Car comparison

BMW 3 Series Touring (E36) 328ivsBMW 3 Series Touring (G21) 320d

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

New comparison

BMW 3 Series Touring (E36)

328i

193 hp2793 ccGasolineRWDAutomaticNaturally aspiratedWagon / estate1995-1999
VS

BMW 3 Series Touring (G21)

320d

190 hp1995 ccDieselAWDAutomaticTurbochargedWagon / estate2019-2020

Comparison overview

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

Best choices

BMW 3 Series Touring (G21) 320d

  • Highest torque
    400 Nm
    295 lb-ft
  • Lowest combined fuel consumption
    4.9 L/100 km
    48.0 mpg US
    57.6 mpg UK
  • Lowest city consumption
    5.4 L/100 km
    43.6 mpg US
    52.3 mpg UK
  • Lowest highway consumption
    4.7 L/100 km
    50.0 mpg US
    60.1 mpg UK
  • Best estimated range
    816 km
    507 mi
  • Largest trunk
    500 L
  • Best overall score
    63/100
  • Best performance score
    53/100
  • Best economy score
    94/100
  • Best practicality score
    84/100

BMW 3 Series Touring (E36) 328i

  • Quickest 0-100 km/h
    7.4 s
  • Fastest top speed
    240 km/h
    149 mph Unrestricted
    230 km/h
    143 mph Restricted
  • Most powerful
    193 hp
    144 kW
  • Lightest
    1,365 kg
    3,009 lb
  • Best power-to-weight
    141 hp/t
    105 kW/t
    7.1 kg/hp

Specification comparison

Specification comparison
ModelBMW3 Series Touring (E36)328iBMW3 Series Touring (G21)320d
Power
193hp144kW
190hp142kW
Torque
280Nm207lb-ft
400Nm295lb-ft
Curb weight
1,365kg3,009lb
1,640kg3,616lb
Gross weight
1,865kg4,112lb
2,255kg4,971lb
Top speed
Unrestricted
240 km/h149 mph
Restricted
230 km/h143 mph
Calculated
Unrestricted
235 km/h146 mph
Restricted
225 km/h140 mph
Calculated
To 99% top speed
69.2s99% target: 238 km/h / 148 mph
Calculated
72.1s99% target: 233 km/h / 145 mph
Calculated
0-100 km/h
7.4s
7.4s
0-200 km/h
25.9s
Calculated
27.9s
Calculated
0-60 mph
7.1s
Calculated
7.0s
Calculated
Fuel consumption
9.3L/100 km25.3mpg US30.4mpg UK
4.9L/100 km48mpg US57.6mpg UK
Fuel consumption city
13.5L/100 km17.4mpg US20.9mpg UK
5.4L/100 km43.6mpg US52.3mpg UK
Fuel consumption highway
6.8L/100 km34.6mpg US41.5mpg UK
4.7L/100 km50mpg US60.1mpg UK
Quarter mile
15.3s
Calculated
15.3s
Calculated
Power-to-weight
141hp/t105kW/t64hp/1000 lb
Calculated
116hp/t86kW/t53hp/1000 lb
Calculated
Torque-to-weight
205Nm/t137lb-ft/ton
Calculated
244Nm/t163lb-ft/ton
Calculated
Estimated range
667km414mi
Calculated
816km507mi
Calculated
Displacement
2,793cc170cu in
1,995cc122cu in
Length
4,433mm175in
4,709mm185in
Width
1,698mm67in
1,827mm72in
Height
1,391mm55in
1,445mm57in
Wheelbase
2,700mm106in
2,851mm112in
Front track
1,418mm56in
1,573mm62in
Rear track
1,431mm56in
1,567mm62in
Ground clearance
110mm4in
135mm5in
Trunk volume
370L
500L
Max trunk volume
1,320L
1,510L
Doors
5
5
Seats
5
5
Fuel tank
62L
40L
CO2 emissions-
129g/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 Touring (E36) 328iBMW 3 Series Touring (G21) 320dPowerTorque
  • BMW 3 Series Touring (E36) 328i: Power / Torque
  • BMW 3 Series Touring (G21) 320d: Power / Torque
Dyno simulation data table
VehiclePeak power RPMPeak torque RPMMax engine speed
BMW3 Series Touring (E36)328i5,300 rpm3,950 rpm5,550 rpm
BMW3 Series Touring (G21)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 Touring (E36)328iBMW3 Series Touring (G21)320d
Acceleration checkpoints
0-60 mph
0-97 km/h
7.1 s
7.0 s
0-100 km/h
0-62 mph
7.4 s
7.4 s
0-200 km/h
0-124 mph
25.9 s
27.9 s
Top speed
Unrestricted
240 km/h149 mph
Restricted
230 km/h143 mph
Likely limited
Unrestricted
235 km/h146 mph
Restricted
225 km/h140 mph
Likely limited
Drag race simulation
60 ft
18 m
2.8 s
2.7 s
330 ft
101 m
6.9 s
6.8 s
1/8 mile
201 m
10.2 s
10.1 s
1000 ft
305 m
13.0 s
12.9 s
1/4 mile
402 m
15.3 s
15.3 s
Trap speed
1/4 mile
402 m
158 km/h
98 mph
156 km/h
97 mph

Power comparison

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

Chart data table
VehicleValue
BMW3 Series Touring (E36)328i
193 hp
144 kW
BMW3 Series Touring (G21)320d
190 hp
142 kW

BMW 3 Series Touring (E36) 328i has 3 hp more than BMW 3 Series Touring (G21) 320d.

The biggest power difference is between BMW 3 Series Touring (G21) 320d and BMW 3 Series Touring (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 Touring (E36)328i
280 Nm
207 lb-ft
BMW3 Series Touring (G21)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 Touring (E36)328i
1,365 kg
3,009 lb
BMW3 Series Touring (G21)320d
1,640 kg
3,616 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 Touring (E36)328i
Unrestricted
240 km/h149 mph
Restricted
230 km/h143 mph
BMW3 Series Touring (G21)320d
Unrestricted
235 km/h146 mph
Restricted
225 km/h140 mph

0-100 km/h comparison

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

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 Touring (E36)328i
9.3 L/100 km
25.3 mpg US
30.4 mpg UK
BMW3 Series Touring (G21)320d
4.9 L/100 km
48.0 mpg US
57.6 mpg UK

The biggest fuel consumption difference is between BMW 3 Series Touring (G21) 320d and BMW 3 Series Touring (E36) 328i: 4.4 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 Touring (E36)328i
141 hp/t
105 kW/t
7.1 kg/hp
BMW3 Series Touring (G21)320d
116 hp/t
86 kW/t
8.6 kg/hp

Estimated range comparison

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

Chart data table
VehicleValue
BMW3 Series Touring (E36)328i
667 km
414 mi
BMW3 Series Touring (G21)320d
816 km
507 mi

Performance spider chart

Radar chart comparing normalized performance and fuel-consumption scores.

Chart data table
VehiclePowerAccelerationTop speed
BMW3 Series Touring (E36)328i
193 hp
144 kW
7.4 s
Unrestricted
240 km/h149 mph
Restricted
230 km/h143 mph
BMW3 Series Touring (G21)320d
190 hp
142 kW
7.4 s
Unrestricted
235 km/h146 mph
Restricted
225 km/h140 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 Touring (E36)328i
Power
193 hp
144 kW
0-100 km/h7.4 s
Top speed
Unrestricted
240 km/h149 mph
Restricted
230 km/h143 mph
Doors/seats
5 doors
5 seats
Trunk
370 L
13.1 cu ft
Length
4,433 mm
174.5 in
Height
1,391 mm
54.8 in
BMW3 Series Touring (G21)320d
Power
190 hp
142 kW
0-100 km/h7.4 s
Top speed
Unrestricted
235 km/h146 mph
Restricted
225 km/h140 mph
Doors/seats
5 doors
5 seats
Trunk
500 L
17.7 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 Touring (E36)328i
Power
193 hp
144 kW
0-100 km/h7.4 s
Top speed
Unrestricted
240 km/h149 mph
Restricted
230 km/h143 mph
9.3 L/100 km
25.3 mpg US
30.4 mpg UK
BMW3 Series Touring (G21)320d
Power
190 hp
142 kW
0-100 km/h7.4 s
Top speed
Unrestricted
235 km/h146 mph
Restricted
225 km/h140 mph
4.9 L/100 km
48.0 mpg US
57.6 mpg UK

BMW 3 Series Touring (G21) 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 Touring (E36)328i
9.3 L/100 km
25.3 mpg US
30.4 mpg UK
7.4 s
BMW3 Series Touring (G21)320d
4.9 L/100 km
48.0 mpg US
57.6 mpg UK
7.4 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 Touring (E36)328i
141 hp/t
105 kW/t
7.1 kg/hp
9.3 L/100 km
25.3 mpg US
30.4 mpg UK
BMW3 Series Touring (G21)320d
116 hp/t
86 kW/t
8.6 kg/hp
4.9 L/100 km
48.0 mpg US
57.6 mpg UK

Detailed score breakdown

Detailed score breakdown
VehicleBMW3 Series Touring (E36)328iBMW3 Series Touring (G21)320d
Power
193 hp
144 kW
190 hp
142 kW
Torque
280 Nm
207 lb-ft
400 Nm
295 lb-ft
Acceleration
7.4 s
7.4 s
Top speed
Unrestricted
240 km/h149 mph
Restricted
230 km/h143 mph
Unrestricted
235 km/h146 mph
Restricted
225 km/h140 mph
Lightness
1,365 kg
3,009 lb
1,640 kg
3,616 lb
Fuel consumption
9.3 L/100 km
25.3 mpg US
30.4 mpg UK
4.9 L/100 km
48.0 mpg US
57.6 mpg UK
Practicality
Doors/seats
5 doors
5 seats
Trunk
370 L
13.1 cu ft
Length
4,433 mm
174.5 in
Height
1,391 mm
54.8 in
Doors/seats
5 doors
5 seats
Trunk
500 L
17.7 cu ft
Length
4,709 mm
185.4 in
Height
1,445 mm
56.9 in
Range score
667 km
414 mi
816 km
507 mi
CO2 score
-
129 g/km
Trunk score
370 L
13.1 cu ft
500 L
17.7 cu ft
Power-to-weight score
141 hp/t
105 kW/t
7.1 kg/hp
116 hp/t
86 kW/t
8.6 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 Touring (E36) 328iBMW 3 Series Touring (G21) 320d
Consumption9.3 L/100 km25.3 mpg US30.4 mpg UK4.9 L/100 km48 mpg US57.6 mpg UK
Cost / 100 km16.28 LC100 km8.58 LC100 km
Cost / 100 mi26.19 LC100 mi13.80 LC100 mi
Annual fuel used1,395 L369 US gal307 UK gal735 L194 US gal162 UK gal
Annual fuel cost2,441 LC/year1,286 LC/year

Head-to-head comparisons

BMW 3 Series Touring (E36) 328i

  • Has 3 hp more
  • Is 275 kg lighter
  • Has 5 km/h (3 mph) higher top speed
  • Has 26 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 Touring (G21) 320d

  • Has 120 Nm more
  • Uses 4.4 L/100 km less fuel
  • Has 150 km (93 mi) more estimated range
  • Has 130 L more trunk volume

Pros

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

Cons

  • Lowest power
  • Heaviest
  • Lowest top speed

Choose cars to compare

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Model
Generation
Engine or modification
BMW 3 Series Touring (E36) 328i
BMW 3 Series Touring (G21) 320d
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BMW 3 Series Touring (E36) 328i vs BMW 3 Series Touring (G21) 320d - car comparison - FastVsFaster