Car comparison

BMW M3 Convertible (E30) 2.3vsMercedes-Benz A124 300 CE-24 CAT

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

New comparison

BMW M3 Convertible (E30)

2.3

215 hp2302 ccGasolineRWDManualNaturally aspiratedCabriolet / convertible1989-1991
VS

Mercedes-Benz A124

300 CE-24 CAT

220 hp2960 ccGasolineRWDAutomaticNaturally aspiratedCabriolet / convertible1990-1993

Comparison overview

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

Best choices

BMW M3 Convertible (E30) 2.3

  • Quickest 0-100 km/h
    7.3 s
  • Fastest top speed
    239 km/h
    149 mph
  • Lightest
    1,360 kg
    2,998 lb
  • Best power-to-weight
    158 hp/t
    118 kW/t
    6.3 kg/hp
  • Lowest city consumption
    12.5 L/100 km
    18.8 mpg US
    22.6 mpg UK
  • Lowest highway consumption
    6.6 L/100 km
    35.6 mpg US
    42.8 mpg UK
  • Best overall score
    49/100
  • Best performance score
    51/100
  • Best economy score
    85/100

Specification comparison

Specification comparison
ModelBMWM3 Convertible (E30)2.3Mercedes-BenzA124300 CE-24 CAT
Power
215hp160kW
220hp164kW
Torque
230Nm170lb-ft
265Nm195lb-ft
Curb weight
1,360kg2,998lb
1,710kg3,770lb
Gross weight
1,720kg3,792lb
2,160kg4,762lb
Top speed
239 km/h
149 mph
230 km/h
143 mph
To 99% top speed
93.0s99% target: 237 km/h / 147 mph
Calculated
116.4s99% target: 228 km/h / 141 mph
Calculated
0-100 km/h
7.3s
8.8s
0-200 km/h
30.7s
Calculated
42.5s
Calculated
0-60 mph
6.9s
Calculated
8.3s
Calculated
Fuel consumption
8L/100 km29.4mpg US35.3mpg UK
-
Fuel consumption city
12.5L/100 km18.8mpg US22.6mpg UK
14.7L/100 km16mpg US19.2mpg UK
Fuel consumption highway
6.6L/100 km35.6mpg US42.8mpg UK
9.3L/100 km25.3mpg US30.4mpg UK
Quarter mile
15.2s
Calculated
16.3s
Calculated
Power-to-weight
158hp/t118kW/t72hp/1000 lb
Calculated
129hp/t96kW/t58hp/1000 lb
Calculated
Torque-to-weight
169Nm/t113lb-ft/ton
Calculated
155Nm/t104lb-ft/ton
Calculated
Estimated range
775km482mi
Calculated
-
Displacement
2,302cc140cu in
2,960cc181cu in
Length
4,345mm171in
4,655mm183in
Width
1,680mm66in
1,740mm69in
Height
1,370mm54in
1,391mm55in
Wheelbase
2,565mm101in
2,715mm107in
Front track
1,414mm56in
1,501mm59in
Rear track
1,435mm56in
1,491mm59in
Trunk volume
303L
-
Doors
2
2
Seats
4
4
Fuel tank
62L
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 M3 Convertible (E30) 2.3Mercedes-Benz A124 300 CE-24 CATPowerTorque
  • BMW M3 Convertible (E30) 2.3: Power / Torque
  • Mercedes-Benz A124 300 CE-24 CAT: Power / Torque
Dyno simulation data table
VehiclePeak power RPMPeak torque RPMMax engine speed
BMWM3 Convertible (E30)2.36,750 rpm4,600 rpm7,000 rpm
Mercedes-BenzA124300 CE-24 CAT6,400 rpm4,600 rpm6,650 rpm

Acceleration curve

Estimated speed over time for selected vehicles.

Acceleration and drag-race table
MetricBMWM3 Convertible (E30)2.3Mercedes-BenzA124300 CE-24 CAT
Acceleration checkpoints
0-60 mph
0-97 km/h
6.9 s
8.3 s
0-100 km/h
0-62 mph
7.3 s
8.8 s
0-200 km/h
0-124 mph
30.7 s
42.5 s
Top speed
239 km/h
149 mph
230 km/h
143 mph
Drag race simulation
60 ft
18 m
2.5 s
2.6 s
330 ft
101 m
6.6 s
7.0 s
1/8 mile
201 m
10.0 s
10.6 s
1000 ft
305 m
12.8 s
13.7 s
1/4 mile
402 m
15.2 s
16.3 s
Trap speed
1/4 mile
402 m
152 km/h
94 mph
140 km/h
87 mph

Power comparison

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

Chart data table
VehicleValue
BMWM3 Convertible (E30)2.3
215 hp
160 kW
Mercedes-BenzA124300 CE-24 CAT
220 hp
164 kW

Mercedes-Benz A124 300 CE-24 CAT has 5 hp more than BMW M3 Convertible (E30) 2.3.

The biggest power difference is between BMW M3 Convertible (E30) 2.3 and Mercedes-Benz A124 300 CE-24 CAT: 5 hp (4 kW).

Torque comparison

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

Chart data table
VehicleValue
BMWM3 Convertible (E30)2.3
230 Nm
170 lb-ft
Mercedes-BenzA124300 CE-24 CAT
265 Nm
195 lb-ft

Curb weight comparison

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

Chart data table
VehicleValue
BMWM3 Convertible (E30)2.3
1,360 kg
2,998 lb
Mercedes-BenzA124300 CE-24 CAT
1,710 kg
3,770 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 Convertible (E30)2.3
239 km/h
149 mph
Mercedes-BenzA124300 CE-24 CAT
230 km/h
143 mph

0-100 km/h comparison

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

Chart data table
VehicleValue
BMWM3 Convertible (E30)2.37.3 s
Mercedes-BenzA124300 CE-24 CAT8.8 s

Although Mercedes-Benz A124 300 CE-24 CAT has more power, BMW M3 Convertible (E30) 2.3 is quicker from 0-100 km/h.

The biggest 0-100 km/h difference is between BMW M3 Convertible (E30) 2.3 and Mercedes-Benz A124 300 CE-24 CAT: 1.5 s.

Power-to-weight comparison

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

Chart data table
VehicleValue
BMWM3 Convertible (E30)2.3
158 hp/t
118 kW/t
6.3 kg/hp
Mercedes-BenzA124300 CE-24 CAT
129 hp/t
96 kW/t
7.8 kg/hp

Performance spider chart

Radar chart comparing normalized performance and fuel-consumption scores.

Chart data table
VehiclePowerAccelerationTop speed
BMWM3 Convertible (E30)2.3
215 hp
160 kW
7.3 s
239 km/h
149 mph
Mercedes-BenzA124300 CE-24 CAT
220 hp
164 kW
8.8 s
230 km/h
143 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 Convertible (E30)2.3
Power
215 hp
160 kW
0-100 km/h7.3 s
Top speed
239 km/h
149 mph
Doors/seats
2 doors
4 seats
Trunk
303 L
10.7 cu ft
Length
4,345 mm
171.1 in
Height
1,370 mm
53.9 in
Mercedes-BenzA124300 CE-24 CAT
Power
220 hp
164 kW
0-100 km/h8.8 s
Top speed
230 km/h
143 mph
Doors/seats
2 doors
4 seats
Trunk-
Length
4,655 mm
183.3 in
Height
1,391 mm
54.8 in

Detailed score breakdown

Detailed score breakdown
VehicleBMWM3 Convertible (E30)2.3Mercedes-BenzA124300 CE-24 CAT
Power
215 hp
160 kW
220 hp
164 kW
Torque
230 Nm
170 lb-ft
265 Nm
195 lb-ft
Acceleration
7.3 s
8.8 s
Top speed
239 km/h
149 mph
230 km/h
143 mph
Lightness
1,360 kg
2,998 lb
1,710 kg
3,770 lb
Fuel consumption
8.0 L/100 km
29.4 mpg US
35.3 mpg UK
-
Practicality
Doors/seats
2 doors
4 seats
Trunk
303 L
10.7 cu ft
Length
4,345 mm
171.1 in
Height
1,370 mm
53.9 in
Doors/seats
2 doors
4 seats
Trunk-
Length
4,655 mm
183.3 in
Height
1,391 mm
54.8 in
Range score
775 km
482 mi
-
Trunk score
303 L
10.7 cu ft
-
Power-to-weight score
158 hp/t
118 kW/t
6.3 kg/hp
129 hp/t
96 kW/t
7.8 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 Convertible (E30) 2.3
Consumption8 L/100 km29.4 mpg US35.3 mpg UK
Cost / 100 km14.00 LC100 km
Cost / 100 mi22.53 LC100 mi
Annual fuel used1,200 L317 US gal264 UK gal
Annual fuel cost2,100 LC/year

Head-to-head comparisons

BMW M3 Convertible (E30) 2.3

  • Is 350 kg lighter
  • Is 1.5 s quicker from 0-100 km/h
  • Has 9 km/h (6 mph) higher top speed
  • Has 29 hp/t better power-to-weight

Pros

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

Cons

  • Lowest power

Choose cars to compare

Brand
Model
Generation
Engine or modification
BMW M3 Convertible (E30) 2.3
Mercedes-Benz A124 300 CE-24 CAT
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2 vehicles selected

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