Car comparison

BMW 3 Series Coupe (E46) 328CivsBMW 3 Series Coupe (E36) 325i

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 Coupe (E36)

325i

192 hp2494 ccGasolineRWDManualNaturally aspiratedCoupe1992-1999

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
  • 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

BMW 3 Series Coupe (E36) 325i

  • Lightest
    1,330 kg
    2,932 lb
  • Best power-to-weight
    144 hp/t
    108 kW/t
    6.9 kg/hp
  • Lowest highway consumption
    6.7 L/100 km
    35.1 mpg US
    42.2 mpg UK
  • Best economy score
    83/100

Specification comparison

Specification comparison
ModelBMW3 Series Coupe (E46)328CiBMW3 Series Coupe (E36)325i
Power
193hp144kW
192hp143kW
Torque
280Nm207lb-ft
244Nm180lb-ft
Curb weight
1,395kg3,075lb
1,330kg2,932lb
Gross weight
1,895kg4,178lb
1,790kg3,946lb
Top speed
242 km/h
150 mph
232 km/h
144 mph
To 99% top speed
89.5s99% target: 240 km/h / 149 mph
Calculated
93.3s99% target: 230 km/h / 143 mph
Calculated
0-100 km/h
7.0s
8.0s
0-200 km/h
28.6s
Calculated
34.8s
Calculated
0-60 mph
6.6s
Calculated
7.6s
Calculated
Fuel consumption-
8.8L/100 km26.7mpg US32.1mpg UK
Fuel consumption city
12.5L/100 km18.8mpg US22.6mpg UK
12.9L/100 km18.2mpg US21.9mpg UK
Fuel consumption highway
7L/100 km33.6mpg US40.4mpg UK
6.7L/100 km35.1mpg US42.2mpg UK
Quarter mile
15.0s
Calculated
15.8s
Calculated
Power-to-weight
138hp/t103kW/t63hp/1000 lb
Calculated
144hp/t108kW/t65hp/1000 lb
Calculated
Torque-to-weight
201Nm/t134lb-ft/ton
Calculated
183Nm/t123lb-ft/ton
Calculated
Estimated range-
705km438mi
Calculated
Displacement
2,798cc171cu in
2,494cc152cu in
Length
4,488mm177in
4,433mm175in
Width
1,757mm69in
1,710mm67in
Height
1,369mm54in
1,366mm54in
Wheelbase
2,725mm107in
2,700mm106in
Front track
1,471mm58in
1,408mm55in
Rear track
1,478mm58in
1,421mm56in
Ground clearance-
110mm4in
Trunk volume
440L
405L
Doors
2
2
Seats
5
5
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 Coupe (E36) 325iPowerTorque
  • BMW 3 Series Coupe (E46) 328Ci: Power / Torque
  • BMW 3 Series Coupe (E36) 325i: 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 Coupe (E36)325i5,900 rpm4,200 rpm6,150 rpm

Acceleration curve

Estimated speed over time for selected vehicles.

Acceleration and drag-race table
MetricBMW3 Series Coupe (E46)328CiBMW3 Series Coupe (E36)325i
Acceleration checkpoints
0-60 mph
0-97 km/h
6.6 s
7.6 s
0-100 km/h
0-62 mph
7.0 s
8.0 s
0-200 km/h
0-124 mph
28.6 s
34.8 s
Top speed
242 km/h
150 mph
232 km/h
144 mph
Drag race simulation
60 ft
18 m
2.5 s
2.6 s
330 ft
101 m
6.5 s
6.9 s
1/8 mile
201 m
9.8 s
10.3 s
1000 ft
305 m
12.6 s
13.3 s
1/4 mile
402 m
15.0 s
15.8 s
Trap speed
1/4 mile
402 m
154 km/h
96 mph
147 km/h
92 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 Coupe (E36)325i
192 hp
143 kW

BMW 3 Series Coupe (E46) 328Ci has 1 hp more than BMW 3 Series Coupe (E36) 325i.

The biggest power difference is between BMW 3 Series Coupe (E36) 325i and BMW 3 Series Coupe (E46) 328Ci: 1 hp (1 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 Coupe (E36)325i
244 Nm
180 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 Coupe (E36)325i
1,330 kg
2,932 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 Coupe (E36)325i
232 km/h
144 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 Coupe (E36)325i8.0 s

The biggest 0-100 km/h difference is between BMW 3 Series Coupe (E46) 328Ci and BMW 3 Series Coupe (E36) 325i: 1.0 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 Coupe (E36)325i
144 hp/t
108 kW/t
6.9 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 Coupe (E36)325i
192 hp
143 kW
8.0 s
232 km/h
144 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 Coupe (E36)325i
Power
192 hp
143 kW
0-100 km/h8.0 s
Top speed
232 km/h
144 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 Coupe (E46)328CiBMW3 Series Coupe (E36)325i
Power
193 hp
144 kW
192 hp
143 kW
Torque
280 Nm
207 lb-ft
244 Nm
180 lb-ft
Acceleration
7.0 s
8.0 s
Top speed
242 km/h
150 mph
232 km/h
144 mph
Lightness
1,395 kg
3,075 lb
1,330 kg
2,932 lb
Fuel consumption
-
8.8 L/100 km
26.7 mpg US
32.1 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
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
-
705 km
438 mi
Trunk score
440 L
15.5 cu ft
405 L
14.3 cu ft
Power-to-weight score
138 hp/t
103 kW/t
7.2 kg/hp
144 hp/t
108 kW/t
6.9 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 Coupe (E36) 325i
Consumption8.8 L/100 km26.7 mpg US32.1 mpg UK
Cost / 100 km15.40 LC100 km
Cost / 100 mi24.78 LC100 mi
Annual fuel used1,320 L349 US gal290 UK gal
Annual fuel cost2,310 LC/year

Head-to-head comparisons

BMW 3 Series Coupe (E46) 328Ci

  • Has 1 hp more
  • Has 36 Nm more
  • Is 1.0 s quicker from 0-100 km/h
  • Has 10 km/h (6 mph) higher top speed
  • Has 35 L more trunk volume

Pros

  • Quickest 0-100 km/h in this comparison
  • Highest top speed
  • Most powerful
  • Highest torque
  • Largest trunk

Cons

  • Heaviest

BMW 3 Series Coupe (E36) 325i

  • Is 65 kg lighter
  • Has 6 hp/t better power-to-weight

Pros

  • Lightest
  • Best power-to-weight ratio

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 Coupe (E46) 328Ci
BMW 3 Series Coupe (E36) 325i
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BMW 3 Series Coupe (E46) 328Ci vs BMW 3 Series Coupe (E36) 325i - car comparison - FastVsFaster