Car comparison

BMW Z3 (E36/7) 2.8vsBMW Z4 (E85) 2.5i

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

New comparison

BMW Z3 (E36/7)

2.8

192 hp2793 ccGasolineRWDManualNaturally aspiratedRoadster1997-2000
VS

BMW Z4 (E85)

2.5i

192 hp2494 ccGasolineRWDManualNaturally aspiratedRoadster2002-2006

Comparison overview

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

Best choices

BMW Z3 (E36/7) 2.8

  • Quickest 0-100 km/h
    6.9 s
  • Fastest top speed
    235 km/h
    146 mph Unrestricted
    225 km/h
    140 mph Restricted
  • Most powerful
    192 hp
    143 kW
  • Highest torque
    300 Nm
    221 lb-ft
  • Lightest
    1,285 kg
    2,833 lb
  • Best power-to-weight
    149 hp/t
    111 kW/t
    6.7 kg/hp
  • Best overall score
    45/100
  • Best performance score
    53/100

BMW Z4 (E85) 2.5i

  • Lowest city consumption
    10.4 L/100 km
    22.6 mpg US
    27.2 mpg UK
  • Lowest highway consumption
    5.7 L/100 km
    41.3 mpg US
    49.6 mpg UK
  • Largest trunk
    240 L
  • Best economy score
    87/100
  • Best practicality score
    30/100

Specification comparison

Specification comparison
ModelBMWZ3 (E36/7)2.8BMWZ4 (E85)2.5i
Power
192hp143kW
192hp143kW
Torque
300Nm221lb-ft
245Nm181lb-ft
Curb weight
1,285kg2,833lb
1,335kg2,943lb
Gross weight
1,550kg3,417lb
1,560kg3,439lb
Top speed
Unrestricted
235 km/h146 mph
Restricted
225 km/h140 mph
Calculated
235 km/h
146 mph
To 99% top speed
77.8s99% target: 233 km/h / 145 mph
Calculated
80.5s99% target: 233 km/h / 145 mph
Calculated
0-100 km/h
6.9s
7.0s
0-200 km/h
28.3s
Calculated
29.1s
Calculated
0-60 mph
6.5s
Calculated
6.6s
Calculated
Fuel consumption-
7.4L/100 km31.8mpg US38.2mpg UK
Fuel consumption city
12.9L/100 km18.2mpg US21.9mpg UK
10.4L/100 km22.6mpg US27.2mpg UK
Fuel consumption highway
7.4L/100 km31.8mpg US38.2mpg UK
5.7L/100 km41.3mpg US49.6mpg UK
Quarter mile
14.9s
Calculated
15.0s
Calculated
Power-to-weight
149hp/t111kW/t68hp/1000 lb
Calculated
144hp/t107kW/t65hp/1000 lb
Calculated
Torque-to-weight
233Nm/t156lb-ft/ton
Calculated
184Nm/t123lb-ft/ton
Calculated
Estimated range-
743km462mi
Calculated
Displacement
2,793cc170cu in
2,494cc152cu in
Length
4,050mm159in
4,091mm161in
Width
1,740mm69in
1,781mm70in
Height
1,293mm51in
1,299mm51in
Wheelbase
2,446mm96in
2,495mm98in
Front track
1,413mm56in
1,473mm58in
Rear track
1,494mm59in
1,523mm60in
Trunk volume
165L
240L
Max trunk volume-
260L
Doors
2
2
Seats
2
2
Fuel tank
51L
55L

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 (E36/7) 2.8BMW Z4 (E85) 2.5iPowerTorque
  • BMW Z3 (E36/7) 2.8: Power / Torque
  • BMW Z4 (E85) 2.5i: Power / Torque
Dyno simulation data table
VehiclePeak power RPMPeak torque RPMMax engine speed
BMWZ3 (E36/7)2.85,500 rpm3,500 rpm5,750 rpm
BMWZ4 (E85)2.5i6,000 rpm3,500 rpm6,250 rpm

Acceleration curve

Estimated speed over time for selected vehicles.

Acceleration and drag-race table
MetricBMWZ3 (E36/7)2.8BMWZ4 (E85)2.5i
Acceleration checkpoints
0-60 mph
0-97 km/h
6.5 s
6.6 s
0-100 km/h
0-62 mph
6.9 s
7.0 s
0-200 km/h
0-124 mph
28.3 s
29.1 s
Top speed
Unrestricted
235 km/h146 mph
Restricted
225 km/h140 mph
Likely limited
235 km/h
146 mph
Drag race simulation
60 ft
18 m
2.5 s
2.5 s
330 ft
101 m
6.5 s
6.5 s
1/8 mile
201 m
9.8 s
9.8 s
1000 ft
305 m
12.6 s
12.6 s
1/4 mile
402 m
14.9 s
15.0 s
Trap speed
1/4 mile
402 m
156 km/h
97 mph
155 km/h
96 mph

Power comparison

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

Chart data table
VehicleValue
BMWZ3 (E36/7)2.8
192 hp
143 kW
BMWZ4 (E85)2.5i
192 hp
143 kW

Torque comparison

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

Chart data table
VehicleValue
BMWZ3 (E36/7)2.8
300 Nm
221 lb-ft
BMWZ4 (E85)2.5i
245 Nm
181 lb-ft

Curb weight comparison

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

Chart data table
VehicleValue
BMWZ3 (E36/7)2.8
1,285 kg
2,833 lb
BMWZ4 (E85)2.5i
1,335 kg
2,943 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 (E36/7)2.8
Unrestricted
235 km/h146 mph
Restricted
225 km/h140 mph
BMWZ4 (E85)2.5i
235 km/h
146 mph

0-100 km/h comparison

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

Chart data table
VehicleValue
BMWZ3 (E36/7)2.86.9 s
BMWZ4 (E85)2.5i7.0 s

The biggest 0-100 km/h difference is between BMW Z3 (E36/7) 2.8 and BMW Z4 (E85) 2.5i: 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 (E36/7)2.8
149 hp/t
111 kW/t
6.7 kg/hp
BMWZ4 (E85)2.5i
144 hp/t
107 kW/t
7.0 kg/hp

Performance spider chart

Radar chart comparing normalized performance and fuel-consumption scores.

Chart data table
VehiclePowerAccelerationTop speed
BMWZ3 (E36/7)2.8
192 hp
143 kW
6.9 s
Unrestricted
235 km/h146 mph
Restricted
225 km/h140 mph
BMWZ4 (E85)2.5i
192 hp
143 kW
7.0 s
235 km/h
146 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 (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
BMWZ4 (E85)2.5i
Power
192 hp
143 kW
0-100 km/h7.0 s
Top speed
235 km/h
146 mph
Doors/seats
2 doors
2 seats
Trunk
240 L
8.5 cu ft
Length
4,091 mm
161.1 in
Height
1,299 mm
51.1 in

Detailed score breakdown

Detailed score breakdown
VehicleBMWZ3 (E36/7)2.8BMWZ4 (E85)2.5i
Power
192 hp
143 kW
192 hp
143 kW
Torque
300 Nm
221 lb-ft
245 Nm
181 lb-ft
Acceleration
6.9 s
7.0 s
Top speed
Unrestricted
235 km/h146 mph
Restricted
225 km/h140 mph
235 km/h
146 mph
Lightness
1,285 kg
2,833 lb
1,335 kg
2,943 lb
Fuel consumption
-
7.4 L/100 km
31.8 mpg US
38.2 mpg UK
Practicality
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
Doors/seats
2 doors
2 seats
Trunk
240 L
8.5 cu ft
Length
4,091 mm
161.1 in
Height
1,299 mm
51.1 in
Range score
-
743 km
462 mi
Trunk score
165 L
5.8 cu ft
240 L
8.5 cu ft
Power-to-weight score
149 hp/t
111 kW/t
6.7 kg/hp
144 hp/t
107 kW/t
7.0 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 Z4 (E85) 2.5i
Consumption7.4 L/100 km31.8 mpg US38.2 mpg UK
Cost / 100 km12.95 LC100 km
Cost / 100 mi20.84 LC100 mi
Annual fuel used1,110 L293 US gal244 UK gal
Annual fuel cost1,943 LC/year

Head-to-head comparisons

BMW Z3 (E36/7) 2.8

  • Has 55 Nm more
  • Is 50 kg lighter
  • Is 0.1 s quicker from 0-100 km/h
  • Has 6 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

BMW Z4 (E85) 2.5i

  • Has 75 L more trunk volume

Pros

  • Largest trunk

Cons

  • Slowest 0-100 km/h
  • Heaviest

Choose cars to compare

Brand
Model
Generation
Engine or modification
BMW Z3 (E36/7) 2.8
BMW Z4 (E85) 2.5i
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BMW Z3 (E36/7) 2.8 vs BMW Z4 (E85) 2.5i - car comparison - FastVsFaster