Car comparison

BMW M3 Coupe (E46) 3.2i 24VvsBMW 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 (E46)

3.2i 24V

343 hp3246 ccGasolineRWDManualNaturally aspiratedCoupe2000-2003
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 (E46) 3.2i 24V

  • Quickest 0-100 km/h
    5.2 s
  • Fastest top speed
    265 km/h
    165 mph Unrestricted
    250 km/h
    155 mph Restricted
  • Most powerful
    343 hp
    256 kW
  • Lightest
    1,495 kg
    3,296 lb
  • Best power-to-weight
    229 hp/t
    171 kW/t
    4.4 kg/hp
  • Lowest city consumption
    17.8 L/100 km
    13.2 mpg US
    15.9 mpg UK
  • Lowest highway consumption
    8.4 L/100 km
    28.0 mpg US
    33.6 mpg UK
  • Largest trunk
    410 L
  • Best overall score
    65/100
  • Best performance score
    69/100
  • Best economy score
    75/100
  • Best practicality score
    56/100

Specification comparison

Specification comparison
ModelBMWM3 Coupe (E46)3.2i 24VBMW8 Series (E31)850Ci 5.4
Power
343hp256kW
326hp243kW
Torque
365Nm269lb-ft
490Nm361lb-ft
Curb weight
1,495kg3,296lb
1,880kg4,145lb
Gross weight
2,000kg4,409lb
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
68.4s99% target: 262 km/h / 163 mph
Calculated
90.9s99% target: 262 km/h / 163 mph
Calculated
0-100 km/h
5.2s
6.3s
0-200 km/h
17.8s
Calculated
22.6s
Calculated
0-60 mph
4.9s
Calculated
6.0s
Calculated
Fuel consumption
11.9L/100 km19.8mpg US23.7mpg UK
-
Fuel consumption city
17.8L/100 km13.2mpg US15.9mpg UK
21.1L/100 km11.1mpg US13.4mpg UK
Fuel consumption highway
8.4L/100 km28mpg US33.6mpg UK
9.9L/100 km23.8mpg US28.5mpg UK
Quarter mile
13.3s
Calculated
14.3s
Calculated
Power-to-weight
229hp/t171kW/t104hp/1000 lb
Calculated
173hp/t129kW/t79hp/1000 lb
Calculated
Torque-to-weight
244Nm/t163lb-ft/ton
Calculated
261Nm/t174lb-ft/ton
Calculated
Estimated range
529km329mi
Calculated
-
Displacement
3,246cc198cu in
5,379cc328cu in
Length
4,492mm177in
4,780mm188in
Width
1,780mm70in
1,855mm73in
Height
1,372mm54in
1,340mm53in
Wheelbase
2,731mm108in
2,684mm106in
Front track
1,508mm59in
1,554mm61in
Rear track
1,525mm60in
1,562mm61in
Trunk volume
410L
320L
Doors
2
2
Seats
5
4
Fuel tank
63L
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 (E46) 3.2i 24VBMW 8 Series (E31) 850Ci 5.4PowerTorque
  • BMW M3 Coupe (E46) 3.2i 24V: Power / Torque
  • BMW 8 Series (E31) 850Ci 5.4: Power / Torque
Dyno simulation data table
VehiclePeak power RPMPeak torque RPMMax engine speed
BMWM3 Coupe (E46)3.2i 24V7,900 rpm4,900 rpm8,150 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 (E46)3.2i 24VBMW8 Series (E31)850Ci 5.4
Acceleration checkpoints
0-60 mph
0-97 km/h
4.9 s
6.0 s
0-100 km/h
0-62 mph
5.2 s
6.3 s
0-200 km/h
0-124 mph
17.8 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
2.2 s
2.4 s
330 ft
101 m
5.8 s
6.3 s
1/8 mile
201 m
8.7 s
9.4 s
1000 ft
305 m
11.2 s
12.1 s
1/4 mile
402 m
13.3 s
14.3 s
Trap speed
1/4 mile
402 m
175 km/h
109 mph
163 km/h
101 mph

Power comparison

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

Chart data table
VehicleValue
BMWM3 Coupe (E46)3.2i 24V
343 hp
256 kW
BMW8 Series (E31)850Ci 5.4
326 hp
243 kW

BMW M3 Coupe (E46) 3.2i 24V has 17 hp more than BMW 8 Series (E31) 850Ci 5.4.

The biggest power difference is between BMW 8 Series (E31) 850Ci 5.4 and BMW M3 Coupe (E46) 3.2i 24V: 17 hp (13 kW).

Torque comparison

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

Chart data table
VehicleValue
BMWM3 Coupe (E46)3.2i 24V
365 Nm
269 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 (E46)3.2i 24V
1,495 kg
3,296 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 (E46)3.2i 24V
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 (E46)3.2i 24V5.2 s
BMW8 Series (E31)850Ci 5.46.3 s

The biggest 0-100 km/h difference is between BMW M3 Coupe (E46) 3.2i 24V and BMW 8 Series (E31) 850Ci 5.4: 1.1 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 (E46)3.2i 24V
229 hp/t
171 kW/t
4.4 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 (E46)3.2i 24V
343 hp
256 kW
5.2 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 (E46)3.2i 24V
Power
343 hp
256 kW
0-100 km/h5.2 s
Top speed
Unrestricted
265 km/h165 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph
Doors/seats
2 doors
5 seats
Trunk
410 L
14.5 cu ft
Length
4,492 mm
176.9 in
Height
1,372 mm
54.0 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 (E46)3.2i 24VBMW8 Series (E31)850Ci 5.4
Power
343 hp
256 kW
326 hp
243 kW
Torque
365 Nm
269 lb-ft
490 Nm
361 lb-ft
Acceleration
5.2 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
1,495 kg
3,296 lb
1,880 kg
4,145 lb
Fuel consumption
11.9 L/100 km
19.8 mpg US
23.7 mpg UK
-
Practicality
Doors/seats
2 doors
5 seats
Trunk
410 L
14.5 cu ft
Length
4,492 mm
176.9 in
Height
1,372 mm
54.0 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
529 km
329 mi
-
Trunk score
410 L
14.5 cu ft
320 L
11.3 cu ft
Power-to-weight score
229 hp/t
171 kW/t
4.4 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 (E46) 3.2i 24V
Consumption11.9 L/100 km19.8 mpg US23.7 mpg UK
Cost / 100 km20.83 LC100 km
Cost / 100 mi33.51 LC100 mi
Annual fuel used1,785 L472 US gal393 UK gal
Annual fuel cost3,124 LC/year

Head-to-head comparisons

BMW M3 Coupe (E46) 3.2i 24V

  • Has 17 hp more
  • Is 385 kg lighter
  • Is 1.1 s quicker from 0-100 km/h
  • Has 56 hp/t better power-to-weight
  • Has 90 L more trunk volume

Pros

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

Choose cars to compare

Brand
Model
Generation
Engine or modification
BMW M3 Coupe (E46) 3.2i 24V
BMW 8 Series (E31) 850Ci 5.4
Compare selected cars
2 vehicles selected

Popular comparisons

3.2i 24V
3.2
VS
BMWM3 Coupe (E46)3.2i 24VvsBMWM3 Coupe (E36)3.2
850Ci 5.4
840i
VS
BMW8 Series (E31)850Ci 5.4vsBMW8 Series Gran Coupe (G16)840i
3.2i 24V
4.0 V8
VS
BMWM3 Coupe (E46)3.2i 24VvsBMWM3 Coupe (E92)4.0 V8
850Ci 5.4
840d
VS
BMW8 Series (E31)850Ci 5.4vsBMW8 Series (G15)840d
3.2i 24V
3.2i 24V
VS
BMWM3 Coupe (E46)3.2i 24VvsBMWM3 Convertible (E46)3.2i 24V
3.2i 24V
3.2
VS
BMWM3 Coupe (E46)3.2i 24VvsBMWM3 Convertible (E36)3.2
850Ci 5.4
3.2
VS
BMW8 Series (E31)850Ci 5.4vsBMWZ3 M Coupe (E36/8)3.2
3.2i 24V
3.2
VS
BMWM3 Coupe (E46)3.2i 24VvsBMWM3 (E36)3.2
850Ci 5.4
3.2
VS
BMW8 Series (E31)850Ci 5.4vsBMWZ3 Coupe (E36/8)3.2
3.2i 24V
2.5
VS
BMWM3 Coupe (E46)3.2i 24VvsBMWM3 Coupe (E30)2.5
850Ci 5.4
645Ci
VS
BMW8 Series (E31)850Ci 5.4vsBMW6 Series (E63)645Ci
3.2i 24V
4.0 V8
VS
BMWM3 Coupe (E46)3.2i 24VvsBMWM3 Convertible (E93)4.0 V8
BMW M3 Coupe (E46) 3.2i 24V vs BMW 8 Series (E31) 850Ci 5.4 - car comparison - FastVsFaster