Car comparison

BMW Z3 Coupe (E36/8) 3.2vsBMW 3 Series Coupe (E46) 330Ci

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

New comparison

BMW Z3 Coupe (E36/8)

3.2

321 hp3201 ccGasolineRWDManualNaturally aspiratedCoupe1998-2003
VS

BMW 3 Series Coupe (E46)

330Ci

231 hp2979 ccGasolineRWDManualNaturally aspiratedCoupe2000-2003

Comparison overview

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

Best choices

BMW Z3 Coupe (E36/8) 3.2

  • Quickest 0-100 km/h
    5.4 s
  • Fastest top speed
    265 km/h
    165 mph Unrestricted
    250 km/h
    155 mph Restricted
  • Most powerful
    321 hp
    239 kW
  • Highest torque
    350 Nm
    258 lb-ft
  • Lightest
    1,390 kg
    3,064 lb
  • Best power-to-weight
    231 hp/t
    172 kW/t
    4.3 kg/hp
  • Best overall score
    57/100
  • Best performance score
    67/100

BMW 3 Series Coupe (E46) 330Ci

  • Lowest city consumption
    12.8 L/100 km
    18.4 mpg US
    22.1 mpg UK
  • Lowest highway consumption
    6.9 L/100 km
    34.1 mpg US
    40.9 mpg UK
  • Largest trunk
    440 L
  • Best economy score
    82/100
  • Best practicality score
    57/100

Specification comparison

Specification comparison
ModelBMWZ3 Coupe (E36/8)3.2BMW3 Series Coupe (E46)330Ci
Power
321hp239kW
231hp172kW
Torque
350Nm258lb-ft
300Nm221lb-ft
Curb weight
1,390kg3,064lb
1,400kg3,086lb
Gross weight
1,660kg3,660lb
1,900kg4,189lb
Top speed
Unrestricted
265 km/h165 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph
Calculated
250 km/h
155 mph
To 99% top speed
66.8s99% target: 262 km/h / 163 mph
Calculated
84.2s99% target: 248 km/h / 154 mph
Calculated
0-100 km/h
5.4s
6.5s
0-200 km/h
18.0s
Calculated
24.7s
Calculated
0-60 mph
5.1s
Calculated
6.2s
Calculated
Fuel consumption-
9.1L/100 km25.8mpg US31.0mpg UK
Fuel consumption city
12.9L/100 km18.2mpg US21.9mpg UK
12.8L/100 km18.4mpg US22.1mpg UK
Fuel consumption highway
7.4L/100 km31.8mpg US38.2mpg UK
6.9L/100 km34.1mpg US40.9mpg UK
Quarter mile
13.5s
Calculated
14.5s
Calculated
Power-to-weight
231hp/t172kW/t105hp/1000 lb
Calculated
165hp/t123kW/t75hp/1000 lb
Calculated
Torque-to-weight
252Nm/t168lb-ft/ton
Calculated
214Nm/t143lb-ft/ton
Calculated
Estimated range-
692km430mi
Calculated
Displacement
3,201cc195cu in
2,979cc182cu in
Length
4,025mm158in
4,488mm177in
Width
1,740mm69in
1,757mm69in
Height
1,279mm50in
1,369mm54in
Wheelbase
2,459mm97in
2,725mm107in
Front track
1,422mm56in
1,471mm58in
Rear track
1,492mm59in
1,483mm58in
Trunk volume
210L
440L
Max trunk volume
410L
-
Doors
3
2
Seats
2
5
Fuel tank
51L
63L

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 Z3 Coupe (E36/8) 3.2BMW 3 Series Coupe (E46) 330CiPowerTorque
  • BMW Z3 Coupe (E36/8) 3.2: Power / Torque
  • BMW 3 Series Coupe (E46) 330Ci: Power / Torque
Dyno simulation data table
VehiclePeak power RPMPeak torque RPMMax engine speed
BMWZ3 Coupe (E36/8)3.27,400 rpm3,250 rpm7,650 rpm
BMW3 Series Coupe (E46)330Ci5,900 rpm3,500 rpm6,150 rpm

Acceleration curve

Estimated speed over time for selected vehicles.

Acceleration and drag-race table
MetricBMWZ3 Coupe (E36/8)3.2BMW3 Series Coupe (E46)330Ci
Acceleration checkpoints
0-60 mph
0-97 km/h
5.1 s
6.2 s
0-100 km/h
0-62 mph
5.4 s
6.5 s
0-200 km/h
0-124 mph
18.0 s
24.7 s
Top speed
Unrestricted
265 km/h165 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph
Likely limited
250 km/h
155 mph
Drag race simulation
60 ft
18 m
2.3 s
2.4 s
330 ft
101 m
6.0 s
6.3 s
1/8 mile
201 m
8.9 s
9.5 s
1000 ft
305 m
11.4 s
12.3 s
1/4 mile
402 m
13.5 s
14.5 s
Trap speed
1/4 mile
402 m
175 km/h
109 mph
160 km/h
99 mph

Power comparison

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

Chart data table
VehicleValue
BMWZ3 Coupe (E36/8)3.2
321 hp
239 kW
BMW3 Series Coupe (E46)330Ci
231 hp
172 kW

BMW Z3 Coupe (E36/8) 3.2 has 90 hp more than BMW 3 Series Coupe (E46) 330Ci.

The biggest power difference is between BMW 3 Series Coupe (E46) 330Ci and BMW Z3 Coupe (E36/8) 3.2: 90 hp (67 kW).

Torque comparison

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

Chart data table
VehicleValue
BMWZ3 Coupe (E36/8)3.2
350 Nm
258 lb-ft
BMW3 Series Coupe (E46)330Ci
300 Nm
221 lb-ft

Curb weight comparison

Bar comparison chart for Curb weight. Lower is better · kg / lb

Chart data table
VehicleValue
BMWZ3 Coupe (E36/8)3.2
1,390 kg
3,064 lb
BMW3 Series Coupe (E46)330Ci
1,400 kg
3,086 lb

Top speed without limiter comparison

Bar comparison chart for Top speed without limiter. Higher is better · km/h / mph

Chart data table
VehicleValue
BMWZ3 Coupe (E36/8)3.2
Unrestricted
265 km/h165 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph
BMW3 Series Coupe (E46)330Ci
250 km/h
155 mph

0-100 km/h comparison

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

Chart data table
VehicleValue
BMWZ3 Coupe (E36/8)3.25.4 s
BMW3 Series Coupe (E46)330Ci6.5 s

The biggest 0-100 km/h difference is between BMW Z3 Coupe (E36/8) 3.2 and BMW 3 Series Coupe (E46) 330Ci: 1.1 s.

Power-to-weight comparison

Bar comparison chart for Power-to-weight. Higher is better · hp/t / kW/t

Chart data table
VehicleValue
BMWZ3 Coupe (E36/8)3.2
231 hp/t
172 kW/t
4.3 kg/hp
BMW3 Series Coupe (E46)330Ci
165 hp/t
123 kW/t
6.1 kg/hp

Performance spider chart

Radar chart comparing normalized performance and fuel-consumption scores.

Chart data table
VehiclePowerAccelerationTop speed
BMWZ3 Coupe (E36/8)3.2
321 hp
239 kW
5.4 s
Unrestricted
265 km/h165 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph
BMW3 Series Coupe (E46)330Ci
231 hp
172 kW
6.5 s
250 km/h
155 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
BMWZ3 Coupe (E36/8)3.2
Power
321 hp
239 kW
0-100 km/h5.4 s
Top speed
Unrestricted
265 km/h165 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph
Doors/seats
3 doors
2 seats
Trunk
210 L
7.4 cu ft
Length
4,025 mm
158.5 in
Height
1,279 mm
50.4 in
BMW3 Series Coupe (E46)330Ci
Power
231 hp
172 kW
0-100 km/h6.5 s
Top speed
250 km/h
155 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

Detailed score breakdown

Detailed score breakdown
VehicleBMWZ3 Coupe (E36/8)3.2BMW3 Series Coupe (E46)330Ci
Power
321 hp
239 kW
231 hp
172 kW
Torque
350 Nm
258 lb-ft
300 Nm
221 lb-ft
Acceleration
5.4 s
6.5 s
Top speed
Unrestricted
265 km/h165 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph
250 km/h
155 mph
Lightness
1,390 kg
3,064 lb
1,400 kg
3,086 lb
Fuel consumption
-
9.1 L/100 km
25.8 mpg US
31.0 mpg UK
Practicality
Doors/seats
3 doors
2 seats
Trunk
210 L
7.4 cu ft
Length
4,025 mm
158.5 in
Height
1,279 mm
50.4 in
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
Range score
-
692 km
430 mi
Trunk score
210 L
7.4 cu ft
440 L
15.5 cu ft
Power-to-weight score
231 hp/t
172 kW/t
4.3 kg/hp
165 hp/t
123 kW/t
6.1 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 (E46) 330Ci
Consumption9.1 L/100 km25.8 mpg US31 mpg UK
Cost / 100 km15.92 LC100 km
Cost / 100 mi25.63 LC100 mi
Annual fuel used1,365 L361 US gal300 UK gal
Annual fuel cost2,389 LC/year

Head-to-head comparisons

BMW Z3 Coupe (E36/8) 3.2

  • Has 90 hp more
  • Has 50 Nm more
  • Is 10 kg lighter
  • Is 1.1 s quicker from 0-100 km/h
  • Has 15 km/h (9 mph) higher top speed
  • Has 66 hp/t better power-to-weight

Pros

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

Cons

  • Smallest trunk

Choose cars to compare

Brand
Model
Generation
Engine or modification
BMW Z3 Coupe (E36/8) 3.2
BMW 3 Series Coupe (E46) 330Ci
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2 vehicles selected

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