Car comparison

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

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)

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 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
  • Lightest
    1,395 kg
    3,075 lb
  • Best power-to-weight
    138 hp/t
    103 kW/t
    7.2 kg/hp
  • 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 economy score
    0/100
  • Best practicality score
    57/100

Specification comparison

Specification comparison
ModelBMW3 Series Coupe (E46)328CiBMW3 Series Coupe (E36)328i
Power
193hp144kW
193hp144kW
Torque
280Nm207lb-ft
280Nm207lb-ft
Curb weight
1,395kg3,075lb
1,395kg3,075lb
Gross weight
1,895kg4,178lb
1,780kg3,924lb
Top speed
242 km/h
150 mph
236 km/h
147 mph
To 99% top speed
89.5s99% target: 240 km/h / 149 mph
Calculated
88.7s99% target: 234 km/h / 145 mph
Calculated
0-100 km/h
7.0s
7.3s
0-200 km/h
28.6s
Calculated
30.9s
Calculated
0-60 mph
6.6s
Calculated
6.9s
Calculated
Fuel consumption city
12.5L/100 km18.8mpg US22.6mpg UK
13.5L/100 km17.4mpg US20.9mpg UK
Fuel consumption highway
7L/100 km33.6mpg US40.4mpg UK
6.7L/100 km35.1mpg US42.2mpg UK
Quarter mile
15.0s
Calculated
15.2s
Calculated
Power-to-weight
138hp/t103kW/t63hp/1000 lb
Calculated
138hp/t103kW/t63hp/1000 lb
Calculated
Torque-to-weight
201Nm/t134lb-ft/ton
Calculated
201Nm/t134lb-ft/ton
Calculated
Displacement
2,798cc171cu in
2,793cc170cu 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) 328iPowerTorque
  • BMW 3 Series Coupe (E46) 328Ci: Power / Torque
  • BMW 3 Series Coupe (E36) 328i: 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)328i5,300 rpm3,950 rpm5,550 rpm

Acceleration curve

Estimated speed over time for selected vehicles.

Acceleration and drag-race table
MetricBMW3 Series Coupe (E46)328CiBMW3 Series Coupe (E36)328i
Acceleration checkpoints
0-60 mph
0-97 km/h
6.6 s
6.9 s
0-100 km/h
0-62 mph
7.0 s
7.3 s
0-200 km/h
0-124 mph
28.6 s
30.9 s
Top speed
242 km/h
150 mph
236 km/h
147 mph
Drag race simulation
60 ft
18 m
2.5 s
2.5 s
330 ft
101 m
6.5 s
6.6 s
1/8 mile
201 m
9.8 s
10.0 s
1000 ft
305 m
12.6 s
12.8 s
1/4 mile
402 m
15.0 s
15.2 s
Trap speed
1/4 mile
402 m
154 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 Coupe (E46)328Ci
193 hp
144 kW
BMW3 Series Coupe (E36)328i
193 hp
144 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)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 Coupe (E46)328Ci
1,395 kg
3,075 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 Coupe (E46)328Ci
242 km/h
150 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 Coupe (E46)328Ci7.0 s
BMW3 Series Coupe (E36)328i7.3 s

The biggest 0-100 km/h difference is between BMW 3 Series Coupe (E46) 328Ci and BMW 3 Series Coupe (E36) 328i: 0.3 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)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 Coupe (E46)328Ci
193 hp
144 kW
7.0 s
242 km/h
150 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 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)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 Coupe (E46)328CiBMW3 Series Coupe (E36)328i
Power
193 hp
144 kW
193 hp
144 kW
Torque
280 Nm
207 lb-ft
280 Nm
207 lb-ft
Acceleration
7.0 s
7.3 s
Top speed
242 km/h
150 mph
236 km/h
147 mph
Lightness
1,395 kg
3,075 lb
1,395 kg
3,075 lb
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
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
138 hp/t
103 kW/t
7.2 kg/hp
Overall
Fixed score
Fixed score

Head-to-head comparisons

BMW 3 Series Coupe (E46) 328Ci

  • Is 0.3 s quicker from 0-100 km/h
  • Has 6 km/h (4 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
  • Lightest
  • Best power-to-weight ratio
  • Largest trunk

Choose cars to compare

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