Car comparison

BMW Z3 M (E36/7) 3.2vsBMW Z4 (G29) M40i

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

New comparison

BMW Z3 M (E36/7)

3.2

321 hp3201 ccGasolineRWDManualNaturally aspiratedRoadster1997-2003
VS

BMW Z4 (G29)

M40i

340 hp2998 ccGasolineAWDAutomaticTurbochargedRoadster2018-2022

Comparison overview

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

Best choices

BMW Z4 (G29) M40i

  • Quickest 0-100 km/h
    4.5 s
  • Most powerful
    340 hp
    254 kW
  • Highest torque
    500 Nm
    369 lb-ft
  • Lowest city consumption
    9.2 L/100 km
    25.6 mpg US
    30.7 mpg UK
  • Lowest highway consumption
    6.3 L/100 km
    37.3 mpg US
    44.8 mpg UK
  • Largest trunk
    281 L
  • Best overall score
    60/100
  • Best performance score
    73/100
  • Best economy score
    87/100
  • 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
  • Lightest
    1,360 kg
    2,998 lb
  • Best power-to-weight
    236 hp/t
    176 kW/t
    4.2 kg/hp

Specification comparison

Specification comparison
ModelBMWZ3 M (E36/7)3.2BMWZ4 (G29)M40i
Power
321hp239kW
340hp254kW
Torque
350Nm258lb-ft
500Nm369lb-ft
Curb weight
1,360kg2,998lb
1,535kg3,384lb
Gross weight
1,600kg3,527lb
1,860kg4,101lb
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
62.0s99% target: 267 km/h / 166 mph
Calculated
57.6s99% target: 262 km/h / 163 mph
Calculated
0-100 km/h
5.0s
4.5s
0-200 km/h
16.2s
Calculated
15.2s
Calculated
0-60 mph
4.8s
Calculated
4.3s
Calculated
Fuel consumption-
7.4L/100 km31.8mpg US38.2mpg UK
Fuel consumption city
16.6L/100 km14.2mpg US17.0mpg UK
9.2L/100 km25.6mpg US30.7mpg UK
Fuel consumption highway
7.9L/100 km29.8mpg US35.8mpg UK
6.3L/100 km37.3mpg US44.8mpg UK
Quarter mile
13.0s
Calculated
12.6s
Calculated
Power-to-weight
236hp/t176kW/t107hp/1000 lb
Calculated
221hp/t165kW/t100hp/1000 lb
Calculated
Torque-to-weight
257Nm/t172lb-ft/ton
Calculated
326Nm/t218lb-ft/ton
Calculated
Estimated range-
703km437mi
Calculated
Displacement
3,201cc195cu in
2,998cc183cu in
Length
4,025mm158in
4,324mm170in
Width
1,740mm69in
1,864mm73in
Height
1,266mm50in
1,304mm51in
Wheelbase
2,458mm97in
2,470mm97in
Front track
1,422mm56in
1,594mm63in
Rear track
1,492mm59in
1,589mm63in
Ground clearance-
114mm4in
Trunk volume-
281L
Max trunk volume
165L
-
Doors
2
2
Seats
2
2
Fuel tank
51L
52L
CO2 emissions-
168g/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 (G29) M40iPowerTorque
  • BMW Z3 M (E36/7) 3.2: Power / Torque
  • BMW Z4 (G29) M40i: Power / Torque
Dyno simulation data table
VehiclePeak power RPMPeak torque RPMMax engine speed
BMWZ3 M (E36/7)3.27,400 rpm3,250 rpm7,650 rpm
BMWZ4 (G29)M40i5,000-6,500 rpm1,600-4,500 rpm6,750 rpm

Acceleration curve

Estimated speed over time for selected vehicles.

Acceleration and drag-race table
MetricBMWZ3 M (E36/7)3.2BMWZ4 (G29)M40i
Acceleration checkpoints
0-60 mph
0-97 km/h
4.8 s
4.3 s
0-100 km/h
0-62 mph
5.0 s
4.5 s
0-200 km/h
0-124 mph
16.2 s
15.2 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
2.2 s
2.1 s
330 ft
101 m
5.8 s
5.5 s
1/8 mile
201 m
8.6 s
8.2 s
1000 ft
305 m
11.0 s
10.6 s
1/4 mile
402 m
13.0 s
12.6 s
Trap speed
1/4 mile
402 m
181 km/h
112 mph
184 km/h
114 mph

Power comparison

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

Chart data table
VehicleValue
BMWZ3 M (E36/7)3.2
321 hp
239 kW
BMWZ4 (G29)M40i
340 hp
254 kW

BMW Z4 (G29) M40i 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 (G29) M40i: 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 (G29)M40i
500 Nm
369 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
1,360 kg
2,998 lb
BMWZ4 (G29)M40i
1,535 kg
3,384 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 (G29)M40i
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)3.25.0 s
BMWZ4 (G29)M40i4.5 s

The biggest 0-100 km/h difference is between BMW Z4 (G29) M40i and BMW Z3 M (E36/7) 3.2: 0.5 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
236 hp/t
176 kW/t
4.2 kg/hp
BMWZ4 (G29)M40i
221 hp/t
165 kW/t
4.5 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
321 hp
239 kW
5.0 s
Unrestricted
270 km/h168 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph
BMWZ4 (G29)M40i
340 hp
254 kW
4.5 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
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
BMWZ4 (G29)M40i
Power
340 hp
254 kW
0-100 km/h4.5 s
Top speed
Unrestricted
265 km/h165 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph
Doors/seats
2 doors
2 seats
Trunk
281 L
9.9 cu ft
Length
4,324 mm
170.2 in
Height
1,304 mm
51.3 in

Detailed score breakdown

Detailed score breakdown
VehicleBMWZ3 M (E36/7)3.2BMWZ4 (G29)M40i
Power
321 hp
239 kW
340 hp
254 kW
Torque
350 Nm
258 lb-ft
500 Nm
369 lb-ft
Acceleration
5.0 s
4.5 s
Top speed
Unrestricted
270 km/h168 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph
Unrestricted
265 km/h165 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph
Lightness
1,360 kg
2,998 lb
1,535 kg
3,384 lb
Fuel consumption
-
7.4 L/100 km
31.8 mpg US
38.2 mpg UK
Practicality
Doors/seats
2 doors
2 seats
Trunk
165 L
5.8 cu ft
Length
4,025 mm
158.5 in
Height
1,266 mm
49.8 in
Doors/seats
2 doors
2 seats
Trunk
281 L
9.9 cu ft
Length
4,324 mm
170.2 in
Height
1,304 mm
51.3 in
Range score
-
703 km
437 mi
CO2 score
-
168 g/km
Trunk score
165 L
5.8 cu ft
281 L
9.9 cu ft
Power-to-weight score
236 hp/t
176 kW/t
4.2 kg/hp
221 hp/t
165 kW/t
4.5 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 (G29) M40i
Consumption7.4 L/100 km31.8 mpg US38.2 mpg UK
Cost / 100 km12.95 LC100 km
Cost / 100 mi20.84 LC100 mi
Annual fuel used1,110 L293 US gal244 UK gal
Annual fuel cost1,943 LC/year

Head-to-head comparisons

BMW Z3 M (E36/7) 3.2

  • Is 175 kg lighter
  • Has 5 km/h (3 mph) higher top speed
  • Has 15 hp/t better power-to-weight

Pros

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

Cons

  • Slowest 0-100 km/h
  • Lowest power
  • Smallest trunk

BMW Z4 (G29) M40i

  • Has 19 hp more
  • Has 150 Nm more
  • Is 0.5 s quicker from 0-100 km/h
  • Has 116 L more trunk volume

Pros

  • Quickest 0-100 km/h in this comparison
  • Most powerful
  • Highest torque
  • Largest trunk

Cons

  • Heaviest
  • Lowest top speed

Choose cars to compare

Brand
Model
Generation
Engine or modification
BMW Z3 M (E36/7) 3.2
BMW Z4 (G29) M40i
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2 vehicles selected

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