Car comparison

BMW M3 Convertible (E36) 3.2vsTVR Chimaera 4.3

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

New comparison

BMW M3 Convertible (E36)

3.2

321 hp3201 ccGasolineRWDManualNaturally aspiratedCabriolet / convertible1995-1999
VS

TVR Chimaera

4.3

280 hp4275 ccGasolineRWDManualNaturally aspiratedCabriolet / convertible1992-2003

Comparison overview

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

Best choices

TVR Chimaera 4.3

  • Quickest 0-100 km/h
    4.4 s
  • Highest torque
    398 Nm
    294 lb-ft
  • Lightest
    1,060 kg
    2,337 lb
  • Best power-to-weight
    264 hp/t
    197 kW/t
    3.8 kg/hp
  • Largest trunk
    310 L
  • Best overall score
    58/100
  • Best performance score
    69/100

BMW M3 Convertible (E36) 3.2

  • Fastest top speed
    260 km/h
    162 mph Unrestricted
    250 km/h
    155 mph Restricted
  • Most powerful
    321 hp
    239 kW
  • Lowest city consumption
    17.0 L/100 km
    13.8 mpg US
    16.6 mpg UK
  • Lowest highway consumption
    7.7 L/100 km
    30.5 mpg US
    36.7 mpg UK
  • Best economy score
    77/100
  • Best practicality score
    42/100

Specification comparison

Specification comparison
ModelBMWM3 Convertible (E36)3.2TVRChimaera4.3
Power
321hp239kW
280hp209kW
Torque
350Nm258lb-ft
398Nm294lb-ft
Curb weight
1,560kg3,439lb
1,060kg2,337lb
Gross weight
1,980kg4,365lb
1,300kg2,866lb
Top speed
Unrestricted
260 km/h162 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph
Calculated
253 km/h
157 mph
To 99% top speed
75.1s99% target: 257 km/h / 160 mph
Calculated
47.1s99% target: 250 km/h / 156 mph
Calculated
0-100 km/h
5.6s
4.4s
0-200 km/h
20.1s
Calculated
14.8s
Calculated
0-60 mph
5.3s
Calculated
4.2s
Calculated
Fuel consumption
11.1L/100 km21.2mpg US25.4mpg UK
-
Fuel consumption city
17L/100 km13.8mpg US16.6mpg UK
18L/100 km13.1mpg US15.7mpg UK
Fuel consumption highway
7.7L/100 km30.5mpg US36.7mpg UK
10L/100 km23.5mpg US28.2mpg UK
Quarter mile
13.7s
Calculated
12.4s
Calculated
Power-to-weight
206hp/t153kW/t93hp/1000 lb
Calculated
264hp/t197kW/t120hp/1000 lb
Calculated
Torque-to-weight
224Nm/t150lb-ft/ton
Calculated
375Nm/t251lb-ft/ton
Calculated
Estimated range
559km347mi
Calculated
-
Displacement
3,201cc195cu in
4,275cc261cu in
Length
4,433mm175in
3,965mm156in
Width
1,710mm67in
1,730mm68in
Height
1,340mm53in
1,223mm48in
Wheelbase
2,700mm106in
2,282mm90in
Front track
1,422mm56in
1,460mm57in
Rear track
1,444mm57in
1,470mm58in
Trunk volume
230L
310L
Doors
2
2
Seats
4
2
Fuel tank
62L
57L

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 (E36) 3.2TVR Chimaera 4.3PowerTorque
  • BMW M3 Convertible (E36) 3.2: Power / Torque
  • TVR Chimaera 4.3: Power / Torque
Dyno simulation data table
VehiclePeak power RPMPeak torque RPMMax engine speed
BMWM3 Convertible (E36)3.27,400 rpm3,250 rpm7,650 rpm
TVRChimaera4.35,500 rpm4,000 rpm5,750 rpm

Acceleration curve

Estimated speed over time for selected vehicles.

Acceleration and drag-race table
MetricBMWM3 Convertible (E36)3.2TVRChimaera4.3
Acceleration checkpoints
0-60 mph
0-97 km/h
5.3 s
4.2 s
0-100 km/h
0-62 mph
5.6 s
4.4 s
0-200 km/h
0-124 mph
20.1 s
14.8 s
Top speed
Unrestricted
260 km/h162 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph
Likely limited
253 km/h
157 mph
Drag race simulation
60 ft
18 m
2.3 s
2.1 s
330 ft
101 m
6.0 s
5.5 s
1/8 mile
201 m
9.0 s
8.2 s
1000 ft
305 m
11.6 s
10.5 s
1/4 mile
402 m
13.7 s
12.4 s
Trap speed
1/4 mile
402 m
169 km/h
105 mph
186 km/h
116 mph

Power comparison

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

Chart data table
VehicleValue
BMWM3 Convertible (E36)3.2
321 hp
239 kW
TVRChimaera4.3
280 hp
209 kW

BMW M3 Convertible (E36) 3.2 has 41 hp more than TVR Chimaera 4.3.

The biggest power difference is between TVR Chimaera 4.3 and BMW M3 Convertible (E36) 3.2: 41 hp (31 kW).

Torque comparison

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

Chart data table
VehicleValue
BMWM3 Convertible (E36)3.2
350 Nm
258 lb-ft
TVRChimaera4.3
398 Nm
294 lb-ft

Curb weight comparison

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

Chart data table
VehicleValue
BMWM3 Convertible (E36)3.2
1,560 kg
3,439 lb
TVRChimaera4.3
1,060 kg
2,337 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 (E36)3.2
Unrestricted
260 km/h162 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph
TVRChimaera4.3
253 km/h
157 mph

0-100 km/h comparison

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

Chart data table
VehicleValue
BMWM3 Convertible (E36)3.25.6 s
TVRChimaera4.34.4 s

Although BMW M3 Convertible (E36) 3.2 has more power, TVR Chimaera 4.3 is quicker from 0-100 km/h.

The biggest 0-100 km/h difference is between TVR Chimaera 4.3 and BMW M3 Convertible (E36) 3.2: 1.2 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 (E36)3.2
206 hp/t
153 kW/t
4.9 kg/hp
TVRChimaera4.3
264 hp/t
197 kW/t
3.8 kg/hp

Performance spider chart

Radar chart comparing normalized performance and fuel-consumption scores.

Chart data table
VehiclePowerAccelerationTop speed
BMWM3 Convertible (E36)3.2
321 hp
239 kW
5.6 s
Unrestricted
260 km/h162 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph
TVRChimaera4.3
280 hp
209 kW
4.4 s
253 km/h
157 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 (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
TVRChimaera4.3
Power
280 hp
209 kW
0-100 km/h4.4 s
Top speed
253 km/h
157 mph
Doors/seats
2 doors
2 seats
Trunk
310 L
10.9 cu ft
Length
3,965 mm
156.1 in
Height
1,223 mm
48.1 in

Detailed score breakdown

Detailed score breakdown
VehicleBMWM3 Convertible (E36)3.2TVRChimaera4.3
Power
321 hp
239 kW
280 hp
209 kW
Torque
350 Nm
258 lb-ft
398 Nm
294 lb-ft
Acceleration
5.6 s
4.4 s
Top speed
Unrestricted
260 km/h162 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph
253 km/h
157 mph
Lightness
1,560 kg
3,439 lb
1,060 kg
2,337 lb
Fuel consumption
11.1 L/100 km
21.2 mpg US
25.4 mpg UK
-
Practicality
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
Doors/seats
2 doors
2 seats
Trunk
310 L
10.9 cu ft
Length
3,965 mm
156.1 in
Height
1,223 mm
48.1 in
Range score
559 km
347 mi
-
Trunk score
230 L
8.1 cu ft
310 L
10.9 cu ft
Power-to-weight score
206 hp/t
153 kW/t
4.9 kg/hp
264 hp/t
197 kW/t
3.8 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 (E36) 3.2
Consumption11.1 L/100 km21.2 mpg US25.4 mpg UK
Cost / 100 km19.43 LC100 km
Cost / 100 mi31.26 LC100 mi
Annual fuel used1,665 L440 US gal366 UK gal
Annual fuel cost2,914 LC/year

Head-to-head comparisons

BMW M3 Convertible (E36) 3.2

  • Has 41 hp more
  • Has 7 km/h (4 mph) higher top speed

Pros

  • Highest top speed
  • Most powerful

Cons

  • Slowest 0-100 km/h
  • Heaviest
  • Smallest trunk

TVR Chimaera 4.3

  • Has 48 Nm more
  • Is 500 kg lighter
  • Is 1.2 s quicker from 0-100 km/h
  • Has 58 hp/t better power-to-weight
  • Has 80 L more trunk volume

Pros

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

Cons

  • Lowest power
  • Lowest top speed

Choose cars to compare

Brand
Model
Generation
Engine or modification
BMW M3 Convertible (E36) 3.2
TVR Chimaera 4.3
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