Car comparison

BMW M3 Coupe (E36) 3.2vsMercedes-Benz CL (C140) CL 500 V8

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

New comparison

BMW M3 Coupe (E36)

3.2

321 hp3201 ccGasolineRWDManualNaturally aspiratedCoupe1995-1999
VS

Mercedes-Benz CL (C140)

CL 500 V8

320 hp4973 ccGasolineRWDAutomaticNaturally aspiratedCoupe1996-1998

Comparison overview

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

Best choices

BMW M3 Coupe (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
  • 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 overall score
    62/100
  • Best performance score
    66/100
  • Best economy score
    77/100

Specification comparison

Specification comparison
ModelBMWM3 Coupe (E36)3.2Mercedes-BenzCL (C140)CL 500 V8
Power
321hp239kW
320hp239kW
Torque
350Nm258lb-ft
470Nm347lb-ft
Curb weight
1,460kg3,219lb
2,080kg4,586lb
Gross weight
1,950kg4,299lb
2,600kg5,732lb
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
71.6s99% target: 262 km/h / 163 mph
Calculated
115.4s99% target: 262 km/h / 163 mph
Calculated
0-100 km/h
5.5s
7.3s
0-200 km/h
18.8s
Calculated
27.3s
Calculated
0-60 mph
5.2s
Calculated
6.9s
Calculated
Fuel consumption
11L/100 km21.4mpg US25.7mpg UK
15.4L/100 km15.3mpg US18.3mpg UK
Fuel consumption city
16.9L/100 km13.9mpg US16.7mpg UK
22.1L/100 km10.6mpg US12.8mpg UK
Fuel consumption highway
7.5L/100 km31.4mpg US37.7mpg UK
11.5L/100 km20.5mpg US24.6mpg UK
Quarter mile
13.6s
Calculated
15.2s
Calculated
Power-to-weight
220hp/t164kW/t100hp/1000 lb
Calculated
154hp/t115kW/t70hp/1000 lb
Calculated
Torque-to-weight
240Nm/t160lb-ft/ton
Calculated
226Nm/t151lb-ft/ton
Calculated
Estimated range
564km350mi
Calculated
649km403mi
Calculated
Displacement
3,201cc195cu in
4,973cc303cu in
Length
4,433mm175in
5,065mm199in
Width
1,710mm67in
1,912mm75in
Height
1,335mm53in
1,452mm57in
Wheelbase
2,700mm106in
2,945mm116in
Front track
1,422mm56in
1,614mm64in
Rear track
1,444mm57in
1,587mm62in
Ground clearance
110mm4in
-
Trunk volume
405L
505L
Doors
2
2
Seats
5
4
Fuel tank
62L
100L

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 (E36) 3.2Mercedes-Benz CL (C140) CL 500 V8PowerTorque
  • BMW M3 Coupe (E36) 3.2: Power / Torque
  • Mercedes-Benz CL (C140) CL 500 V8: Power / Torque
Dyno simulation data table
VehiclePeak power RPMPeak torque RPMMax engine speed
BMWM3 Coupe (E36)3.27,400 rpm3,250 rpm7,650 rpm
Mercedes-BenzCL (C140)CL 500 V85,600 rpm3,900 rpm5,850 rpm

Acceleration curve

Estimated speed over time for selected vehicles.

Acceleration and drag-race table
MetricBMWM3 Coupe (E36)3.2Mercedes-BenzCL (C140)CL 500 V8
Acceleration checkpoints
0-60 mph
0-97 km/h
5.2 s
6.9 s
0-100 km/h
0-62 mph
5.5 s
7.3 s
0-200 km/h
0-124 mph
18.8 s
27.3 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
2.5 s
330 ft
101 m
6.0 s
6.6 s
1/8 mile
201 m
8.9 s
10.0 s
1000 ft
305 m
11.5 s
12.8 s
1/4 mile
402 m
13.6 s
15.2 s
Trap speed
1/4 mile
402 m
173 km/h
107 mph
154 km/h
95 mph

Power comparison

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

Chart data table
VehicleValue
BMWM3 Coupe (E36)3.2
321 hp
239 kW
Mercedes-BenzCL (C140)CL 500 V8
320 hp
239 kW

BMW M3 Coupe (E36) 3.2 has 1 hp more than Mercedes-Benz CL (C140) CL 500 V8.

The biggest power difference is between Mercedes-Benz CL (C140) CL 500 V8 and BMW M3 Coupe (E36) 3.2: 1 hp (1 kW).

Torque comparison

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

Chart data table
VehicleValue
BMWM3 Coupe (E36)3.2
350 Nm
258 lb-ft
Mercedes-BenzCL (C140)CL 500 V8
470 Nm
347 lb-ft

Curb weight comparison

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

Chart data table
VehicleValue
BMWM3 Coupe (E36)3.2
1,460 kg
3,219 lb
Mercedes-BenzCL (C140)CL 500 V8
2,080 kg
4,586 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 (E36)3.2
Unrestricted
265 km/h165 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph
Mercedes-BenzCL (C140)CL 500 V8
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
BMWM3 Coupe (E36)3.25.5 s
Mercedes-BenzCL (C140)CL 500 V87.3 s

The biggest 0-100 km/h difference is between BMW M3 Coupe (E36) 3.2 and Mercedes-Benz CL (C140) CL 500 V8: 1.8 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 Coupe (E36)3.2
11.0 L/100 km
21.4 mpg US
25.7 mpg UK
Mercedes-BenzCL (C140)CL 500 V8
15.4 L/100 km
15.3 mpg US
18.3 mpg UK

The biggest fuel consumption difference is between BMW M3 Coupe (E36) 3.2 and Mercedes-Benz CL (C140) CL 500 V8: 4.4 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 Coupe (E36)3.2
220 hp/t
164 kW/t
4.5 kg/hp
Mercedes-BenzCL (C140)CL 500 V8
154 hp/t
115 kW/t
6.5 kg/hp

Estimated range comparison

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

Chart data table
VehicleValue
BMWM3 Coupe (E36)3.2
564 km
350 mi
Mercedes-BenzCL (C140)CL 500 V8
649 km
403 mi

Performance spider chart

Radar chart comparing normalized performance and fuel-consumption scores.

Chart data table
VehiclePowerAccelerationTop speed
BMWM3 Coupe (E36)3.2
321 hp
239 kW
5.5 s
Unrestricted
265 km/h165 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph
Mercedes-BenzCL (C140)CL 500 V8
320 hp
239 kW
7.3 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
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
Mercedes-BenzCL (C140)CL 500 V8
Power
320 hp
239 kW
0-100 km/h7.3 s
Top speed
Unrestricted
265 km/h165 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph
Doors/seats
2 doors
4 seats
Trunk
505 L
17.8 cu ft
Length
5,065 mm
199.4 in
Height
1,452 mm
57.2 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 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
11.0 L/100 km
21.4 mpg US
25.7 mpg UK
Mercedes-BenzCL (C140)CL 500 V8
Power
320 hp
239 kW
0-100 km/h7.3 s
Top speed
Unrestricted
265 km/h165 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph
15.4 L/100 km
15.3 mpg US
18.3 mpg UK

BMW M3 Coupe (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 Coupe (E36)3.2
11.0 L/100 km
21.4 mpg US
25.7 mpg UK
5.5 s
Mercedes-BenzCL (C140)CL 500 V8
15.4 L/100 km
15.3 mpg US
18.3 mpg UK
7.3 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 Coupe (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
Mercedes-BenzCL (C140)CL 500 V8
154 hp/t
115 kW/t
6.5 kg/hp
15.4 L/100 km
15.3 mpg US
18.3 mpg UK

Detailed score breakdown

Detailed score breakdown
VehicleBMWM3 Coupe (E36)3.2Mercedes-BenzCL (C140)CL 500 V8
Power
321 hp
239 kW
320 hp
239 kW
Torque
350 Nm
258 lb-ft
470 Nm
347 lb-ft
Acceleration
5.5 s
7.3 s
Top speed
Unrestricted
265 km/h165 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph
Unrestricted
265 km/h165 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph
Lightness
1,460 kg
3,219 lb
2,080 kg
4,586 lb
Fuel consumption
11.0 L/100 km
21.4 mpg US
25.7 mpg UK
15.4 L/100 km
15.3 mpg US
18.3 mpg UK
Practicality
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
Doors/seats
2 doors
4 seats
Trunk
505 L
17.8 cu ft
Length
5,065 mm
199.4 in
Height
1,452 mm
57.2 in
Range score
564 km
350 mi
649 km
403 mi
Trunk score
405 L
14.3 cu ft
505 L
17.8 cu ft
Power-to-weight score
220 hp/t
164 kW/t
4.5 kg/hp
154 hp/t
115 kW/t
6.5 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) 3.2Mercedes-Benz CL (C140) CL 500 V8
Consumption11 L/100 km21.4 mpg US25.7 mpg UK15.4 L/100 km15.3 mpg US18.3 mpg UK
Cost / 100 km19.25 LC100 km26.95 LC100 km
Cost / 100 mi30.98 LC100 mi43.37 LC100 mi
Annual fuel used1,650 L436 US gal363 UK gal2,310 L610 US gal508 UK gal
Annual fuel cost2,888 LC/year4,043 LC/year

Head-to-head comparisons

BMW M3 Coupe (E36) 3.2

  • Has 1 hp more
  • Is 620 kg lighter
  • Is 1.8 s quicker from 0-100 km/h
  • Uses 4.4 L/100 km less fuel
  • Has 66 hp/t better power-to-weight

Pros

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

Cons

  • Smallest trunk

Mercedes-Benz CL (C140) CL 500 V8

  • Has 120 Nm more
  • Has 86 km (53 mi) more estimated range
  • Has 100 L more trunk volume

Pros

  • Highest torque
  • Best estimated range
  • Largest trunk

Cons

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

Choose cars to compare

Brand
Model
Generation
Engine or modification
BMW M3 Coupe (E36) 3.2
Mercedes-Benz CL (C140) CL 500 V8
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