Car comparison

BMW M1 (E26) 3.5vsBMW 6 Series (E24) 635CSi

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

New comparison

BMW M1 (E26)

3.5

277 hp3453 ccGasolineRWDManualNaturally aspiratedCoupe1978-1981
VS

BMW 6 Series (E24)

635CSi

218 hp3453 ccGasolineRWDManualNaturally aspiratedCoupe1978-1982

Comparison overview

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

Best choices

BMW M1 (E26) 3.5

  • Quickest 0-100 km/h
    5.6 s
  • Fastest top speed
    262 km/h
    163 mph
  • Most powerful
    277 hp
    207 kW
  • Highest torque
    330 Nm
    243 lb-ft
  • Lightest
    1,300 kg
    2,866 lb
  • Best power-to-weight
    213 hp/t
    159 kW/t
    4.7 kg/hp
  • Best estimated range
    899 km
    559 mi
  • Best overall score
    54/100
  • Best performance score
    62/100

BMW 6 Series (E24) 635CSi

  • Lowest combined fuel consumption
    10.0 L/100 km
    23.5 mpg US
    28.2 mpg UK
  • Best economy score
    80/100
  • Best practicality score
    52/100

Specification comparison

Specification comparison
ModelBMWM1 (E26)3.5BMW6 Series (E24)635CSi
Power
277hp207kW
218hp163kW
Torque
330Nm243lb-ft
310Nm229lb-ft
Curb weight
1,300kg2,866lb
1,500kg3,307lb
Gross weight
1,600kg3,527lb
1,860kg4,101lb
Top speed
262 km/h
163 mph
222 km/h
138 mph
To 99% top speed
82.5s99% target: 259 km/h / 161 mph
Calculated
94.9s99% target: 220 km/h / 137 mph
Calculated
0-100 km/h
5.6s
7.6s
0-200 km/h
20.7s
40.5s
Calculated
0-60 mph
5.3s
Calculated
7.2s
Calculated
Fuel consumption
12.9L/100 km18.2mpg US21.9mpg UK
10L/100 km23.5mpg US28.2mpg UK
Fuel consumption city
19.6L/100 km12mpg US14.4mpg UK
-
Fuel consumption highway
8.9L/100 km26.4mpg US31.7mpg UK
-
Quarter mile
13.7s
Calculated
15.5s
Calculated
Power-to-weight
213hp/t159kW/t97hp/1000 lb
Calculated
145hp/t108kW/t66hp/1000 lb
Calculated
Torque-to-weight
254Nm/t170lb-ft/ton
Calculated
207Nm/t138lb-ft/ton
Calculated
Estimated range
899km559mi
Calculated
700km435mi
Calculated
Displacement
3,453cc211cu in
3,453cc211cu in
Length
4,360mm172in
4,755mm187in
Width
1,824mm72in
1,725mm68in
Height
1,140mm45in
1,365mm54in
Wheelbase
2,560mm101in
2,626mm103in
Front track
1,550mm61in
1,422mm56in
Rear track
1,576mm62in
1,487mm59in
Ground clearance
125mm5in
-
Trunk volume-
415L
Doors
2
2
Seats
2
4
Fuel tank
116L
70L

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 M1 (E26) 3.5BMW 6 Series (E24) 635CSiPowerTorque
  • BMW M1 (E26) 3.5: Power / Torque
  • BMW 6 Series (E24) 635CSi: Power / Torque
Dyno simulation data table
VehiclePeak power RPMPeak torque RPMMax engine speed
BMWM1 (E26)3.56,500 rpm5,000 rpm7,000 rpm
BMW6 Series (E24)635CSi5,200 rpm4,000 rpm5,450 rpm

Acceleration curve

Estimated speed over time for selected vehicles.

Acceleration and drag-race table
MetricBMWM1 (E26)3.5BMW6 Series (E24)635CSi
Acceleration checkpoints
0-60 mph
0-97 km/h
5.3 s
7.2 s
0-100 km/h
0-62 mph
5.6 s
7.6 s
0-200 km/h
0-124 mph
20.7 s
40.5 s
Top speed
262 km/h
163 mph
222 km/h
138 mph
Drag race simulation
60 ft
18 m
2.2 s
2.4 s
330 ft
101 m
5.9 s
6.6 s
1/8 mile
201 m
9.0 s
10.0 s
1000 ft
305 m
11.6 s
13.0 s
1/4 mile
402 m
13.7 s
15.5 s
Trap speed
1/4 mile
402 m
168 km/h
104 mph
146 km/h
90 mph

Power comparison

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

Chart data table
VehicleValue
BMWM1 (E26)3.5
277 hp
207 kW
BMW6 Series (E24)635CSi
218 hp
163 kW

BMW M1 (E26) 3.5 has 59 hp more than BMW 6 Series (E24) 635CSi.

The biggest power difference is between BMW 6 Series (E24) 635CSi and BMW M1 (E26) 3.5: 59 hp (44 kW).

Torque comparison

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

Chart data table
VehicleValue
BMWM1 (E26)3.5
330 Nm
243 lb-ft
BMW6 Series (E24)635CSi
310 Nm
229 lb-ft

Curb weight comparison

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

Chart data table
VehicleValue
BMWM1 (E26)3.5
1,300 kg
2,866 lb
BMW6 Series (E24)635CSi
1,500 kg
3,307 lb

Top speed without limiter comparison

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

Chart data table
VehicleValue
BMWM1 (E26)3.5
262 km/h
163 mph
BMW6 Series (E24)635CSi
222 km/h
138 mph

0-100 km/h comparison

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

Chart data table
VehicleValue
BMWM1 (E26)3.55.6 s
BMW6 Series (E24)635CSi7.6 s

The biggest 0-100 km/h difference is between BMW M1 (E26) 3.5 and BMW 6 Series (E24) 635CSi: 2.0 s.

Fuel consumption comparison

Bar comparison chart for Fuel consumption. Lower is better · L/100 km / mpg US / mpg UK

Chart data table
VehicleValue
BMWM1 (E26)3.5
12.9 L/100 km
18.2 mpg US
21.9 mpg UK
BMW6 Series (E24)635CSi
10.0 L/100 km
23.5 mpg US
28.2 mpg UK

The biggest fuel consumption difference is between BMW 6 Series (E24) 635CSi and BMW M1 (E26) 3.5: 2.9 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
BMWM1 (E26)3.5
213 hp/t
159 kW/t
4.7 kg/hp
BMW6 Series (E24)635CSi
145 hp/t
108 kW/t
6.9 kg/hp

Estimated range comparison

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

Chart data table
VehicleValue
BMWM1 (E26)3.5
899 km
559 mi
BMW6 Series (E24)635CSi
700 km
435 mi

Performance spider chart

Radar chart comparing normalized performance and fuel-consumption scores.

Chart data table
VehiclePowerAccelerationTop speed
BMWM1 (E26)3.5
277 hp
207 kW
5.6 s
262 km/h
163 mph
BMW6 Series (E24)635CSi
218 hp
163 kW
7.6 s
222 km/h
138 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
BMWM1 (E26)3.5
Power
277 hp
207 kW
0-100 km/h5.6 s
Top speed
262 km/h
163 mph
Doors/seats
2 doors
2 seats
Trunk-
Length
4,360 mm
171.7 in
Height
1,140 mm
44.9 in
BMW6 Series (E24)635CSi
Power
218 hp
163 kW
0-100 km/h7.6 s
Top speed
222 km/h
138 mph
Doors/seats
2 doors
4 seats
Trunk
415 L
14.7 cu ft
Length
4,755 mm
187.2 in
Height
1,365 mm
53.7 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
BMWM1 (E26)3.5
Power
277 hp
207 kW
0-100 km/h5.6 s
Top speed
262 km/h
163 mph
12.9 L/100 km
18.2 mpg US
21.9 mpg UK
BMW6 Series (E24)635CSi
Power
218 hp
163 kW
0-100 km/h7.6 s
Top speed
222 km/h
138 mph
10.0 L/100 km
23.5 mpg US
28.2 mpg UK

BMW M1 (E26) 3.5 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
BMWM1 (E26)3.5
12.9 L/100 km
18.2 mpg US
21.9 mpg UK
5.6 s
BMW6 Series (E24)635CSi
10.0 L/100 km
23.5 mpg US
28.2 mpg UK
7.6 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
BMWM1 (E26)3.5
213 hp/t
159 kW/t
4.7 kg/hp
12.9 L/100 km
18.2 mpg US
21.9 mpg UK
BMW6 Series (E24)635CSi
145 hp/t
108 kW/t
6.9 kg/hp
10.0 L/100 km
23.5 mpg US
28.2 mpg UK

Detailed score breakdown

Detailed score breakdown
VehicleBMWM1 (E26)3.5BMW6 Series (E24)635CSi
Power
277 hp
207 kW
218 hp
163 kW
Torque
330 Nm
243 lb-ft
310 Nm
229 lb-ft
Acceleration
5.6 s
7.6 s
Top speed
262 km/h
163 mph
222 km/h
138 mph
Lightness
1,300 kg
2,866 lb
1,500 kg
3,307 lb
Fuel consumption
12.9 L/100 km
18.2 mpg US
21.9 mpg UK
10.0 L/100 km
23.5 mpg US
28.2 mpg UK
Practicality
Doors/seats
2 doors
2 seats
Trunk-
Length
4,360 mm
171.7 in
Height
1,140 mm
44.9 in
Doors/seats
2 doors
4 seats
Trunk
415 L
14.7 cu ft
Length
4,755 mm
187.2 in
Height
1,365 mm
53.7 in
Range score
899 km
559 mi
700 km
435 mi
Trunk score
-
415 L
14.7 cu ft
Power-to-weight score
213 hp/t
159 kW/t
4.7 kg/hp
145 hp/t
108 kW/t
6.9 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 M1 (E26) 3.5BMW 6 Series (E24) 635CSi
Consumption12.9 L/100 km18.2 mpg US21.9 mpg UK10 L/100 km23.5 mpg US28.2 mpg UK
Cost / 100 km22.58 LC100 km17.50 LC100 km
Cost / 100 mi36.33 LC100 mi28.16 LC100 mi
Annual fuel used1,935 L511 US gal426 UK gal1,500 L396 US gal330 UK gal
Annual fuel cost3,386 LC/year2,625 LC/year

Head-to-head comparisons

BMW M1 (E26) 3.5

  • Has 59 hp more
  • Has 20 Nm more
  • Is 200 kg lighter
  • Is 2.0 s quicker from 0-100 km/h
  • Has 40 km/h (25 mph) higher top speed
  • Has 68 hp/t better power-to-weight
  • Has 199 km (124 mi) more estimated range

Pros

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

Cons

  • Highest combined fuel consumption

BMW 6 Series (E24) 635CSi

  • Uses 2.9 L/100 km less fuel

Pros

  • Lowest combined fuel consumption

Cons

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

Choose cars to compare

Brand
Model
Generation
Engine or modification
BMW M1 (E26) 3.5
BMW 6 Series (E24) 635CSi
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