Car comparison

BMW 3 Series Coupe (E46) 328CivsBMW 3 Series Convertible (E36) 328i

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

New comparison

BMW 3 Series Coupe (E46)

328Ci

193 hp2798 ccGasolineRWDManualNaturally aspiratedCoupe1999-2000
VS

BMW 3 Series Convertible (E36)

328i

193 hp2793 ccGasolineRWDAutomaticNaturally aspiratedCabriolet / convertible1995-1999

Comparison overview

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

Best choices

BMW 3 Series Coupe (E46) 328Ci

  • Quickest 0-100 km/h
    7.0 s
  • Fastest top speed
    242 km/h
    150 mph
  • Most powerful
    193 hp
    144 kW
  • Highest torque
    280 Nm
    207 lb-ft
  • Lightest
    1,395 kg
    3,075 lb
  • Best power-to-weight
    138 hp/t
    103 kW/t
    7.2 kg/hp
  • Lowest city consumption
    12.5 L/100 km
    18.8 mpg US
    22.6 mpg UK
  • Largest trunk
    440 L
  • Best overall score
    54/100
  • Best performance score
    53/100
  • Best practicality score
    57/100

Specification comparison

Specification comparison
ModelBMW3 Series Coupe (E46)328CiBMW3 Series Convertible (E36)328i
Power
193hp144kW
193hp144kW
Torque
280Nm207lb-ft
280Nm207lb-ft
Curb weight
1,395kg3,075lb
1,505kg3,318lb
Gross weight
1,895kg4,178lb
1,830kg4,034lb
Top speed
242 km/h
150 mph
Unrestricted
240 km/h149 mph
Restricted
230 km/h143 mph
Calculated
To 99% top speed
89.5s99% target: 240 km/h / 149 mph
Calculated
98.5s99% target: 238 km/h / 148 mph
Calculated
0-100 km/h
7.0s
7.7s
0-200 km/h
28.6s
Calculated
32.1s
Calculated
0-60 mph
6.6s
Calculated
7.3s
Calculated
Fuel consumption-
9.3L/100 km25.3mpg US30.4mpg UK
Fuel consumption city
12.5L/100 km18.8mpg US22.6mpg UK
13.5L/100 km17.4mpg US20.9mpg UK
Fuel consumption highway
7L/100 km33.6mpg US40.4mpg UK
6.8L/100 km34.6mpg US41.5mpg UK
Quarter mile
15.0s
Calculated
15.5s
Calculated
Power-to-weight
138hp/t103kW/t63hp/1000 lb
Calculated
128hp/t96kW/t58hp/1000 lb
Calculated
Torque-to-weight
201Nm/t134lb-ft/ton
Calculated
186Nm/t124lb-ft/ton
Calculated
Estimated range-
667km414mi
Calculated
Displacement
2,798cc171cu in
2,793cc170cu in
Length
4,488mm177in
4,435mm175in
Width
1,757mm69in
1,710mm67in
Height
1,369mm54in
1,350mm53in
Wheelbase
2,725mm107in
2,700mm106in
Front track
1,471mm58in
1,410mm56in
Rear track
1,478mm58in
1,420mm56in
Ground clearance-
110mm4in
Trunk volume
440L
230L
Doors
2
2
Seats
5
4
Fuel tank
63L
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 Coupe (E46) 328CiBMW 3 Series Convertible (E36) 328iPowerTorque
  • BMW 3 Series Coupe (E46) 328Ci: Power / Torque
  • BMW 3 Series Convertible (E36) 328i: Power / Torque
Dyno simulation data table
VehiclePeak power RPMPeak torque RPMMax engine speed
BMW3 Series Coupe (E46)328Ci5,500 rpm3,500 rpm5,750 rpm
BMW3 Series Convertible (E36)328i5,500 rpm3,500 rpm5,750 rpm

Acceleration curve

Estimated speed over time for selected vehicles.

Acceleration and drag-race table
MetricBMW3 Series Coupe (E46)328CiBMW3 Series Convertible (E36)328i
Acceleration checkpoints
0-60 mph
0-97 km/h
6.6 s
7.3 s
0-100 km/h
0-62 mph
7.0 s
7.7 s
0-200 km/h
0-124 mph
28.6 s
32.1 s
Top speed
242 km/h
150 mph
Unrestricted
240 km/h149 mph
Restricted
230 km/h143 mph
Likely limited
Drag race simulation
60 ft
18 m
2.5 s
2.5 s
330 ft
101 m
6.5 s
6.8 s
1/8 mile
201 m
9.8 s
10.2 s
1000 ft
305 m
12.6 s
13.1 s
1/4 mile
402 m
15.0 s
15.5 s
Trap speed
1/4 mile
402 m
154 km/h
96 mph
149 km/h
93 mph

Power comparison

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

Chart data table
VehicleValue
BMW3 Series Coupe (E46)328Ci
193 hp
144 kW
BMW3 Series Convertible (E36)328i
193 hp
144 kW

Torque comparison

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

Chart data table
VehicleValue
BMW3 Series Coupe (E46)328Ci
280 Nm
207 lb-ft
BMW3 Series Convertible (E36)328i
280 Nm
207 lb-ft

Curb weight comparison

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

Chart data table
VehicleValue
BMW3 Series Coupe (E46)328Ci
1,395 kg
3,075 lb
BMW3 Series Convertible (E36)328i
1,505 kg
3,318 lb

Top speed without limiter comparison

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

Chart data table
VehicleValue
BMW3 Series Coupe (E46)328Ci
242 km/h
150 mph
BMW3 Series Convertible (E36)328i
Unrestricted
240 km/h149 mph
Restricted
230 km/h143 mph

0-100 km/h comparison

Bar comparison chart for 0-100 km/h. Lower is better · seconds

Chart data table
VehicleValue
BMW3 Series Coupe (E46)328Ci7.0 s
BMW3 Series Convertible (E36)328i7.7 s

The biggest 0-100 km/h difference is between BMW 3 Series Coupe (E46) 328Ci and BMW 3 Series Convertible (E36) 328i: 0.7 s.

Power-to-weight comparison

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

Chart data table
VehicleValue
BMW3 Series Coupe (E46)328Ci
138 hp/t
103 kW/t
7.2 kg/hp
BMW3 Series Convertible (E36)328i
128 hp/t
96 kW/t
7.8 kg/hp

Performance spider chart

Radar chart comparing normalized performance and fuel-consumption scores.

Chart data table
VehiclePowerAccelerationTop speed
BMW3 Series Coupe (E46)328Ci
193 hp
144 kW
7.0 s
242 km/h
150 mph
BMW3 Series Convertible (E36)328i
193 hp
144 kW
7.7 s
Unrestricted
240 km/h149 mph
Restricted
230 km/h143 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
BMW3 Series Coupe (E46)328Ci
Power
193 hp
144 kW
0-100 km/h7.0 s
Top speed
242 km/h
150 mph
Doors/seats
2 doors
5 seats
Trunk
440 L
15.5 cu ft
Length
4,488 mm
176.7 in
Height
1,369 mm
53.9 in
BMW3 Series Convertible (E36)328i
Power
193 hp
144 kW
0-100 km/h7.7 s
Top speed
Unrestricted
240 km/h149 mph
Restricted
230 km/h143 mph
Doors/seats
2 doors
4 seats
Trunk
230 L
8.1 cu ft
Length
4,435 mm
174.6 in
Height
1,350 mm
53.1 in

Detailed score breakdown

Detailed score breakdown
VehicleBMW3 Series Coupe (E46)328CiBMW3 Series Convertible (E36)328i
Power
193 hp
144 kW
193 hp
144 kW
Torque
280 Nm
207 lb-ft
280 Nm
207 lb-ft
Acceleration
7.0 s
7.7 s
Top speed
242 km/h
150 mph
Unrestricted
240 km/h149 mph
Restricted
230 km/h143 mph
Lightness
1,395 kg
3,075 lb
1,505 kg
3,318 lb
Fuel consumption
-
9.3 L/100 km
25.3 mpg US
30.4 mpg UK
Practicality
Doors/seats
2 doors
5 seats
Trunk
440 L
15.5 cu ft
Length
4,488 mm
176.7 in
Height
1,369 mm
53.9 in
Doors/seats
2 doors
4 seats
Trunk
230 L
8.1 cu ft
Length
4,435 mm
174.6 in
Height
1,350 mm
53.1 in
Range score
-
667 km
414 mi
Trunk score
440 L
15.5 cu ft
230 L
8.1 cu ft
Power-to-weight score
138 hp/t
103 kW/t
7.2 kg/hp
128 hp/t
96 kW/t
7.8 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 3 Series Convertible (E36) 328i
Consumption9.3 L/100 km25.3 mpg US30.4 mpg UK
Cost / 100 km16.28 LC100 km
Cost / 100 mi26.19 LC100 mi
Annual fuel used1,395 L369 US gal307 UK gal
Annual fuel cost2,441 LC/year

Head-to-head comparisons

BMW 3 Series Coupe (E46) 328Ci

  • Is 110 kg lighter
  • Is 0.7 s quicker from 0-100 km/h
  • Has 2 km/h (1 mph) higher top speed
  • Has 10 hp/t better power-to-weight
  • Has 210 L more trunk volume

Pros

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

Choose cars to compare

Brand
Model
Generation
Engine or modification
BMW 3 Series Coupe (E46) 328Ci
BMW 3 Series Convertible (E36) 328i
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2 vehicles selected

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BMW 3 Series Coupe (E46) 328Ci vs BMW 3 Series Convertible (E36) 328i - car comparison - FastVsFaster