Car comparison

BMW Z3 M (E36/7) 3.2vsBMW Z4 (E89) 35i

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 (E89)

35i

306 hp2979 ccGasolineRWDAutomaticTurbochargedRoadster2009-2013

Comparison overview

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

Best choices

BMW Z4 (E89) 35i

  • Quickest 0-100 km/h
    5.1 s
  • Highest torque
    400 Nm
    295 lb-ft
  • Lowest city consumption
    12.6 L/100 km
    18.7 mpg US
    22.4 mpg UK
  • Lowest highway consumption
    6.9 L/100 km
    34.1 mpg US
    40.9 mpg UK
  • Best economy score
    83/100
  • Best practicality score
    32/100

BMW Z3 M (E36/7) 3.2

  • Fastest top speed
    270 km/h
    168 mph Unrestricted
    250 km/h
    155 mph Restricted
  • Most powerful
    325 hp
    242 kW
  • Lightest
    1,450 kg
    3,197 lb
  • Best power-to-weight
    224 hp/t
    167 kW/t
    4.5 kg/hp
  • Best overall score
    56/100
  • Best performance score
    68/100

Specification comparison

Specification comparison
ModelBMWZ3 M (E36/7)3.2BMWZ4 (E89)35i
Power
325hp242kW
306hp228kW
Torque
350Nm258lb-ft
400Nm295lb-ft
Curb weight
1,450kg3,197lb
1,600kg3,527lb
Gross weight
1,640kg3,616lb
1,855kg4,090lb
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
67.2s99% target: 267 km/h / 166 mph
Calculated
67.9s99% target: 262 km/h / 163 mph
Calculated
0-100 km/h
5.3s
5.1s
0-200 km/h
17.3s
Calculated
17.6s
Calculated
0-60 mph
5.1s
Calculated
4.9s
Calculated
Fuel consumption-
9L/100 km26.1mpg US31.4mpg UK
Fuel consumption city
16.6L/100 km14.2mpg US17.0mpg UK
12.6L/100 km18.7mpg US22.4mpg UK
Fuel consumption highway
7.9L/100 km29.8mpg US35.8mpg UK
6.9L/100 km34.1mpg US40.9mpg UK
Quarter mile
13.3s
Calculated
13.2s
Calculated
Power-to-weight
224hp/t167kW/t102hp/1000 lb
Calculated
191hp/t143kW/t87hp/1000 lb
Calculated
Torque-to-weight
241Nm/t162lb-ft/ton
Calculated
250Nm/t167lb-ft/ton
Calculated
Estimated range-
611km380mi
Calculated
Displacement
3,246cc198cu in
2,979cc182cu in
Length
4,025mm158in
4,239mm167in
Width
1,740mm69in
1,790mm70in
Height
1,268mm50in
1,291mm51in
Wheelbase
2,459mm97in
2,496mm98in
Front track
1,422mm56in
1,511mm59in
Rear track
1,492mm59in
1,559mm61in
Max trunk volume
165L
-
Doors
2
2
Seats
2
2
Fuel tank
51L
55L
CO2 emissions-
210g/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 Z3 M (E36/7) 3.2BMW Z4 (E89) 35iPowerTorque
  • BMW Z3 M (E36/7) 3.2: Power / Torque
  • BMW Z4 (E89) 35i: 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 (E89)35i5,800 rpm1,300-5,000 rpm6,050 rpm

Acceleration curve

Estimated speed over time for selected vehicles.

Acceleration and drag-race table
MetricBMWZ3 M (E36/7)3.2BMWZ4 (E89)35i
Acceleration checkpoints
0-60 mph
0-97 km/h
5.1 s
4.9 s
0-100 km/h
0-62 mph
5.3 s
5.1 s
0-200 km/h
0-124 mph
17.3 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
2.3 s
2.2 s
330 ft
101 m
5.9 s
5.8 s
1/8 mile
201 m
8.8 s
8.7 s
1000 ft
305 m
11.3 s
11.1 s
1/4 mile
402 m
13.3 s
13.2 s
Trap speed
1/4 mile
402 m
177 km/h
110 mph
176 km/h
109 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 (E89)35i
306 hp
228 kW

BMW Z3 M (E36/7) 3.2 has 19 hp more than BMW Z4 (E89) 35i.

The biggest power difference is between BMW Z4 (E89) 35i and BMW Z3 M (E36/7) 3.2: 19 hp (14 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 (E89)35i
400 Nm
295 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 (E89)35i
1,600 kg
3,527 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 (E89)35i
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)3.25.3 s
BMWZ4 (E89)35i5.1 s

Although BMW Z3 M (E36/7) 3.2 has more power, BMW Z4 (E89) 35i is quicker from 0-100 km/h.

The biggest 0-100 km/h difference is between BMW Z4 (E89) 35i and BMW Z3 M (E36/7) 3.2: 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
BMWZ3 M (E36/7)3.2
224 hp/t
167 kW/t
4.5 kg/hp
BMWZ4 (E89)35i
191 hp/t
143 kW/t
5.2 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
325 hp
242 kW
5.3 s
Unrestricted
270 km/h168 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph
BMWZ4 (E89)35i
306 hp
228 kW
5.1 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
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 (E89)35i
Power
306 hp
228 kW
0-100 km/h5.1 s
Top speed
Unrestricted
265 km/h165 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph
Doors/seats
2 doors
2 seats
Trunk-
Length
4,239 mm
166.9 in
Height
1,291 mm
50.8 in

Detailed score breakdown

Detailed score breakdown
VehicleBMWZ3 M (E36/7)3.2BMWZ4 (E89)35i
Power
325 hp
242 kW
306 hp
228 kW
Torque
350 Nm
258 lb-ft
400 Nm
295 lb-ft
Acceleration
5.3 s
5.1 s
Top speed
Unrestricted
270 km/h168 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph
Unrestricted
265 km/h165 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph
Lightness
1,450 kg
3,197 lb
1,600 kg
3,527 lb
Fuel consumption
-
9.0 L/100 km
26.1 mpg US
31.4 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-
Length
4,239 mm
166.9 in
Height
1,291 mm
50.8 in
Range score
-
611 km
380 mi
CO2 score
-
210 g/km
Trunk score
165 L
5.8 cu ft
-
Power-to-weight score
224 hp/t
167 kW/t
4.5 kg/hp
191 hp/t
143 kW/t
5.2 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 (E89) 35i
Consumption9 L/100 km26.1 mpg US31.4 mpg UK
Cost / 100 km15.75 LC100 km
Cost / 100 mi25.35 LC100 mi
Annual fuel used1,350 L357 US gal297 UK gal
Annual fuel cost2,363 LC/year

Head-to-head comparisons

BMW Z3 M (E36/7) 3.2

  • Has 19 hp more
  • Is 150 kg lighter
  • Has 5 km/h (3 mph) higher top speed
  • Has 33 hp/t better power-to-weight

Pros

  • Highest top speed
  • Most powerful
  • Lightest
  • Best power-to-weight ratio

Cons

  • Slowest 0-100 km/h

BMW Z4 (E89) 35i

  • Has 50 Nm more
  • Is 0.2 s quicker from 0-100 km/h

Pros

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

Cons

  • Lowest power
  • Heaviest
  • Lowest top speed

Choose cars to compare

Brand
Model
Generation
Engine or modification
BMW Z3 M (E36/7) 3.2
BMW Z4 (E89) 35i
Compare selected cars
2 vehicles selected

Popular comparisons

3.2
3.0i
VS
BMWZ3 M (E36/7)3.2vsBMWZ3 (E36/7)3.0i
35i
M40i
VS
BMWZ4 (E89)35ivsBMWZ4 (G29)M40i
3.2
3.2
VS
BMWZ3 M (E36/7)3.2vsBMWZ3 M Coupe (E36/8)3.2
35i
3.0i
VS
BMWZ4 (E89)35ivsBMWZ4 (E85)3.0i
3.2
3.2
VS
BMWZ3 M (E36/7)3.2vsBMWZ3 Coupe (E36/8)3.2
35i
M40i
VS
BMWZ4 (E89)35ivsBMWZ4 (G29 LCI)Facelift 2022M40i
3.2
5.7 i V8 16V
VS
BMWZ3 M (E36/7)3.2vsChevroletCorvette Convertible (C5)5.7 i V8 16V
35i
M 3.2
VS
BMWZ4 (E89)35ivsBMWZ4 Coupe (E86)M 3.2
3.2
AMG SLK 32 V6
VS
BMWZ3 M (E36/7)3.2vsMercedes-BenzSLK (R170)Facelift 2000AMG SLK 32 V6
35i
SLK 350 V6
VS
BMWZ4 (E89)35ivsMercedes-BenzSLK (R171)Facelift 2008SLK 350 V6
3.2
35is
VS
BMWZ3 M (E36/7)3.2vsBMWZ4 (E89)35is
35i
S 3.4
VS
BMWZ4 (E89)35ivsPorscheBoxster (987)Facelift 2009S 3.4
BMW Z3 M (E36/7) 3.2 vs BMW Z4 (E89) 35i - car comparison - FastVsFaster