1983 BMW 316 vs. 1995 Caterham 21
To start off, 1995 Caterham 21 is newer by 12 year(s). Which means there will be less support and parts availability for 1983 BMW 316. In addition, the cost of maintenance, including insurance, on 1983 BMW 316 would be higher. At 1,765 cc (4 cylinders), 1983 BMW 316 is equipped with a bigger engine. In terms of performance, 1995 Caterham 21 (138 HP @ 7000 RPM) has 50 more horse power than 1983 BMW 316. (88 HP @ 5500 RPM) In normal driving conditions, 1995 Caterham 21 should accelerate faster than 1983 BMW 316. With that said, vehicle weight also plays an important factor in acceleration. 1983 BMW 316 weights approximately 342 kg more than 1995 Caterham 21.
Both vehicles are rear wheel drive (RWD) - it offers better handling in dry conditions; in addition, if you are looking to drift, both vehicles do the job better than front wheel drive vehicles. With that said, do keep in mind that many other factors such as speed and the wear on your tires can also have significant impact on traction and control. Let's talk about torque, 1995 Caterham 21 (156 Nm @ 5000 RPM) has 16 more torque (in Nm) than 1983 BMW 316. (140 Nm @ 4000 RPM). This means 1995 Caterham 21 will have an easier job in driving up hills or pulling heavy equipment than 1983 BMW 316. 1983 BMW 316 has automatic transmission and 1995 Caterham 21 has manual transmission. 1995 Caterham 21 will offer better control over acceleration and deceleration in addition to better fuel efficiency overall. 1983 BMW 316 will be easier to drive especially in heavy traffic.
Compare all specifications:
1983 BMW 316 | 1995 Caterham 21 | |
Make | BMW | Caterham |
Model | 316 | 21 |
Year Released | 1983 | 1995 |
Engine Position | Front | Front |
Engine Size | 1765 cc | 1588 cc |
Engine Cylinders | 4 cylinders | 4 cylinders |
Engine Type | in-line | in-line |
Horse Power | 88 HP | 138 HP |
Engine RPM | 5500 RPM | 7000 RPM |
Torque | 140 Nm | 156 Nm |
Torque RPM | 4000 RPM | 5000 RPM |
Engine Bore Size | 89 mm | 80 mm |
Engine Stroke Size | 71 mm | 79 mm |
Engine Compression Ratio | 9.5:1 | 10.5:1 |
Top Speed | 171 km/hour | 211 km/hour |
Drive Type | Rear | Rear |
Transmission Type | Automatic | Manual |
Number of Seats | 5 seats | 2 seats |
Number of Doors | 2 doors | 2 doors |
Vehicle Weight | 990 kg | 648 kg |
Vehicle Length | 4330 mm | 3810 mm |
Vehicle Width | 1650 mm | 1590 mm |
Vehicle Height | 1390 mm | 1070 mm |
Wheelbase Size | 2630 mm | 2260 mm |
Fuel Tank Capacity | 55 L | 54 L |