Car comparison

BMW Z4 Coupe (E86) M 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 Z4 Coupe (E86)

M 3.2

343 hp3246 ccGasolineRWDManualNaturally aspiratedCoupe2006-2008
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 Z4 Coupe (E86) M 3.2

  • Quickest 0-100 km/h
    5.0 s
  • Fastest top speed
    265 km/h
    165 mph Unrestricted
    250 km/h
    155 mph Restricted
  • Most powerful
    343 hp
    256 kW
  • Highest torque
    365 Nm
    269 lb-ft
  • Best power-to-weight
    241 hp/t
    179 kW/t
    4.2 kg/hp
  • Largest trunk
    245 L
  • Best overall score
    58/100
  • Best performance score
    69/100
  • Best economy score
    74/100

BMW Z3 M Coupe (E36/8) 3.2

  • Lightest
    1,375 kg
    3,031 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 practicality score
    37/100

Specification comparison

Specification comparison
ModelBMWZ4 Coupe (E86)M 3.2BMWZ3 M Coupe (E36/8)3.2
Power
343hp256kW
325hp242kW
Torque
365Nm269lb-ft
350Nm258lb-ft
Curb weight
1,425kg3,142lb
1,375kg3,031lb
Gross weight
1,730kg3,814lb
1,660kg3,660lb
Top speed
Unrestricted
265 km/h165 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: 262 km/h / 163 mph
Calculated
65.0s99% target: 262 km/h / 163 mph
Calculated
0-100 km/h
5.0s
5.3s
0-200 km/h
16.7s
Calculated
17.6s
Calculated
0-60 mph
4.8s
Calculated
5.1s
Calculated
Fuel consumption
12.1L/100 km19.4mpg US23.3mpg UK
-
Fuel consumption city
18.2L/100 km12.9mpg US15.5mpg UK
16.6L/100 km14.2mpg US17.0mpg UK
Fuel consumption highway
8.6L/100 km27.4mpg US32.8mpg UK
7.9L/100 km29.8mpg US35.8mpg UK
Quarter mile
13.1s
Calculated
13.4s
Calculated
Power-to-weight
241hp/t179kW/t109hp/1000 lb
Calculated
236hp/t176kW/t107hp/1000 lb
Calculated
Torque-to-weight
256Nm/t171lb-ft/ton
Calculated
255Nm/t170lb-ft/ton
Calculated
Estimated range
455km282mi
Calculated
-
Displacement
3,246cc198cu in
3,246cc198cu in
Length
4,113mm162in
4,025mm158in
Width
1,781mm70in
1,740mm69in
Height
1,271mm50in
1,280mm50in
Wheelbase
2,497mm98in
2,459mm97in
Front track
1,486mm59in
1,422mm56in
Rear track
1,516mm60in
1,492mm59in
Trunk volume
245L
210L
Max trunk volume
300L
410L
Doors
2
3
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 Coupe (E86) M 3.2BMW Z3 M Coupe (E36/8) 3.2PowerTorque
  • BMW Z4 Coupe (E86) M 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
BMWZ4 Coupe (E86)M 3.27,900 rpm4,900 rpm8,150 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
MetricBMWZ4 Coupe (E86)M 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
16.7 s
17.6 s
Top speed
Unrestricted
265 km/h165 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
13.1 s
13.4 s
Trap speed
1/4 mile
402 m
179 km/h
111 mph
176 km/h
110 mph

Power comparison

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

Chart data table
VehicleValue
BMWZ4 Coupe (E86)M 3.2
343 hp
256 kW
BMWZ3 M Coupe (E36/8)3.2
325 hp
242 kW

BMW Z4 Coupe (E86) M 3.2 has 18 hp more than BMW Z3 M Coupe (E36/8) 3.2.

The biggest power difference is between BMW Z3 M Coupe (E36/8) 3.2 and BMW Z4 Coupe (E86) M 3.2: 18 hp (13 kW).

Torque comparison

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

Chart data table
VehicleValue
BMWZ4 Coupe (E86)M 3.2
365 Nm
269 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
BMWZ4 Coupe (E86)M 3.2
1,425 kg
3,142 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
BMWZ4 Coupe (E86)M 3.2
Unrestricted
265 km/h165 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
BMWZ4 Coupe (E86)M 3.25.0 s
BMWZ3 M Coupe (E36/8)3.25.3 s

The biggest 0-100 km/h difference is between BMW Z4 Coupe (E86) M 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
BMWZ4 Coupe (E86)M 3.2
241 hp/t
179 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
BMWZ4 Coupe (E86)M 3.2
343 hp
256 kW
5.0 s
Unrestricted
265 km/h165 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
BMWZ4 Coupe (E86)M 3.2
Power
343 hp
256 kW
0-100 km/h5.0 s
Top speed
Unrestricted
265 km/h165 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph
Doors/seats
2 doors
2 seats
Trunk
245 L
8.7 cu ft
Length
4,113 mm
161.9 in
Height
1,271 mm
50.0 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
VehicleBMWZ4 Coupe (E86)M 3.2BMWZ3 M Coupe (E36/8)3.2
Power
343 hp
256 kW
325 hp
242 kW
Torque
365 Nm
269 lb-ft
350 Nm
258 lb-ft
Acceleration
5.0 s
5.3 s
Top speed
Unrestricted
265 km/h165 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph
Unrestricted
265 km/h165 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph
Lightness
1,425 kg
3,142 lb
1,375 kg
3,031 lb
Fuel consumption
12.1 L/100 km
19.4 mpg US
23.3 mpg UK
-
Practicality
Doors/seats
2 doors
2 seats
Trunk
245 L
8.7 cu ft
Length
4,113 mm
161.9 in
Height
1,271 mm
50.0 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
Range score
455 km
282 mi
-
Trunk score
245 L
8.7 cu ft
210 L
7.4 cu ft
Power-to-weight score
241 hp/t
179 kW/t
4.2 kg/hp
236 hp/t
176 kW/t
4.2 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 Coupe (E86) M 3.2
Consumption12.1 L/100 km19.4 mpg US23.3 mpg UK
Cost / 100 km21.18 LC100 km
Cost / 100 mi34.08 LC100 mi
Annual fuel used1,815 L479 US gal399 UK gal
Annual fuel cost3,176 LC/year

Head-to-head comparisons

BMW Z4 Coupe (E86) M 3.2

  • Has 18 hp more
  • Has 15 Nm more
  • Is 0.3 s quicker from 0-100 km/h
  • Has 4 hp/t better power-to-weight
  • Has 35 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

Choose cars to compare

Brand
Model
Generation
Engine or modification
BMW Z4 Coupe (E86) M 3.2
BMW Z3 M Coupe (E36/8) 3.2
Compare selected cars
2 vehicles selected

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BMW Z4 Coupe (E86) M 3.2 vs BMW Z3 M Coupe (E36/8) 3.2 - car comparison - FastVsFaster