Car comparison

BMW M3 Coupe (E46) 3.2i 24VvsBMW Z3 M Coupe (E36/8) 3.2

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

New comparison

BMW M3 Coupe (E46)

3.2i 24V

343 hp3246 ccGasolineRWDManualNaturally aspiratedCoupe2000-2003
VS

BMW Z3 M Coupe (E36/8)

3.2

325 hp3246 ccGasolineRWDManualNaturally aspiratedCoupe1998-2003

Comparison overview

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

Best choices

BMW M3 Coupe (E46) 3.2i 24V

  • Quickest 0-100 km/h
    5.2 s
  • Fastest top speed
    265 km/h
    165 mph Unrestricted
    250 km/h
    155 mph Restricted
  • Most powerful
    343 hp
    256 kW
  • Highest torque
    365 Nm
    269 lb-ft
  • Largest trunk
    410 L
  • Best overall score
    65/100
  • Best performance score
    69/100
  • Best economy score
    75/100
  • Best practicality score
    56/100

BMW Z3 M Coupe (E36/8) 3.2

  • Lightest
    1,375 kg
    3,031 lb
  • Best power-to-weight
    236 hp/t
    176 kW/t
    4.2 kg/hp
  • Lowest city consumption
    16.6 L/100 km
    14.2 mpg US
    17.0 mpg UK
  • Lowest highway consumption
    7.9 L/100 km
    29.8 mpg US
    35.8 mpg UK

Specification comparison

Specification comparison
ModelBMWM3 Coupe (E46)3.2i 24VBMWZ3 M Coupe (E36/8)3.2
Power
343hp256kW
325hp242kW
Torque
365Nm269lb-ft
350Nm258lb-ft
Curb weight
1,495kg3,296lb
1,375kg3,031lb
Gross weight
2,000kg4,409lb
1,660kg3,660lb
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
68.4s99% target: 262 km/h / 163 mph
Calculated
65.0s99% target: 262 km/h / 163 mph
Calculated
0-100 km/h
5.2s
5.3s
0-200 km/h
17.8s
Calculated
17.6s
Calculated
0-60 mph
4.9s
Calculated
5.1s
Calculated
Fuel consumption
11.9L/100 km19.8mpg US23.7mpg UK
-
Fuel consumption city
17.8L/100 km13.2mpg US15.9mpg UK
16.6L/100 km14.2mpg US17.0mpg UK
Fuel consumption highway
8.4L/100 km28mpg US33.6mpg UK
7.9L/100 km29.8mpg US35.8mpg UK
Quarter mile
13.3s
Calculated
13.4s
Calculated
Power-to-weight
229hp/t171kW/t104hp/1000 lb
Calculated
236hp/t176kW/t107hp/1000 lb
Calculated
Torque-to-weight
244Nm/t163lb-ft/ton
Calculated
255Nm/t170lb-ft/ton
Calculated
Estimated range
529km329mi
Calculated
-
Displacement
3,246cc198cu in
3,246cc198cu in
Length
4,492mm177in
4,025mm158in
Width
1,780mm70in
1,740mm69in
Height
1,372mm54in
1,280mm50in
Wheelbase
2,731mm108in
2,459mm97in
Front track
1,508mm59in
1,422mm56in
Rear track
1,525mm60in
1,492mm59in
Trunk volume
410L
210L
Max trunk volume-
410L
Doors
2
3
Seats
5
2
Fuel tank
63L
51L

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 (E46) 3.2i 24VBMW Z3 M Coupe (E36/8) 3.2PowerTorque
  • BMW M3 Coupe (E46) 3.2i 24V: Power / Torque
  • BMW Z3 M Coupe (E36/8) 3.2: Power / Torque
Dyno simulation data table
VehiclePeak power RPMPeak torque RPMMax engine speed
BMWM3 Coupe (E46)3.2i 24V7,900 rpm4,900 rpm8,150 rpm
BMWZ3 M Coupe (E36/8)3.27,400 rpm4,900 rpm7,650 rpm

Acceleration curve

Estimated speed over time for selected vehicles.

Acceleration and drag-race table
MetricBMWM3 Coupe (E46)3.2i 24VBMWZ3 M Coupe (E36/8)3.2
Acceleration checkpoints
0-60 mph
0-97 km/h
4.9 s
5.1 s
0-100 km/h
0-62 mph
5.2 s
5.3 s
0-200 km/h
0-124 mph
17.8 s
17.6 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
2.2 s
2.3 s
330 ft
101 m
5.8 s
5.9 s
1/8 mile
201 m
8.7 s
8.8 s
1000 ft
305 m
11.2 s
11.3 s
1/4 mile
402 m
13.3 s
13.4 s
Trap speed
1/4 mile
402 m
175 km/h
109 mph
176 km/h
110 mph

Power comparison

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

Chart data table
VehicleValue
BMWM3 Coupe (E46)3.2i 24V
343 hp
256 kW
BMWZ3 M Coupe (E36/8)3.2
325 hp
242 kW

BMW M3 Coupe (E46) 3.2i 24V has 18 hp more than BMW Z3 M Coupe (E36/8) 3.2.

The biggest power difference is between BMW Z3 M Coupe (E36/8) 3.2 and BMW M3 Coupe (E46) 3.2i 24V: 18 hp (13 kW).

Torque comparison

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

Chart data table
VehicleValue
BMWM3 Coupe (E46)3.2i 24V
365 Nm
269 lb-ft
BMWZ3 M Coupe (E36/8)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
BMWM3 Coupe (E46)3.2i 24V
1,495 kg
3,296 lb
BMWZ3 M Coupe (E36/8)3.2
1,375 kg
3,031 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 (E46)3.2i 24V
Unrestricted
265 km/h165 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph
BMWZ3 M Coupe (E36/8)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
BMWM3 Coupe (E46)3.2i 24V5.2 s
BMWZ3 M Coupe (E36/8)3.25.3 s

The biggest 0-100 km/h difference is between BMW M3 Coupe (E46) 3.2i 24V and BMW Z3 M Coupe (E36/8) 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
BMWM3 Coupe (E46)3.2i 24V
229 hp/t
171 kW/t
4.4 kg/hp
BMWZ3 M Coupe (E36/8)3.2
236 hp/t
176 kW/t
4.2 kg/hp

Performance spider chart

Radar chart comparing normalized performance and fuel-consumption scores.

Chart data table
VehiclePowerAccelerationTop speed
BMWM3 Coupe (E46)3.2i 24V
343 hp
256 kW
5.2 s
Unrestricted
265 km/h165 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph
BMWZ3 M Coupe (E36/8)3.2
325 hp
242 kW
5.3 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 (E46)3.2i 24V
Power
343 hp
256 kW
0-100 km/h5.2 s
Top speed
Unrestricted
265 km/h165 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph
Doors/seats
2 doors
5 seats
Trunk
410 L
14.5 cu ft
Length
4,492 mm
176.9 in
Height
1,372 mm
54.0 in
BMWZ3 M Coupe (E36/8)3.2
Power
325 hp
242 kW
0-100 km/h5.3 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
1,280 mm
50.4 in

Detailed score breakdown

Detailed score breakdown
VehicleBMWM3 Coupe (E46)3.2i 24VBMWZ3 M Coupe (E36/8)3.2
Power
343 hp
256 kW
325 hp
242 kW
Torque
365 Nm
269 lb-ft
350 Nm
258 lb-ft
Acceleration
5.2 s
5.3 s
Top speed
Unrestricted
265 km/h165 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph
Unrestricted
265 km/h165 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph
Lightness
1,495 kg
3,296 lb
1,375 kg
3,031 lb
Fuel consumption
11.9 L/100 km
19.8 mpg US
23.7 mpg UK
-
Practicality
Doors/seats
2 doors
5 seats
Trunk
410 L
14.5 cu ft
Length
4,492 mm
176.9 in
Height
1,372 mm
54.0 in
Doors/seats
3 doors
2 seats
Trunk
210 L
7.4 cu ft
Length
4,025 mm
158.5 in
Height
1,280 mm
50.4 in
Range score
529 km
329 mi
-
Trunk score
410 L
14.5 cu ft
210 L
7.4 cu ft
Power-to-weight score
229 hp/t
171 kW/t
4.4 kg/hp
236 hp/t
176 kW/t
4.2 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 (E46) 3.2i 24V
Consumption11.9 L/100 km19.8 mpg US23.7 mpg UK
Cost / 100 km20.83 LC100 km
Cost / 100 mi33.51 LC100 mi
Annual fuel used1,785 L472 US gal393 UK gal
Annual fuel cost3,124 LC/year

Head-to-head comparisons

BMW M3 Coupe (E46) 3.2i 24V

  • Has 18 hp more
  • Has 15 Nm more
  • Is 0.1 s quicker from 0-100 km/h
  • Has 200 L more trunk volume

Pros

  • Quickest 0-100 km/h in this comparison
  • Highest top speed
  • Most powerful
  • Highest torque
  • Largest trunk

Cons

  • Heaviest

BMW Z3 M Coupe (E36/8) 3.2

  • Is 120 kg lighter
  • Has 7 hp/t better power-to-weight

Pros

  • Lightest
  • Best power-to-weight ratio

Cons

  • Slowest 0-100 km/h
  • Lowest power
  • Smallest trunk

Choose cars to compare

Brand
Model
Generation
Engine or modification
BMW M3 Coupe (E46) 3.2i 24V
BMW Z3 M Coupe (E36/8) 3.2
Compare selected cars
2 vehicles selected

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