Car comparison

BMW 3 Series Convertible (E46) 330CivsBMW 3 Series Coupe (E36) 328i

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

New comparison

BMW 3 Series Convertible (E46)

330Ci

231 hp2979 ccGasolineRWDManualNaturally aspiratedCabriolet / convertible2000-2003
VS

BMW 3 Series Coupe (E36)

328i

193 hp2793 ccGasolineRWDManualNaturally aspiratedCoupe1995-1999

Comparison overview

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

Best choices

BMW 3 Series Convertible (E46) 330Ci

  • Quickest 0-100 km/h
    6.9 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
    140 hp/t
    105 kW/t
    7.1 kg/hp
  • Lowest city consumption
    13.4 L/100 km
    17.6 mpg US
    21.1 mpg UK
  • Best performance score
    55/100
  • Best economy score
    81/100

BMW 3 Series Coupe (E36) 328i

  • Lightest
    1,395 kg
    3,075 lb
  • Lowest highway consumption
    6.7 L/100 km
    35.1 mpg US
    42.2 mpg UK
  • Largest trunk
    405 L
  • Best overall score
    53/100
  • Best practicality score
    56/100

Specification comparison

Specification comparison
ModelBMW3 Series Convertible (E46)330CiBMW3 Series Coupe (E36)328i
Power
231hp172kW
193hp144kW
Torque
300Nm221lb-ft
280Nm207lb-ft
Curb weight
1,645kg3,627lb
1,395kg3,075lb
Gross weight
2,045kg4,508lb
1,780kg3,924lb
Top speed
247 km/h
153 mph
236 km/h
147 mph
To 99% top speed
93.3s99% target: 245 km/h / 152 mph
Calculated
88.7s99% target: 234 km/h / 145 mph
Calculated
0-100 km/h
6.9s
7.3s
0-200 km/h
27.6s
Calculated
30.9s
Calculated
0-60 mph
6.5s
Calculated
6.9s
Calculated
Fuel consumption
9.6L/100 km24.5mpg US29.4mpg UK
-
Fuel consumption city
13.4L/100 km17.6mpg US21.1mpg UK
13.5L/100 km17.4mpg US20.9mpg UK
Fuel consumption highway
7.3L/100 km32.2mpg US38.7mpg UK
6.7L/100 km35.1mpg US42.2mpg UK
Quarter mile
14.9s
Calculated
15.2s
Calculated
Power-to-weight
140hp/t105kW/t64hp/1000 lb
Calculated
138hp/t103kW/t63hp/1000 lb
Calculated
Torque-to-weight
182Nm/t122lb-ft/ton
Calculated
201Nm/t134lb-ft/ton
Calculated
Estimated range
656km408mi
Calculated
-
Displacement
2,979cc182cu in
2,793cc170cu in
Length
4,488mm177in
4,433mm175in
Width
1,757mm69in
1,710mm67in
Height
1,370mm54in
1,366mm54in
Wheelbase
2,725mm107in
2,700mm106in
Front track
1,471mm58in
1,408mm55in
Rear track
1,483mm58in
1,421mm56in
Ground clearance-
110mm4in
Trunk volume
260L
405L
Max trunk volume
300L
-
Doors
2
2
Seats
4
5
Fuel tank
63L
62L
CO2 emissions
229g/km
-

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 (E46) 330CiBMW 3 Series Coupe (E36) 328iPowerTorque
  • BMW 3 Series Convertible (E46) 330Ci: Power / Torque
  • BMW 3 Series Coupe (E36) 328i: Power / Torque
Dyno simulation data table
VehiclePeak power RPMPeak torque RPMMax engine speed
BMW3 Series Convertible (E46)330Ci5,900 rpm3,500 rpm6,150 rpm
BMW3 Series Coupe (E36)328i5,300 rpm3,950 rpm5,550 rpm

Acceleration curve

Estimated speed over time for selected vehicles.

Acceleration and drag-race table
MetricBMW3 Series Convertible (E46)330CiBMW3 Series Coupe (E36)328i
Acceleration checkpoints
0-60 mph
0-97 km/h
6.5 s
6.9 s
0-100 km/h
0-62 mph
6.9 s
7.3 s
0-200 km/h
0-124 mph
27.6 s
30.9 s
Top speed
247 km/h
153 mph
236 km/h
147 mph
Drag race simulation
60 ft
18 m
2.4 s
2.5 s
330 ft
101 m
6.5 s
6.6 s
1/8 mile
201 m
9.7 s
10.0 s
1000 ft
305 m
12.5 s
12.8 s
1/4 mile
402 m
14.9 s
15.2 s
Trap speed
1/4 mile
402 m
155 km/h
96 mph
152 km/h
94 mph

Power comparison

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

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

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

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

Torque comparison

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

Chart data table
VehicleValue
BMW3 Series Convertible (E46)330Ci
300 Nm
221 lb-ft
BMW3 Series Coupe (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 Convertible (E46)330Ci
1,645 kg
3,627 lb
BMW3 Series Coupe (E36)328i
1,395 kg
3,075 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 Convertible (E46)330Ci
247 km/h
153 mph
BMW3 Series Coupe (E36)328i
236 km/h
147 mph

0-100 km/h comparison

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

Chart data table
VehicleValue
BMW3 Series Convertible (E46)330Ci6.9 s
BMW3 Series Coupe (E36)328i7.3 s

The biggest 0-100 km/h difference is between BMW 3 Series Convertible (E46) 330Ci and BMW 3 Series Coupe (E36) 328i: 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
BMW3 Series Convertible (E46)330Ci
140 hp/t
105 kW/t
7.1 kg/hp
BMW3 Series Coupe (E36)328i
138 hp/t
103 kW/t
7.2 kg/hp

Performance spider chart

Radar chart comparing normalized performance and fuel-consumption scores.

Chart data table
VehiclePowerAccelerationTop speed
BMW3 Series Convertible (E46)330Ci
231 hp
172 kW
6.9 s
247 km/h
153 mph
BMW3 Series Coupe (E36)328i
193 hp
144 kW
7.3 s
236 km/h
147 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 Convertible (E46)330Ci
Power
231 hp
172 kW
0-100 km/h6.9 s
Top speed
247 km/h
153 mph
Doors/seats
2 doors
4 seats
Trunk
260 L
9.2 cu ft
Length
4,488 mm
176.7 in
Height
1,370 mm
53.9 in
BMW3 Series Coupe (E36)328i
Power
193 hp
144 kW
0-100 km/h7.3 s
Top speed
236 km/h
147 mph
Doors/seats
2 doors
5 seats
Trunk
405 L
14.3 cu ft
Length
4,433 mm
174.5 in
Height
1,366 mm
53.8 in

Detailed score breakdown

Detailed score breakdown
VehicleBMW3 Series Convertible (E46)330CiBMW3 Series Coupe (E36)328i
Power
231 hp
172 kW
193 hp
144 kW
Torque
300 Nm
221 lb-ft
280 Nm
207 lb-ft
Acceleration
6.9 s
7.3 s
Top speed
247 km/h
153 mph
236 km/h
147 mph
Lightness
1,645 kg
3,627 lb
1,395 kg
3,075 lb
Fuel consumption
9.6 L/100 km
24.5 mpg US
29.4 mpg UK
-
Practicality
Doors/seats
2 doors
4 seats
Trunk
260 L
9.2 cu ft
Length
4,488 mm
176.7 in
Height
1,370 mm
53.9 in
Doors/seats
2 doors
5 seats
Trunk
405 L
14.3 cu ft
Length
4,433 mm
174.5 in
Height
1,366 mm
53.8 in
Range score
656 km
408 mi
-
CO2 score
229 g/km
-
Trunk score
260 L
9.2 cu ft
405 L
14.3 cu ft
Power-to-weight score
140 hp/t
105 kW/t
7.1 kg/hp
138 hp/t
103 kW/t
7.2 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 (E46) 330Ci
Consumption9.6 L/100 km24.5 mpg US29.4 mpg UK
Cost / 100 km16.80 LC100 km
Cost / 100 mi27.04 LC100 mi
Annual fuel used1,440 L380 US gal317 UK gal
Annual fuel cost2,520 LC/year

Head-to-head comparisons

BMW 3 Series Convertible (E46) 330Ci

  • Has 38 hp more
  • Has 20 Nm more
  • Is 0.4 s quicker from 0-100 km/h
  • Has 11 km/h (7 mph) higher top speed
  • Has 2 hp/t better power-to-weight

Pros

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

Cons

  • Heaviest
  • Smallest trunk

BMW 3 Series Coupe (E36) 328i

  • Is 250 kg lighter
  • Has 145 L more trunk volume

Pros

  • Lightest
  • Largest trunk

Cons

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

Choose cars to compare

Brand
Model
Generation
Engine or modification
BMW 3 Series Convertible (E46) 330Ci
BMW 3 Series Coupe (E36) 328i
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BMW 3 Series Convertible (E46) 330Ci vs BMW 3 Series Coupe (E36) 328i - car comparison - FastVsFaster