Car comparison

BMW Z4 (G29) 20ivsBMW Z3 (E36/7) 2.8

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

New comparison

BMW Z4 (G29)

20i

197 hp1998 ccGasolineRWDManualTurbochargedRoadster2018-2022
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 (G29) 20i

  • Quickest 0-100 km/h
    6.8 s
  • Fastest top speed
    241 km/h
    150 mph
  • Most powerful
    197 hp
    147 kW
  • Highest torque
    320 Nm
    236 lb-ft
  • Lowest city consumption
    9.1 L/100 km
    25.8 mpg US
    31.0 mpg UK
  • Lowest highway consumption
    5.6 L/100 km
    42.0 mpg US
    50.4 mpg UK
  • Largest trunk
    281 L
  • Best overall score
    47/100
  • Best performance score
    54/100
  • Best economy score
    88/100
  • Best practicality score
    32/100

Specification comparison

Specification comparison
ModelBMWZ4 (G29)20iBMWZ3 (E36/7)2.8
Power
197hp147kW
192hp143kW
Torque
320Nm236lb-ft
300Nm221lb-ft
Curb weight
1,420kg3,131lb
1,285kg2,833lb
Gross weight
1,725kg3,803lb
1,550kg3,417lb
Top speed
241 km/h
150 mph
Unrestricted
235 km/h146 mph
Restricted
225 km/h140 mph
Calculated
To 99% top speed
80.6s99% target: 239 km/h / 148 mph
Calculated
77.8s99% target: 233 km/h / 145 mph
Calculated
0-100 km/h
6.8s
6.9s
0-200 km/h
26.9s
Calculated
28.3s
Calculated
0-60 mph
6.5s
Calculated
6.5s
Calculated
Fuel consumption
6.9L/100 km34.1mpg US40.9mpg UK
-
Fuel consumption city
9.1L/100 km25.8mpg US31.0mpg UK
12.9L/100 km18.2mpg US21.9mpg UK
Fuel consumption highway
5.6L/100 km42mpg US50.4mpg UK
7.4L/100 km31.8mpg US38.2mpg UK
Quarter mile
14.8s
Calculated
14.9s
Calculated
Power-to-weight
139hp/t103kW/t63hp/1000 lb
Calculated
149hp/t111kW/t68hp/1000 lb
Calculated
Torque-to-weight
225Nm/t151lb-ft/ton
Calculated
233Nm/t156lb-ft/ton
Calculated
Estimated range
754km468mi
Calculated
-
Displacement
1,998cc122cu in
2,793cc170cu in
Length
4,324mm170in
4,050mm159in
Width
1,864mm73in
1,740mm69in
Height
1,304mm51in
1,293mm51in
Wheelbase
2,470mm97in
2,446mm96in
Front track
1,609mm63in
1,413mm56in
Rear track
1,616mm64in
1,494mm59in
Ground clearance
117mm5in
-
Trunk volume
281L
165L
Doors
2
2
Seats
2
2
Fuel tank
52L
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 (G29) 20iBMW Z3 (E36/7) 2.8PowerTorque
  • BMW Z4 (G29) 20i: Power / Torque
  • BMW Z3 (E36/7) 2.8: Power / Torque
Dyno simulation data table
VehiclePeak power RPMPeak torque RPMMax engine speed
BMWZ4 (G29)20i4,500-6,500 rpm1,450-4,200 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 (G29)20iBMWZ3 (E36/7)2.8
Acceleration checkpoints
0-60 mph
0-97 km/h
6.5 s
6.5 s
0-100 km/h
0-62 mph
6.8 s
6.9 s
0-200 km/h
0-124 mph
26.9 s
28.3 s
Top speed
241 km/h
150 mph
Unrestricted
235 km/h146 mph
Restricted
225 km/h140 mph
Likely limited
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
9.7 s
9.8 s
1000 ft
305 m
12.5 s
12.6 s
1/4 mile
402 m
14.8 s
14.9 s
Trap speed
1/4 mile
402 m
157 km/h
98 mph
156 km/h
97 mph

Power comparison

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

Chart data table
VehicleValue
BMWZ4 (G29)20i
197 hp
147 kW
BMWZ3 (E36/7)2.8
192 hp
143 kW

BMW Z4 (G29) 20i has 5 hp more than BMW Z3 (E36/7) 2.8.

The biggest power difference is between BMW Z3 (E36/7) 2.8 and BMW Z4 (G29) 20i: 5 hp (4 kW).

Torque comparison

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

Chart data table
VehicleValue
BMWZ4 (G29)20i
320 Nm
236 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 (G29)20i
1,420 kg
3,131 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 (G29)20i
241 km/h
150 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 (G29)20i6.8 s
BMWZ3 (E36/7)2.86.9 s

The biggest 0-100 km/h difference is between BMW Z4 (G29) 20i and BMW Z3 (E36/7) 2.8: 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
BMWZ4 (G29)20i
139 hp/t
103 kW/t
7.2 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 (G29)20i
197 hp
147 kW
6.8 s
241 km/h
150 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 (G29)20i
Power
197 hp
147 kW
0-100 km/h6.8 s
Top speed
241 km/h
150 mph
Doors/seats
2 doors
2 seats
Trunk
281 L
9.9 cu ft
Length
4,324 mm
170.2 in
Height
1,304 mm
51.3 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 (G29)20iBMWZ3 (E36/7)2.8
Power
197 hp
147 kW
192 hp
143 kW
Torque
320 Nm
236 lb-ft
300 Nm
221 lb-ft
Acceleration
6.8 s
6.9 s
Top speed
241 km/h
150 mph
Unrestricted
235 km/h146 mph
Restricted
225 km/h140 mph
Lightness
1,420 kg
3,131 lb
1,285 kg
2,833 lb
Fuel consumption
6.9 L/100 km
34.1 mpg US
40.9 mpg UK
-
Practicality
Doors/seats
2 doors
2 seats
Trunk
281 L
9.9 cu ft
Length
4,324 mm
170.2 in
Height
1,304 mm
51.3 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
754 km
468 mi
-
Trunk score
281 L
9.9 cu ft
165 L
5.8 cu ft
Power-to-weight score
139 hp/t
103 kW/t
7.2 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 (G29) 20i
Consumption6.9 L/100 km34.1 mpg US40.9 mpg UK
Cost / 100 km12.08 LC100 km
Cost / 100 mi19.43 LC100 mi
Annual fuel used1,035 L273 US gal228 UK gal
Annual fuel cost1,811 LC/year

Head-to-head comparisons

BMW Z4 (G29) 20i

  • Has 5 hp more
  • Has 20 Nm more
  • Is 0.1 s quicker from 0-100 km/h
  • Has 6 km/h (4 mph) higher top speed
  • Has 116 L more trunk volume

Pros

  • Quickest 0-100 km/h in this comparison
  • Highest top speed
  • Most powerful
  • Highest torque
  • Largest trunk

Cons

  • Heaviest

BMW Z3 (E36/7) 2.8

  • Is 135 kg lighter
  • Has 11 hp/t better power-to-weight

Pros

  • Lightest
  • Best power-to-weight ratio

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 (G29) 20i
BMW Z3 (E36/7) 2.8
Compare selected cars
2 vehicles selected

Popular comparisons

20i
20i
VS
BMWZ4 (G29)20ivsBMWZ4 (G29 LCI)Facelift 202220i
2.8
3.2
VS
BMWZ3 (E36/7)2.8vsBMWZ3 M (E36/7)3.2
20i
2.5i
VS
BMWZ4 (G29)20ivsBMWZ4 (E85)2.5i
2.8
3.2
VS
BMWZ3 (E36/7)2.8vsBMWZ3 Coupe (E36/8)3.2
20i
28i
VS
BMWZ4 (G29)20ivsBMWZ4 (E89)28i
2.8
3.2
VS
BMWZ3 (E36/7)2.8vsBMWZ3 M Coupe (E36/8)3.2
20i
3.0 si
VS
BMWZ4 (G29)20ivsBMWZ4 Coupe (E86)3.0 si
20i
40 TFSI
VS
BMWZ4 (G29)20ivsAUDITT Roadster (8S)Facelift 201840 TFSI
2.8
SLK 230 Kompressor
VS
BMWZ3 (E36/7)2.8vsMercedes-BenzSLK (R170)SLK 230 Kompressor
20i
1.8 TFSI
VS
BMWZ4 (G29)20ivsAUDITT Roadster (8S)1.8 TFSI
2.8
1.8 T
VS
BMWZ3 (E36/7)2.8vsAUDITT Roadster (8N)1.8 T
20i
SLK 250d
VS
BMWZ4 (G29)20ivsMercedes-BenzSLK (R172)SLK 250d
BMW Z4 (G29) 20i vs BMW Z3 (E36/7) 2.8 - car comparison - FastVsFaster