|---|---|---|
| BMW3 Series Convertible (E36)328i | 193 hp 144 kW | 7.7 s | Unrestricted 240 km/h149 mph Restricted 230 km/h143 mph |
| BMW3 Series Coupe (E36)325i | 192 hp 143 kW | 8.0 s | 232 km/h 144 mph |
Most attractive quadrant
Scatter chart with performance score on the X axis and practicality score on the Y axis.
| Vehicle | Performance score | Practicality score | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BMW3 Series Convertible (E36)328i |
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| BMW3 Series Coupe (E36)325i |
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Performance vs fuel economy
Cars closer to the top-right corner combine stronger performance with better fuel economy scores.
| Vehicle | Performance score | Fuel economy score | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BMW3 Series Convertible (E36)328i |
| 9.3 L/100 km 25.3 mpg US 30.4 mpg UK | ||||||
| BMW3 Series Coupe (E36)325i |
| 8.8 L/100 km 26.7 mpg US 32.1 mpg UK | ||||||
BMW 3 Series Convertible (E36) 328i 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.
| Vehicle | Fuel consumption, L/100 km | 0-100 km/h, s |
|---|---|---|
| BMW3 Series Convertible (E36)328i | 9.3 L/100 km 25.3 mpg US 30.4 mpg UK | 7.7 s |
| BMW3 Series Coupe (E36)325i | 8.8 L/100 km 26.7 mpg US 32.1 mpg UK | 8.0 s |
Power-to-weight vs fuel consumption
The shaded area favors higher power-to-weight with lower combined fuel consumption.
| Vehicle | Power-to-weight, hp/t | Fuel consumption, L/100 km |
|---|---|---|
| BMW3 Series Convertible (E36)328i | 128 hp/t 96 kW/t 7.8 kg/hp | 9.3 L/100 km 25.3 mpg US 30.4 mpg UK |
| BMW3 Series Coupe (E36)325i | 144 hp/t 108 kW/t 6.9 kg/hp | 8.8 L/100 km 26.7 mpg US 32.1 mpg UK |
Detailed score breakdown
| Vehicle | BMW3 Series Convertible (E36)328i | BMW3 Series Coupe (E36)325i | ||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Power | 193 hp 144 kW | 192 hp 143 kW | ||||||||||||||||
| Torque | 280 Nm 207 lb-ft | 244 Nm 180 lb-ft | ||||||||||||||||
| Acceleration | 7.7 s | 8.0 s | ||||||||||||||||
| Top speed | Unrestricted 240 km/h149 mph Restricted 230 km/h143 mph | 232 km/h 144 mph | ||||||||||||||||
| Lightness | 1,505 kg 3,318 lb | 1,330 kg 2,932 lb | ||||||||||||||||
| Fuel consumption | 9.3 L/100 km 25.3 mpg US 30.4 mpg UK | 8.8 L/100 km 26.7 mpg US 32.1 mpg UK | ||||||||||||||||
| Practicality |
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| Range score | 667 km 414 mi | 705 km 438 mi | ||||||||||||||||
| Trunk score | 230 L 8.1 cu ft | 405 L 14.3 cu ft | ||||||||||||||||
| Power-to-weight score | 128 hp/t 96 kW/t 7.8 kg/hp | 144 hp/t 108 kW/t 6.9 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
| Vehicle | BMW 3 Series Convertible (E36) 328i | BMW 3 Series Coupe (E36) 325i |
|---|---|---|
| Consumption | 9.3 L/100 km25.3 mpg US30.4 mpg UK | 8.8 L/100 km26.7 mpg US32.1 mpg UK |
| Cost / 100 km | 16.28 LC100 km | 15.40 LC100 km |
| Cost / 100 mi | 26.19 LC100 mi | 24.78 LC100 mi |
| Annual fuel used | 1,395 L369 US gal307 UK gal | 1,320 L349 US gal290 UK gal |
| Annual fuel cost | 2,441 LC/year | 2,310 LC/year |
Head-to-head comparisons
BMW 3 Series Convertible (E36) 328i
- Has 1 hp more
- Has 36 Nm more
- Is 0.3 s quicker from 0-100 km/h
- Has 8 km/h (5 mph) higher top speed
Pros
- Quickest 0-100 km/h in this comparison
- Highest top speed
- Most powerful
- Highest torque
Cons
- Highest combined fuel consumption
- Heaviest
- Smallest trunk
BMW 3 Series Coupe (E36) 325i
- Is 175 kg lighter
- Uses 0.5 L/100 km less fuel
- Has 16 hp/t better power-to-weight
- Has 38 km (24 mi) more estimated range
- Has 175 L more trunk volume
Pros
- Lightest
- Lowest combined fuel consumption
- Best power-to-weight ratio
- Best estimated range
- Largest trunk
Cons
- Slowest 0-100 km/h
- Lowest power
- Lowest top speed
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