Car comparison

BMW 3 Series Sedan (E46) 330xivsBMW 3 Series Convertible (E36) 328i

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

New comparison

BMW 3 Series Sedan (E46)

330xi

231 hp2979 ccGasolineAWDManualNaturally aspiratedSedan2000-2001
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 Sedan (E46) 330xi

  • Quickest 0-100 km/h
    6.6 s
  • Fastest top speed
    247 km/h
    153 mph
  • Most powerful
    231 hp
    172 kW
  • Highest torque
    300 Nm
    221 lb-ft
  • Best power-to-weight
    145 hp/t
    108 kW/t
    6.9 kg/hp
  • Largest trunk
    440 L
  • Best overall score
    61/100
  • Best performance score
    56/100
  • Best practicality score
    73/100

BMW 3 Series Convertible (E36) 328i

  • Lightest
    1,505 kg
    3,318 lb
  • Lowest combined fuel consumption
    9.3 L/100 km
    25.3 mpg US
    30.4 mpg UK
  • Lowest city consumption
    13.5 L/100 km
    17.4 mpg US
    20.9 mpg UK
  • Lowest highway consumption
    6.8 L/100 km
    34.6 mpg US
    41.5 mpg UK
  • Best estimated range
    667 km
    414 mi
  • Best economy score
    82/100

Specification comparison

Specification comparison
ModelBMW3 Series Sedan (E46)330xiBMW3 Series Convertible (E36)328i
Power
231hp172kW
193hp144kW
Torque
300Nm221lb-ft
280Nm207lb-ft
Curb weight
1,595kg3,516lb
1,505kg3,318lb
Gross weight
2,095kg4,619lb
1,830kg4,034lb
Top speed
247 km/h
153 mph
Unrestricted
240 km/h149 mph
Restricted
230 km/h143 mph
Calculated
To 99% top speed
61.8s99% target: 245 km/h / 152 mph
Calculated
98.5s99% target: 238 km/h / 148 mph
Calculated
0-100 km/h
6.6s
7.7s
0-200 km/h
21.7s
Calculated
32.1s
Calculated
0-60 mph
6.3s
Calculated
7.3s
Calculated
Fuel consumption
9.9L/100 km23.8mpg US28.5mpg UK
9.3L/100 km25.3mpg US30.4mpg UK
Fuel consumption city
13.6L/100 km17.3mpg US20.8mpg UK
13.5L/100 km17.4mpg US20.9mpg UK
Fuel consumption highway
7.8L/100 km30.2mpg US36.2mpg UK
6.8L/100 km34.6mpg US41.5mpg UK
Quarter mile
14.5s
Calculated
15.5s
Calculated
Power-to-weight
145hp/t108kW/t66hp/1000 lb
Calculated
128hp/t96kW/t58hp/1000 lb
Calculated
Torque-to-weight
188Nm/t126lb-ft/ton
Calculated
186Nm/t124lb-ft/ton
Calculated
Estimated range
636km395mi
Calculated
667km414mi
Calculated
Displacement
2,979cc182cu in
2,793cc170cu in
Length
4,471mm176in
4,435mm175in
Width
1,739mm68in
1,710mm67in
Height
1,434mm56in
1,350mm53in
Wheelbase
2,725mm107in
2,700mm106in
Front track
1,471mm58in
1,410mm56in
Rear track
1,483mm58in
1,420mm56in
Ground clearance-
110mm4in
Trunk volume
440L
230L
Doors
4
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 Sedan (E46) 330xiBMW 3 Series Convertible (E36) 328iPowerTorque
  • BMW 3 Series Sedan (E46) 330xi: Power / Torque
  • BMW 3 Series Convertible (E36) 328i: Power / Torque
Dyno simulation data table
VehiclePeak power RPMPeak torque RPMMax engine speed
BMW3 Series Sedan (E46)330xi5,900 rpm3,500 rpm6,150 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 Sedan (E46)330xiBMW3 Series Convertible (E36)328i
Acceleration checkpoints
0-60 mph
0-97 km/h
6.3 s
7.3 s
0-100 km/h
0-62 mph
6.6 s
7.7 s
0-200 km/h
0-124 mph
21.7 s
32.1 s
Top speed
247 km/h
153 mph
Unrestricted
240 km/h149 mph
Restricted
230 km/h143 mph
Likely limited
Drag race simulation
60 ft
18 m
2.6 s
2.5 s
330 ft
101 m
6.6 s
6.8 s
1/8 mile
201 m
9.7 s
10.2 s
1000 ft
305 m
12.3 s
13.1 s
1/4 mile
402 m
14.5 s
15.5 s
Trap speed
1/4 mile
402 m
167 km/h
103 mph
149 km/h
93 mph

Power comparison

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

Chart data table
VehicleValue
BMW3 Series Sedan (E46)330xi
231 hp
172 kW
BMW3 Series Convertible (E36)328i
193 hp
144 kW

BMW 3 Series Sedan (E46) 330xi has 38 hp more than BMW 3 Series Convertible (E36) 328i.

The biggest power difference is between BMW 3 Series Convertible (E36) 328i and BMW 3 Series Sedan (E46) 330xi: 38 hp (28 kW).

Torque comparison

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

Chart data table
VehicleValue
BMW3 Series Sedan (E46)330xi
300 Nm
221 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 Sedan (E46)330xi
1,595 kg
3,516 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 Sedan (E46)330xi
247 km/h
153 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 Sedan (E46)330xi6.6 s
BMW3 Series Convertible (E36)328i7.7 s

The biggest 0-100 km/h difference is between BMW 3 Series Sedan (E46) 330xi and BMW 3 Series Convertible (E36) 328i: 1.1 s.

Fuel consumption comparison

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

Chart data table
VehicleValue
BMW3 Series Sedan (E46)330xi
9.9 L/100 km
23.8 mpg US
28.5 mpg UK
BMW3 Series Convertible (E36)328i
9.3 L/100 km
25.3 mpg US
30.4 mpg UK

The biggest fuel consumption difference is between BMW 3 Series Convertible (E36) 328i and BMW 3 Series Sedan (E46) 330xi: 0.6 L/100 km.

Power-to-weight comparison

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

Chart data table
VehicleValue
BMW3 Series Sedan (E46)330xi
145 hp/t
108 kW/t
6.9 kg/hp
BMW3 Series Convertible (E36)328i
128 hp/t
96 kW/t
7.8 kg/hp

Estimated range comparison

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

Chart data table
VehicleValue
BMW3 Series Sedan (E46)330xi
636 km
395 mi
BMW3 Series Convertible (E36)328i
667 km
414 mi

Performance spider chart

Radar chart comparing normalized performance and fuel-consumption scores.

Chart data table
VehiclePowerAccelerationTop speed
BMW3 Series Sedan (E46)330xi
231 hp
172 kW
6.6 s
247 km/h
153 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 Sedan (E46)330xi
Power
231 hp
172 kW
0-100 km/h6.6 s
Top speed
247 km/h
153 mph
Doors/seats
4 doors
5 seats
Trunk
440 L
15.5 cu ft
Length
4,471 mm
176.0 in
Height
1,434 mm
56.5 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

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
BMW3 Series Sedan (E46)330xi
Power
231 hp
172 kW
0-100 km/h6.6 s
Top speed
247 km/h
153 mph
9.9 L/100 km
23.8 mpg US
28.5 mpg UK
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
9.3 L/100 km
25.3 mpg US
30.4 mpg UK

BMW 3 Series Sedan (E46) 330xi 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
BMW3 Series Sedan (E46)330xi
9.9 L/100 km
23.8 mpg US
28.5 mpg UK
6.6 s
BMW3 Series Convertible (E36)328i
9.3 L/100 km
25.3 mpg US
30.4 mpg UK
7.7 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
BMW3 Series Sedan (E46)330xi
145 hp/t
108 kW/t
6.9 kg/hp
9.9 L/100 km
23.8 mpg US
28.5 mpg UK
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

Detailed score breakdown

Detailed score breakdown
VehicleBMW3 Series Sedan (E46)330xiBMW3 Series Convertible (E36)328i
Power
231 hp
172 kW
193 hp
144 kW
Torque
300 Nm
221 lb-ft
280 Nm
207 lb-ft
Acceleration
6.6 s
7.7 s
Top speed
247 km/h
153 mph
Unrestricted
240 km/h149 mph
Restricted
230 km/h143 mph
Lightness
1,595 kg
3,516 lb
1,505 kg
3,318 lb
Fuel consumption
9.9 L/100 km
23.8 mpg US
28.5 mpg UK
9.3 L/100 km
25.3 mpg US
30.4 mpg UK
Practicality
Doors/seats
4 doors
5 seats
Trunk
440 L
15.5 cu ft
Length
4,471 mm
176.0 in
Height
1,434 mm
56.5 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
636 km
395 mi
667 km
414 mi
Trunk score
440 L
15.5 cu ft
230 L
8.1 cu ft
Power-to-weight score
145 hp/t
108 kW/t
6.9 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 Sedan (E46) 330xiBMW 3 Series Convertible (E36) 328i
Consumption9.9 L/100 km23.8 mpg US28.5 mpg UK9.3 L/100 km25.3 mpg US30.4 mpg UK
Cost / 100 km17.33 LC100 km16.28 LC100 km
Cost / 100 mi27.88 LC100 mi26.19 LC100 mi
Annual fuel used1,485 L392 US gal327 UK gal1,395 L369 US gal307 UK gal
Annual fuel cost2,599 LC/year2,441 LC/year

Head-to-head comparisons

BMW 3 Series Sedan (E46) 330xi

  • Has 38 hp more
  • Has 20 Nm more
  • Is 1.1 s quicker from 0-100 km/h
  • Has 7 km/h (4 mph) higher top speed
  • Has 17 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
  • Best power-to-weight ratio
  • Largest trunk

Cons

  • Highest combined fuel consumption
  • Heaviest

BMW 3 Series Convertible (E36) 328i

  • Is 90 kg lighter
  • Uses 0.6 L/100 km less fuel
  • Has 30 km (19 mi) more estimated range

Pros

  • Lightest
  • Lowest combined fuel consumption
  • Best estimated range

Cons

  • Slowest 0-100 km/h
  • Lowest power
  • Lowest top speed
  • Smallest trunk

Choose cars to compare

Brand
Model
Generation
Engine or modification
BMW 3 Series Sedan (E46) 330xi
BMW 3 Series Convertible (E36) 328i
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