Car comparison

BMW Z4 (G29) 30ivsBMW Z3 (E36/7) 3.0i

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

New comparison

BMW Z4 (G29)

30i

258 hp1998 ccGasolineRWDAutomaticTurbochargedRoadster2018-2022
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 (G29) 30i

  • Quickest 0-100 km/h
    5.4 s
  • Fastest top speed
    260 km/h
    162 mph Unrestricted
    250 km/h
    155 mph Restricted
  • Most powerful
    258 hp
    192 kW
  • Highest torque
    400 Nm
    295 lb-ft
  • Best power-to-weight
    182 hp/t
    136 kW/t
    5.5 kg/hp
  • Lowest city consumption
    7.4 L/100 km
    31.8 mpg US
    38.2 mpg UK
  • Lowest highway consumption
    5.3 L/100 km
    44.4 mpg US
    53.3 mpg UK
  • Largest trunk
    281 L
  • Best overall score
    54/100
  • Best performance score
    65/100
  • Best economy score
    90/100
  • Best practicality score
    32/100

Specification comparison

Specification comparison
ModelBMWZ4 (G29)30iBMWZ3 (E36/7)3.0i
Power
258hp192kW
231hp172kW
Torque
400Nm295lb-ft
300Nm221lb-ft
Curb weight
1,415kg3,120lb
1,305kg2,877lb
Gross weight
1,740kg3,836lb
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
67.9s99% target: 257 km/h / 160 mph
Calculated
76.2s99% target: 257 km/h / 160 mph
Calculated
0-100 km/h
5.4s
6.0s
0-200 km/h
18.7s
Calculated
20.9s
Calculated
0-60 mph
5.1s
Calculated
5.7s
Calculated
Fuel consumption
6.1L/100 km38.6mpg US46.3mpg UK
-
Fuel consumption city
7.4L/100 km31.8mpg US38.2mpg UK
13L/100 km18.1mpg US21.7mpg UK
Fuel consumption highway
5.3L/100 km44.4mpg US53.3mpg UK
7.5L/100 km31.4mpg US37.7mpg UK
Quarter mile
13.5s
Calculated
14.1s
Calculated
Power-to-weight
182hp/t136kW/t83hp/1000 lb
Calculated
177hp/t132kW/t80hp/1000 lb
Calculated
Torque-to-weight
283Nm/t189lb-ft/ton
Calculated
230Nm/t154lb-ft/ton
Calculated
Estimated range
852km530mi
Calculated
-
Displacement
1,998cc122cu in
2,979cc182cu in
Length
4,324mm170in
4,050mm159in
Width
1,864mm73in
1,740mm69in
Height
1,304mm51in
1,306mm51in
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
CO2 emissions
139g/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 (G29) 30iBMW Z3 (E36/7) 3.0iPowerTorque
  • BMW Z4 (G29) 30i: Power / Torque
  • BMW Z3 (E36/7) 3.0i: Power / Torque
Dyno simulation data table
VehiclePeak power RPMPeak torque RPMMax engine speed
BMWZ4 (G29)30i5,000-6,500 rpm1,550-4,400 rpm6,750 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 (G29)30iBMWZ3 (E36/7)3.0i
Acceleration checkpoints
0-60 mph
0-97 km/h
5.1 s
5.7 s
0-100 km/h
0-62 mph
5.4 s
6.0 s
0-200 km/h
0-124 mph
18.7 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
5.9 s
6.2 s
1/8 mile
201 m
8.9 s
9.3 s
1000 ft
305 m
11.4 s
11.9 s
1/4 mile
402 m
13.5 s
14.1 s
Trap speed
1/4 mile
402 m
173 km/h
108 mph
167 km/h
104 mph

Power comparison

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

Chart data table
VehicleValue
BMWZ4 (G29)30i
258 hp
192 kW
BMWZ3 (E36/7)3.0i
231 hp
172 kW

BMW Z4 (G29) 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 (G29) 30i: 27 hp (20 kW).

Torque comparison

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

Chart data table
VehicleValue
BMWZ4 (G29)30i
400 Nm
295 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 (G29)30i
1,415 kg
3,120 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 (G29)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 (G29)30i5.4 s
BMWZ3 (E36/7)3.0i6.0 s

The biggest 0-100 km/h difference is between BMW Z4 (G29) 30i and BMW Z3 (E36/7) 3.0i: 0.6 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)30i
182 hp/t
136 kW/t
5.5 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 (G29)30i
258 hp
192 kW
5.4 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 (G29)30i
Power
258 hp
192 kW
0-100 km/h5.4 s
Top speed
Unrestricted
260 km/h162 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 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)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 (G29)30iBMWZ3 (E36/7)3.0i
Power
258 hp
192 kW
231 hp
172 kW
Torque
400 Nm
295 lb-ft
300 Nm
221 lb-ft
Acceleration
5.4 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
1,415 kg
3,120 lb
1,305 kg
2,877 lb
Fuel consumption
6.1 L/100 km
38.6 mpg US
46.3 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
1,306 mm
51.4 in
Range score
852 km
530 mi
-
CO2 score
139 g/km
-
Trunk score
281 L
9.9 cu ft
165 L
5.8 cu ft
Power-to-weight score
182 hp/t
136 kW/t
5.5 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 (G29) 30i
Consumption6.1 L/100 km38.6 mpg US46.3 mpg UK
Cost / 100 km10.67 LC100 km
Cost / 100 mi17.18 LC100 mi
Annual fuel used915 L242 US gal201 UK gal
Annual fuel cost1,601 LC/year

Head-to-head comparisons

BMW Z4 (G29) 30i

  • Has 27 hp more
  • Has 100 Nm more
  • Is 0.6 s quicker from 0-100 km/h
  • Has 5 hp/t better power-to-weight
  • Has 116 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) 3.0i

  • Is 110 kg lighter

Pros

  • Lightest

Cons

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

Choose cars to compare

Brand
Model
Generation
Engine or modification
BMW Z4 (G29) 30i
BMW Z3 (E36/7) 3.0i
Compare selected cars
2 vehicles selected

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BMW Z4 (G29) 30i vs BMW Z3 (E36/7) 3.0i - car comparison - FastVsFaster