Car comparison

BMW Z3 M Coupe (E36/8) 3.2vsBMW Z3 (E36/7) 2.8

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

New comparison

BMW Z3 M Coupe (E36/8)

3.2

321 hp3201 ccGasolineRWDManualNaturally aspiratedCoupe1998-2003
VS

BMW Z3 (E36/7)

2.8

192 hp2793 ccGasolineRWDManualNaturally aspiratedRoadster1997-2000

Comparison overview

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

Best choices

BMW Z3 M 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
  • 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
  • Largest trunk
    210 L
  • Best overall score
    57/100
  • Best performance score
    67/100
  • Best economy score
    0/100
  • Best practicality score
    37/100

Specification comparison

Specification comparison
ModelBMWZ3 M Coupe (E36/8)3.2BMWZ3 (E36/7)2.8
Power
321hp239kW
192hp143kW
Torque
350Nm258lb-ft
300Nm221lb-ft
Curb weight
1,390kg3,064lb
1,285kg2,833lb
Gross weight
1,660kg3,660lb
1,550kg3,417lb
Top speed
Unrestricted
265 km/h165 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph
Calculated
Unrestricted
235 km/h146 mph
Restricted
225 km/h140 mph
Calculated
To 99% top speed
66.8s99% target: 262 km/h / 163 mph
Calculated
77.8s99% target: 233 km/h / 145 mph
Calculated
0-100 km/h
5.4s
6.9s
0-200 km/h
18.0s
Calculated
28.3s
Calculated
0-60 mph
5.1s
Calculated
6.5s
Calculated
Fuel consumption city
12.9L/100 km18.2mpg US21.9mpg UK
12.9L/100 km18.2mpg US21.9mpg UK
Fuel consumption highway
7.4L/100 km31.8mpg US38.2mpg UK
7.4L/100 km31.8mpg US38.2mpg UK
Quarter mile
13.5s
Calculated
14.9s
Calculated
Power-to-weight
231hp/t172kW/t105hp/1000 lb
Calculated
149hp/t111kW/t68hp/1000 lb
Calculated
Torque-to-weight
252Nm/t168lb-ft/ton
Calculated
233Nm/t156lb-ft/ton
Calculated
Displacement
3,201cc195cu in
2,793cc170cu in
Length
4,025mm158in
4,050mm159in
Width
1,740mm69in
1,740mm69in
Height
1,279mm50in
1,293mm51in
Wheelbase
2,459mm97in
2,446mm96in
Front track
1,422mm56in
1,413mm56in
Rear track
1,492mm59in
1,494mm59in
Trunk volume
210L
165L
Max trunk volume
410L
-
Doors
3
2
Seats
2
2
Fuel tank
51L
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 Z3 M Coupe (E36/8) 3.2BMW Z3 (E36/7) 2.8PowerTorque
  • BMW Z3 M Coupe (E36/8) 3.2: Power / Torque
  • BMW Z3 (E36/7) 2.8: Power / Torque
Dyno simulation data table
VehiclePeak power RPMPeak torque RPMMax engine speed
BMWZ3 M Coupe (E36/8)3.27,400 rpm3,250 rpm7,650 rpm
BMWZ3 (E36/7)2.85,500 rpm3,500 rpm5,750 rpm

Acceleration curve

Estimated speed over time for selected vehicles.

Acceleration and drag-race table
MetricBMWZ3 M Coupe (E36/8)3.2BMWZ3 (E36/7)2.8
Acceleration checkpoints
0-60 mph
0-97 km/h
5.1 s
6.5 s
0-100 km/h
0-62 mph
5.4 s
6.9 s
0-200 km/h
0-124 mph
18.0 s
28.3 s
Top speed
Unrestricted
265 km/h165 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph
Likely limited
Unrestricted
235 km/h146 mph
Restricted
225 km/h140 mph
Likely limited
Drag race simulation
60 ft
18 m
2.3 s
2.5 s
330 ft
101 m
6.0 s
6.5 s
1/8 mile
201 m
8.9 s
9.8 s
1000 ft
305 m
11.4 s
12.6 s
1/4 mile
402 m
13.5 s
14.9 s
Trap speed
1/4 mile
402 m
175 km/h
109 mph
156 km/h
97 mph

Power comparison

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

Chart data table
VehicleValue
BMWZ3 M Coupe (E36/8)3.2
321 hp
239 kW
BMWZ3 (E36/7)2.8
192 hp
143 kW

BMW Z3 M Coupe (E36/8) 3.2 has 129 hp more than BMW Z3 (E36/7) 2.8.

The biggest power difference is between BMW Z3 (E36/7) 2.8 and BMW Z3 M Coupe (E36/8) 3.2: 129 hp (96 kW).

Torque comparison

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

Chart data table
VehicleValue
BMWZ3 M Coupe (E36/8)3.2
350 Nm
258 lb-ft
BMWZ3 (E36/7)2.8
300 Nm
221 lb-ft

Curb weight comparison

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

Chart data table
VehicleValue
BMWZ3 M Coupe (E36/8)3.2
1,390 kg
3,064 lb
BMWZ3 (E36/7)2.8
1,285 kg
2,833 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 M Coupe (E36/8)3.2
Unrestricted
265 km/h165 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph
BMWZ3 (E36/7)2.8
Unrestricted
235 km/h146 mph
Restricted
225 km/h140 mph

0-100 km/h comparison

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

Chart data table
VehicleValue
BMWZ3 M Coupe (E36/8)3.25.4 s
BMWZ3 (E36/7)2.86.9 s

The biggest 0-100 km/h difference is between BMW Z3 M Coupe (E36/8) 3.2 and BMW Z3 (E36/7) 2.8: 1.5 s.

Power-to-weight comparison

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

Chart data table
VehicleValue
BMWZ3 M Coupe (E36/8)3.2
231 hp/t
172 kW/t
4.3 kg/hp
BMWZ3 (E36/7)2.8
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
BMWZ3 M Coupe (E36/8)3.2
321 hp
239 kW
5.4 s
Unrestricted
265 km/h165 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph
BMWZ3 (E36/7)2.8
192 hp
143 kW
6.9 s
Unrestricted
235 km/h146 mph
Restricted
225 km/h140 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 M 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
BMWZ3 (E36/7)2.8
Power
192 hp
143 kW
0-100 km/h6.9 s
Top speed
Unrestricted
235 km/h146 mph
Restricted
225 km/h140 mph
Doors/seats
2 doors
2 seats
Trunk
165 L
5.8 cu ft
Length
4,050 mm
159.4 in
Height
1,293 mm
50.9 in

Detailed score breakdown

Detailed score breakdown
VehicleBMWZ3 M Coupe (E36/8)3.2BMWZ3 (E36/7)2.8
Power
321 hp
239 kW
192 hp
143 kW
Torque
350 Nm
258 lb-ft
300 Nm
221 lb-ft
Acceleration
5.4 s
6.9 s
Top speed
Unrestricted
265 km/h165 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph
Unrestricted
235 km/h146 mph
Restricted
225 km/h140 mph
Lightness
1,390 kg
3,064 lb
1,285 kg
2,833 lb
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
2 seats
Trunk
165 L
5.8 cu ft
Length
4,050 mm
159.4 in
Height
1,293 mm
50.9 in
Trunk score
210 L
7.4 cu ft
165 L
5.8 cu ft
Power-to-weight score
231 hp/t
172 kW/t
4.3 kg/hp
149 hp/t
111 kW/t
6.7 kg/hp
Overall
Fixed score
Fixed score

Head-to-head comparisons

BMW Z3 M Coupe (E36/8) 3.2

  • Has 129 hp more
  • Has 50 Nm more
  • Is 1.5 s quicker from 0-100 km/h
  • Has 30 km/h (19 mph) higher top speed
  • Has 82 hp/t better power-to-weight
  • Has 45 L more trunk volume

Pros

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

Cons

  • Heaviest

BMW Z3 (E36/7) 2.8

  • Is 105 kg lighter

Pros

  • Lightest

Cons

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

Choose cars to compare

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Model
Generation
Engine or modification
BMW Z3 M Coupe (E36/8) 3.2
BMW Z3 (E36/7) 2.8
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BMW Z3 M Coupe (E36/8) 3.2 vs BMW Z3 (E36/7) 2.8 - car comparison - FastVsFaster