Car comparison

BMW 3 Series Sedan (E36) 328ivsBMW 3 Series Sedan (G20) 320d

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)

320d

190 hp1995 ccDieselAWDAutomaticTurbochargedSedan2020-2022

Comparison overview

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

Best choices

BMW 3 Series Sedan (G20) 320d

  • Quickest 0-100 km/h
    6.9 s
  • Highest torque
    400 Nm
    295 lb-ft
  • Lowest combined fuel consumption
    4.4 L/100 km
    53.5 mpg US
    64.2 mpg UK
  • Best estimated range
    909 km
    565 mi
  • Largest trunk
    480 L
  • Best overall score
    61/100
  • Best performance score
    55/100
  • Best economy score
    95/100
  • Best practicality score
    74/100

BMW 3 Series Sedan (E36) 328i

  • 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

Specification comparison

Specification comparison
ModelBMW3 Series Sedan (E36)328iBMW3 Series Sedan (G20)320d
Power
193hp144kW
190hp142kW
Torque
280Nm207lb-ft
400Nm295lb-ft
Curb weight
1,395kg3,075lb
1,620kg3,571lb
Gross weight
1,780kg3,924lb
2,205kg4,861lb
Top speed
236 km/h
147 mph
233 km/h
145 mph
To 99% top speed
63.1s99% target: 234 km/h / 145 mph
Calculated
61.8s99% target: 231 km/h / 143 mph
Calculated
0-100 km/h
7.3s
6.9s
0-200 km/h
25.4s
Calculated
25.3s
Calculated
0-60 mph
7.0s
Calculated
6.6s
Calculated
Fuel consumption
8.5L/100 km27.7mpg US33.2mpg UK
4.4L/100 km53.5mpg US64.2mpg UK
Fuel consumption city-
5L/100 km47mpg US56.5mpg UK
Fuel consumption highway-
4.1L/100 km57.4mpg US68.9mpg UK
Quarter mile
15.2s
Calculated
14.9s
Calculated
Power-to-weight
138hp/t103kW/t63hp/1000 lb
Calculated
117hp/t87kW/t53hp/1000 lb
Calculated
Torque-to-weight
201Nm/t134lb-ft/ton
Calculated
247Nm/t165lb-ft/ton
Calculated
Estimated range
765km475mi
Calculated
909km565mi
Calculated
Displacement
2,793cc170cu in
1,995cc122cu in
Length
4,433mm175in
4,709mm185in
Width
1,698mm67in
1,827mm72in
Height
1,393mm55in
1,445mm57in
Wheelbase
2,700mm106in
2,851mm112in
Front track
1,408mm55in
1,573mm62in
Rear track
1,421mm56in
1,567mm62in
Ground clearance-
135mm5in
Trunk volume
435L
480L
Doors
4
4
Seats
5
5
Fuel tank
65L
40L

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) 320dPowerTorque
  • BMW 3 Series Sedan (E36) 328i: Power / Torque
  • BMW 3 Series Sedan (G20) 320d: 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)320d4,000 rpm1,750-2,500 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)320d
Acceleration checkpoints
0-60 mph
0-97 km/h
7.0 s
6.6 s
0-100 km/h
0-62 mph
7.3 s
6.9 s
0-200 km/h
0-124 mph
25.4 s
25.3 s
Top speed
236 km/h
147 mph
233 km/h
145 mph
Drag race simulation
60 ft
18 m
2.8 s
2.7 s
330 ft
101 m
6.9 s
6.7 s
1/8 mile
201 m
10.1 s
9.9 s
1000 ft
305 m
12.9 s
12.6 s
1/4 mile
402 m
15.2 s
14.9 s
Trap speed
1/4 mile
402 m
160 km/h
99 mph
161 km/h
100 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)320d
190 hp
142 kW

BMW 3 Series Sedan (E36) 328i has 3 hp more than BMW 3 Series Sedan (G20) 320d.

The biggest power difference is between BMW 3 Series Sedan (G20) 320d and BMW 3 Series Sedan (E36) 328i: 3 hp (2 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)320d
400 Nm
295 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)320d
1,620 kg
3,571 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)320d
233 km/h
145 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)320d6.9 s

Although BMW 3 Series Sedan (E36) 328i has more power, BMW 3 Series Sedan (G20) 320d is quicker from 0-100 km/h.

The biggest 0-100 km/h difference is between BMW 3 Series Sedan (G20) 320d and BMW 3 Series Sedan (E36) 328i: 0.4 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)320d
4.4 L/100 km
53.5 mpg US
64.2 mpg UK

The biggest fuel consumption difference is between BMW 3 Series Sedan (G20) 320d and BMW 3 Series Sedan (E36) 328i: 4.1 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)320d
117 hp/t
87 kW/t
8.5 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)320d
909 km
565 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)320d
190 hp
142 kW
6.9 s
233 km/h
145 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)320d
Power
190 hp
142 kW
0-100 km/h6.9 s
Top speed
233 km/h
145 mph
Doors/seats
4 doors
5 seats
Trunk
480 L
17.0 cu ft
Length
4,709 mm
185.4 in
Height
1,445 mm
56.9 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)320d
Power
190 hp
142 kW
0-100 km/h6.9 s
Top speed
233 km/h
145 mph
4.4 L/100 km
53.5 mpg US
64.2 mpg UK

BMW 3 Series Sedan (G20) 320d 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)320d
4.4 L/100 km
53.5 mpg US
64.2 mpg UK
6.9 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)320d
117 hp/t
87 kW/t
8.5 kg/hp
4.4 L/100 km
53.5 mpg US
64.2 mpg UK

Detailed score breakdown

Detailed score breakdown
VehicleBMW3 Series Sedan (E36)328iBMW3 Series Sedan (G20)320d
Power
193 hp
144 kW
190 hp
142 kW
Torque
280 Nm
207 lb-ft
400 Nm
295 lb-ft
Acceleration
7.3 s
6.9 s
Top speed
236 km/h
147 mph
233 km/h
145 mph
Lightness
1,395 kg
3,075 lb
1,620 kg
3,571 lb
Fuel consumption
8.5 L/100 km
27.7 mpg US
33.2 mpg UK
4.4 L/100 km
53.5 mpg US
64.2 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
1,445 mm
56.9 in
Range score
765 km
475 mi
909 km
565 mi
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
117 hp/t
87 kW/t
8.5 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) 320d
Consumption8.5 L/100 km27.7 mpg US33.2 mpg UK4.4 L/100 km53.5 mpg US64.2 mpg UK
Cost / 100 km14.88 LC100 km7.70 LC100 km
Cost / 100 mi23.94 LC100 mi12.39 LC100 mi
Annual fuel used1,275 L337 US gal280 UK gal660 L174 US gal145 UK gal
Annual fuel cost2,231 LC/year1,155 LC/year

Head-to-head comparisons

BMW 3 Series Sedan (E36) 328i

  • Has 3 hp more
  • Is 225 kg lighter
  • Has 3 km/h (2 mph) higher top speed
  • Has 21 hp/t better power-to-weight

Pros

  • Highest top speed
  • Most powerful
  • Lightest
  • Best power-to-weight ratio

Cons

  • Slowest 0-100 km/h
  • Highest combined fuel consumption
  • Smallest trunk

BMW 3 Series Sedan (G20) 320d

  • Has 120 Nm more
  • Is 0.4 s quicker from 0-100 km/h
  • Uses 4.1 L/100 km less fuel
  • Has 144 km (90 mi) more estimated range
  • Has 45 L more trunk volume

Pros

  • Quickest 0-100 km/h in this comparison
  • Highest torque
  • Lowest combined fuel consumption
  • Best estimated range
  • Largest trunk

Cons

  • 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) 320d
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