Car comparison

BMW Z4 (E85) 3.0ivsBMW Z3 (E36/7) 2.8

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

New comparison

BMW Z4 (E85)

3.0i

231 hp2979 ccGasolineRWDAutomaticNaturally aspiratedRoadster2002-2006
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 Z4 (E85) 3.0i

  • Quickest 0-100 km/h
    6.2 s
  • Fastest top speed
    250 km/h
    155 mph
  • Most powerful
    231 hp
    172 kW
  • Highest torque
    300 Nm
    221 lb-ft
  • Best power-to-weight
    169 hp/t
    126 kW/t
    5.9 kg/hp
  • Lowest highway consumption
    7.3 L/100 km
    32.2 mpg US
    38.7 mpg UK
  • Largest trunk
    300 L
  • Best overall score
    50/100
  • Best performance score
    58/100
  • Best economy score
    81/100
  • Best practicality score
    32/100

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

Specification comparison

Specification comparison
ModelBMWZ4 (E85)3.0iBMWZ3 (E36/7)2.8
Power
231hp172kW
192hp143kW
Torque
300Nm221lb-ft
300Nm221lb-ft
Curb weight
1,365kg3,009lb
1,285kg2,833lb
Gross weight
1,590kg3,505lb
1,550kg3,417lb
Top speed
250 km/h
155 mph
Unrestricted
235 km/h146 mph
Restricted
225 km/h140 mph
Calculated
To 99% top speed
76.1s99% target: 248 km/h / 154 mph
Calculated
77.8s99% target: 233 km/h / 145 mph
Calculated
0-100 km/h
6.2s
6.9s
0-200 km/h
23.0s
Calculated
28.3s
Calculated
0-60 mph
5.9s
Calculated
6.5s
Calculated
Fuel consumption
9.5L/100 km24.8mpg US29.7mpg UK
-
Fuel consumption city
13.5L/100 km17.4mpg US20.9mpg UK
12.9L/100 km18.2mpg US21.9mpg UK
Fuel consumption highway
7.3L/100 km32.2mpg US38.7mpg UK
7.4L/100 km31.8mpg US38.2mpg UK
Quarter mile
14.3s
Calculated
14.9s
Calculated
Power-to-weight
169hp/t126kW/t77hp/1000 lb
Calculated
149hp/t111kW/t68hp/1000 lb
Calculated
Torque-to-weight
220Nm/t147lb-ft/ton
Calculated
233Nm/t156lb-ft/ton
Calculated
Estimated range
579km360mi
Calculated
-
Displacement
2,979cc182cu in
2,793cc170cu in
Length
4,091mm161in
4,050mm159in
Width
1,781mm70in
1,740mm69in
Height
1,299mm51in
1,293mm51in
Wheelbase
2,495mm98in
2,446mm96in
Front track
1,473mm58in
1,413mm56in
Rear track
1,523mm60in
1,494mm59in
Trunk volume
300L
165L
Doors
2
2
Seats
2
2
Fuel tank
55L
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 Z4 (E85) 3.0iBMW Z3 (E36/7) 2.8PowerTorque
  • BMW Z4 (E85) 3.0i: Power / Torque
  • BMW Z3 (E36/7) 2.8: Power / Torque
Dyno simulation data table
VehiclePeak power RPMPeak torque RPMMax engine speed
BMWZ4 (E85)3.0i5,900 rpm3,500 rpm6,150 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
MetricBMWZ4 (E85)3.0iBMWZ3 (E36/7)2.8
Acceleration checkpoints
0-60 mph
0-97 km/h
5.9 s
6.5 s
0-100 km/h
0-62 mph
6.2 s
6.9 s
0-200 km/h
0-124 mph
23.0 s
28.3 s
Top speed
250 km/h
155 mph
Unrestricted
235 km/h146 mph
Restricted
225 km/h140 mph
Likely limited
Drag race simulation
60 ft
18 m
2.4 s
2.5 s
330 ft
101 m
6.3 s
6.5 s
1/8 mile
201 m
9.4 s
9.8 s
1000 ft
305 m
12.0 s
12.6 s
1/4 mile
402 m
14.3 s
14.9 s
Trap speed
1/4 mile
402 m
163 km/h
102 mph
156 km/h
97 mph

Power comparison

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

Chart data table
VehicleValue
BMWZ4 (E85)3.0i
231 hp
172 kW
BMWZ3 (E36/7)2.8
192 hp
143 kW

BMW Z4 (E85) 3.0i has 39 hp more than BMW Z3 (E36/7) 2.8.

The biggest power difference is between BMW Z3 (E36/7) 2.8 and BMW Z4 (E85) 3.0i: 39 hp (29 kW).

Torque comparison

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

Chart data table
VehicleValue
BMWZ4 (E85)3.0i
300 Nm
221 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
BMWZ4 (E85)3.0i
1,365 kg
3,009 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
BMWZ4 (E85)3.0i
250 km/h
155 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
BMWZ4 (E85)3.0i6.2 s
BMWZ3 (E36/7)2.86.9 s

The biggest 0-100 km/h difference is between BMW Z4 (E85) 3.0i and BMW Z3 (E36/7) 2.8: 0.7 s.

Power-to-weight comparison

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

Chart data table
VehicleValue
BMWZ4 (E85)3.0i
169 hp/t
126 kW/t
5.9 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
BMWZ4 (E85)3.0i
231 hp
172 kW
6.2 s
250 km/h
155 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
BMWZ4 (E85)3.0i
Power
231 hp
172 kW
0-100 km/h6.2 s
Top speed
250 km/h
155 mph
Doors/seats
2 doors
2 seats
Trunk
300 L
10.6 cu ft
Length
4,091 mm
161.1 in
Height
1,299 mm
51.1 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
VehicleBMWZ4 (E85)3.0iBMWZ3 (E36/7)2.8
Power
231 hp
172 kW
192 hp
143 kW
Torque
300 Nm
221 lb-ft
300 Nm
221 lb-ft
Acceleration
6.2 s
6.9 s
Top speed
250 km/h
155 mph
Unrestricted
235 km/h146 mph
Restricted
225 km/h140 mph
Lightness
1,365 kg
3,009 lb
1,285 kg
2,833 lb
Fuel consumption
9.5 L/100 km
24.8 mpg US
29.7 mpg UK
-
Practicality
Doors/seats
2 doors
2 seats
Trunk
300 L
10.6 cu ft
Length
4,091 mm
161.1 in
Height
1,299 mm
51.1 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
Range score
579 km
360 mi
-
Trunk score
300 L
10.6 cu ft
165 L
5.8 cu ft
Power-to-weight score
169 hp/t
126 kW/t
5.9 kg/hp
149 hp/t
111 kW/t
6.7 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) 3.0i
Consumption9.5 L/100 km24.8 mpg US29.7 mpg UK
Cost / 100 km16.63 LC100 km
Cost / 100 mi26.76 LC100 mi
Annual fuel used1,425 L376 US gal313 UK gal
Annual fuel cost2,494 LC/year

Head-to-head comparisons

BMW Z4 (E85) 3.0i

  • Has 39 hp more
  • Is 0.7 s quicker from 0-100 km/h
  • Has 15 km/h (9 mph) higher top speed
  • Has 20 hp/t better power-to-weight
  • Has 135 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 80 kg lighter

Pros

  • Lightest

Cons

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

Choose cars to compare

Brand
Model
Generation
Engine or modification
BMW Z4 (E85) 3.0i
BMW Z3 (E36/7) 2.8
Compare selected cars
2 vehicles selected

Popular comparisons

3.0i
30i
VS
BMWZ4 (E85)3.0ivsBMWZ4 (E89)30i
2.8
3.2
VS
BMWZ3 (E36/7)2.8vsBMWZ3 M (E36/7)3.2
3.0i
30i
VS
BMWZ4 (E85)3.0ivsBMWZ4 (G29 LCI)Facelift 202230i
2.8
3.2
VS
BMWZ3 (E36/7)2.8vsBMWZ3 Coupe (E36/8)3.2
3.0i
30i
VS
BMWZ4 (E85)3.0ivsBMWZ4 (G29)30i
2.8
3.2
VS
BMWZ3 (E36/7)2.8vsBMWZ3 M Coupe (E36/8)3.2
3.0i
3.0 si
VS
BMWZ4 (E85)3.0ivsBMWZ4 Coupe (E86)3.0 si
2.8
2.5i
VS
BMWZ3 (E36/7)2.8vsBMWZ4 (E85)2.5i
3.0i
3.0i
VS
BMWZ4 (E85)3.0ivsBMWZ3 (E36/7)3.0i
2.8
SLK 230 Kompressor
VS
BMWZ3 (E36/7)2.8vsMercedes-BenzSLK (R170)SLK 230 Kompressor
3.0i
2.7
VS
BMWZ4 (E85)3.0ivsPorscheBoxster (987)2.7
2.8
1.8 T
VS
BMWZ3 (E36/7)2.8vsAUDITT Roadster (8N)1.8 T
BMW Z4 (E85) 3.0i vs BMW Z3 (E36/7) 2.8 - car comparison - FastVsFaster