Car comparison

BMW M3 Coupe (E36) 3.2vsBMW 8 Series (E31) 850Ci 5.4

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

New comparison

BMW M3 Coupe (E36)

3.2

321 hp3201 ccGasolineRWDManualNaturally aspiratedCoupe1995-1999
VS

BMW 8 Series (E31)

850Ci 5.4

326 hp5379 ccGasolineRWDAutomaticNaturally aspiratedCoupe1994-1999

Comparison overview

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

Best choices

BMW M3 Coupe (E36) 3.2

  • Quickest 0-100 km/h
    5.5 s
  • Fastest top speed
    265 km/h
    165 mph Unrestricted
    250 km/h
    155 mph Restricted
  • Lightest
    1,460 kg
    3,219 lb
  • Best power-to-weight
    220 hp/t
    164 kW/t
    4.5 kg/hp
  • Lowest city consumption
    16.9 L/100 km
    13.9 mpg US
    16.7 mpg UK
  • Lowest highway consumption
    7.5 L/100 km
    31.4 mpg US
    37.7 mpg UK
  • Largest trunk
    405 L
  • Best overall score
    62/100
  • Best performance score
    66/100
  • Best economy score
    77/100
  • Best practicality score
    55/100

Specification comparison

Specification comparison
ModelBMWM3 Coupe (E36)3.2BMW8 Series (E31)850Ci 5.4
Power
321hp239kW
326hp243kW
Torque
350Nm258lb-ft
490Nm361lb-ft
Curb weight
1,460kg3,219lb
1,880kg4,145lb
Gross weight
1,950kg4,299lb
2,300kg5,071lb
Top speed
Unrestricted
265 km/h165 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph
Calculated
Unrestricted
265 km/h165 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph
Calculated
To 99% top speed
71.1s99% target: 262 km/h / 163 mph
Calculated
90.9s99% target: 262 km/h / 163 mph
Calculated
0-100 km/h
5.5s
6.3s
0-200 km/h
18.7s
Calculated
22.6s
Calculated
0-60 mph
5.2s
Calculated
6.0s
Calculated
Fuel consumption
11L/100 km21.4mpg US25.7mpg UK
-
Fuel consumption city
16.9L/100 km13.9mpg US16.7mpg UK
21.1L/100 km11.1mpg US13.4mpg UK
Fuel consumption highway
7.5L/100 km31.4mpg US37.7mpg UK
9.9L/100 km23.8mpg US28.5mpg UK
Quarter mile
13.6s
Calculated
14.3s
Calculated
Power-to-weight
220hp/t164kW/t100hp/1000 lb
Calculated
173hp/t129kW/t79hp/1000 lb
Calculated
Torque-to-weight
240Nm/t160lb-ft/ton
Calculated
261Nm/t174lb-ft/ton
Calculated
Estimated range
564km350mi
Calculated
-
Displacement
3,201cc195cu in
5,379cc328cu in
Length
4,433mm175in
4,780mm188in
Width
1,710mm67in
1,855mm73in
Height
1,335mm53in
1,340mm53in
Wheelbase
2,700mm106in
2,684mm106in
Front track
1,422mm56in
1,554mm61in
Rear track
1,444mm57in
1,562mm61in
Ground clearance
110mm4in
-
Trunk volume
405L
320L
Doors
2
2
Seats
5
4
Fuel tank
62L
90L

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 M3 Coupe (E36) 3.2BMW 8 Series (E31) 850Ci 5.4PowerTorque
  • BMW M3 Coupe (E36) 3.2: Power / Torque
  • BMW 8 Series (E31) 850Ci 5.4: Power / Torque
Dyno simulation data table
VehiclePeak power RPMPeak torque RPMMax engine speed
BMWM3 Coupe (E36)3.27,400 rpm3,250 rpm7,650 rpm
BMW8 Series (E31)850Ci 5.45,000 rpm3,900 rpm5,250 rpm

Acceleration curve

Estimated speed over time for selected vehicles.

Acceleration and drag-race table
MetricBMWM3 Coupe (E36)3.2BMW8 Series (E31)850Ci 5.4
Acceleration checkpoints
0-60 mph
0-97 km/h
5.2 s
6.0 s
0-100 km/h
0-62 mph
5.5 s
6.3 s
0-200 km/h
0-124 mph
18.7 s
22.6 s
Top speed
Unrestricted
265 km/h165 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph
Likely limited
Unrestricted
265 km/h165 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph
Likely limited
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
9.4 s
1000 ft
305 m
11.5 s
12.1 s
1/4 mile
402 m
13.6 s
14.3 s
Trap speed
1/4 mile
402 m
173 km/h
107 mph
163 km/h
101 mph

Power comparison

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

Chart data table
VehicleValue
BMWM3 Coupe (E36)3.2
321 hp
239 kW
BMW8 Series (E31)850Ci 5.4
326 hp
243 kW

BMW 8 Series (E31) 850Ci 5.4 has 5 hp more than BMW M3 Coupe (E36) 3.2.

The biggest power difference is between BMW M3 Coupe (E36) 3.2 and BMW 8 Series (E31) 850Ci 5.4: 5 hp (4 kW).

Torque comparison

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

Chart data table
VehicleValue
BMWM3 Coupe (E36)3.2
350 Nm
258 lb-ft
BMW8 Series (E31)850Ci 5.4
490 Nm
361 lb-ft

Curb weight comparison

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

Chart data table
VehicleValue
BMWM3 Coupe (E36)3.2
1,460 kg
3,219 lb
BMW8 Series (E31)850Ci 5.4
1,880 kg
4,145 lb

Top speed without limiter comparison

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

Chart data table
VehicleValue
BMWM3 Coupe (E36)3.2
Unrestricted
265 km/h165 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph
BMW8 Series (E31)850Ci 5.4
Unrestricted
265 km/h165 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph

0-100 km/h comparison

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

Chart data table
VehicleValue
BMWM3 Coupe (E36)3.25.5 s
BMW8 Series (E31)850Ci 5.46.3 s

Although BMW 8 Series (E31) 850Ci 5.4 has more power, BMW M3 Coupe (E36) 3.2 is quicker from 0-100 km/h.

The biggest 0-100 km/h difference is between BMW M3 Coupe (E36) 3.2 and BMW 8 Series (E31) 850Ci 5.4: 0.8 s.

Power-to-weight comparison

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

Chart data table
VehicleValue
BMWM3 Coupe (E36)3.2
220 hp/t
164 kW/t
4.5 kg/hp
BMW8 Series (E31)850Ci 5.4
173 hp/t
129 kW/t
5.8 kg/hp

Performance spider chart

Radar chart comparing normalized performance and fuel-consumption scores.

Chart data table
VehiclePowerAccelerationTop speed
BMWM3 Coupe (E36)3.2
321 hp
239 kW
5.5 s
Unrestricted
265 km/h165 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph
BMW8 Series (E31)850Ci 5.4
326 hp
243 kW
6.3 s
Unrestricted
265 km/h165 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 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
BMWM3 Coupe (E36)3.2
Power
321 hp
239 kW
0-100 km/h5.5 s
Top speed
Unrestricted
265 km/h165 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph
Doors/seats
2 doors
5 seats
Trunk
405 L
14.3 cu ft
Length
4,433 mm
174.5 in
Height
1,335 mm
52.6 in
BMW8 Series (E31)850Ci 5.4
Power
326 hp
243 kW
0-100 km/h6.3 s
Top speed
Unrestricted
265 km/h165 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph
Doors/seats
2 doors
4 seats
Trunk
320 L
11.3 cu ft
Length
4,780 mm
188.2 in
Height
1,340 mm
52.8 in

Detailed score breakdown

Detailed score breakdown
VehicleBMWM3 Coupe (E36)3.2BMW8 Series (E31)850Ci 5.4
Power
321 hp
239 kW
326 hp
243 kW
Torque
350 Nm
258 lb-ft
490 Nm
361 lb-ft
Acceleration
5.5 s
6.3 s
Top speed
Unrestricted
265 km/h165 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph
Unrestricted
265 km/h165 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph
Lightness
1,460 kg
3,219 lb
1,880 kg
4,145 lb
Fuel consumption
11.0 L/100 km
21.4 mpg US
25.7 mpg UK
-
Practicality
Doors/seats
2 doors
5 seats
Trunk
405 L
14.3 cu ft
Length
4,433 mm
174.5 in
Height
1,335 mm
52.6 in
Doors/seats
2 doors
4 seats
Trunk
320 L
11.3 cu ft
Length
4,780 mm
188.2 in
Height
1,340 mm
52.8 in
Range score
564 km
350 mi
-
Trunk score
405 L
14.3 cu ft
320 L
11.3 cu ft
Power-to-weight score
220 hp/t
164 kW/t
4.5 kg/hp
173 hp/t
129 kW/t
5.8 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 M3 Coupe (E36) 3.2
Consumption11 L/100 km21.4 mpg US25.7 mpg UK
Cost / 100 km19.25 LC100 km
Cost / 100 mi30.98 LC100 mi
Annual fuel used1,650 L436 US gal363 UK gal
Annual fuel cost2,888 LC/year

Head-to-head comparisons

BMW M3 Coupe (E36) 3.2

  • Is 420 kg lighter
  • Is 0.8 s quicker from 0-100 km/h
  • Has 46 hp/t better power-to-weight
  • Has 85 L more trunk volume

Pros

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

Cons

  • Lowest power

Choose cars to compare

Brand
Model
Generation
Engine or modification
BMW M3 Coupe (E36) 3.2
BMW 8 Series (E31) 850Ci 5.4
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