Car comparison

BMW Z3 M (E36/7) 3.2vsBMW Z3 M Coupe (E36/8) 3.2

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

New comparison

BMW Z3 M (E36/7)

3.2

321 hp3201 ccGasolineRWDManualNaturally aspiratedRoadster1997-2003
VS

BMW Z3 M Coupe (E36/8)

3.2

325 hp3246 ccGasolineRWDManualNaturally aspiratedCoupe1998-2003

Comparison overview

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

Best choices

BMW Z3 M (E36/7) 3.2

  • Quickest 0-100 km/h
    5.0 s
  • Fastest top speed
    270 km/h
    168 mph Unrestricted
    250 km/h
    155 mph Restricted
  • Highest torque
    350 Nm
    258 lb-ft
  • Lightest
    1,360 kg
    2,998 lb
  • Lowest city consumption
    16.6 L/100 km
    14.2 mpg US
    17.0 mpg UK
  • Lowest highway consumption
    7.9 L/100 km
    29.8 mpg US
    35.8 mpg UK
  • Best performance score
    68/100
  • Best economy score
    0/100

BMW Z3 M Coupe (E36/8) 3.2

  • Most powerful
    325 hp
    242 kW
  • Best power-to-weight
    236 hp/t
    176 kW/t
    4.2 kg/hp
  • Largest trunk
    210 L
  • Best overall score
    58/100
  • Best practicality score
    37/100

Specification comparison

Specification comparison
ModelBMWZ3 M (E36/7)3.2BMWZ3 M Coupe (E36/8)3.2
Power
321hp239kW
325hp242kW
Torque
350Nm258lb-ft
350Nm258lb-ft
Curb weight
1,360kg2,998lb
1,375kg3,031lb
Gross weight
1,600kg3,527lb
1,660kg3,660lb
Top speed
Unrestricted
270 km/h168 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph
Calculated
Unrestricted
265 km/h165 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph
Calculated
To 99% top speed
62.0s99% target: 267 km/h / 166 mph
Calculated
65.0s99% target: 262 km/h / 163 mph
Calculated
0-100 km/h
5.0s
5.3s
0-200 km/h
16.2s
Calculated
17.6s
Calculated
0-60 mph
4.8s
Calculated
5.1s
Calculated
Fuel consumption city
16.6L/100 km14.2mpg US17.0mpg UK
16.6L/100 km14.2mpg US17.0mpg UK
Fuel consumption highway
7.9L/100 km29.8mpg US35.8mpg UK
7.9L/100 km29.8mpg US35.8mpg UK
Quarter mile
13.0s
Calculated
13.4s
Calculated
Power-to-weight
236hp/t176kW/t107hp/1000 lb
Calculated
236hp/t176kW/t107hp/1000 lb
Calculated
Torque-to-weight
257Nm/t172lb-ft/ton
Calculated
255Nm/t170lb-ft/ton
Calculated
Displacement
3,201cc195cu in
3,246cc198cu in
Length
4,025mm158in
4,025mm158in
Width
1,740mm69in
1,740mm69in
Height
1,266mm50in
1,280mm50in
Wheelbase
2,458mm97in
2,459mm97in
Front track
1,422mm56in
1,422mm56in
Rear track
1,492mm59in
1,492mm59in
Trunk volume-
210L
Max trunk volume
165L
410L
Doors
2
3
Seats
2
2
Fuel tank
51L
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 Z3 M (E36/7) 3.2BMW Z3 M Coupe (E36/8) 3.2PowerTorque
  • BMW Z3 M (E36/7) 3.2: Power / Torque
  • BMW Z3 M Coupe (E36/8) 3.2: Power / Torque
Dyno simulation data table
VehiclePeak power RPMPeak torque RPMMax engine speed
BMWZ3 M (E36/7)3.27,400 rpm3,250 rpm7,650 rpm
BMWZ3 M Coupe (E36/8)3.27,400 rpm4,900 rpm7,650 rpm

Acceleration curve

Estimated speed over time for selected vehicles.

Acceleration and drag-race table
MetricBMWZ3 M (E36/7)3.2BMWZ3 M Coupe (E36/8)3.2
Acceleration checkpoints
0-60 mph
0-97 km/h
4.8 s
5.1 s
0-100 km/h
0-62 mph
5.0 s
5.3 s
0-200 km/h
0-124 mph
16.2 s
17.6 s
Top speed
Unrestricted
270 km/h168 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph
Likely limited
Unrestricted
265 km/h165 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph
Likely limited
Drag race simulation
60 ft
18 m
2.2 s
2.3 s
330 ft
101 m
5.8 s
5.9 s
1/8 mile
201 m
8.6 s
8.8 s
1000 ft
305 m
11.0 s
11.3 s
1/4 mile
402 m
13.0 s
13.4 s
Trap speed
1/4 mile
402 m
181 km/h
112 mph
176 km/h
110 mph

Power comparison

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

Chart data table
VehicleValue
BMWZ3 M (E36/7)3.2
321 hp
239 kW
BMWZ3 M Coupe (E36/8)3.2
325 hp
242 kW

BMW Z3 M Coupe (E36/8) 3.2 has 4 hp more than BMW Z3 M (E36/7) 3.2.

The biggest power difference is between BMW Z3 M (E36/7) 3.2 and BMW Z3 M Coupe (E36/8) 3.2: 4 hp (3 kW).

Torque comparison

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

Chart data table
VehicleValue
BMWZ3 M (E36/7)3.2
350 Nm
258 lb-ft
BMWZ3 M Coupe (E36/8)3.2
350 Nm
258 lb-ft

Curb weight comparison

Bar comparison chart for Curb weight. Lower is better · kg / lb

Chart data table
VehicleValue
BMWZ3 M (E36/7)3.2
1,360 kg
2,998 lb
BMWZ3 M Coupe (E36/8)3.2
1,375 kg
3,031 lb

Top speed without limiter comparison

Bar comparison chart for Top speed without limiter. Higher is better · km/h / mph

Chart data table
VehicleValue
BMWZ3 M (E36/7)3.2
Unrestricted
270 km/h168 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph
BMWZ3 M Coupe (E36/8)3.2
Unrestricted
265 km/h165 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
BMWZ3 M (E36/7)3.25.0 s
BMWZ3 M Coupe (E36/8)3.25.3 s

Although BMW Z3 M Coupe (E36/8) 3.2 has more power, BMW Z3 M (E36/7) 3.2 is quicker from 0-100 km/h.

The biggest 0-100 km/h difference is between BMW Z3 M (E36/7) 3.2 and BMW Z3 M Coupe (E36/8) 3.2: 0.3 s.

Power-to-weight comparison

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

Chart data table
VehicleValue
BMWZ3 M (E36/7)3.2
236 hp/t
176 kW/t
4.2 kg/hp
BMWZ3 M Coupe (E36/8)3.2
236 hp/t
176 kW/t
4.2 kg/hp

Performance spider chart

Radar chart comparing normalized performance and fuel-consumption scores.

Chart data table
VehiclePowerAccelerationTop speed
BMWZ3 M (E36/7)3.2
321 hp
239 kW
5.0 s
Unrestricted
270 km/h168 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph
BMWZ3 M Coupe (E36/8)3.2
325 hp
242 kW
5.3 s
Unrestricted
265 km/h165 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
BMWZ3 M (E36/7)3.2
Power
321 hp
239 kW
0-100 km/h5.0 s
Top speed
Unrestricted
270 km/h168 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph
Doors/seats
2 doors
2 seats
Trunk
165 L
5.8 cu ft
Length
4,025 mm
158.5 in
Height
1,266 mm
49.8 in
BMWZ3 M Coupe (E36/8)3.2
Power
325 hp
242 kW
0-100 km/h5.3 s
Top speed
Unrestricted
265 km/h165 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph
Doors/seats
3 doors
2 seats
Trunk
210 L
7.4 cu ft
Length
4,025 mm
158.5 in
Height
1,280 mm
50.4 in

Detailed score breakdown

Detailed score breakdown
VehicleBMWZ3 M (E36/7)3.2BMWZ3 M Coupe (E36/8)3.2
Power
321 hp
239 kW
325 hp
242 kW
Torque
350 Nm
258 lb-ft
350 Nm
258 lb-ft
Acceleration
5.0 s
5.3 s
Top speed
Unrestricted
270 km/h168 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph
Unrestricted
265 km/h165 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph
Lightness
1,360 kg
2,998 lb
1,375 kg
3,031 lb
Practicality
Doors/seats
2 doors
2 seats
Trunk
165 L
5.8 cu ft
Length
4,025 mm
158.5 in
Height
1,266 mm
49.8 in
Doors/seats
3 doors
2 seats
Trunk
210 L
7.4 cu ft
Length
4,025 mm
158.5 in
Height
1,280 mm
50.4 in
Trunk score
165 L
5.8 cu ft
210 L
7.4 cu ft
Power-to-weight score
236 hp/t
176 kW/t
4.2 kg/hp
236 hp/t
176 kW/t
4.2 kg/hp
Overall
Fixed score
Fixed score

Head-to-head comparisons

BMW Z3 M (E36/7) 3.2

  • Is 15 kg lighter
  • Is 0.3 s quicker from 0-100 km/h
  • Has 5 km/h (3 mph) higher top speed

Pros

  • Quickest 0-100 km/h in this comparison
  • Highest top speed
  • Highest torque
  • Lightest

Cons

  • Lowest power
  • Smallest trunk

BMW Z3 M Coupe (E36/8) 3.2

  • Has 4 hp more
  • Has 0 hp/t better power-to-weight
  • Has 45 L more trunk volume

Pros

  • Most powerful
  • Best power-to-weight ratio
  • Largest trunk

Cons

  • Slowest 0-100 km/h
  • Heaviest
  • Lowest top speed

Choose cars to compare

Brand
Model
Generation
Engine or modification
BMW Z3 M (E36/7) 3.2
BMW Z3 M Coupe (E36/8) 3.2
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BMW Z3 M (E36/7) 3.2 vs BMW Z3 M Coupe (E36/8) 3.2 - car comparison - FastVsFaster