Car comparison

BMW Z3 M (E36/7) 3.2vsBMW Z4 (E85) 3.0i

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

New comparison

BMW Z3 M (E36/7)

3.2

325 hp3246 ccGasolineRWDManualNaturally aspiratedRoadster1997-2003
VS

BMW Z4 (E85)

3.0i

231 hp2979 ccGasolineRWDAutomaticNaturally aspiratedRoadster2002-2006

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
    5.3 s
  • Fastest top speed
    270 km/h
    168 mph Unrestricted
    250 km/h
    155 mph Restricted
  • Most powerful
    325 hp
    242 kW
  • Highest torque
    350 Nm
    258 lb-ft
  • Best power-to-weight
    224 hp/t
    167 kW/t
    4.5 kg/hp
  • Best overall score
    56/100
  • Best performance score
    68/100

BMW Z4 (E85) 3.0i

  • Lightest
    1,365 kg
    3,009 lb
  • Lowest city consumption
    13.5 L/100 km
    17.4 mpg US
    20.9 mpg UK
  • Lowest highway consumption
    7.3 L/100 km
    32.2 mpg US
    38.7 mpg UK
  • Largest trunk
    300 L
  • Best economy score
    81/100
  • Best practicality score
    32/100

Specification comparison

Specification comparison
ModelBMWZ3 M (E36/7)3.2BMWZ4 (E85)3.0i
Power
325hp242kW
231hp172kW
Torque
350Nm258lb-ft
300Nm221lb-ft
Curb weight
1,450kg3,197lb
1,365kg3,009lb
Gross weight
1,640kg3,616lb
1,590kg3,505lb
Top speed
Unrestricted
270 km/h168 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph
Calculated
250 km/h
155 mph
To 99% top speed
67.2s99% target: 267 km/h / 166 mph
Calculated
76.1s99% target: 248 km/h / 154 mph
Calculated
0-100 km/h
5.3s
6.2s
0-200 km/h
17.3s
Calculated
23.0s
Calculated
0-60 mph
5.1s
Calculated
5.9s
Calculated
Fuel consumption-
9.5L/100 km24.8mpg US29.7mpg UK
Fuel consumption city
16.6L/100 km14.2mpg US17.0mpg UK
13.5L/100 km17.4mpg US20.9mpg UK
Fuel consumption highway
7.9L/100 km29.8mpg US35.8mpg UK
7.3L/100 km32.2mpg US38.7mpg UK
Quarter mile
13.3s
Calculated
14.3s
Calculated
Power-to-weight
224hp/t167kW/t102hp/1000 lb
Calculated
169hp/t126kW/t77hp/1000 lb
Calculated
Torque-to-weight
241Nm/t162lb-ft/ton
Calculated
220Nm/t147lb-ft/ton
Calculated
Estimated range-
579km360mi
Calculated
Displacement
3,246cc198cu in
2,979cc182cu in
Length
4,025mm158in
4,091mm161in
Width
1,740mm69in
1,781mm70in
Height
1,268mm50in
1,299mm51in
Wheelbase
2,459mm97in
2,495mm98in
Front track
1,422mm56in
1,473mm58in
Rear track
1,492mm59in
1,523mm60in
Trunk volume-
300L
Max trunk volume
165L
-
Doors
2
2
Seats
2
2
Fuel tank
51L
55L

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 Z4 (E85) 3.0iPowerTorque
  • BMW Z3 M (E36/7) 3.2: Power / Torque
  • BMW Z4 (E85) 3.0i: Power / Torque
Dyno simulation data table
VehiclePeak power RPMPeak torque RPMMax engine speed
BMWZ3 M (E36/7)3.27,400 rpm4,900 rpm7,650 rpm
BMWZ4 (E85)3.0i5,900 rpm3,500 rpm6,150 rpm

Acceleration curve

Estimated speed over time for selected vehicles.

Acceleration and drag-race table
MetricBMWZ3 M (E36/7)3.2BMWZ4 (E85)3.0i
Acceleration checkpoints
0-60 mph
0-97 km/h
5.1 s
5.9 s
0-100 km/h
0-62 mph
5.3 s
6.2 s
0-200 km/h
0-124 mph
17.3 s
23.0 s
Top speed
Unrestricted
270 km/h168 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph
Likely limited
250 km/h
155 mph
Drag race simulation
60 ft
18 m
2.3 s
2.4 s
330 ft
101 m
5.9 s
6.3 s
1/8 mile
201 m
8.8 s
9.4 s
1000 ft
305 m
11.3 s
12.0 s
1/4 mile
402 m
13.3 s
14.3 s
Trap speed
1/4 mile
402 m
177 km/h
110 mph
163 km/h
102 mph

Power comparison

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

Chart data table
VehicleValue
BMWZ3 M (E36/7)3.2
325 hp
242 kW
BMWZ4 (E85)3.0i
231 hp
172 kW

BMW Z3 M (E36/7) 3.2 has 94 hp more than BMW Z4 (E85) 3.0i.

The biggest power difference is between BMW Z4 (E85) 3.0i and BMW Z3 M (E36/7) 3.2: 94 hp (70 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
BMWZ4 (E85)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
BMWZ3 M (E36/7)3.2
1,450 kg
3,197 lb
BMWZ4 (E85)3.0i
1,365 kg
3,009 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
BMWZ4 (E85)3.0i
250 km/h
155 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)3.25.3 s
BMWZ4 (E85)3.0i6.2 s

The biggest 0-100 km/h difference is between BMW Z3 M (E36/7) 3.2 and BMW Z4 (E85) 3.0i: 0.9 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
224 hp/t
167 kW/t
4.5 kg/hp
BMWZ4 (E85)3.0i
169 hp/t
126 kW/t
5.9 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
325 hp
242 kW
5.3 s
Unrestricted
270 km/h168 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph
BMWZ4 (E85)3.0i
231 hp
172 kW
6.2 s
250 km/h
155 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
325 hp
242 kW
0-100 km/h5.3 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
1,268 mm
49.9 in
BMWZ4 (E85)3.0i
Power
231 hp
172 kW
0-100 km/h6.2 s
Top speed
250 km/h
155 mph
Doors/seats
2 doors
2 seats
Trunk
300 L
10.6 cu ft
Length
4,091 mm
161.1 in
Height
1,299 mm
51.1 in

Detailed score breakdown

Detailed score breakdown
VehicleBMWZ3 M (E36/7)3.2BMWZ4 (E85)3.0i
Power
325 hp
242 kW
231 hp
172 kW
Torque
350 Nm
258 lb-ft
300 Nm
221 lb-ft
Acceleration
5.3 s
6.2 s
Top speed
Unrestricted
270 km/h168 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph
250 km/h
155 mph
Lightness
1,450 kg
3,197 lb
1,365 kg
3,009 lb
Fuel consumption
-
9.5 L/100 km
24.8 mpg US
29.7 mpg UK
Practicality
Doors/seats
2 doors
2 seats
Trunk
165 L
5.8 cu ft
Length
4,025 mm
158.5 in
Height
1,268 mm
49.9 in
Doors/seats
2 doors
2 seats
Trunk
300 L
10.6 cu ft
Length
4,091 mm
161.1 in
Height
1,299 mm
51.1 in
Range score
-
579 km
360 mi
Trunk score
165 L
5.8 cu ft
300 L
10.6 cu ft
Power-to-weight score
224 hp/t
167 kW/t
4.5 kg/hp
169 hp/t
126 kW/t
5.9 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 (E85) 3.0i
Consumption9.5 L/100 km24.8 mpg US29.7 mpg UK
Cost / 100 km16.63 LC100 km
Cost / 100 mi26.76 LC100 mi
Annual fuel used1,425 L376 US gal313 UK gal
Annual fuel cost2,494 LC/year

Head-to-head comparisons

BMW Z3 M (E36/7) 3.2

  • Has 94 hp more
  • Has 50 Nm more
  • Is 0.9 s quicker from 0-100 km/h
  • Has 20 km/h (12 mph) higher top speed
  • Has 55 hp/t better power-to-weight

Pros

  • Quickest 0-100 km/h in this comparison
  • Highest top speed
  • Most powerful
  • Highest torque
  • Best power-to-weight ratio

Cons

  • Heaviest
  • Smallest trunk

BMW Z4 (E85) 3.0i

  • Is 85 kg lighter
  • Has 135 L more trunk volume

Pros

  • Lightest
  • Largest trunk

Cons

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

Choose cars to compare

Brand
Model
Generation
Engine or modification
BMW Z3 M (E36/7) 3.2
BMW Z4 (E85) 3.0i
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