3 Series E30 vs 626 II (GC): which is better?
BMW 3 Series E30 (1982–1994) vs Mazda 626 II (GC) (1982–1987): specs, fuel economy, tax and common problems.
BMW 3 Series E30
Mazda 626 II (GC)Specifications
| BMW 3 Series E30 | Mazda 626 II (GC) | |
|---|---|---|
| Production years | 1982–1994 | 1982–1987 |
| Body | sedan | sedan |
| Fuel | petrol | petrol |
| Engines | 1.8 (318i) | 2.0 |
| Power, up to | 113 hp | 101 hp |
| Torque, up to | 162 Nm | — |
| Gearbox | manual | manual |
| Drive | rear-wheel drive | front-wheel drive |
| Length | 4 325 mm | — |
| Width | 1 645 mm | — |
| Height | 1 380 mm | — |
| Wheelbase | 2 570 mm | — |
| Fuel tank | 55 L | — |
| KZ tax 2026 (car under 10 years) | ≈ 15 075 ₸ | ≈ 16 475 ₸ |
The better value is highlighted in green.
Pros, cons and common problems
BMW 3 Series E30
Pros
- Sold in all major markets of the region — parts and mechanics available
Cons
- Age: the last cars were built in 1994, condition is everything
Mazda 626 II (GC)
Pros
- Sold in all major markets of the region — parts and mechanics available
Cons
- Age: the last cars were built in 1987, condition is everything
Which one to choose
- 3 Series E30 — if you care more about: power, kz tax 2026.
The condition of a specific car matters more than the model: check the service history and get the engine and gearbox inspected before buying.
FAQ
Which is more powerful: 3 Series E30 or 626 II (GC)?
3 Series E30: up to 113 hp, 626 II (GC): up to 101 hp.
What is the vehicle tax in Kazakhstan?
For 2026, for a car under 10 years old: 3 Series E30 — about 15 075 ₸, 626 II (GC) — about 16 475 ₸ (base engine). A 0.7 factor applies to cars aged 10–20 years and 0.5 to cars over 20.
Other comparisons
3 Series vs E-ClassBMW 3 Series E30 / Mercedes-Benz E-Class W1243 Series vs 190BMW 3 Series E30 / Mercedes-Benz 190 W2013 Series vs 5 SeriesBMW 3 Series E30 / BMW 5 Series E283 Series vs 100BMW 3 Series E30 / Audi 100 C3626 vs 190Mazda 626 II (GC) / Mercedes-Benz 190 W201626 vs 5 SeriesMazda 626 II (GC) / BMW 5 Series E28626 vs 100Mazda 626 II (GC) / Audi 100 C3626 vs 2107Mazda 626 II (GC) / Lada 2107