Car comparison

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

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

New comparison

BMW Z4 (E89)

35is

340 hp2979 ccGasolineRWDAutomaticTurbochargedRoadster2010-2013
VS

BMW Z3 M (E36/7)

3.2

321 hp3201 ccGasolineRWDManualNaturally aspiratedRoadster1997-2003

Comparison overview

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

Best choices

BMW Z4 (E89) 35is

  • Quickest 0-100 km/h
    4.8 s
  • Fastest top speed
    270 km/h
    168 mph Unrestricted
    250 km/h
    155 mph Restricted
  • Most powerful
    340 hp
    254 kW
  • Highest torque
    450 Nm
    332 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 overall score
    59/100
  • Best performance score
    71/100
  • Best economy score
    83/100
  • Best practicality score
    32/100

Specification comparison

Specification comparison
ModelBMWZ4 (E89)35isBMWZ3 M (E36/7)3.2
Power
340hp254kW
321hp239kW
Torque
450Nm332lb-ft
350Nm258lb-ft
Curb weight
1,600kg3,527lb
1,360kg2,998lb
Gross weight
1,855kg4,090lb
1,600kg3,527lb
Top speed
Unrestricted
270 km/h168 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph
Calculated
Unrestricted
270 km/h168 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph
Calculated
To 99% top speed
63.8s99% target: 267 km/h / 166 mph
Calculated
62.0s99% target: 267 km/h / 166 mph
Calculated
0-100 km/h
4.8s
5.0s
0-200 km/h
16.0s
Calculated
16.2s
Calculated
0-60 mph
4.6s
Calculated
4.8s
Calculated
Fuel consumption
9L/100 km26.1mpg US31.4mpg UK
-
Fuel consumption city
12.6L/100 km18.7mpg US22.4mpg UK
16.6L/100 km14.2mpg US17.0mpg UK
Fuel consumption highway
6.9L/100 km34.1mpg US40.9mpg UK
7.9L/100 km29.8mpg US35.8mpg UK
Quarter mile
12.9s
Calculated
13.0s
Calculated
Power-to-weight
213hp/t158kW/t96hp/1000 lb
Calculated
236hp/t176kW/t107hp/1000 lb
Calculated
Torque-to-weight
281Nm/t188lb-ft/ton
Calculated
257Nm/t172lb-ft/ton
Calculated
Estimated range
611km380mi
Calculated
-
Displacement
2,979cc182cu in
3,201cc195cu in
Length
4,244mm167in
4,025mm158in
Width
1,790mm70in
1,740mm69in
Height
1,284mm51in
1,266mm50in
Wheelbase
2,496mm98in
2,458mm97in
Front track
1,511mm59in
1,422mm56in
Rear track
1,537mm61in
1,492mm59in
Max trunk volume-
165L
Doors
2
2
Seats
2
2
Fuel tank
55L
51L
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 Z4 (E89) 35isBMW Z3 M (E36/7) 3.2PowerTorque
  • BMW Z4 (E89) 35is: Power / Torque
  • BMW Z3 M (E36/7) 3.2: Power / Torque
Dyno simulation data table
VehiclePeak power RPMPeak torque RPMMax engine speed
BMWZ4 (E89)35is5,900 rpm1,500-4,500 rpm6,150 rpm
BMWZ3 M (E36/7)3.27,400 rpm3,250 rpm7,650 rpm

Acceleration curve

Estimated speed over time for selected vehicles.

Acceleration and drag-race table
MetricBMWZ4 (E89)35isBMWZ3 M (E36/7)3.2
Acceleration checkpoints
0-60 mph
0-97 km/h
4.6 s
4.8 s
0-100 km/h
0-62 mph
4.8 s
5.0 s
0-200 km/h
0-124 mph
16.0 s
16.2 s
Top speed
Unrestricted
270 km/h168 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph
Likely limited
Unrestricted
270 km/h168 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph
Likely limited
Drag race simulation
60 ft
18 m
2.2 s
2.2 s
330 ft
101 m
5.6 s
5.8 s
1/8 mile
201 m
8.4 s
8.6 s
1000 ft
305 m
10.9 s
11.0 s
1/4 mile
402 m
12.9 s
13.0 s
Trap speed
1/4 mile
402 m
181 km/h
113 mph
181 km/h
112 mph

Power comparison

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

Chart data table
VehicleValue
BMWZ4 (E89)35is
340 hp
254 kW
BMWZ3 M (E36/7)3.2
321 hp
239 kW

BMW Z4 (E89) 35is has 19 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 Z4 (E89) 35is: 19 hp (14 kW).

Torque comparison

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

Chart data table
VehicleValue
BMWZ4 (E89)35is
450 Nm
332 lb-ft
BMWZ3 M (E36/7)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 (E89)35is
1,600 kg
3,527 lb
BMWZ3 M (E36/7)3.2
1,360 kg
2,998 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 (E89)35is
Unrestricted
270 km/h168 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph
BMWZ3 M (E36/7)3.2
Unrestricted
270 km/h168 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 (E89)35is4.8 s
BMWZ3 M (E36/7)3.25.0 s

The biggest 0-100 km/h difference is between BMW Z4 (E89) 35is 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
BMWZ4 (E89)35is
213 hp/t
158 kW/t
4.7 kg/hp
BMWZ3 M (E36/7)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 (E89)35is
340 hp
254 kW
4.8 s
Unrestricted
270 km/h168 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph
BMWZ3 M (E36/7)3.2
321 hp
239 kW
5.0 s
Unrestricted
270 km/h168 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 (E89)35is
Power
340 hp
254 kW
0-100 km/h4.8 s
Top speed
Unrestricted
270 km/h168 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph
Doors/seats
2 doors
2 seats
Trunk-
Length
4,244 mm
167.1 in
Height
1,284 mm
50.6 in
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

Detailed score breakdown

Detailed score breakdown
VehicleBMWZ4 (E89)35isBMWZ3 M (E36/7)3.2
Power
340 hp
254 kW
321 hp
239 kW
Torque
450 Nm
332 lb-ft
350 Nm
258 lb-ft
Acceleration
4.8 s
5.0 s
Top speed
Unrestricted
270 km/h168 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph
Unrestricted
270 km/h168 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph
Lightness
1,600 kg
3,527 lb
1,360 kg
2,998 lb
Fuel consumption
9.0 L/100 km
26.1 mpg US
31.4 mpg UK
-
Practicality
Doors/seats
2 doors
2 seats
Trunk-
Length
4,244 mm
167.1 in
Height
1,284 mm
50.6 in
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
Range score
611 km
380 mi
-
CO2 score
210 g/km
-
Trunk score
-
165 L
5.8 cu ft
Power-to-weight score
213 hp/t
158 kW/t
4.7 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 (E89) 35is
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 Z4 (E89) 35is

  • Has 19 hp more
  • Has 100 Nm more
  • Is 0.2 s quicker from 0-100 km/h

Pros

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

Cons

  • Heaviest

BMW Z3 M (E36/7) 3.2

  • Is 240 kg lighter
  • Has 24 hp/t better power-to-weight

Pros

  • Lightest
  • Best power-to-weight ratio

Cons

  • Slowest 0-100 km/h
  • Lowest power

Choose cars to compare

Brand
Model
Generation
Engine or modification
BMW Z4 (E89) 35is
BMW Z3 M (E36/7) 3.2
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