Car comparison

BMW M3 Coupe (E36) 3.0ivsBMW M1 (E26) 3.5

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

New comparison

BMW M3 Coupe (E36)

3.0i

286 hp2990 ccGasolineRWDManualNaturally aspiratedCoupe1992-1995
VS

BMW M1 (E26)

3.5

277 hp3453 ccGasolineRWDManualNaturally aspiratedCoupe1978-1981

Comparison overview

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

Best choices

BMW M3 Coupe (E36) 3.0i

  • Fastest top speed
    265 km/h
    165 mph Unrestricted
    250 km/h
    155 mph Restricted
  • Most powerful
    286 hp
    213 kW
  • Lowest combined fuel consumption
    9.1 L/100 km
    25.8 mpg US
    31.0 mpg UK
  • Lowest city consumption
    13.0 L/100 km
    18.1 mpg US
    21.7 mpg UK
  • Lowest highway consumption
    7.9 L/100 km
    29.8 mpg US
    35.8 mpg UK
  • Best overall score
    60/100
  • Best performance score
    63/100
  • Best economy score
    82/100
  • Best practicality score
    55/100

BMW M1 (E26) 3.5

  • Quickest 0-100 km/h
    5.6 s
  • 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

Specification comparison

Specification comparison
ModelBMWM3 Coupe (E36)3.0iBMWM1 (E26)3.5
Power
286hp213kW
277hp207kW
Torque
320Nm236lb-ft
330Nm243lb-ft
Curb weight
1,460kg3,219lb
1,300kg2,866lb
Gross weight
1,930kg4,255lb
1,600kg3,527lb
Top speed
Unrestricted
265 km/h165 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph
Calculated
262 km/h
163 mph
To 99% top speed
80.2s99% target: 262 km/h / 163 mph
Calculated
82.5s99% target: 259 km/h / 161 mph
Calculated
0-100 km/h
6.0s
5.6s
0-200 km/h
20.7s
Calculated
20.7s
0-60 mph
5.7s
Calculated
5.3s
Calculated
Fuel consumption
9.1L/100 km25.8mpg US31.0mpg UK
12.9L/100 km18.2mpg US21.9mpg UK
Fuel consumption city
13L/100 km18.1mpg US21.7mpg UK
19.6L/100 km12mpg US14.4mpg UK
Fuel consumption highway
7.9L/100 km29.8mpg US35.8mpg UK
8.9L/100 km26.4mpg US31.7mpg UK
Quarter mile
14.0s
Calculated
13.7s
Calculated
Power-to-weight
196hp/t146kW/t89hp/1000 lb
Calculated
213hp/t159kW/t97hp/1000 lb
Calculated
Torque-to-weight
219Nm/t147lb-ft/ton
Calculated
254Nm/t170lb-ft/ton
Calculated
Estimated range
714km444mi
Calculated
899km559mi
Calculated
Displacement
2,990cc182cu in
3,453cc211cu in
Length
4,433mm175in
4,360mm172in
Width
1,710mm67in
1,824mm72in
Height
1,335mm53in
1,140mm45in
Wheelbase
2,700mm106in
2,560mm101in
Front track
1,422mm56in
1,550mm61in
Rear track
1,444mm57in
1,576mm62in
Ground clearance
110mm4in
125mm5in
Trunk volume
405L
-
Doors
2
2
Seats
5
2
Fuel tank
65L
116L

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) 3.0iBMW M1 (E26) 3.5PowerTorque
  • BMW M3 Coupe (E36) 3.0i: Power / Torque
  • BMW M1 (E26) 3.5: Power / Torque
Dyno simulation data table
VehiclePeak power RPMPeak torque RPMMax engine speed
BMWM3 Coupe (E36)3.0i7,000 rpm3,600 rpm7,250 rpm
BMWM1 (E26)3.56,500 rpm5,000 rpm7,000 rpm

Acceleration curve

Estimated speed over time for selected vehicles.

Acceleration and drag-race table
MetricBMWM3 Coupe (E36)3.0iBMWM1 (E26)3.5
Acceleration checkpoints
0-60 mph
0-97 km/h
5.7 s
5.3 s
0-100 km/h
0-62 mph
6.0 s
5.6 s
0-200 km/h
0-124 mph
20.7 s
20.7 s
Top speed
Unrestricted
265 km/h165 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph
Likely limited
262 km/h
163 mph
Drag race simulation
60 ft
18 m
2.4 s
2.2 s
330 ft
101 m
6.2 s
5.9 s
1/8 mile
201 m
9.2 s
9.0 s
1000 ft
305 m
11.9 s
11.6 s
1/4 mile
402 m
14.0 s
13.7 s
Trap speed
1/4 mile
402 m
167 km/h
104 mph
168 km/h
104 mph

Power comparison

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

Chart data table
VehicleValue
BMWM3 Coupe (E36)3.0i
286 hp
213 kW
BMWM1 (E26)3.5
277 hp
207 kW

BMW M3 Coupe (E36) 3.0i has 9 hp more than BMW M1 (E26) 3.5.

The biggest power difference is between BMW M1 (E26) 3.5 and BMW M3 Coupe (E36) 3.0i: 9 hp (7 kW).

Torque comparison

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

Chart data table
VehicleValue
BMWM3 Coupe (E36)3.0i
320 Nm
236 lb-ft
BMWM1 (E26)3.5
330 Nm
243 lb-ft

Curb weight comparison

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

Chart data table
VehicleValue
BMWM3 Coupe (E36)3.0i
1,460 kg
3,219 lb
BMWM1 (E26)3.5
1,300 kg
2,866 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)3.0i
Unrestricted
265 km/h165 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph
BMWM1 (E26)3.5
262 km/h
163 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)3.0i6.0 s
BMWM1 (E26)3.55.6 s

Although BMW M3 Coupe (E36) 3.0i has more power, BMW M1 (E26) 3.5 is quicker from 0-100 km/h.

The biggest 0-100 km/h difference is between BMW M1 (E26) 3.5 and BMW M3 Coupe (E36) 3.0i: 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
BMWM3 Coupe (E36)3.0i
9.1 L/100 km
25.8 mpg US
31.0 mpg UK
BMWM1 (E26)3.5
12.9 L/100 km
18.2 mpg US
21.9 mpg UK

The biggest fuel consumption difference is between BMW M3 Coupe (E36) 3.0i and BMW M1 (E26) 3.5: 3.8 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
BMWM3 Coupe (E36)3.0i
196 hp/t
146 kW/t
5.1 kg/hp
BMWM1 (E26)3.5
213 hp/t
159 kW/t
4.7 kg/hp

Estimated range comparison

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

Chart data table
VehicleValue
BMWM3 Coupe (E36)3.0i
714 km
444 mi
BMWM1 (E26)3.5
899 km
559 mi

Performance spider chart

Radar chart comparing normalized performance and fuel-consumption scores.

Chart data table
VehiclePowerAccelerationTop speed
BMWM3 Coupe (E36)3.0i
286 hp
213 kW
6.0 s
Unrestricted
265 km/h165 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph
BMWM1 (E26)3.5
277 hp
207 kW
5.6 s
262 km/h
163 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)3.0i
Power
286 hp
213 kW
0-100 km/h6.0 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
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

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
BMWM3 Coupe (E36)3.0i
Power
286 hp
213 kW
0-100 km/h6.0 s
Top speed
Unrestricted
265 km/h165 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph
9.1 L/100 km
25.8 mpg US
31.0 mpg UK
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

BMW M3 Coupe (E36) 3.0i 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
BMWM3 Coupe (E36)3.0i
9.1 L/100 km
25.8 mpg US
31.0 mpg UK
6.0 s
BMWM1 (E26)3.5
12.9 L/100 km
18.2 mpg US
21.9 mpg UK
5.6 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
BMWM3 Coupe (E36)3.0i
196 hp/t
146 kW/t
5.1 kg/hp
9.1 L/100 km
25.8 mpg US
31.0 mpg UK
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

Detailed score breakdown

Detailed score breakdown
VehicleBMWM3 Coupe (E36)3.0iBMWM1 (E26)3.5
Power
286 hp
213 kW
277 hp
207 kW
Torque
320 Nm
236 lb-ft
330 Nm
243 lb-ft
Acceleration
6.0 s
5.6 s
Top speed
Unrestricted
265 km/h165 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph
262 km/h
163 mph
Lightness
1,460 kg
3,219 lb
1,300 kg
2,866 lb
Fuel consumption
9.1 L/100 km
25.8 mpg US
31.0 mpg UK
12.9 L/100 km
18.2 mpg US
21.9 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
2 seats
Trunk-
Length
4,360 mm
171.7 in
Height
1,140 mm
44.9 in
Range score
714 km
444 mi
899 km
559 mi
Trunk score
405 L
14.3 cu ft
-
Power-to-weight score
196 hp/t
146 kW/t
5.1 kg/hp
213 hp/t
159 kW/t
4.7 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) 3.0iBMW M1 (E26) 3.5
Consumption9.1 L/100 km25.8 mpg US31 mpg UK12.9 L/100 km18.2 mpg US21.9 mpg UK
Cost / 100 km15.92 LC100 km22.58 LC100 km
Cost / 100 mi25.63 LC100 mi36.33 LC100 mi
Annual fuel used1,365 L361 US gal300 UK gal1,935 L511 US gal426 UK gal
Annual fuel cost2,389 LC/year3,386 LC/year

Head-to-head comparisons

BMW M3 Coupe (E36) 3.0i

  • Has 9 hp more
  • Has 3 km/h (2 mph) higher top speed
  • Uses 3.8 L/100 km less fuel

Pros

  • Highest top speed
  • Most powerful
  • Lowest combined fuel consumption

Cons

  • Slowest 0-100 km/h
  • Heaviest

BMW M1 (E26) 3.5

  • Has 10 Nm more
  • Is 160 kg lighter
  • Is 0.4 s quicker from 0-100 km/h
  • Has 17 hp/t better power-to-weight
  • Has 185 km (115 mi) more estimated range

Pros

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

Cons

  • Lowest power
  • Highest combined fuel consumption
  • Lowest top speed

Choose cars to compare

Brand
Model
Generation
Engine or modification
BMW M3 Coupe (E36) 3.0i
BMW M1 (E26) 3.5
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