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BMW 3 Series Saloon vs Ferrari 296 Roadster comparison

Compare performance (530 HP vs 880 HP), boot space and price (39,900 £ vs 396,000 £ ) at a glance. Find out which car is the better choice for you – BMW 3 Series Saloon or Ferrari 296 Roadster?

BMW 3 Series Saloon vs Ferrari 296 Roadster: Key differences

BMW 3 Series Saloon

  • substantially cheaper
  • significantly more efficient
  • considerably more electric range
  • a bit lighter
details

Ferrari 296 Roadster

  • clearly more power
  • visibly quicker 0–100 km/h
details

By Achim Sedelmaier

Here’s where it gets real: The technical differences in detail

3 Series Saloon

Costs and Efficiency:

Looking at overall running costs, both models reveal some interesting differences in everyday economy.

BMW 3 Series Saloon is substantially cheaper – starting at 39,900 £ , while the Ferrari 296 Roadster costs 396,000 £ . That’s a price difference of around 356,058 £.

Fuel consumption also shows a difference: the BMW 3 Series Saloon uses 2.4 L/100km and is significantly more efficient than the Ferrari 296 Roadster with 8.9 L/100km. The difference is about 6.5 L/100km.

As for electric range, the BMW 3 Series Saloon offers considerably more range – reaching up to 101 km, about 86 km more than the Ferrari 296 Roadster.

296 Roadster

Engine and Performance:

Power, torque and acceleration are the classic benchmarks for car enthusiasts – and here, some clear differences start to show.

When it comes to engine power, the Ferrari 296 Roadster offers clearly more power – delivering 880 HP compared to 530 HP. That’s roughly 350 HP more horsepower.

When accelerating from 0 to 100 km/h, the Ferrari 296 Roadster is visibly quicker – completing the sprint in 2.8 s, while the BMW 3 Series Saloon takes 3.5 s. That’s about 0.7 s quicker.

There’s also a difference in torque: the Ferrari 296 Roadster delivers very slightly more torque with 755 Nm compared to 700 Nm. That’s about 55 Nm more.

3 Series Saloon

Space and Everyday Use:

Beyond pure performance, interior space and usability matter most in daily life. This is where you see which car is more practical and versatile.

Seats: BMW 3 Series Saloon offers more seats – 5 vs 2.

In terms of curb weight, BMW 3 Series Saloon is a bit lighter – 1,575 kg compared to 1,760 kg. The difference is around 185 kg.

When it comes to payload, the BMW 3 Series Saloon carries clearly more – 495 kg compared to 220 kg. That’s a difference of about 275 kg.

Who wins the race in the data check?

The BMW 3 Series Saloon is decisively ahead in the objective data comparison.
This result only shows which model scores more points on paper – not which of the two cars feels right for you.

from £39,900
3 Series Saloon

BMW 3 Series Saloon

  • Engine Type Diesel MHEV, Petrol, Petrol MHEV, Plugin Hybrid
  • Transmission Automatic, Manuel
  • Drive Type Rear-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive
  • Power HP 150 - 530 HP
  • Consumption L/100km 2.4 - 10.1 L/100km
  • Electric Range 96 - 101 km
BMW 3 Series Saloon
Ferrari 296 Roadster

Costs and Consumption

View detailed analysis

Engine and Performance

View detailed analysis

Dimensions and Body

View detailed analysis

BMW 3 Series Saloon

The BMW 3 Series saloon is a driver's car in a suit, blending poised handling with a cabin that feels more premium than its practicality suggests. It’s composed enough for daily duties yet playful enough to keep weekend drives interesting, making it a sensible choice for buyers who still want to have fun.

details

Ferrari 296 Roadster

The Ferrari 296 GTS marries dramatic mid‑engine styling with razor‑sharp handling and a soundtrack that insists you drive it like you stole it. With the roof down it becomes an intoxicating open‑top thoroughbred that somehow also manages to be surprisingly usable day to day — a gorgeous, grin‑inducing reminder of why people fall for Ferraris.

details
BMW 3 Series Saloon
Ferrari 296 Roadster

Costs and Consumption

Price
39,900 - 92,200 £
Price
396,000 £
Consumption L/100km
2.4 - 10.1 L/100km
Consumption L/100km
8.9 L/100km
Consumption kWh/100km
-
Consumption kWh/100km
-
Electric Range
96 - 101 km
Electric Range
15 km
Battery Capacity
-
Battery Capacity
-
co2
54 - 227 g/km
co2
218 g/km
Fuel tank capacity
-
Fuel tank capacity
-

Dimensions and Body

Body Type
Sedan
Body Type
Roadster
Seats
5
Seats
2
Doors
-
Doors
-
Curb weight
1,575 - 1,960 kg
Curb weight
1,760 kg
Trunk capacity
375 - 480 L
Trunk capacity
-
Length
-
Length
-
Width
1,827 - 1,903 mm
Width
1,958 mm
Height
-
Height
-
Max trunk capacity
-
Max trunk capacity
-
Payload
405 - 495 kg
Payload
220 kg

Engine and Performance

Engine Type
Diesel MHEV, Petrol, Petrol MHEV, Plugin Hybrid
Engine Type
Plugin Hybrid
Transmission
Automatic, Manuel
Transmission
Automatic
Transmission Detail
Automatic Gearbox, Manual Gearbox
Transmission Detail
Dual-Clutch Automatic
Drive Type
Rear-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive
Drive Type
Rear-Wheel Drive
Power HP
150 - 530 HP
Power HP
880 HP
Acceleration 0-100km/h
3.5 - 8.6 s
Acceleration 0-100km/h
2.8 s
Max Speed
-
Max Speed
-
Torque
250 - 700 Nm
Torque
755 Nm
Number of Cylinders
4 - 6
Number of Cylinders
6
Power kW
110 - 390 kW
Power kW
648 kW
Engine capacity
1,995 - 2,998 cm3
Engine capacity
2,992 cm3

General

Model Year
2,024 - 2,025
Model Year
2026
CO2 Efficiency Class
D, E, F, G, B
CO2 Efficiency Class
G
Brand
BMW
Brand
Ferrari
DriveDuel uses data analysis and artificial intelligence to evaluate vehicle data and create content. Content is regularly reviewed and improved. The displayed prices are estimates based on German list prices, adjusted to the respective country’s VAT. Country-specific registration taxes are not included. This information is not legally binding.