Car comparison

BMW Z4 (E89) 28ivsBMW Z3 (E36/7) 2.8

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

New comparison

BMW Z4 (E89)

28i

245 hp1997 ccGasolineRWDAutomaticTurbochargedRoadster2011-2013
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 (E89) 28i

  • Quickest 0-100 km/h
    5.5 s
  • Fastest top speed
    260 km/h
    162 mph Unrestricted
    250 km/h
    155 mph Restricted
  • Most powerful
    245 hp
    183 kW
  • Highest torque
    350 Nm
    258 lb-ft
  • Best power-to-weight
    164 hp/t
    122 kW/t
    6.1 kg/hp
  • Lowest city consumption
    9.4 L/100 km
    25.0 mpg US
    30.1 mpg UK
  • Lowest highway consumption
    5.3 L/100 km
    44.4 mpg US
    53.3 mpg UK
  • Best overall score
    52/100
  • Best performance score
    62/100
  • Best economy score
    89/100
  • Best practicality score
    32/100

Specification comparison

Specification comparison
ModelBMWZ4 (E89)28iBMWZ3 (E36/7)2.8
Power
245hp183kW
192hp143kW
Torque
350Nm258lb-ft
300Nm221lb-ft
Curb weight
1,495kg3,296lb
1,285kg2,833lb
Gross weight
1,750kg3,858lb
1,550kg3,417lb
Top speed
Unrestricted
260 km/h162 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph
Calculated
Unrestricted
235 km/h146 mph
Restricted
225 km/h140 mph
Calculated
To 99% top speed
73.0s99% target: 257 km/h / 160 mph
Calculated
77.8s99% target: 233 km/h / 145 mph
Calculated
0-100 km/h
5.5s
6.9s
0-200 km/h
19.6s
Calculated
28.3s
Calculated
0-60 mph
5.2s
Calculated
6.5s
Calculated
Fuel consumption
6.8L/100 km34.6mpg US41.5mpg UK
-
Fuel consumption city
9.4L/100 km25mpg US30.1mpg UK
12.9L/100 km18.2mpg US21.9mpg UK
Fuel consumption highway
5.3L/100 km44.4mpg US53.3mpg UK
7.4L/100 km31.8mpg US38.2mpg UK
Quarter mile
13.6s
Calculated
14.9s
Calculated
Power-to-weight
164hp/t122kW/t74hp/1000 lb
Calculated
149hp/t111kW/t68hp/1000 lb
Calculated
Torque-to-weight
234Nm/t157lb-ft/ton
Calculated
233Nm/t156lb-ft/ton
Calculated
Estimated range
809km503mi
Calculated
-
Displacement
1,997cc122cu in
2,793cc170cu in
Length
4,239mm167in
4,050mm159in
Width
1,790mm70in
1,740mm69in
Height
1,291mm51in
1,293mm51in
Wheelbase
2,496mm98in
2,446mm96in
Front track
1,511mm59in
1,413mm56in
Rear track
1,559mm61in
1,494mm59in
Trunk volume-
165L
Doors
2
2
Seats
2
2
Fuel tank
55L
51L
CO2 emissions
159g/km
-

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 (E89) 28iBMW Z3 (E36/7) 2.8PowerTorque
  • BMW Z4 (E89) 28i: Power / Torque
  • BMW Z3 (E36/7) 2.8: Power / Torque
Dyno simulation data table
VehiclePeak power RPMPeak torque RPMMax engine speed
BMWZ4 (E89)28i5,000-6,500 rpm1,250-4,800 rpm6,750 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 (E89)28iBMWZ3 (E36/7)2.8
Acceleration checkpoints
0-60 mph
0-97 km/h
5.2 s
6.5 s
0-100 km/h
0-62 mph
5.5 s
6.9 s
0-200 km/h
0-124 mph
19.6 s
28.3 s
Top speed
Unrestricted
260 km/h162 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
8.9 s
9.8 s
1000 ft
305 m
11.5 s
12.6 s
1/4 mile
402 m
13.6 s
14.9 s
Trap speed
1/4 mile
402 m
171 km/h
106 mph
156 km/h
97 mph

Power comparison

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

Chart data table
VehicleValue
BMWZ4 (E89)28i
245 hp
183 kW
BMWZ3 (E36/7)2.8
192 hp
143 kW

BMW Z4 (E89) 28i has 53 hp more than BMW Z3 (E36/7) 2.8.

The biggest power difference is between BMW Z3 (E36/7) 2.8 and BMW Z4 (E89) 28i: 53 hp (40 kW).

Torque comparison

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

Chart data table
VehicleValue
BMWZ4 (E89)28i
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
BMWZ4 (E89)28i
1,495 kg
3,296 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 (E89)28i
Unrestricted
260 km/h162 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
BMWZ4 (E89)28i5.5 s
BMWZ3 (E36/7)2.86.9 s

The biggest 0-100 km/h difference is between BMW Z4 (E89) 28i and BMW Z3 (E36/7) 2.8: 1.4 s.

Power-to-weight comparison

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

Chart data table
VehicleValue
BMWZ4 (E89)28i
164 hp/t
122 kW/t
6.1 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 (E89)28i
245 hp
183 kW
5.5 s
Unrestricted
260 km/h162 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
BMWZ4 (E89)28i
Power
245 hp
183 kW
0-100 km/h5.5 s
Top speed
Unrestricted
260 km/h162 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph
Doors/seats
2 doors
2 seats
Trunk-
Length
4,239 mm
166.9 in
Height
1,291 mm
50.8 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 (E89)28iBMWZ3 (E36/7)2.8
Power
245 hp
183 kW
192 hp
143 kW
Torque
350 Nm
258 lb-ft
300 Nm
221 lb-ft
Acceleration
5.5 s
6.9 s
Top speed
Unrestricted
260 km/h162 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph
Unrestricted
235 km/h146 mph
Restricted
225 km/h140 mph
Lightness
1,495 kg
3,296 lb
1,285 kg
2,833 lb
Fuel consumption
6.8 L/100 km
34.6 mpg US
41.5 mpg UK
-
Practicality
Doors/seats
2 doors
2 seats
Trunk-
Length
4,239 mm
166.9 in
Height
1,291 mm
50.8 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
809 km
503 mi
-
CO2 score
159 g/km
-
Trunk score
-
165 L
5.8 cu ft
Power-to-weight score
164 hp/t
122 kW/t
6.1 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 (E89) 28i
Consumption6.8 L/100 km34.6 mpg US41.5 mpg UK
Cost / 100 km11.90 LC100 km
Cost / 100 mi19.15 LC100 mi
Annual fuel used1,020 L269 US gal224 UK gal
Annual fuel cost1,785 LC/year

Head-to-head comparisons

BMW Z4 (E89) 28i

  • Has 53 hp more
  • Has 50 Nm more
  • Is 1.4 s quicker from 0-100 km/h
  • Has 25 km/h (16 mph) higher top speed
  • Has 14 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

Cons

  • Heaviest

BMW Z3 (E36/7) 2.8

  • Is 210 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 Z4 (E89) 28i
BMW Z3 (E36/7) 2.8
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