Car comparison

BMW M3 Convertible (E36) 3.2vsTVR Chimaera 4.6

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

4.6

288 hp4546 ccGasolineRWDManualNaturally aspiratedCabriolet / convertible1997-2003

Comparison overview

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

Best choices

TVR Chimaera 4.6

  • Quickest 0-100 km/h
    4.7 s
  • Highest torque
    407 Nm
    300 lb-ft
  • Lightest
    1,060 kg
    2,337 lb
  • Best power-to-weight
    272 hp/t
    203 kW/t
    3.7 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 combined fuel consumption
    11.1 L/100 km
    21.2 mpg US
    25.4 mpg UK
  • Best estimated range
    559 km
    347 mi
  • Best economy score
    77/100
  • Best practicality score
    42/100

Specification comparison

Specification comparison
ModelBMWM3 Convertible (E36)3.2TVRChimaera4.6
Power
321hp239kW
288hp215kW
Torque
350Nm258lb-ft
407Nm300lb-ft
Curb weight
1,560kg3,439lb
1,060kg2,337lb
Gross weight
1,980kg4,365lb
1,280kg2,822lb
Top speed
Unrestricted
260 km/h162 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph
Calculated
257 km/h
160 mph
To 99% top speed
75.1s99% target: 257 km/h / 160 mph
Calculated
50.9s99% target: 254 km/h / 158 mph
Calculated
0-100 km/h
5.6s
4.7s
0-200 km/h
20.1s
Calculated
15.5s
Calculated
0-60 mph
5.3s
Calculated
4.5s
Calculated
Fuel consumption
11.1L/100 km21.2mpg US25.4mpg UK
13.5L/100 km17.4mpg US20.9mpg UK
Fuel consumption city
17L/100 km13.8mpg US16.6mpg UK
-
Fuel consumption highway
7.7L/100 km30.5mpg US36.7mpg UK
-
Quarter mile
13.7s
Calculated
12.7s
Calculated
Power-to-weight
206hp/t153kW/t93hp/1000 lb
Calculated
272hp/t203kW/t123hp/1000 lb
Calculated
Torque-to-weight
224Nm/t150lb-ft/ton
Calculated
384Nm/t257lb-ft/ton
Calculated
Estimated range
559km347mi
Calculated
422km262mi
Calculated
Displacement
3,201cc195cu in
4,546cc277cu 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 4.6PowerTorque
  • BMW M3 Convertible (E36) 3.2: Power / Torque
  • TVR Chimaera 4.6: Power / Torque
Dyno simulation data table
VehiclePeak power RPMPeak torque RPMMax engine speed
BMWM3 Convertible (E36)3.27,400 rpm3,250 rpm7,650 rpm
TVRChimaera4.65,500 rpm4,500 rpm5,750 rpm

Acceleration curve

Estimated speed over time for selected vehicles.

Acceleration and drag-race table
MetricBMWM3 Convertible (E36)3.2TVRChimaera4.6
Acceleration checkpoints
0-60 mph
0-97 km/h
5.3 s
4.5 s
0-100 km/h
0-62 mph
5.6 s
4.7 s
0-200 km/h
0-124 mph
20.1 s
15.5 s
Top speed
Unrestricted
260 km/h162 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph
Likely limited
257 km/h
160 mph
Drag race simulation
60 ft
18 m
2.3 s
2.2 s
330 ft
101 m
6.0 s
5.6 s
1/8 mile
201 m
9.0 s
8.4 s
1000 ft
305 m
11.6 s
10.8 s
1/4 mile
402 m
13.7 s
12.7 s
Trap speed
1/4 mile
402 m
169 km/h
105 mph
184 km/h
114 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
TVRChimaera4.6
288 hp
215 kW

BMW M3 Convertible (E36) 3.2 has 33 hp more than TVR Chimaera 4.6.

The biggest power difference is between TVR Chimaera 4.6 and BMW M3 Convertible (E36) 3.2: 33 hp (25 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
TVRChimaera4.6
407 Nm
300 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
TVRChimaera4.6
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
TVRChimaera4.6
257 km/h
160 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
TVRChimaera4.64.7 s

Although BMW M3 Convertible (E36) 3.2 has more power, TVR Chimaera 4.6 is quicker from 0-100 km/h.

The biggest 0-100 km/h difference is between TVR Chimaera 4.6 and BMW M3 Convertible (E36) 3.2: 0.9 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 Convertible (E36)3.2
11.1 L/100 km
21.2 mpg US
25.4 mpg UK
TVRChimaera4.6
13.5 L/100 km
17.4 mpg US
20.9 mpg UK

The biggest fuel consumption difference is between BMW M3 Convertible (E36) 3.2 and TVR Chimaera 4.6: 2.4 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 Convertible (E36)3.2
206 hp/t
153 kW/t
4.9 kg/hp
TVRChimaera4.6
272 hp/t
203 kW/t
3.7 kg/hp

Estimated range comparison

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

Chart data table
VehicleValue
BMWM3 Convertible (E36)3.2
559 km
347 mi
TVRChimaera4.6
422 km
262 mi

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
TVRChimaera4.6
288 hp
215 kW
4.7 s
257 km/h
160 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
TVRChimaera4.6
Power
288 hp
215 kW
0-100 km/h4.7 s
Top speed
257 km/h
160 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

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 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
TVRChimaera4.6
Power
288 hp
215 kW
0-100 km/h4.7 s
Top speed
257 km/h
160 mph
13.5 L/100 km
17.4 mpg US
20.9 mpg UK

TVR Chimaera 4.6 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 Convertible (E36)3.2
11.1 L/100 km
21.2 mpg US
25.4 mpg UK
5.6 s
TVRChimaera4.6
13.5 L/100 km
17.4 mpg US
20.9 mpg UK
4.7 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 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
TVRChimaera4.6
272 hp/t
203 kW/t
3.7 kg/hp
13.5 L/100 km
17.4 mpg US
20.9 mpg UK

Detailed score breakdown

Detailed score breakdown
VehicleBMWM3 Convertible (E36)3.2TVRChimaera4.6
Power
321 hp
239 kW
288 hp
215 kW
Torque
350 Nm
258 lb-ft
407 Nm
300 lb-ft
Acceleration
5.6 s
4.7 s
Top speed
Unrestricted
260 km/h162 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph
257 km/h
160 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
13.5 L/100 km
17.4 mpg US
20.9 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
422 km
262 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
272 hp/t
203 kW/t
3.7 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 Convertible (E36) 3.2TVR Chimaera 4.6
Consumption11.1 L/100 km21.2 mpg US25.4 mpg UK13.5 L/100 km17.4 mpg US20.9 mpg UK
Cost / 100 km19.43 LC100 km23.63 LC100 km
Cost / 100 mi31.26 LC100 mi38.02 LC100 mi
Annual fuel used1,665 L440 US gal366 UK gal2,025 L535 US gal445 UK gal
Annual fuel cost2,914 LC/year3,544 LC/year

Head-to-head comparisons

BMW M3 Convertible (E36) 3.2

  • Has 33 hp more
  • Has 3 km/h (2 mph) higher top speed
  • Uses 2.4 L/100 km less fuel
  • Has 136 km (85 mi) more estimated range

Pros

  • Highest top speed
  • Most powerful
  • Lowest combined fuel consumption
  • Best estimated range

Cons

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

TVR Chimaera 4.6

  • Has 57 Nm more
  • Is 500 kg lighter
  • Is 0.9 s quicker from 0-100 km/h
  • Has 66 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
  • Highest combined fuel consumption
  • Lowest top speed

Choose cars to compare

Brand
Model
Generation
Engine or modification
BMW M3 Convertible (E36) 3.2
TVR Chimaera 4.6
Compare selected cars
2 vehicles selected

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