BMW M3 E46 or Mazda RX-8 SE3P?

2000–2006 vs 2003–2012 · Coupe/Convertible vs Coupe

In short

Length: M3 E46 4,492 mm, RX-8 SE3P 4,435 mm — a 6 cm difference.
Boot: M3 E46 410 l, RX-8 SE3P 290 l.
Lowest consumption: M3 E46 11.9 l/100 km, RX-8 SE3P 11.2 l/100 km.
Power: M3 E46 245–265 kW, RX-8 SE3P 141–184 kW.
Standard equipment: M3 E46 27 items (Standard), RX-8 SE3P 31 items (Challenge).
On Autodrom: RX-8 SE3P from €7,200 (1 listing); no M3 E46 is listed right now.

BMW M3 E462000–2006 · 6 engines · Standard, Individual, Competition Package, CSLSpecifications →Listings →

Mazda RX-8 SE3P2003–2012 · 5 engines · Challenge, Revolution, Renesis, R3Specifications →1 listing from €7,200 →

Only differences

better value

	BMW M3 E462000–2006no listings	Mazda RX-8 SE3P2003–20121 listing · from €7,200
Dimensions
Length	Length4,492 mm	Length4,430 mm–4,435 mm
Width	Width1,780 mm	Width1,770 mm
Height	Height1,365 mm–1,372 mm	Height1,340 mm
Wheelbase	Wheelbase2,731 mm	Wheelbase2,700 mm
Ground clearance	Ground clearance110 mm–120 mm	Ground clearance125 mm–130 mm
Trunk volume	Trunk volume300 l–410 l	Trunk volume290 l
Curb weight	Curb weight1,385 kg–1,690 kg	Curb weight1,310 kg–1,390 kg
Fuel tank	Fuel tank63 l	Fuel tank61 l–65 l
Engines
Production years	Production years2000–2006	Production years2003–2012
Body type	Body typeCoupe, Convertible	Body typeCoupe
Number of engines	Number of engines6	Number of engines5
Power	Power245–265 kW (333–360 hp)	Power141–184 kW (192–250 hp)
Displacement (l)	Displacement (l)3.2	Displacement (l)1.3
Fuel	FuelPetrol	FuelPetrol
Gearbox	GearboxManual, Automatic	GearboxManual, Automatic
Drivetrain	DrivetrainRear-wheel	DrivetrainRear-wheel
Lowest consumption	Lowest consumption11.9 l/100 km · 3.2 CSL	Lowest consumption11.2 l/100 km · 1.3 Renesis 250 Type S
Best 0–100 km/h	Best 0–100 km/h4.9 s · 3.2 CSL	Best 0–100 km/h6.2 s · 1.3 Renesis 250 Type S
Top speed	Top speed250 km/h	Top speed235 km/h
Trim levelsStandard · Challenge
Items in the base trim	Items in the base trim27 · Standard	Items in the base trim31 · Challenge
Items in the top trim	Items in the top trim36 · Individual	Items in the top trim37 · Revolution
Equipment · Comfort8 · 6
Climate Control, 1-zone	Climate Control, 1-zone—	Climate Control, 1-zone✓
Climate Control, 2-zone	Climate Control, 2-zone✓	Climate Control, 2-zone—
Rear Air Vents	Rear Air Vents✓	Rear Air Vents—
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✓
Multifunction Steering Wheel	Multifunction Steering Wheel✓	Multifunction Steering Wheel✓
Power-adjustable mirrors	Power-adjustable mirrors✓	Power-adjustable mirrors✓
Sport suspension	Sport suspension✓	Sport suspension—
Equipment · Interior3 · 7
Black Interior	Black Interior—	Black Interior✓
Fabric	Fabric—	Fabric✓
4 Seats	4 Seats—	4 Seats✓
Sport Seats	Sport Seats✓	Sport Seats✓
Leather Steering Wheel	Leather Steering Wheel✓	Leather Steering Wheel✓
Leather Gear Knob	Leather Gear Knob—	Leather Gear Knob✓
Front centre armrest	Front centre armrest✓	Front centre armrest✓
Equipment · Multimedia0 · 3
Audio System	Audio System—	Audio System✓
12V Socket	12V Socket—	12V Socket✓
AUX input	AUX input—	AUX input✓
Equipment · Visibility & lights3 · 1
Xenon/Bi-xenon Headlights	Xenon/Bi-xenon Headlights✓	Xenon/Bi-xenon Headlights—
Fog Lights	Fog Lights✓	Fog Lights✓
Rain Sensor	Rain Sensor✓	Rain Sensor—
Equipment · Safety7 · 8
Driver's Airbag	Driver's Airbag✓	Driver's Airbag✓
Front Passenger Airbag	Front Passenger Airbag✓	Front Passenger Airbag✓
Front Side Airbags	Front Side Airbags✓	Front Side Airbags✓
Curtain Airbags	Curtain Airbags—	Curtain Airbags✓
Traction Control	Traction Control✓	Traction Control✓
Brake assist (BAS)	Brake assist (BAS)✓	Brake assist (BAS)✓
ABS	ABS✓	ABS✓
Electronic Stability Control (ESP)	Electronic Stability Control (ESP)✓	Electronic Stability Control (ESP)✓
Equipment · Anti-theft3 · 3
Alarm	Alarm✓	Alarm✓
Central Locking	Central Locking✓	Central Locking✓
Immobilizer	Immobilizer✓	Immobilizer✓
Equipment · Exterior3 · 3
Alloy Wheels	Alloy Wheels✓	Alloy Wheels✓
R16 Wheels	R16 Wheels—	R16 Wheels✓
R18 Wheels	R18 Wheels✓	R18 Wheels—
Compact spare wheel	Compact spare wheel✓	Compact spare wheel✓
On Autodrom now
Listings	Listings0	Listings1
Price from	Price fromnot specified	Price from€7,200

Frequently asked questions

Which is bigger — BMW M3 E46 or Mazda RX-8 SE3P?

Length: BMW M3 E46 4,492 mm, Mazda RX-8 SE3P 4,435 mm (a 57 mm difference). Wheelbase: 2,731 vs 2,700 mm. Boot: 410 vs 290 l.

Which uses less fuel — BMW M3 E46 or Mazda RX-8 SE3P?

The most frugal BMW M3 E46 uses 11.9 l/100 km (3.2 CSL); the most frugal Mazda RX-8 SE3P 11.2 l/100 km (1.3 Renesis 250 Type S).

Which is more powerful — BMW M3 E46 or Mazda RX-8 SE3P?

The strongest BMW M3 E46 makes 265 kW (360 hp) (3.2 CSL); the strongest Mazda RX-8 SE3P 184 kW (250 hp) (1.3 Renesis 250 Type S).

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