Car comparison

BMW Z3 M (E36/7) 3.2vsMercedes-Benz SL (R129) · Facelift 1995 SL 500 V8

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

Mercedes-Benz SL (R129) · Facelift 1995

SL 500 V8

320 hp4973 ccGasolineRWDAutomaticNaturally aspiratedRoadster1995-1998

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
  • Lightest
    1,450 kg
    3,197 lb
  • Best power-to-weight
    224 hp/t
    167 kW/t
    4.5 kg/hp
  • Lowest highway consumption
    7.9 L/100 km
    29.8 mpg US
    35.8 mpg UK
  • Best overall score
    56/100
  • Best performance score
    68/100
  • Best practicality score
    31/100

Specification comparison

Specification comparison
ModelBMWZ3 M (E36/7)3.2Mercedes-BenzSL (R129)Facelift 1995SL 500 V8
Power
325hp242kW
320hp239kW
Torque
350Nm258lb-ft
470Nm347lb-ft
Curb weight
1,450kg3,197lb
1,835kg4,045lb
Gross weight
1,640kg3,616lb
2,230kg4,916lb
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
91.0s99% target: 262 km/h / 163 mph
Calculated
0-100 km/h
5.3s
6.5s
0-200 km/h
17.3s
Calculated
23.0s
Calculated
0-60 mph
5.1s
Calculated
6.2s
Calculated
Fuel consumption-
11.5L/100 km20.5mpg US24.6mpg UK
Fuel consumption city
16.6L/100 km14.2mpg US17.0mpg UK
16L/100 km14.7mpg US17.7mpg UK
Fuel consumption highway
7.9L/100 km29.8mpg US35.8mpg UK
9.6L/100 km24.5mpg US29.4mpg UK
Quarter mile
13.3s
Calculated
14.5s
Calculated
Power-to-weight
224hp/t167kW/t102hp/1000 lb
Calculated
174hp/t130kW/t79hp/1000 lb
Calculated
Torque-to-weight
241Nm/t162lb-ft/ton
Calculated
256Nm/t171lb-ft/ton
Calculated
Estimated range-
696km432mi
Calculated
Displacement
3,246cc198cu in
4,973cc303cu in
Length
4,025mm158in
4,499mm177in
Width
1,740mm69in
1,812mm71in
Height
1,268mm50in
1,303mm51in
Wheelbase
2,459mm97in
2,515mm99in
Front track
1,422mm56in
1,535mm60in
Rear track
1,492mm59in
1,523mm60in
Trunk volume-
265L
Max trunk volume
165L
-
Doors
2
2
Seats
2
2
Fuel tank
51L
80L

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) 3.2Mercedes-Benz SL (R129) Facelift 1995 SL 500 V8PowerTorque
  • BMW Z3 M (E36/7) 3.2: Power / Torque
  • Mercedes-Benz SL (R129) Facelift 1995 SL 500 V8: 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
Mercedes-BenzSL (R129)Facelift 1995SL 500 V85,600 rpm3,900 rpm5,850 rpm

Acceleration curve

Estimated speed over time for selected vehicles.

Acceleration and drag-race table
MetricBMWZ3 M (E36/7)3.2Mercedes-BenzSL (R129)Facelift 1995SL 500 V8
Acceleration checkpoints
0-60 mph
0-97 km/h
5.1 s
6.2 s
0-100 km/h
0-62 mph
5.3 s
6.5 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
Unrestricted
265 km/h165 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph
Limited
Drag race simulation
60 ft
18 m
2.3 s
2.4 s
330 ft
101 m
5.9 s
6.4 s
1/8 mile
201 m
8.8 s
9.5 s
1000 ft
305 m
11.3 s
12.2 s
1/4 mile
402 m
13.3 s
14.5 s
Trap speed
1/4 mile
402 m
177 km/h
110 mph
162 km/h
101 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
Mercedes-BenzSL (R129)Facelift 1995SL 500 V8
320 hp
239 kW

BMW Z3 M (E36/7) 3.2 has 5 hp more than Mercedes-Benz SL (R129) Facelift 1995 SL 500 V8.

The biggest power difference is between Mercedes-Benz SL (R129) Facelift 1995 SL 500 V8 and BMW Z3 M (E36/7) 3.2: 5 hp (4 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
Mercedes-BenzSL (R129)Facelift 1995SL 500 V8
470 Nm
347 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
Mercedes-BenzSL (R129)Facelift 1995SL 500 V8
1,835 kg
4,045 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
Mercedes-BenzSL (R129)Facelift 1995SL 500 V8
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
Mercedes-BenzSL (R129)Facelift 1995SL 500 V86.5 s

The biggest 0-100 km/h difference is between BMW Z3 M (E36/7) 3.2 and Mercedes-Benz SL (R129) Facelift 1995 SL 500 V8: 1.2 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
Mercedes-BenzSL (R129)Facelift 1995SL 500 V8
174 hp/t
130 kW/t
5.7 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
Mercedes-BenzSL (R129)Facelift 1995SL 500 V8
320 hp
239 kW
6.5 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
Mercedes-BenzSL (R129)Facelift 1995SL 500 V8
Power
320 hp
239 kW
0-100 km/h6.5 s
Top speed
Unrestricted
265 km/h165 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph
Doors/seats
2 doors
2 seats
Trunk
265 L
9.4 cu ft
Length
4,499 mm
177.1 in
Height
1,303 mm
51.3 in

Detailed score breakdown

Detailed score breakdown
VehicleBMWZ3 M (E36/7)3.2Mercedes-BenzSL (R129)Facelift 1995SL 500 V8
Power
325 hp
242 kW
320 hp
239 kW
Torque
350 Nm
258 lb-ft
470 Nm
347 lb-ft
Acceleration
5.3 s
6.5 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
1,835 kg
4,045 lb
Fuel consumption
-
11.5 L/100 km
20.5 mpg US
24.6 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
265 L
9.4 cu ft
Length
4,499 mm
177.1 in
Height
1,303 mm
51.3 in
Range score
-
696 km
432 mi
Trunk score
165 L
5.8 cu ft
265 L
9.4 cu ft
Power-to-weight score
224 hp/t
167 kW/t
4.5 kg/hp
174 hp/t
130 kW/t
5.7 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
VehicleMercedes-Benz SL (R129) Facelift 1995 SL 500 V8
Consumption11.5 L/100 km20.5 mpg US24.6 mpg UK
Cost / 100 km20.13 LC100 km
Cost / 100 mi32.39 LC100 mi
Annual fuel used1,725 L456 US gal379 UK gal
Annual fuel cost3,019 LC/year

Head-to-head comparisons

BMW Z3 M (E36/7) 3.2

  • Has 5 hp more
  • Is 385 kg lighter
  • Is 1.2 s quicker from 0-100 km/h
  • Has 5 km/h (3 mph) higher top speed
  • Has 50 hp/t better power-to-weight

Pros

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

Cons

  • Smallest trunk

Choose cars to compare

Brand
Model
Generation
Engine or modification
BMW Z3 M (E36/7) 3.2
Mercedes-Benz SL (R129) SL 500 V8
Compare selected cars
2 vehicles selected

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BMW Z3 M (E36/7) 3.2 vs Mercedes-Benz SL (R129) · Facelift 1995 SL 500 V8 - car comparison - FastVsFaster