Car comparison

BMW Z3 M (E36/7) 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 (E36/7)

3.2

325 hp3246 ccGasolineRWDManualNaturally aspiratedRoadster1997-2003
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 (E36/7) 3.2

  • Quickest 0-100 km/h
    5.3 s
  • Fastest top speed
    270 km/h
    168 mph Unrestricted
    250 km/h
    155 mph Restricted
  • Most powerful
    325 hp
    242 kW
  • Highest torque
    350 Nm
    258 lb-ft
  • Best power-to-weight
    224 hp/t
    167 kW/t
    4.5 kg/hp
  • Largest trunk
    165 L
  • Best overall score
    56/100
  • Best performance score
    68/100
  • Best economy score
    0/100
  • Best practicality score
    31/100

BMW Z3 (E36/7) 2.8

  • Lightest
    1,285 kg
    2,833 lb
  • 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

Specification comparison

Specification comparison
ModelBMWZ3 M (E36/7)3.2BMWZ3 (E36/7)2.8
Power
325hp242kW
192hp143kW
Torque
350Nm258lb-ft
300Nm221lb-ft
Curb weight
1,450kg3,197lb
1,285kg2,833lb
Gross weight
1,640kg3,616lb
1,550kg3,417lb
Top speed
Unrestricted
270 km/h168 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph
Calculated
Unrestricted
235 km/h146 mph
Restricted
225 km/h140 mph
Calculated
To 99% top speed
67.2s99% target: 267 km/h / 166 mph
Calculated
77.8s99% target: 233 km/h / 145 mph
Calculated
0-100 km/h
5.3s
6.9s
0-200 km/h
17.3s
Calculated
28.3s
Calculated
0-60 mph
5.1s
Calculated
6.5s
Calculated
Fuel consumption city
16.6L/100 km14.2mpg US17.0mpg UK
12.9L/100 km18.2mpg US21.9mpg UK
Fuel consumption highway
7.9L/100 km29.8mpg US35.8mpg UK
7.4L/100 km31.8mpg US38.2mpg UK
Quarter mile
13.3s
Calculated
14.9s
Calculated
Power-to-weight
224hp/t167kW/t102hp/1000 lb
Calculated
149hp/t111kW/t68hp/1000 lb
Calculated
Torque-to-weight
241Nm/t162lb-ft/ton
Calculated
233Nm/t156lb-ft/ton
Calculated
Displacement
3,246cc198cu in
2,793cc170cu in
Length
4,025mm158in
4,050mm159in
Width
1,740mm69in
1,740mm69in
Height
1,268mm50in
1,293mm51in
Wheelbase
2,459mm97in
2,446mm96in
Front track
1,422mm56in
1,413mm56in
Rear track
1,492mm59in
1,494mm59in
Trunk volume-
165L
Max trunk volume
165L
-
Doors
2
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 (E36/7) 3.2BMW Z3 (E36/7) 2.8PowerTorque
  • BMW Z3 M (E36/7) 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 (E36/7)3.27,400 rpm4,900 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 (E36/7)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
5.3 s
6.9 s
0-200 km/h
0-124 mph
17.3 s
28.3 s
Top speed
Unrestricted
270 km/h168 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
5.9 s
6.5 s
1/8 mile
201 m
8.8 s
9.8 s
1000 ft
305 m
11.3 s
12.6 s
1/4 mile
402 m
13.3 s
14.9 s
Trap speed
1/4 mile
402 m
177 km/h
110 mph
156 km/h
97 mph

Power comparison

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

Chart data table
VehicleValue
BMWZ3 M (E36/7)3.2
325 hp
242 kW
BMWZ3 (E36/7)2.8
192 hp
143 kW

BMW Z3 M (E36/7) 3.2 has 133 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 (E36/7) 3.2: 133 hp (99 kW).

Torque comparison

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

Chart data table
VehicleValue
BMWZ3 M (E36/7)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 (E36/7)3.2
1,450 kg
3,197 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 (E36/7)3.2
Unrestricted
270 km/h168 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 (E36/7)3.25.3 s
BMWZ3 (E36/7)2.86.9 s

The biggest 0-100 km/h difference is between BMW Z3 M (E36/7) 3.2 and BMW Z3 (E36/7) 2.8: 1.6 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 (E36/7)3.2
224 hp/t
167 kW/t
4.5 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 (E36/7)3.2
325 hp
242 kW
5.3 s
Unrestricted
270 km/h168 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 (E36/7)3.2
Power
325 hp
242 kW
0-100 km/h5.3 s
Top speed
Unrestricted
270 km/h168 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph
Doors/seats
2 doors
2 seats
Trunk
165 L
5.8 cu ft
Length
4,025 mm
158.5 in
Height
1,268 mm
49.9 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 (E36/7)3.2BMWZ3 (E36/7)2.8
Power
325 hp
242 kW
192 hp
143 kW
Torque
350 Nm
258 lb-ft
300 Nm
221 lb-ft
Acceleration
5.3 s
6.9 s
Top speed
Unrestricted
270 km/h168 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph
Unrestricted
235 km/h146 mph
Restricted
225 km/h140 mph
Lightness
1,450 kg
3,197 lb
1,285 kg
2,833 lb
Practicality
Doors/seats
2 doors
2 seats
Trunk
165 L
5.8 cu ft
Length
4,025 mm
158.5 in
Height
1,268 mm
49.9 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
165 L
5.8 cu ft
165 L
5.8 cu ft
Power-to-weight score
224 hp/t
167 kW/t
4.5 kg/hp
149 hp/t
111 kW/t
6.7 kg/hp
Overall
Fixed score
Fixed score

Head-to-head comparisons

BMW Z3 M (E36/7) 3.2

  • Has 133 hp more
  • Has 50 Nm more
  • Is 1.6 s quicker from 0-100 km/h
  • Has 35 km/h (22 mph) higher top speed
  • Has 75 hp/t better power-to-weight

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 165 kg lighter

Pros

  • Lightest

Cons

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

Choose cars to compare

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