Car comparison

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

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

New comparison

BMW 3 Series Convertible (E46)

330Ci

225 hp2979 ccGasolineRWDManualNaturally aspiratedCabriolet / convertible2000-2003
VS

BMW 3 Series Sedan (E36)

328i

193 hp2793 ccGasolineRWDAutomaticNaturally aspiratedSedan1995-1999

Comparison overview

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

Best choices

BMW 3 Series Sedan (E36) 328i

  • Lightest
    1,395 kg
    3,075 lb
  • Best power-to-weight
    138 hp/t
    103 kW/t
    7.2 kg/hp
  • Lowest combined fuel consumption
    8.5 L/100 km
    27.7 mpg US
    33.2 mpg UK
  • Best estimated range
    765 km
    475 mi
  • Largest trunk
    435 L
  • Best overall score
    58/100
  • Best economy score
    84/100
  • Best practicality score
    72/100

Specification comparison

Specification comparison
ModelBMW3 Series Convertible (E46)330CiBMW3 Series Sedan (E36)328i
Power
225hp168kW
193hp144kW
Torque
290Nm214lb-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
93.9s99% target: 245 km/h / 152 mph
Calculated
63.1s99% target: 234 km/h / 145 mph
Calculated
0-100 km/h
6.9s
7.3s
0-200 km/h
27.7s
Calculated
25.4s
Calculated
0-60 mph
6.5s
Calculated
7.0s
Calculated
Fuel consumption
9.6L/100 km24.5mpg US29.4mpg UK
8.5L/100 km27.7mpg US33.2mpg UK
Fuel consumption city
13.4L/100 km17.6mpg US21.1mpg UK
-
Fuel consumption highway
7.3L/100 km32.2mpg US38.7mpg UK
-
Quarter mile
14.9s
Calculated
15.2s
Calculated
Power-to-weight
137hp/t102kW/t62hp/1000 lb
Calculated
138hp/t103kW/t63hp/1000 lb
Calculated
Torque-to-weight
176Nm/t118lb-ft/ton
Calculated
201Nm/t134lb-ft/ton
Calculated
Estimated range
656km408mi
Calculated
765km475mi
Calculated
Displacement
2,979cc182cu in
2,793cc170cu in
Length
4,488mm177in
4,433mm175in
Width
1,757mm69in
1,698mm67in
Height
1,372mm54in
1,393mm55in
Wheelbase
2,725mm107in
2,700mm106in
Front track
1,471mm58in
1,408mm55in
Rear track
1,483mm58in
1,421mm56in
Trunk volume
260L
435L
Max trunk volume
300L
-
Doors
2
4
Seats
4
5
Fuel tank
63L
65L
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 Sedan (E36) 328iPowerTorque
  • BMW 3 Series Convertible (E46) 330Ci: Power / Torque
  • BMW 3 Series Sedan (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 Sedan (E36)328i5,500 rpm3,950 rpm5,750 rpm

Acceleration curve

Estimated speed over time for selected vehicles.

Acceleration and drag-race table
MetricBMW3 Series Convertible (E46)330CiBMW3 Series Sedan (E36)328i
Acceleration checkpoints
0-60 mph
0-97 km/h
6.5 s
7.0 s
0-100 km/h
0-62 mph
6.9 s
7.3 s
0-200 km/h
0-124 mph
27.7 s
25.4 s
Top speed
247 km/h
153 mph
236 km/h
147 mph
Drag race simulation
60 ft
18 m
2.4 s
2.8 s
330 ft
101 m
6.5 s
6.9 s
1/8 mile
201 m
9.7 s
10.1 s
1000 ft
305 m
12.5 s
12.9 s
1/4 mile
402 m
14.9 s
15.2 s
Trap speed
1/4 mile
402 m
155 km/h
96 mph
160 km/h
99 mph

Power comparison

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

Chart data table
VehicleValue
BMW3 Series Convertible (E46)330Ci
225 hp
168 kW
BMW3 Series Sedan (E36)328i
193 hp
144 kW

BMW 3 Series Convertible (E46) 330Ci has 32 hp more than BMW 3 Series Sedan (E36) 328i.

The biggest power difference is between BMW 3 Series Sedan (E36) 328i and BMW 3 Series Convertible (E46) 330Ci: 32 hp (24 kW).

Torque comparison

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

Chart data table
VehicleValue
BMW3 Series Convertible (E46)330Ci
290 Nm
214 lb-ft
BMW3 Series Sedan (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 Sedan (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 Sedan (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 Sedan (E36)328i7.3 s

The biggest 0-100 km/h difference is between BMW 3 Series Convertible (E46) 330Ci and BMW 3 Series Sedan (E36) 328i: 0.4 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 Convertible (E46)330Ci
9.6 L/100 km
24.5 mpg US
29.4 mpg UK
BMW3 Series Sedan (E36)328i
8.5 L/100 km
27.7 mpg US
33.2 mpg UK

The biggest fuel consumption difference is between BMW 3 Series Sedan (E36) 328i and BMW 3 Series Convertible (E46) 330Ci: 1.1 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 Convertible (E46)330Ci
137 hp/t
102 kW/t
7.3 kg/hp
BMW3 Series Sedan (E36)328i
138 hp/t
103 kW/t
7.2 kg/hp

Estimated range comparison

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

Chart data table
VehicleValue
BMW3 Series Convertible (E46)330Ci
656 km
408 mi
BMW3 Series Sedan (E36)328i
765 km
475 mi

Performance spider chart

Radar chart comparing normalized performance and fuel-consumption scores.

Chart data table
VehiclePowerAccelerationTop speed
BMW3 Series Convertible (E46)330Ci
225 hp
168 kW
6.9 s
247 km/h
153 mph
BMW3 Series Sedan (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
225 hp
168 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
1,372 mm
54.0 in
BMW3 Series Sedan (E36)328i
Power
193 hp
144 kW
0-100 km/h7.3 s
Top speed
236 km/h
147 mph
Doors/seats
4 doors
5 seats
Trunk
435 L
15.4 cu ft
Length
4,433 mm
174.5 in
Height
1,393 mm
54.8 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 Convertible (E46)330Ci
Power
225 hp
168 kW
0-100 km/h6.9 s
Top speed
247 km/h
153 mph
9.6 L/100 km
24.5 mpg US
29.4 mpg UK
BMW3 Series Sedan (E36)328i
Power
193 hp
144 kW
0-100 km/h7.3 s
Top speed
236 km/h
147 mph
8.5 L/100 km
27.7 mpg US
33.2 mpg UK

BMW 3 Series Convertible (E46) 330Ci 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 Convertible (E46)330Ci
9.6 L/100 km
24.5 mpg US
29.4 mpg UK
6.9 s
BMW3 Series Sedan (E36)328i
8.5 L/100 km
27.7 mpg US
33.2 mpg UK
7.3 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 Convertible (E46)330Ci
137 hp/t
102 kW/t
7.3 kg/hp
9.6 L/100 km
24.5 mpg US
29.4 mpg UK
BMW3 Series Sedan (E36)328i
138 hp/t
103 kW/t
7.2 kg/hp
8.5 L/100 km
27.7 mpg US
33.2 mpg UK

Detailed score breakdown

Detailed score breakdown
VehicleBMW3 Series Convertible (E46)330CiBMW3 Series Sedan (E36)328i
Power
225 hp
168 kW
193 hp
144 kW
Torque
290 Nm
214 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
8.5 L/100 km
27.7 mpg US
33.2 mpg UK
Practicality
Doors/seats
2 doors
4 seats
Trunk
260 L
9.2 cu ft
Length
4,488 mm
176.7 in
Height
1,372 mm
54.0 in
Doors/seats
4 doors
5 seats
Trunk
435 L
15.4 cu ft
Length
4,433 mm
174.5 in
Height
1,393 mm
54.8 in
Range score
656 km
408 mi
765 km
475 mi
CO2 score
229 g/km
-
Trunk score
260 L
9.2 cu ft
435 L
15.4 cu ft
Power-to-weight score
137 hp/t
102 kW/t
7.3 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) 330CiBMW 3 Series Sedan (E36) 328i
Consumption9.6 L/100 km24.5 mpg US29.4 mpg UK8.5 L/100 km27.7 mpg US33.2 mpg UK
Cost / 100 km16.80 LC100 km14.88 LC100 km
Cost / 100 mi27.04 LC100 mi23.94 LC100 mi
Annual fuel used1,440 L380 US gal317 UK gal1,275 L337 US gal280 UK gal
Annual fuel cost2,520 LC/year2,231 LC/year

Head-to-head comparisons

BMW 3 Series Convertible (E46) 330Ci

  • Has 32 hp more
  • Has 10 Nm more
  • Is 0.4 s quicker from 0-100 km/h
  • Has 11 km/h (7 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 Sedan (E36) 328i

  • Is 250 kg lighter
  • Uses 1.1 L/100 km less fuel
  • Has 2 hp/t better power-to-weight
  • Has 108 km (67 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

Choose cars to compare

Brand
Model
Generation
Engine or modification
BMW 3 Series Convertible (E46) 330Ci
BMW 3 Series Sedan (E36) 328i
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2 vehicles selected

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