Car comparison

BMW Z3 Coupe (E36/8) 3.2vsBMW M3 Coupe (E36) 3.2

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

New comparison

BMW Z3 Coupe (E36/8)

3.2

321 hp3201 ccGasolineRWDManualNaturally aspiratedCoupe1998-2003
VS

BMW M3 Coupe (E36)

3.2

321 hp3201 ccGasolineRWDManualNaturally aspiratedCoupe1995-1999

Comparison overview

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

Best choices

BMW Z3 Coupe (E36/8) 3.2

  • Quickest 0-100 km/h
    5.4 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
    1,390 kg
    3,064 lb
  • Best power-to-weight
    231 hp/t
    172 kW/t
    4.3 kg/hp
  • Lowest city consumption
    12.9 L/100 km
    18.2 mpg US
    21.9 mpg UK
  • Lowest highway consumption
    7.4 L/100 km
    31.8 mpg US
    38.2 mpg UK
  • Best performance score
    67/100

BMW M3 Coupe (E36) 3.2

  • Largest trunk
    405 L
  • Best overall score
    62/100
  • Best economy score
    77/100
  • Best practicality score
    55/100

Specification comparison

Specification comparison
ModelBMWZ3 Coupe (E36/8)3.2BMWM3 Coupe (E36)3.2
Power
321hp239kW
321hp239kW
Torque
350Nm258lb-ft
350Nm258lb-ft
Curb weight
1,390kg3,064lb
1,460kg3,219lb
Gross weight
1,660kg3,660lb
1,950kg4,299lb
Top speed
Unrestricted
265 km/h165 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph
Calculated
Unrestricted
265 km/h165 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph
Calculated
To 99% top speed
66.8s99% target: 262 km/h / 163 mph
Calculated
71.1s99% target: 262 km/h / 163 mph
Calculated
0-100 km/h
5.4s
5.5s
0-200 km/h
18.0s
Calculated
18.7s
Calculated
0-60 mph
5.1s
Calculated
5.2s
Calculated
Fuel consumption-
11L/100 km21.4mpg US25.7mpg UK
Fuel consumption city
12.9L/100 km18.2mpg US21.9mpg UK
16.9L/100 km13.9mpg US16.7mpg UK
Fuel consumption highway
7.4L/100 km31.8mpg US38.2mpg UK
7.5L/100 km31.4mpg US37.7mpg UK
Quarter mile
13.5s
Calculated
13.6s
Calculated
Power-to-weight
231hp/t172kW/t105hp/1000 lb
Calculated
220hp/t164kW/t100hp/1000 lb
Calculated
Torque-to-weight
252Nm/t168lb-ft/ton
Calculated
240Nm/t160lb-ft/ton
Calculated
Estimated range-
564km350mi
Calculated
Displacement
3,201cc195cu in
3,201cc195cu in
Length
4,025mm158in
4,433mm175in
Width
1,740mm69in
1,710mm67in
Height
1,279mm50in
1,335mm53in
Wheelbase
2,459mm97in
2,700mm106in
Front track
1,422mm56in
1,422mm56in
Rear track
1,492mm59in
1,444mm57in
Ground clearance-
110mm4in
Trunk volume
210L
405L
Max trunk volume
410L
-
Doors
3
2
Seats
2
5
Fuel tank
51L
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 Z3 Coupe (E36/8) 3.2BMW M3 Coupe (E36) 3.2PowerTorque
  • BMW Z3 Coupe (E36/8) 3.2: Power / Torque
  • BMW M3 Coupe (E36) 3.2: Power / Torque
Dyno simulation data table
VehiclePeak power RPMPeak torque RPMMax engine speed
BMWZ3 Coupe (E36/8)3.27,400 rpm3,250 rpm7,650 rpm
BMWM3 Coupe (E36)3.27,400 rpm3,250 rpm7,650 rpm

Acceleration curve

Estimated speed over time for selected vehicles.

Acceleration and drag-race table
MetricBMWZ3 Coupe (E36/8)3.2BMWM3 Coupe (E36)3.2
Acceleration checkpoints
0-60 mph
0-97 km/h
5.1 s
5.2 s
0-100 km/h
0-62 mph
5.4 s
5.5 s
0-200 km/h
0-124 mph
18.0 s
18.7 s
Top speed
Unrestricted
265 km/h165 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph
Likely limited
Unrestricted
265 km/h165 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph
Likely limited
Drag race simulation
60 ft
18 m
2.3 s
2.3 s
330 ft
101 m
6.0 s
6.0 s
1/8 mile
201 m
8.9 s
8.9 s
1000 ft
305 m
11.4 s
11.5 s
1/4 mile
402 m
13.5 s
13.6 s
Trap speed
1/4 mile
402 m
175 km/h
109 mph
173 km/h
107 mph

Power comparison

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

Chart data table
VehicleValue
BMWZ3 Coupe (E36/8)3.2
321 hp
239 kW
BMWM3 Coupe (E36)3.2
321 hp
239 kW

Torque comparison

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

Chart data table
VehicleValue
BMWZ3 Coupe (E36/8)3.2
350 Nm
258 lb-ft
BMWM3 Coupe (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
BMWZ3 Coupe (E36/8)3.2
1,390 kg
3,064 lb
BMWM3 Coupe (E36)3.2
1,460 kg
3,219 lb

Top speed without limiter comparison

Bar comparison chart for Top speed without limiter. Higher is better · km/h / mph

Chart data table
VehicleValue
BMWZ3 Coupe (E36/8)3.2
Unrestricted
265 km/h165 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph
BMWM3 Coupe (E36)3.2
Unrestricted
265 km/h165 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
BMWZ3 Coupe (E36/8)3.25.4 s
BMWM3 Coupe (E36)3.25.5 s

The biggest 0-100 km/h difference is between BMW Z3 Coupe (E36/8) 3.2 and BMW M3 Coupe (E36) 3.2: 0.1 s.

Power-to-weight comparison

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

Chart data table
VehicleValue
BMWZ3 Coupe (E36/8)3.2
231 hp/t
172 kW/t
4.3 kg/hp
BMWM3 Coupe (E36)3.2
220 hp/t
164 kW/t
4.5 kg/hp

Performance spider chart

Radar chart comparing normalized performance and fuel-consumption scores.

Chart data table
VehiclePowerAccelerationTop speed
BMWZ3 Coupe (E36/8)3.2
321 hp
239 kW
5.4 s
Unrestricted
265 km/h165 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph
BMWM3 Coupe (E36)3.2
321 hp
239 kW
5.5 s
Unrestricted
265 km/h165 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
BMWZ3 Coupe (E36/8)3.2
Power
321 hp
239 kW
0-100 km/h5.4 s
Top speed
Unrestricted
265 km/h165 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph
Doors/seats
3 doors
2 seats
Trunk
210 L
7.4 cu ft
Length
4,025 mm
158.5 in
Height
1,279 mm
50.4 in
BMWM3 Coupe (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
2 doors
5 seats
Trunk
405 L
14.3 cu ft
Length
4,433 mm
174.5 in
Height
1,335 mm
52.6 in

Detailed score breakdown

Detailed score breakdown
VehicleBMWZ3 Coupe (E36/8)3.2BMWM3 Coupe (E36)3.2
Power
321 hp
239 kW
321 hp
239 kW
Torque
350 Nm
258 lb-ft
350 Nm
258 lb-ft
Acceleration
5.4 s
5.5 s
Top speed
Unrestricted
265 km/h165 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph
Unrestricted
265 km/h165 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph
Lightness
1,390 kg
3,064 lb
1,460 kg
3,219 lb
Fuel consumption
-
11.0 L/100 km
21.4 mpg US
25.7 mpg UK
Practicality
Doors/seats
3 doors
2 seats
Trunk
210 L
7.4 cu ft
Length
4,025 mm
158.5 in
Height
1,279 mm
50.4 in
Doors/seats
2 doors
5 seats
Trunk
405 L
14.3 cu ft
Length
4,433 mm
174.5 in
Height
1,335 mm
52.6 in
Range score
-
564 km
350 mi
Trunk score
210 L
7.4 cu ft
405 L
14.3 cu ft
Power-to-weight score
231 hp/t
172 kW/t
4.3 kg/hp
220 hp/t
164 kW/t
4.5 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 (E36) 3.2
Consumption11 L/100 km21.4 mpg US25.7 mpg UK
Cost / 100 km19.25 LC100 km
Cost / 100 mi30.98 LC100 mi
Annual fuel used1,650 L436 US gal363 UK gal
Annual fuel cost2,888 LC/year

Head-to-head comparisons

BMW Z3 Coupe (E36/8) 3.2

  • Is 70 kg lighter
  • Is 0.1 s quicker from 0-100 km/h
  • Has 11 hp/t better power-to-weight

Pros

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

Cons

  • Smallest trunk

Choose cars to compare

Brand
Model
Generation
Engine or modification
BMW Z3 Coupe (E36/8) 3.2
BMW M3 Coupe (E36) 3.2
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BMW Z3 Coupe (E36/8) 3.2 vs BMW M3 Coupe (E36) 3.2 - car comparison - FastVsFaster