Car comparison

BMW Z4 (E89) 30ivsBMW Z3 (E36/7) 3.0i

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

New comparison

BMW Z4 (E89)

30i

258 hp2996 ccGasolineRWDManualNaturally aspiratedRoadster2009-2011
VS

BMW Z3 (E36/7)

3.0i

231 hp2979 ccGasolineRWDManualNaturally aspiratedRoadster2000-2003

Comparison overview

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

Best choices

BMW Z4 (E89) 30i

  • Quickest 0-100 km/h
    5.8 s
  • Fastest top speed
    260 km/h
    162 mph Unrestricted
    250 km/h
    155 mph Restricted
  • Most powerful
    258 hp
    192 kW
  • Highest torque
    315 Nm
    232 lb-ft
  • Lowest city consumption
    12.4 L/100 km
    19.0 mpg US
    22.8 mpg UK
  • Lowest highway consumption
    6.2 L/100 km
    37.9 mpg US
    45.6 mpg UK
  • Largest trunk
    180 L
  • Best overall score
    50/100
  • Best performance score
    61/100
  • Best economy score
    84/100
  • Best practicality score
    28/100

Specification comparison

Specification comparison
ModelBMWZ4 (E89)30iBMWZ3 (E36/7)3.0i
Power
258hp192kW
231hp172kW
Torque
315Nm232lb-ft
300Nm221lb-ft
Curb weight
1,490kg3,285lb
1,305kg2,877lb
Gross weight
1,745kg3,847lb
1,575kg3,472lb
Top speed
Unrestricted
260 km/h162 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph
Calculated
Unrestricted
260 km/h162 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph
Calculated
To 99% top speed
76.0s99% target: 257 km/h / 160 mph
Calculated
76.2s99% target: 257 km/h / 160 mph
Calculated
0-100 km/h
5.8s
6.0s
0-200 km/h
20.5s
Calculated
20.9s
Calculated
0-60 mph
5.5s
Calculated
5.7s
Calculated
Fuel consumption
8.5L/100 km27.7mpg US33.2mpg UK
-
Fuel consumption city
12.4L/100 km19mpg US22.8mpg UK
13L/100 km18.1mpg US21.7mpg UK
Fuel consumption highway
6.2L/100 km37.9mpg US45.6mpg UK
7.5L/100 km31.4mpg US37.7mpg UK
Quarter mile
13.9s
Calculated
14.1s
Calculated
Power-to-weight
173hp/t129kW/t79hp/1000 lb
Calculated
177hp/t132kW/t80hp/1000 lb
Calculated
Torque-to-weight
211Nm/t141lb-ft/ton
Calculated
230Nm/t154lb-ft/ton
Calculated
Estimated range
647km402mi
Calculated
-
Displacement
2,996cc183cu in
2,979cc182cu in
Length
4,239mm167in
4,050mm159in
Width
1,790mm70in
1,740mm69in
Height
1,291mm51in
1,306mm51in
Wheelbase
2,496mm98in
2,446mm96in
Front track
1,511mm59in
1,413mm56in
Rear track
1,537mm61in
1,494mm59in
Trunk volume
180L
165L
Max trunk volume
310L
-
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 (E89) 30iBMW Z3 (E36/7) 3.0iPowerTorque
  • BMW Z4 (E89) 30i: Power / Torque
  • BMW Z3 (E36/7) 3.0i: Power / Torque
Dyno simulation data table
VehiclePeak power RPMPeak torque RPMMax engine speed
BMWZ4 (E89)30i6,600 rpm2,500 rpm6,850 rpm
BMWZ3 (E36/7)3.0i5,900 rpm3,500 rpm6,150 rpm

Acceleration curve

Estimated speed over time for selected vehicles.

Acceleration and drag-race table
MetricBMWZ4 (E89)30iBMWZ3 (E36/7)3.0i
Acceleration checkpoints
0-60 mph
0-97 km/h
5.5 s
5.7 s
0-100 km/h
0-62 mph
5.8 s
6.0 s
0-200 km/h
0-124 mph
20.5 s
20.9 s
Top speed
Unrestricted
260 km/h162 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph
Likely limited
Unrestricted
260 km/h162 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph
Likely limited
Drag race simulation
60 ft
18 m
2.3 s
2.4 s
330 ft
101 m
6.1 s
6.2 s
1/8 mile
201 m
9.1 s
9.3 s
1000 ft
305 m
11.7 s
11.9 s
1/4 mile
402 m
13.9 s
14.1 s
Trap speed
1/4 mile
402 m
168 km/h
105 mph
167 km/h
104 mph

Power comparison

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

Chart data table
VehicleValue
BMWZ4 (E89)30i
258 hp
192 kW
BMWZ3 (E36/7)3.0i
231 hp
172 kW

BMW Z4 (E89) 30i has 27 hp more than BMW Z3 (E36/7) 3.0i.

The biggest power difference is between BMW Z3 (E36/7) 3.0i and BMW Z4 (E89) 30i: 27 hp (20 kW).

Torque comparison

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

Chart data table
VehicleValue
BMWZ4 (E89)30i
315 Nm
232 lb-ft
BMWZ3 (E36/7)3.0i
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)30i
1,490 kg
3,285 lb
BMWZ3 (E36/7)3.0i
1,305 kg
2,877 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)30i
Unrestricted
260 km/h162 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph
BMWZ3 (E36/7)3.0i
Unrestricted
260 km/h162 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph

0-100 km/h comparison

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

Chart data table
VehicleValue
BMWZ4 (E89)30i5.8 s
BMWZ3 (E36/7)3.0i6.0 s

The biggest 0-100 km/h difference is between BMW Z4 (E89) 30i and BMW Z3 (E36/7) 3.0i: 0.2 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)30i
173 hp/t
129 kW/t
5.8 kg/hp
BMWZ3 (E36/7)3.0i
177 hp/t
132 kW/t
5.6 kg/hp

Performance spider chart

Radar chart comparing normalized performance and fuel-consumption scores.

Chart data table
VehiclePowerAccelerationTop speed
BMWZ4 (E89)30i
258 hp
192 kW
5.8 s
Unrestricted
260 km/h162 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph
BMWZ3 (E36/7)3.0i
231 hp
172 kW
6.0 s
Unrestricted
260 km/h162 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 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)30i
Power
258 hp
192 kW
0-100 km/h5.8 s
Top speed
Unrestricted
260 km/h162 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph
Doors/seats
2 doors
2 seats
Trunk
180 L
6.4 cu ft
Length
4,239 mm
166.9 in
Height
1,291 mm
50.8 in
BMWZ3 (E36/7)3.0i
Power
231 hp
172 kW
0-100 km/h6.0 s
Top speed
Unrestricted
260 km/h162 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph
Doors/seats
2 doors
2 seats
Trunk
165 L
5.8 cu ft
Length
4,050 mm
159.4 in
Height
1,306 mm
51.4 in

Detailed score breakdown

Detailed score breakdown
VehicleBMWZ4 (E89)30iBMWZ3 (E36/7)3.0i
Power
258 hp
192 kW
231 hp
172 kW
Torque
315 Nm
232 lb-ft
300 Nm
221 lb-ft
Acceleration
5.8 s
6.0 s
Top speed
Unrestricted
260 km/h162 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph
Unrestricted
260 km/h162 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph
Lightness
1,490 kg
3,285 lb
1,305 kg
2,877 lb
Fuel consumption
8.5 L/100 km
27.7 mpg US
33.2 mpg UK
-
Practicality
Doors/seats
2 doors
2 seats
Trunk
180 L
6.4 cu ft
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
1,306 mm
51.4 in
Range score
647 km
402 mi
-
Trunk score
180 L
6.4 cu ft
165 L
5.8 cu ft
Power-to-weight score
173 hp/t
129 kW/t
5.8 kg/hp
177 hp/t
132 kW/t
5.6 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) 30i
Consumption8.5 L/100 km27.7 mpg US33.2 mpg UK
Cost / 100 km14.88 LC100 km
Cost / 100 mi23.94 LC100 mi
Annual fuel used1,275 L337 US gal280 UK gal
Annual fuel cost2,231 LC/year

Head-to-head comparisons

BMW Z4 (E89) 30i

  • Has 27 hp more
  • Has 15 Nm more
  • Is 0.2 s quicker from 0-100 km/h
  • Has 15 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) 3.0i

  • Is 185 kg lighter
  • Has 4 hp/t better power-to-weight

Pros

  • Lightest
  • Best power-to-weight ratio

Cons

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

Choose cars to compare

Brand
Model
Generation
Engine or modification
BMW Z4 (E89) 30i
BMW Z3 (E36/7) 3.0i
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