Car comparison

BMW M3 Coupe (E30) 2.3vsMercedes-Benz C124 · Facelift 1989 300 CE-24

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

New comparison

BMW M3 Coupe (E30)

2.3

220 hp2302 ccGasolineRWDManualNaturally aspiratedCoupe1988-1990
VS

Mercedes-Benz C124 · Facelift 1989

300 CE-24

220 hp2960 ccGasolineRWDAutomaticNaturally aspiratedCoupe1989-1992

Comparison overview

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

Best choices

BMW M3 Coupe (E30) 2.3

  • Quickest 0-100 km/h
    6.7 s
  • Fastest top speed
    243 km/h
    151 mph
  • Most powerful
    220 hp
    164 kW
  • Lightest
    1,200 kg
    2,646 lb
  • Best power-to-weight
    183 hp/t
    137 kW/t
    5.5 kg/hp
  • Lowest city consumption
    11.0 L/100 km
    21.4 mpg US
    25.7 mpg UK
  • Lowest highway consumption
    7.2 L/100 km
    32.7 mpg US
    39.2 mpg UK
  • Best overall score
    54/100
  • Best performance score
    55/100
  • Best economy score
    85/100

Specification comparison

Specification comparison
ModelBMWM3 Coupe (E30)2.3Mercedes-BenzC124Facelift 1989300 CE-24
Power
220hp164kW
220hp164kW
Torque
240Nm177lb-ft
265Nm195lb-ft
Curb weight
1,200kg2,646lb
1,480kg3,263lb
Gross weight
1,600kg3,527lb
1,930kg4,255lb
Top speed
243 km/h
151 mph
232 km/h
144 mph
To 99% top speed
80.1s99% target: 241 km/h / 149 mph
Calculated
97.4s99% target: 230 km/h / 143 mph
Calculated
0-100 km/h
6.7s
7.8s
0-200 km/h
26.1s
Calculated
35.3s
Calculated
0-60 mph
6.4s
Calculated
7.4s
Calculated
Fuel consumption
8L/100 km29.4mpg US35.3mpg UK
-
Fuel consumption city
11L/100 km21.4mpg US25.7mpg UK
14.7L/100 km16mpg US19.2mpg UK
Fuel consumption highway
7.2L/100 km32.7mpg US39.2mpg UK
8.2L/100 km28.7mpg US34.4mpg UK
Quarter mile
14.7s
Calculated
15.6s
Calculated
Power-to-weight
183hp/t137kW/t83hp/1000 lb
Calculated
149hp/t111kW/t67hp/1000 lb
Calculated
Torque-to-weight
200Nm/t134lb-ft/ton
Calculated
179Nm/t120lb-ft/ton
Calculated
Estimated range
875km544mi
Calculated
-
Displacement
2,302cc140cu in
2,960cc181cu in
Length
4,345mm171in
4,655mm183in
Width
1,680mm66in
1,740mm69in
Height
1,370mm54in
1,394mm55in
Wheelbase
2,565mm101in
2,715mm107in
Front track
1,424mm56in
1,501mm59in
Rear track
1,445mm57in
1,491mm59in
Trunk volume
420L
-
Doors
2
2
Seats
4
4
Fuel tank
70L
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 Coupe (E30) 2.3Mercedes-Benz C124 Facelift 1989 300 CE-24PowerTorque
  • BMW M3 Coupe (E30) 2.3: Power / Torque
  • Mercedes-Benz C124 Facelift 1989 300 CE-24: Power / Torque
Dyno simulation data table
VehiclePeak power RPMPeak torque RPMMax engine speed
BMWM3 Coupe (E30)2.36,750 rpm4,750 rpm7,000 rpm
Mercedes-BenzC124Facelift 1989300 CE-246,400 rpm4,600 rpm6,650 rpm

Acceleration curve

Estimated speed over time for selected vehicles.

Acceleration and drag-race table
MetricBMWM3 Coupe (E30)2.3Mercedes-BenzC124Facelift 1989300 CE-24
Acceleration checkpoints
0-60 mph
0-97 km/h
6.4 s
7.4 s
0-100 km/h
0-62 mph
6.7 s
7.8 s
0-200 km/h
0-124 mph
26.1 s
35.3 s
Top speed
243 km/h
151 mph
232 km/h
144 mph
Drag race simulation
60 ft
18 m
2.5 s
2.5 s
330 ft
101 m
6.4 s
6.8 s
1/8 mile
201 m
9.7 s
10.2 s
1000 ft
305 m
12.4 s
13.2 s
1/4 mile
402 m
14.7 s
15.6 s
Trap speed
1/4 mile
402 m
158 km/h
98 mph
147 km/h
91 mph

Power comparison

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

Chart data table
VehicleValue
BMWM3 Coupe (E30)2.3
220 hp
164 kW
Mercedes-BenzC124Facelift 1989300 CE-24
220 hp
164 kW

Torque comparison

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

Chart data table
VehicleValue
BMWM3 Coupe (E30)2.3
240 Nm
177 lb-ft
Mercedes-BenzC124Facelift 1989300 CE-24
265 Nm
195 lb-ft

Curb weight comparison

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

Chart data table
VehicleValue
BMWM3 Coupe (E30)2.3
1,200 kg
2,646 lb
Mercedes-BenzC124Facelift 1989300 CE-24
1,480 kg
3,263 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 (E30)2.3
243 km/h
151 mph
Mercedes-BenzC124Facelift 1989300 CE-24
232 km/h
144 mph

0-100 km/h comparison

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

Chart data table
VehicleValue
BMWM3 Coupe (E30)2.36.7 s
Mercedes-BenzC124Facelift 1989300 CE-247.8 s

The biggest 0-100 km/h difference is between BMW M3 Coupe (E30) 2.3 and Mercedes-Benz C124 Facelift 1989 300 CE-24: 1.1 s.

Power-to-weight comparison

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

Chart data table
VehicleValue
BMWM3 Coupe (E30)2.3
183 hp/t
137 kW/t
5.5 kg/hp
Mercedes-BenzC124Facelift 1989300 CE-24
149 hp/t
111 kW/t
6.7 kg/hp

Performance spider chart

Radar chart comparing normalized performance and fuel-consumption scores.

Chart data table
VehiclePowerAccelerationTop speed
BMWM3 Coupe (E30)2.3
220 hp
164 kW
6.7 s
243 km/h
151 mph
Mercedes-BenzC124Facelift 1989300 CE-24
220 hp
164 kW
7.8 s
232 km/h
144 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 (E30)2.3
Power
220 hp
164 kW
0-100 km/h6.7 s
Top speed
243 km/h
151 mph
Doors/seats
2 doors
4 seats
Trunk
420 L
14.8 cu ft
Length
4,345 mm
171.1 in
Height
1,370 mm
53.9 in
Mercedes-BenzC124Facelift 1989300 CE-24
Power
220 hp
164 kW
0-100 km/h7.8 s
Top speed
232 km/h
144 mph
Doors/seats
2 doors
4 seats
Trunk-
Length
4,655 mm
183.3 in
Height
1,394 mm
54.9 in

Detailed score breakdown

Detailed score breakdown
VehicleBMWM3 Coupe (E30)2.3Mercedes-BenzC124Facelift 1989300 CE-24
Power
220 hp
164 kW
220 hp
164 kW
Torque
240 Nm
177 lb-ft
265 Nm
195 lb-ft
Acceleration
6.7 s
7.8 s
Top speed
243 km/h
151 mph
232 km/h
144 mph
Lightness
1,200 kg
2,646 lb
1,480 kg
3,263 lb
Fuel consumption
8.0 L/100 km
29.4 mpg US
35.3 mpg UK
-
Practicality
Doors/seats
2 doors
4 seats
Trunk
420 L
14.8 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
1,394 mm
54.9 in
Range score
875 km
544 mi
-
Trunk score
420 L
14.8 cu ft
-
Power-to-weight score
183 hp/t
137 kW/t
5.5 kg/hp
149 hp/t
111 kW/t
6.7 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 (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 Coupe (E30) 2.3

  • Is 280 kg lighter
  • Is 1.1 s quicker from 0-100 km/h
  • Has 11 km/h (7 mph) higher top speed
  • Has 35 hp/t better power-to-weight

Pros

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

Choose cars to compare

Brand
Model
Generation
Engine or modification
BMW M3 Coupe (E30) 2.3
Mercedes-Benz C124 300 CE-24
Compare selected cars
2 vehicles selected

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BMW M3 Coupe (E30) 2.3 vs Mercedes-Benz C124 · Facelift 1989 300 CE-24 - car comparison - FastVsFaster