Car comparison

BMW 3 Series Touring (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 Touring (E46)

330xi

231 hp2979 ccGasolineAWDManualNaturally aspiratedWagon / estate2000-2001
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 Touring (E46) 330xi

  • Quickest 0-100 km/h
    6.8 s
  • Fastest top speed
    243 km/h
    151 mph
  • Most powerful
    231 hp
    172 kW
  • Highest torque
    300 Nm
    221 lb-ft
  • Best power-to-weight
    139 hp/t
    103 kW/t
    7.2 kg/hp
  • Largest trunk
    435 L
  • Best overall score
    63/100
  • Best performance score
    55/100
  • Best practicality score
    81/100

BMW 3 Series Convertible (E36) 328i

  • Lightest
    1,505 kg
    3,318 lb
  • 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 economy score
    82/100

Specification comparison

Specification comparison
ModelBMW3 Series Touring (E46)330xiBMW3 Series Convertible (E36)328i
Power
231hp172kW
193hp144kW
Torque
300Nm221lb-ft
280Nm207lb-ft
Curb weight
1,665kg3,671lb
1,505kg3,318lb
Gross weight
2,165kg4,773lb
1,830kg4,034lb
Top speed
243 km/h
151 mph
Unrestricted
240 km/h149 mph
Restricted
230 km/h143 mph
Calculated
To 99% top speed
67.2s99% target: 241 km/h / 149 mph
Calculated
98.5s99% target: 238 km/h / 148 mph
Calculated
0-100 km/h
6.8s
7.7s
0-200 km/h
23.8s
Calculated
32.1s
Calculated
0-60 mph
6.5s
Calculated
7.3s
Calculated
Fuel consumption-
9.3L/100 km25.3mpg US30.4mpg UK
Fuel consumption city
13.8L/100 km17mpg US20.5mpg UK
13.5L/100 km17.4mpg US20.9mpg UK
Fuel consumption highway
8L/100 km29.4mpg US35.3mpg UK
6.8L/100 km34.6mpg US41.5mpg UK
Quarter mile
14.8s
Calculated
15.5s
Calculated
Power-to-weight
139hp/t103kW/t63hp/1000 lb
Calculated
128hp/t96kW/t58hp/1000 lb
Calculated
Torque-to-weight
180Nm/t121lb-ft/ton
Calculated
186Nm/t124lb-ft/ton
Calculated
Estimated range-
667km414mi
Calculated
Displacement
2,979cc182cu in
2,793cc170cu in
Length
4,478mm176in
4,435mm175in
Width
1,739mm68in
1,710mm67in
Height
1,409mm55in
1,350mm53in
Wheelbase
2,725mm107in
2,700mm106in
Front track
1,471mm58in
1,410mm56in
Rear track
1,483mm58in
1,420mm56in
Ground clearance-
110mm4in
Trunk volume
435L
230L
Max trunk volume
1,345L
-
Doors
5
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 Touring (E46) 330xiBMW 3 Series Convertible (E36) 328iPowerTorque
  • BMW 3 Series Touring (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 Touring (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 Touring (E46)330xiBMW3 Series Convertible (E36)328i
Acceleration checkpoints
0-60 mph
0-97 km/h
6.5 s
7.3 s
0-100 km/h
0-62 mph
6.8 s
7.7 s
0-200 km/h
0-124 mph
23.8 s
32.1 s
Top speed
243 km/h
151 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
9.8 s
10.2 s
1000 ft
305 m
12.5 s
13.1 s
1/4 mile
402 m
14.8 s
15.5 s
Trap speed
1/4 mile
402 m
162 km/h
101 mph
149 km/h
93 mph

Power comparison

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

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

BMW 3 Series Touring (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 Touring (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 Touring (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 Touring (E46)330xi
1,665 kg
3,671 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 Touring (E46)330xi
243 km/h
151 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 Touring (E46)330xi6.8 s
BMW3 Series Convertible (E36)328i7.7 s

The biggest 0-100 km/h difference is between BMW 3 Series Touring (E46) 330xi and BMW 3 Series Convertible (E36) 328i: 0.9 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 Touring (E46)330xi
139 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 Touring (E46)330xi
231 hp
172 kW
6.8 s
243 km/h
151 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 Touring (E46)330xi
Power
231 hp
172 kW
0-100 km/h6.8 s
Top speed
243 km/h
151 mph
Doors/seats
5 doors
5 seats
Trunk
435 L
15.4 cu ft
Length
4,478 mm
176.3 in
Height
1,409 mm
55.5 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

Detailed score breakdown

Detailed score breakdown
VehicleBMW3 Series Touring (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
6.8 s
7.7 s
Top speed
243 km/h
151 mph
Unrestricted
240 km/h149 mph
Restricted
230 km/h143 mph
Lightness
1,665 kg
3,671 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
5 doors
5 seats
Trunk
435 L
15.4 cu ft
Length
4,478 mm
176.3 in
Height
1,409 mm
55.5 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
-
667 km
414 mi
Trunk score
435 L
15.4 cu ft
230 L
8.1 cu ft
Power-to-weight score
139 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 Touring (E46) 330xi

  • Has 38 hp more
  • Has 20 Nm more
  • Is 0.9 s quicker from 0-100 km/h
  • Has 3 km/h (2 mph) higher top speed
  • Has 10 hp/t better power-to-weight
  • Has 205 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

  • Heaviest

Choose cars to compare

Brand
Model
Generation
Engine or modification
BMW 3 Series Touring (E46) 330xi
BMW 3 Series Convertible (E36) 328i
Compare selected cars
2 vehicles selected

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BMW 3 Series Touring (E46) 330xi vs BMW 3 Series Convertible (E36) 328i - car comparison - FastVsFaster