BMW M3 E30 or Mercedes-Benz SL R107?

1986–1991 vs 1971–1989 · Coupe/Convertible vs Convertible

In short

Length: M3 E30 4,345 mm, SL R107 4,630 mm — a 29 cm difference.
Boot: M3 E30 400 l, SL R107 260 l.
Lowest consumption: M3 E30 7.8 l/100 km, SL R107 12.8 l/100 km.
Power: M3 E30 143–175 kW, SL R107 136–177 kW.
Standard equipment: M3 E30 24 items (Standard), SL R107 22 items (Base).
Neither is listed on Autodrom right now.

BMW M3 E301986–1991 · 6 engines · Standard, Evolution, Evolution II, Sport EvolutionSpecifications →Listings →

Mercedes-Benz SL R1071971–1989 · 9 engines · Base, Final EditionSpecifications →Listings →

Only differences

better value

	BMW M3 E301986–1991no listings	Mercedes-Benz SL R1071971–1989no listings
Dimensions
Length	Length4,345 mm	Length4,390 mm–4,630 mm
Width	Width1,680 mm	Width1,790 mm
Height	Height1,370 mm	Height1,290 mm
Wheelbase	Wheelbase2,565 mm	Wheelbase2,460 mm
Ground clearance	Ground clearance115 mm–120 mm	Ground clearance130 mm
Trunk volume	Trunk volume300 l–400 l	Trunk volume260 l
Curb weight	Curb weight1,165 kg–1,300 kg	Curb weight1,520 kg–1,660 kg
Fuel tank	Fuel tank70 l	Fuel tank85 l–90 l
Engines
Production years	Production years1986–1991	Production years1971–1989
Body type	Body typeCoupe, Convertible	Body typeConvertible
Number of engines	Number of engines6	Number of engines9
Power	Power143–175 kW (194–238 hp)	Power136–177 kW (185–241 hp)
Displacement (l)	Displacement (l)2.3–2.5	Displacement (l)2.7–5.5
Fuel	FuelPetrol	FuelPetrol
Gearbox	GearboxManual	GearboxManual, Automatic
Drivetrain	DrivetrainRear-wheel	DrivetrainRear-wheel
Lowest consumption	Lowest consumption7.8 l/100 km · 2.3 Evolution II	Lowest consumption12.8 l/100 km · 300 SL
Best 0–100 km/h	Best 0–100 km/h6.5 s · 2.5 Sport Evolution	Best 0–100 km/h7.5 s · 560 SL
Top speed	Top speed248 km/h	Top speed225 km/h
Trim levelsStandard · Base
Items in the base trim	Items in the base trim24 · Standard	Items in the base trim22 · Base
Items in the top trim	Items in the top trim26 · Evolution	Items in the top trim26 · Final Edition
Equipment · Comfort6 · 5
Air Conditioning	Air Conditioning✓	Air Conditioning✓
Cruise Control	Cruise Control—	Cruise Control✓
Steering Wheel Height Adjustment	Steering Wheel Height Adjustment✓	Steering Wheel Height Adjustment—
Front Power Windows	Front Power Windows✓	Front Power Windows✓
Power Steering	Power Steering✓	Power Steering✓
Power-adjustable mirrors	Power-adjustable mirrors✓	Power-adjustable mirrors✓
Sport suspension	Sport suspension✓	Sport suspension—
Equipment · Interior6 · 5
Black Interior	Black Interior✓	Black Interior—
Fabric	Fabric✓	Fabric—
Velour	Velour—	Velour✓
Driver's Seat Height Adjustment	Driver's Seat Height Adjustment✓	Driver's Seat Height Adjustment—
2 Seats	2 Seats—	2 Seats✓
Sport Seats	Sport Seats✓	Sport Seats—
Leather Steering Wheel	Leather Steering Wheel—	Leather Steering Wheel✓
Folding Rear Seat	Folding Rear Seat✓	Folding Rear Seat—
Tinted Windows	Tinted Windows—	Tinted Windows✓
Front centre armrest	Front centre armrest✓	Front centre armrest✓
Equipment · Multimedia2 · 2
Audio System	Audio System✓	Audio System✓
12V Socket	12V Socket✓	12V Socket✓
Equipment · Visibility & lights3 · 3
Halogen Headlights	Halogen Headlights✓	Halogen Headlights✓
Heated Side Mirrors	Heated Side Mirrors✓	Heated Side Mirrors✓
Fog Lights	Fog Lights✓	Fog Lights✓
Equipment · Safety0 · 2
Driver's Airbag	Driver's Airbag—	Driver's Airbag✓
ABS	ABS—	ABS✓
Equipment · Anti-theft2 · 1
Central Locking	Central Locking✓	Central Locking✓
Immobilizer	Immobilizer✓	Immobilizer—
Equipment · Exterior5 · 4
Alloy Wheels	Alloy Wheels✓	Alloy Wheels✓
R15 Wheels	R15 Wheels✓	R15 Wheels✓
Body Kit	Body Kit✓	Body Kit—
Metallic Paint	Metallic Paint✓	Metallic Paint✓
Full-size spare wheel	Full-size spare wheel✓	Full-size spare wheel✓
On Autodrom now
Listings	Listings0	Listings0

Frequently asked questions

Which is bigger — BMW M3 E30 or Mercedes-Benz SL R107?

Length: Mercedes-Benz SL R107 4,630 mm, BMW M3 E30 4,345 mm (a 285 mm difference). Wheelbase: 2,460 vs 2,565 mm. Boot: 260 vs 400 l.

Which uses less fuel — BMW M3 E30 or Mercedes-Benz SL R107?

The most frugal BMW M3 E30 uses 7.8 l/100 km (2.3 Evolution II); the most frugal Mercedes-Benz SL R107 12.8 l/100 km (300 SL).

Which is more powerful — BMW M3 E30 or Mercedes-Benz SL R107?

The strongest BMW M3 E30 makes 175 kW (238 hp) (2.5 Sport Evolution); the strongest Mercedes-Benz SL R107 177 kW (241 hp) (500 SL).

Other comparisons

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