Car comparison

BMW 3 Series Sedan (E46) 330xivsBMW 3 Series Coupe (E36) 328i

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

New comparison

BMW 3 Series Sedan (E46)

330xi

231 hp2979 ccGasolineAWDManualNaturally aspiratedSedan2000-2001
VS

BMW 3 Series Coupe (E36)

328i

193 hp2793 ccGasolineRWDAutomaticNaturally aspiratedCoupe1995-1999

Comparison overview

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

Best choices

BMW 3 Series Sedan (E46) 330xi

  • Quickest 0-100 km/h
    6.6 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
    145 hp/t
    108 kW/t
    6.9 kg/hp
  • Largest trunk
    440 L
  • Best overall score
    61/100
  • Best performance score
    56/100
  • Best economy score
    80/100
  • Best practicality score
    73/100

BMW 3 Series Coupe (E36) 328i

  • Lightest
    1,395 kg
    3,075 lb
  • Lowest city consumption
    13.5 L/100 km
    17.4 mpg US
    20.9 mpg UK
  • Lowest highway consumption
    6.7 L/100 km
    35.1 mpg US
    42.2 mpg UK

Specification comparison

Specification comparison
ModelBMW3 Series Sedan (E46)330xiBMW3 Series Coupe (E36)328i
Power
231hp172kW
193hp144kW
Torque
300Nm221lb-ft
280Nm207lb-ft
Curb weight
1,595kg3,516lb
1,395kg3,075lb
Gross weight
2,095kg4,619lb
1,780kg3,924lb
Top speed
247 km/h
153 mph
236 km/h
147 mph
To 99% top speed
61.8s99% target: 245 km/h / 152 mph
Calculated
88.7s99% target: 234 km/h / 145 mph
Calculated
0-100 km/h
6.6s
7.3s
0-200 km/h
21.7s
Calculated
30.9s
Calculated
0-60 mph
6.3s
Calculated
6.9s
Calculated
Fuel consumption
9.9L/100 km23.8mpg US28.5mpg UK
-
Fuel consumption city
13.6L/100 km17.3mpg US20.8mpg UK
13.5L/100 km17.4mpg US20.9mpg UK
Fuel consumption highway
7.8L/100 km30.2mpg US36.2mpg UK
6.7L/100 km35.1mpg US42.2mpg UK
Quarter mile
14.5s
Calculated
15.2s
Calculated
Power-to-weight
145hp/t108kW/t66hp/1000 lb
Calculated
138hp/t103kW/t63hp/1000 lb
Calculated
Torque-to-weight
188Nm/t126lb-ft/ton
Calculated
201Nm/t134lb-ft/ton
Calculated
Estimated range
636km395mi
Calculated
-
Displacement
2,979cc182cu in
2,793cc170cu in
Length
4,471mm176in
4,433mm175in
Width
1,739mm68in
1,710mm67in
Height
1,434mm56in
1,366mm54in
Wheelbase
2,725mm107in
2,700mm106in
Front track
1,471mm58in
1,408mm55in
Rear track
1,483mm58in
1,421mm56in
Trunk volume
440L
405L
Doors
4
2
Seats
5
5
Fuel tank
63L
65L

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 Sedan (E46) 330xiBMW 3 Series Coupe (E36) 328iPowerTorque
  • BMW 3 Series Sedan (E46) 330xi: Power / Torque
  • BMW 3 Series Coupe (E36) 328i: Power / Torque
Dyno simulation data table
VehiclePeak power RPMPeak torque RPMMax engine speed
BMW3 Series Sedan (E46)330xi5,900 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 Sedan (E46)330xiBMW3 Series Coupe (E36)328i
Acceleration checkpoints
0-60 mph
0-97 km/h
6.3 s
6.9 s
0-100 km/h
0-62 mph
6.6 s
7.3 s
0-200 km/h
0-124 mph
21.7 s
30.9 s
Top speed
247 km/h
153 mph
236 km/h
147 mph
Drag race simulation
60 ft
18 m
2.6 s
2.5 s
330 ft
101 m
6.6 s
6.6 s
1/8 mile
201 m
9.7 s
10.0 s
1000 ft
305 m
12.3 s
12.8 s
1/4 mile
402 m
14.5 s
15.2 s
Trap speed
1/4 mile
402 m
167 km/h
103 mph
152 km/h
94 mph

Power comparison

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

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

BMW 3 Series Sedan (E46) 330xi 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 Sedan (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 Sedan (E46)330xi
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 Sedan (E46)330xi
1,595 kg
3,516 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 Sedan (E46)330xi
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 Sedan (E46)330xi6.6 s
BMW3 Series Coupe (E36)328i7.3 s

The biggest 0-100 km/h difference is between BMW 3 Series Sedan (E46) 330xi and BMW 3 Series Coupe (E36) 328i: 0.7 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 Sedan (E46)330xi
145 hp/t
108 kW/t
6.9 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 Sedan (E46)330xi
231 hp
172 kW
6.6 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 Sedan (E46)330xi
Power
231 hp
172 kW
0-100 km/h6.6 s
Top speed
247 km/h
153 mph
Doors/seats
4 doors
5 seats
Trunk
440 L
15.5 cu ft
Length
4,471 mm
176.0 in
Height
1,434 mm
56.5 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 Sedan (E46)330xiBMW3 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
6.6 s
7.3 s
Top speed
247 km/h
153 mph
236 km/h
147 mph
Lightness
1,595 kg
3,516 lb
1,395 kg
3,075 lb
Fuel consumption
9.9 L/100 km
23.8 mpg US
28.5 mpg UK
-
Practicality
Doors/seats
4 doors
5 seats
Trunk
440 L
15.5 cu ft
Length
4,471 mm
176.0 in
Height
1,434 mm
56.5 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
636 km
395 mi
-
Trunk score
440 L
15.5 cu ft
405 L
14.3 cu ft
Power-to-weight score
145 hp/t
108 kW/t
6.9 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 Sedan (E46) 330xi
Consumption9.9 L/100 km23.8 mpg US28.5 mpg UK
Cost / 100 km17.33 LC100 km
Cost / 100 mi27.88 LC100 mi
Annual fuel used1,485 L392 US gal327 UK gal
Annual fuel cost2,599 LC/year

Head-to-head comparisons

BMW 3 Series Sedan (E46) 330xi

  • Has 38 hp more
  • Has 20 Nm more
  • Is 0.7 s quicker from 0-100 km/h
  • Has 11 km/h (7 mph) higher top speed
  • Has 6 hp/t better power-to-weight
  • Has 35 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 Sedan (E46) 330xi
BMW 3 Series Coupe (E36) 328i
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BMW 3 Series Sedan (E46) 330xi vs BMW 3 Series Coupe (E36) 328i - car comparison - FastVsFaster