Car comparison

BMW M3 (E36) 3.2vsBMW M3 Convertible (E36) 3.2

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

New comparison

BMW M3 (E36)

3.2

321 hp3201 ccGasolineRWDManualNaturally aspiratedSedan1995-1998
VS

BMW M3 Convertible (E36)

3.2

321 hp3201 ccGasolineRWDManualNaturally aspiratedCabriolet / convertible1995-1999

Comparison overview

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

Best choices

BMW M3 (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
  • Most powerful
    321 hp
    239 kW
  • Highest torque
    350 Nm
    258 lb-ft
  • Lightest
    1,460 kg
    3,219 lb
  • Best power-to-weight
    220 hp/t
    164 kW/t
    4.5 kg/hp
  • Lowest combined fuel consumption
    11.0 L/100 km
    21.4 mpg US
    25.7 mpg UK
  • 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
  • Best estimated range
    564 km
    350 mi
  • Best overall score
    69/100
  • Best performance score
    66/100
  • Best economy score
    77/100
  • Best practicality score
    76/100

Specification comparison

Specification comparison
ModelBMWM3 (E36)3.2BMWM3 Convertible (E36)3.2
Power
321hp239kW
321hp239kW
Torque
350Nm258lb-ft
350Nm258lb-ft
Curb weight
1,460kg3,219lb
1,560kg3,439lb
Gross weight
1,950kg4,299lb
1,980kg4,365lb
Top speed
Unrestricted
265 km/h165 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph
Calculated
Unrestricted
260 km/h162 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph
Calculated
To 99% top speed
51.8s99% target: 262 km/h / 163 mph
Calculated
75.1s99% target: 257 km/h / 160 mph
Calculated
0-100 km/h
5.5s
5.6s
0-200 km/h
16.1s
Calculated
20.1s
Calculated
0-60 mph
5.3s
Calculated
5.3s
Calculated
Fuel consumption
11L/100 km21.4mpg US25.7mpg UK
11.1L/100 km21.2mpg US25.4mpg UK
Fuel consumption city
16.9L/100 km13.9mpg US16.7mpg UK
17L/100 km13.8mpg US16.6mpg UK
Fuel consumption highway
7.5L/100 km31.4mpg US37.7mpg UK
7.7L/100 km30.5mpg US36.7mpg UK
Quarter mile
13.4s
Calculated
13.7s
Calculated
Power-to-weight
220hp/t164kW/t100hp/1000 lb
Calculated
206hp/t153kW/t93hp/1000 lb
Calculated
Torque-to-weight
240Nm/t160lb-ft/ton
Calculated
224Nm/t150lb-ft/ton
Calculated
Estimated range
564km350mi
Calculated
559km347mi
Calculated
Displacement
3,201cc195cu in
3,201cc195cu in
Length
4,433mm175in
4,433mm175in
Width
1,696mm67in
1,710mm67in
Height
1,365mm54in
1,340mm53in
Wheelbase
2,710mm107in
2,700mm106in
Front track
1,422mm56in
1,422mm56in
Rear track
1,438mm57in
1,444mm57in
Trunk volume-
230L
Doors
4
2
Seats
5
4
Fuel tank
62L
62L

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 (E36) 3.2BMW M3 Convertible (E36) 3.2PowerTorque
  • BMW M3 (E36) 3.2: Power / Torque
  • BMW M3 Convertible (E36) 3.2: Power / Torque
Dyno simulation data table
VehiclePeak power RPMPeak torque RPMMax engine speed
BMWM3 (E36)3.27,400 rpm3,250 rpm7,650 rpm
BMWM3 Convertible (E36)3.27,400 rpm3,250 rpm7,650 rpm

Acceleration curve

Estimated speed over time for selected vehicles.

Acceleration and drag-race table
MetricBMWM3 (E36)3.2BMWM3 Convertible (E36)3.2
Acceleration checkpoints
0-60 mph
0-97 km/h
5.3 s
5.3 s
0-100 km/h
0-62 mph
5.5 s
5.6 s
0-200 km/h
0-124 mph
16.1 s
20.1 s
Top speed
Unrestricted
265 km/h165 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph
Limited
Unrestricted
260 km/h162 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph
Likely limited
Drag race simulation
60 ft
18 m
2.5 s
2.3 s
330 ft
101 m
6.1 s
6.0 s
1/8 mile
201 m
9.0 s
9.0 s
1000 ft
305 m
11.4 s
11.6 s
1/4 mile
402 m
13.4 s
13.7 s
Trap speed
1/4 mile
402 m
183 km/h
113 mph
169 km/h
105 mph

Power comparison

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

Chart data table
VehicleValue
BMWM3 (E36)3.2
321 hp
239 kW
BMWM3 Convertible (E36)3.2
321 hp
239 kW

Torque comparison

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

Chart data table
VehicleValue
BMWM3 (E36)3.2
350 Nm
258 lb-ft
BMWM3 Convertible (E36)3.2
350 Nm
258 lb-ft

Curb weight comparison

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

Chart data table
VehicleValue
BMWM3 (E36)3.2
1,460 kg
3,219 lb
BMWM3 Convertible (E36)3.2
1,560 kg
3,439 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 (E36)3.2
Unrestricted
265 km/h165 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph
BMWM3 Convertible (E36)3.2
Unrestricted
260 km/h162 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 (E36)3.25.5 s
BMWM3 Convertible (E36)3.25.6 s

The biggest 0-100 km/h difference is between BMW M3 (E36) 3.2 and BMW M3 Convertible (E36) 3.2: 0.1 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 (E36)3.2
11.0 L/100 km
21.4 mpg US
25.7 mpg UK
BMWM3 Convertible (E36)3.2
11.1 L/100 km
21.2 mpg US
25.4 mpg UK

Power-to-weight comparison

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

Chart data table
VehicleValue
BMWM3 (E36)3.2
220 hp/t
164 kW/t
4.5 kg/hp
BMWM3 Convertible (E36)3.2
206 hp/t
153 kW/t
4.9 kg/hp

Estimated range comparison

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

Chart data table
VehicleValue
BMWM3 (E36)3.2
564 km
350 mi
BMWM3 Convertible (E36)3.2
559 km
347 mi

Performance spider chart

Radar chart comparing normalized performance and fuel-consumption scores.

Chart data table
VehiclePowerAccelerationTop speed
BMWM3 (E36)3.2
321 hp
239 kW
5.5 s
Unrestricted
265 km/h165 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph
BMWM3 Convertible (E36)3.2
321 hp
239 kW
5.6 s
Unrestricted
260 km/h162 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 (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
4 doors
5 seats
Trunk-
Length
4,433 mm
174.5 in
Height
1,365 mm
53.7 in
BMWM3 Convertible (E36)3.2
Power
321 hp
239 kW
0-100 km/h5.6 s
Top speed
Unrestricted
260 km/h162 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph
Doors/seats
2 doors
4 seats
Trunk
230 L
8.1 cu ft
Length
4,433 mm
174.5 in
Height
1,340 mm
52.8 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 (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
11.0 L/100 km
21.4 mpg US
25.7 mpg UK
BMWM3 Convertible (E36)3.2
Power
321 hp
239 kW
0-100 km/h5.6 s
Top speed
Unrestricted
260 km/h162 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph
11.1 L/100 km
21.2 mpg US
25.4 mpg UK

BMW M3 (E36) 3.2 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 (E36)3.2
11.0 L/100 km
21.4 mpg US
25.7 mpg UK
5.5 s
BMWM3 Convertible (E36)3.2
11.1 L/100 km
21.2 mpg US
25.4 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 (E36)3.2
220 hp/t
164 kW/t
4.5 kg/hp
11.0 L/100 km
21.4 mpg US
25.7 mpg UK
BMWM3 Convertible (E36)3.2
206 hp/t
153 kW/t
4.9 kg/hp
11.1 L/100 km
21.2 mpg US
25.4 mpg UK

Detailed score breakdown

Detailed score breakdown
VehicleBMWM3 (E36)3.2BMWM3 Convertible (E36)3.2
Power
321 hp
239 kW
321 hp
239 kW
Torque
350 Nm
258 lb-ft
350 Nm
258 lb-ft
Acceleration
5.5 s
5.6 s
Top speed
Unrestricted
265 km/h165 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph
Unrestricted
260 km/h162 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph
Lightness
1,460 kg
3,219 lb
1,560 kg
3,439 lb
Fuel consumption
11.0 L/100 km
21.4 mpg US
25.7 mpg UK
11.1 L/100 km
21.2 mpg US
25.4 mpg UK
Practicality
Doors/seats
4 doors
5 seats
Trunk-
Length
4,433 mm
174.5 in
Height
1,365 mm
53.7 in
Doors/seats
2 doors
4 seats
Trunk
230 L
8.1 cu ft
Length
4,433 mm
174.5 in
Height
1,340 mm
52.8 in
Range score
564 km
350 mi
559 km
347 mi
Trunk score
-
230 L
8.1 cu ft
Power-to-weight score
220 hp/t
164 kW/t
4.5 kg/hp
206 hp/t
153 kW/t
4.9 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 M3 (E36) 3.2BMW M3 Convertible (E36) 3.2
Consumption11 L/100 km21.4 mpg US25.7 mpg UK11.1 L/100 km21.2 mpg US25.4 mpg UK
Cost / 100 km19.25 LC100 km19.43 LC100 km
Cost / 100 mi30.98 LC100 mi31.26 LC100 mi
Annual fuel used1,650 L436 US gal363 UK gal1,665 L440 US gal366 UK gal
Annual fuel cost2,888 LC/year2,914 LC/year

Head-to-head comparisons

BMW M3 (E36) 3.2

  • Is 100 kg lighter
  • Is 0.1 s quicker from 0-100 km/h
  • Has 5 km/h (3 mph) higher top speed
  • Uses 0.1 L/100 km less fuel
  • Has 14 hp/t better power-to-weight
  • Has 5 km (3 mi) more estimated range

Pros

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

BMW M3 Convertible (E36) 3.2

No measurable advantages in the available data.

Cons

  • Slowest 0-100 km/h
  • Highest combined fuel consumption
  • Heaviest
  • Lowest top speed

Choose cars to compare

Brand
Model
Generation
Engine or modification
BMW M3 (E36) 3.2
BMW M3 Convertible (E36) 3.2
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