Car comparison

BMW 3 Series Sedan (E36) 328ivsBMW 3 Series Sedan (G20) 318d

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

New comparison

BMW 3 Series Sedan (E36)

328i

193 hp2793 ccGasolineRWDAutomaticNaturally aspiratedSedan1995-1999
VS

BMW 3 Series Sedan (G20)

318d

150 hp1995 ccDieselRWDManualTurbochargedSedan2019-2022

Comparison overview

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

Best choices

BMW 3 Series Sedan (E36) 328i

  • Quickest 0-100 km/h
    7.3 s
  • Fastest top speed
    236 km/h
    147 mph
  • Most powerful
    193 hp
    144 kW
  • Lightest
    1,395 kg
    3,075 lb
  • Best power-to-weight
    138 hp/t
    103 kW/t
    7.2 kg/hp
  • Best overall score
    58/100
  • Best performance score
    52/100

BMW 3 Series Sedan (G20) 318d

  • Highest torque
    320 Nm
    236 lb-ft
  • Lowest combined fuel consumption
    4.6 L/100 km
    51.1 mpg US
    61.4 mpg UK
  • Best estimated range
    870 km
    540 mi
  • Largest trunk
    480 L
  • Best economy score
    94/100
  • Best practicality score
    77/100

Specification comparison

Specification comparison
ModelBMW3 Series Sedan (E36)328iBMW3 Series Sedan (G20)318d
Power
193hp144kW
150hp112kW
Torque
280Nm207lb-ft
320Nm236lb-ft
Curb weight
1,395kg3,075lb
1,445kg3,186lb
Gross weight
1,780kg3,924lb
2,075kg4,575lb
Top speed
236 km/h
147 mph
226 km/h
140 mph
To 99% top speed
63.2s99% target: 234 km/h / 145 mph
Calculated
71.0s99% target: 224 km/h / 139 mph
Calculated
0-100 km/h
7.3s
8.4s
0-200 km/h
25.4s
Calculated
32.5s
Calculated
0-60 mph
7.0s
Calculated
8.0s
Calculated
Fuel consumption
8.5L/100 km27.7mpg US33.2mpg UK
4.6L/100 km51.1mpg US61.4mpg UK
Fuel consumption city-
5.6L/100 km42mpg US50.4mpg UK
Fuel consumption highway-
4.1L/100 km57.4mpg US68.9mpg UK
Quarter mile
15.2s
Calculated
16.1s
Calculated
Power-to-weight
138hp/t103kW/t63hp/1000 lb
Calculated
104hp/t77kW/t47hp/1000 lb
Calculated
Torque-to-weight
201Nm/t134lb-ft/ton
Calculated
221Nm/t148lb-ft/ton
Calculated
Estimated range
765km475mi
Calculated
870km540mi
Calculated
Displacement
2,793cc170cu in
1,995cc122cu in
Length
4,433mm175in
4,709mm185in
Width
1,698mm67in
1,827mm72in
Height
1,393mm55in
1,435mm56in
Wheelbase
2,700mm106in
2,851mm112in
Front track
1,408mm55in
-
Rear track
1,421mm56in
-
Trunk volume
435L
-
Max trunk volume-
480L
Doors
4
4
Seats
5
5
Fuel tank
65L
40L
CO2 emissions-
122g/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 Sedan (E36) 328iBMW 3 Series Sedan (G20) 318dPowerTorque
  • BMW 3 Series Sedan (E36) 328i: Power / Torque
  • BMW 3 Series Sedan (G20) 318d: Power / Torque
Dyno simulation data table
VehiclePeak power RPMPeak torque RPMMax engine speed
BMW3 Series Sedan (E36)328i5,500 rpm3,950 rpm5,750 rpm
BMW3 Series Sedan (G20)318d3,750-4,000 rpm1,500-3,000 rpm4,250 rpm

Acceleration curve

Estimated speed over time for selected vehicles.

Acceleration and drag-race table
MetricBMW3 Series Sedan (E36)328iBMW3 Series Sedan (G20)318d
Acceleration checkpoints
0-60 mph
0-97 km/h
7.0 s
8.0 s
0-100 km/h
0-62 mph
7.3 s
8.4 s
0-200 km/h
0-124 mph
25.4 s
32.5 s
Top speed
236 km/h
147 mph
226 km/h
140 mph
Drag race simulation
60 ft
18 m
2.8 s
2.9 s
330 ft
101 m
6.9 s
7.3 s
1/8 mile
201 m
10.1 s
10.7 s
1000 ft
305 m
12.9 s
13.7 s
1/4 mile
402 m
15.2 s
16.1 s
Trap speed
1/4 mile
402 m
160 km/h
99 mph
150 km/h
93 mph

Power comparison

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

Chart data table
VehicleValue
BMW3 Series Sedan (E36)328i
193 hp
144 kW
BMW3 Series Sedan (G20)318d
150 hp
112 kW

BMW 3 Series Sedan (E36) 328i has 43 hp more than BMW 3 Series Sedan (G20) 318d.

The biggest power difference is between BMW 3 Series Sedan (G20) 318d and BMW 3 Series Sedan (E36) 328i: 43 hp (32 kW).

Torque comparison

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

Chart data table
VehicleValue
BMW3 Series Sedan (E36)328i
280 Nm
207 lb-ft
BMW3 Series Sedan (G20)318d
320 Nm
236 lb-ft

Curb weight comparison

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

Chart data table
VehicleValue
BMW3 Series Sedan (E36)328i
1,395 kg
3,075 lb
BMW3 Series Sedan (G20)318d
1,445 kg
3,186 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 (E36)328i
236 km/h
147 mph
BMW3 Series Sedan (G20)318d
226 km/h
140 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 (E36)328i7.3 s
BMW3 Series Sedan (G20)318d8.4 s

The biggest 0-100 km/h difference is between BMW 3 Series Sedan (E36) 328i and BMW 3 Series Sedan (G20) 318d: 1.1 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 Sedan (E36)328i
8.5 L/100 km
27.7 mpg US
33.2 mpg UK
BMW3 Series Sedan (G20)318d
4.6 L/100 km
51.1 mpg US
61.4 mpg UK

The biggest fuel consumption difference is between BMW 3 Series Sedan (G20) 318d and BMW 3 Series Sedan (E36) 328i: 3.9 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 Sedan (E36)328i
138 hp/t
103 kW/t
7.2 kg/hp
BMW3 Series Sedan (G20)318d
104 hp/t
77 kW/t
9.6 kg/hp

Estimated range comparison

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

Chart data table
VehicleValue
BMW3 Series Sedan (E36)328i
765 km
475 mi
BMW3 Series Sedan (G20)318d
870 km
540 mi

Performance spider chart

Radar chart comparing normalized performance and fuel-consumption scores.

Chart data table
VehiclePowerAccelerationTop speed
BMW3 Series Sedan (E36)328i
193 hp
144 kW
7.3 s
236 km/h
147 mph
BMW3 Series Sedan (G20)318d
150 hp
112 kW
8.4 s
226 km/h
140 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 (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
BMW3 Series Sedan (G20)318d
Power
150 hp
112 kW
0-100 km/h8.4 s
Top speed
226 km/h
140 mph
Doors/seats
4 doors
5 seats
Trunk
480 L
17.0 cu ft
Length
4,709 mm
185.4 in
Height
1,435 mm
56.5 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 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
BMW3 Series Sedan (G20)318d
Power
150 hp
112 kW
0-100 km/h8.4 s
Top speed
226 km/h
140 mph
4.6 L/100 km
51.1 mpg US
61.4 mpg UK

BMW 3 Series Sedan (E36) 328i 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 Sedan (E36)328i
8.5 L/100 km
27.7 mpg US
33.2 mpg UK
7.3 s
BMW3 Series Sedan (G20)318d
4.6 L/100 km
51.1 mpg US
61.4 mpg UK
8.4 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 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
BMW3 Series Sedan (G20)318d
104 hp/t
77 kW/t
9.6 kg/hp
4.6 L/100 km
51.1 mpg US
61.4 mpg UK

Detailed score breakdown

Detailed score breakdown
VehicleBMW3 Series Sedan (E36)328iBMW3 Series Sedan (G20)318d
Power
193 hp
144 kW
150 hp
112 kW
Torque
280 Nm
207 lb-ft
320 Nm
236 lb-ft
Acceleration
7.3 s
8.4 s
Top speed
236 km/h
147 mph
226 km/h
140 mph
Lightness
1,395 kg
3,075 lb
1,445 kg
3,186 lb
Fuel consumption
8.5 L/100 km
27.7 mpg US
33.2 mpg UK
4.6 L/100 km
51.1 mpg US
61.4 mpg UK
Practicality
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
Doors/seats
4 doors
5 seats
Trunk
480 L
17.0 cu ft
Length
4,709 mm
185.4 in
Height
1,435 mm
56.5 in
Range score
765 km
475 mi
870 km
540 mi
CO2 score
-
122 g/km
Trunk score
435 L
15.4 cu ft
480 L
17.0 cu ft
Power-to-weight score
138 hp/t
103 kW/t
7.2 kg/hp
104 hp/t
77 kW/t
9.6 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 (E36) 328iBMW 3 Series Sedan (G20) 318d
Consumption8.5 L/100 km27.7 mpg US33.2 mpg UK4.6 L/100 km51.1 mpg US61.4 mpg UK
Cost / 100 km14.88 LC100 km8.05 LC100 km
Cost / 100 mi23.94 LC100 mi12.96 LC100 mi
Annual fuel used1,275 L337 US gal280 UK gal690 L182 US gal152 UK gal
Annual fuel cost2,231 LC/year1,208 LC/year

Head-to-head comparisons

BMW 3 Series Sedan (E36) 328i

  • Has 43 hp more
  • Is 50 kg lighter
  • Is 1.1 s quicker from 0-100 km/h
  • Has 10 km/h (6 mph) higher top speed
  • Has 35 hp/t better power-to-weight

Pros

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

Cons

  • Highest combined fuel consumption
  • Smallest trunk

BMW 3 Series Sedan (G20) 318d

  • Has 40 Nm more
  • Uses 3.9 L/100 km less fuel
  • Has 105 km (65 mi) more estimated range
  • Has 45 L more trunk volume

Pros

  • Highest torque
  • Lowest combined fuel consumption
  • Best estimated range
  • Largest trunk

Cons

  • Slowest 0-100 km/h
  • Lowest power
  • Heaviest
  • Lowest top speed

Choose cars to compare

Brand
Model
Generation
Engine or modification
BMW 3 Series Sedan (E36) 328i
BMW 3 Series Sedan (G20) 318d
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BMW 3 Series Sedan (E36) 328i vs BMW 3 Series Sedan (G20) 318d - car comparison - FastVsFaster