Car comparison

Alpina B3 Touring (E46) 3.3 i 24VvsBMW 5 Series Touring (E39) · Facelift 2000 540i V8

Compare specs, acceleration, fuel consumption, dimensions, practicality, and estimated running costs side by side.

New comparison

Alpina B3 Touring (E46)

3.3 i 24V

280 hp3300 ccGasolineRWDManualNaturally aspiratedWagon / estate2000-2006

BMW 5 Series Touring (E39) · Facelift 2000

540i V8

286 hp4398 ccGasolineRWDAutomaticNaturally aspiratedWagon / estate2000-2004

Comparison overview

Use the estimates as comparison hints and verify exact figures before making decisions.

Alpina B3 Touring (E46) 3.3 i 24V

Quickest 0-100 km/h
6.1 s
Fastest top speed
262 km/h
163 mph
Lightest
1,620 kg
3,571 lb
Best power-to-weight
173 hp/t
129 kW/t
5.8 kg/hp
Lowest combined fuel consumption
11.0 L/100 km
21.4 mpg US
25.7 mpg UK
Lowest city consumption
16.1 L/100 km
14.6 mpg US
17.5 mpg UK
Lowest highway consumption
7.8 L/100 km
30.2 mpg US
36.2 mpg UK
Best estimated range
573 km
356 mi
Largest trunk
435 L
Best economy score
77/100
Best practicality score
81/100

BMW 5 Series Touring (E39) Facelift 2000 540i V8

Most powerful
286 hp
213 kW
Highest torque
440 Nm
325 lb-ft
Best overall score
68/100
Best performance score
62/100

Specification comparison

Specification comparison
Model	AlpinaB3 Touring (E46)3.3 i 24V	BMW5 Series Touring (E39)Facelift 2000540i V8
Power	280hp209kW	286hp213kW
Torque	335Nm247lb-ft	440Nm325lb-ft
Curb weight	1,620kg3,571lb	1,790kg3,946lb
Gross weight	-	2,310kg5,093lb
Top speed	262 km/h 163 mph	Unrestricted 260 km/h162 mph Restricted 250 km/h155 mph Calculated
To 99% top speed	64.3s99% target: 259 km/h / 161 mph Calculated	71.2s99% target: 257 km/h / 160 mph Calculated
0-100 km/h	6.1s	6.7s
0-200 km/h	19.2s Calculated	21.4s Calculated
0-60 mph	5.8s Calculated	6.4s Calculated
Fuel consumption	11L/100 km21.4mpg US25.7mpg UK	12.3L/100 km19.1mpg US23.0mpg UK
Fuel consumption city	16.1L/100 km14.6mpg US17.5mpg UK	18.2L/100 km12.9mpg US15.5mpg UK
Fuel consumption highway	7.8L/100 km30.2mpg US36.2mpg UK	8.9L/100 km26.4mpg US31.7mpg UK
Quarter mile	14.1s Calculated	14.6s Calculated
Power-to-weight	173hp/t129kW/t78hp/1000 lb Calculated	160hp/t119kW/t72hp/1000 lb Calculated
Torque-to-weight	207Nm/t138lb-ft/ton Calculated	246Nm/t164lb-ft/ton Calculated
Estimated range	573km356mi Calculated	569km354mi Calculated
Displacement	3,300cc201cu in	4,398cc268cu in
Length	4,478mm176in	4,805mm189in
Width	1,739mm68in	1,800mm71in
Height	1,409mm55in	1,445mm57in
Wheelbase	2,725mm107in	2,830mm111in
Front track	1,471mm58in	1,516mm60in
Rear track	1,481mm58in	1,527mm60in
Ground clearance	-	120mm5in
Trunk volume	435L	410L
Max trunk volume	1,345L	1,525L
Doors	5	5
Seats	5	5
Fuel tank	63L	70L

Performance charts

Use the estimates as comparison hints and verify exact figures before making decisions.

Dyno simulation

Estimated stock-style power and torque curves by engine speed.

Alpina B3 Touring (E46) 3.3 i 24VBMW 5 Series Touring (E39) Facelift 2000 540i V8PowerTorque

Dyno simulation data table
Vehicle	Peak power RPM	Peak torque RPM	Max engine speed
AlpinaB3 Touring (E46)3.3 i 24V	6,200 rpm	4,500 rpm	6,450 rpm
BMW5 Series Touring (E39)Facelift 2000540i V8	5,400 rpm	3,600 rpm	5,650 rpm

Acceleration curve

Estimated speed over time for selected vehicles.

Acceleration and drag-race table
Metric	AlpinaB3 Touring (E46)3.3 i 24V	BMW5 Series Touring (E39)Facelift 2000540i V8
	Acceleration checkpoints
0-60 mph 0-97 km/h	5.8 s	6.4 s
0-100 km/h 0-62 mph	6.1 s	6.7 s
0-200 km/h 0-124 mph	19.2 s	21.4 s
Top speed	262 km/h 163 mph	Unrestricted 260 km/h162 mph Restricted 250 km/h155 mph Likely limited
	Drag race simulation
60 ft 18 m	2.5 s	2.6 s
330 ft 101 m	6.4 s	6.6 s
1/8 mile 201 m	9.4 s	9.8 s
1000 ft 305 m	11.9 s	12.4 s
1/4 mile 402 m	14.1 s	14.6 s
Trap speed 1/4 mile 402 m	172 km/h 107 mph	166 km/h 103 mph

Power comparison

Bar comparison chart for Power. Higher is better · hp / kW

Chart data table
Vehicle	Value
AlpinaB3 Touring (E46)3.3 i 24V	280 hp 209 kW
BMW5 Series Touring (E39)Facelift 2000540i V8	286 hp 213 kW

BMW 5 Series Touring (E39) Facelift 2000 540i V8 has 6 hp more than Alpina B3 Touring (E46) 3.3 i 24V.

The biggest power difference is between Alpina B3 Touring (E46) 3.3 i 24V and BMW 5 Series Touring (E39) Facelift 2000 540i V8: 6 hp (4 kW).

Torque comparison

Bar comparison chart for Torque. Higher is better · Nm / lb-ft

Chart data table
Vehicle	Value
AlpinaB3 Touring (E46)3.3 i 24V	335 Nm 247 lb-ft
BMW5 Series Touring (E39)Facelift 2000540i V8	440 Nm 325 lb-ft

Curb weight comparison

Bar comparison chart for Curb weight. Lower is better · kg / lb

Chart data table
Vehicle	Value
AlpinaB3 Touring (E46)3.3 i 24V	1,620 kg 3,571 lb
BMW5 Series Touring (E39)Facelift 2000540i V8	1,790 kg 3,946 lb

Top speed without limiter comparison

Bar comparison chart for Top speed without limiter. Higher is better · km/h / mph

Chart data table
Vehicle	Value
AlpinaB3 Touring (E46)3.3 i 24V	262 km/h 163 mph
BMW5 Series Touring (E39)Facelift 2000540i V8	Unrestricted 260 km/h162 mph Restricted 250 km/h155 mph

0-100 km/h comparison

Bar comparison chart for 0-100 km/h. Lower is better · seconds

Chart data table
Vehicle	Value
AlpinaB3 Touring (E46)3.3 i 24V	6.1 s
BMW5 Series Touring (E39)Facelift 2000540i V8	6.7 s

Although BMW 5 Series Touring (E39) Facelift 2000 540i V8 has more power, Alpina B3 Touring (E46) 3.3 i 24V is quicker from 0-100 km/h.

The biggest 0-100 km/h difference is between Alpina B3 Touring (E46) 3.3 i 24V and BMW 5 Series Touring (E39) Facelift 2000 540i V8: 0.6 s.

Fuel consumption comparison

Bar comparison chart for Fuel consumption. Lower is better · L/100 km / mpg US / mpg UK

Chart data table
Vehicle	Value
AlpinaB3 Touring (E46)3.3 i 24V	11.0 L/100 km 21.4 mpg US 25.7 mpg UK
BMW5 Series Touring (E39)Facelift 2000540i V8	12.3 L/100 km 19.1 mpg US 23.0 mpg UK

The biggest fuel consumption difference is between Alpina B3 Touring (E46) 3.3 i 24V and BMW 5 Series Touring (E39) Facelift 2000 540i V8: 1.3 L/100 km.

Power-to-weight comparison

Bar comparison chart for Power-to-weight. Higher is better · hp/t / kW/t

Chart data table
Vehicle	Value
AlpinaB3 Touring (E46)3.3 i 24V	173 hp/t 129 kW/t 5.8 kg/hp
BMW5 Series Touring (E39)Facelift 2000540i V8	160 hp/t 119 kW/t 6.3 kg/hp

Estimated range comparison

Bar comparison chart for Estimated range. Higher is better · km / mi

Chart data table
Vehicle	Value
AlpinaB3 Touring (E46)3.3 i 24V	573 km 356 mi
BMW5 Series Touring (E39)Facelift 2000540i V8	569 km 354 mi

Performance spider chart

Radar chart comparing normalized performance and fuel-consumption scores.

Chart data table
Vehicle	Power	Acceleration	Top speed
AlpinaB3 Touring (E46)3.3 i 24V	280 hp 209 kW	6.1 s	262 km/h 163 mph
BMW5 Series Touring (E39)Facelift 2000540i V8	286 hp 213 kW	6.7 s	Unrestricted 260 km/h162 mph Restricted 250 km/h155 mph

Most attractive quadrant

Scatter chart with performance score on the X axis and practicality score on the Y axis.

Vehicle

Performance score

Practicality score

AlpinaB3 Touring (E46)3.3 i 24V

Power	280 hp 209 kW
0-100 km/h	6.1 s
Top speed 262 km/h 163 mph

Doors/seats	5 doors 5 seats
Trunk	435 L 15.4 cu ft
Length	4,478 mm 176.3 in
Height	1,409 mm 55.5 in

BMW5 Series Touring (E39)Facelift 2000540i V8

Power	286 hp 213 kW
0-100 km/h	6.7 s
Top speed Unrestricted 260 km/h162 mph Restricted 250 km/h155 mph

Doors/seats	5 doors 5 seats
Trunk	410 L 14.5 cu ft
Length	4,805 mm 189.2 in
Height	1,445 mm 56.9 in

Performance vs fuel economy

Cars closer to the top-right corner combine stronger performance with better fuel economy scores.

Vehicle

Performance score

Fuel economy score

AlpinaB3 Touring (E46)3.3 i 24V

Power	280 hp 209 kW
0-100 km/h	6.1 s
Top speed 262 km/h 163 mph

11.0 L/100 km

21.4 mpg US

25.7 mpg UK

BMW5 Series Touring (E39)Facelift 2000540i V8

Power	286 hp 213 kW
0-100 km/h	6.7 s
Top speed Unrestricted 260 km/h162 mph Restricted 250 km/h155 mph

12.3 L/100 km

19.1 mpg US

23.0 mpg UK

Alpina B3 Touring (E46) 3.3 i 24V is closest to the top-right balance target for performance and fuel economy.

Acceleration vs fuel consumption

Cars closer to the lower-left corner offer a better mix of quick acceleration and low fuel consumption.

Acceleration vs fuel consumption data table
Vehicle	Fuel consumption, L/100 km	0-100 km/h, s
AlpinaB3 Touring (E46)3.3 i 24V	11.0 L/100 km 21.4 mpg US 25.7 mpg UK	6.1 s
BMW5 Series Touring (E39)Facelift 2000540i V8	12.3 L/100 km 19.1 mpg US 23.0 mpg UK	6.7 s

Power-to-weight vs fuel consumption

The shaded area favors higher power-to-weight with lower combined fuel consumption.

Power-to-weight vs fuel consumption data table
Vehicle	Power-to-weight, hp/t	Fuel consumption, L/100 km
AlpinaB3 Touring (E46)3.3 i 24V	173 hp/t 129 kW/t 5.8 kg/hp	11.0 L/100 km 21.4 mpg US 25.7 mpg UK
BMW5 Series Touring (E39)Facelift 2000540i V8	160 hp/t 119 kW/t 6.3 kg/hp	12.3 L/100 km 19.1 mpg US 23.0 mpg UK

Detailed score breakdown

Vehicle

AlpinaB3 Touring (E46)3.3 i 24V

BMW5 Series Touring (E39)Facelift 2000540i V8

Power

280 hp

209 kW

286 hp

213 kW

Torque

335 Nm

247 lb-ft

440 Nm

325 lb-ft

Acceleration

6.1 s

6.7 s

Top speed

262 km/h

163 mph

Unrestricted

260 km/h162 mph

Restricted

250 km/h155 mph

Lightness

1,620 kg

3,571 lb

1,790 kg

3,946 lb

Fuel consumption

11.0 L/100 km

21.4 mpg US

25.7 mpg UK

12.3 L/100 km

19.1 mpg US

23.0 mpg UK

Practicality

Doors/seats	5 doors 5 seats
Trunk	435 L 15.4 cu ft
Length	4,478 mm 176.3 in
Height	1,409 mm 55.5 in

Doors/seats	5 doors 5 seats
Trunk	410 L 14.5 cu ft
Length	4,805 mm 189.2 in
Height	1,445 mm 56.9 in

Range score

573 km

356 mi

569 km

354 mi

Trunk score

435 L

15.4 cu ft

410 L

14.5 cu ft

Power-to-weight score

173 hp/t

129 kW/t

5.8 kg/hp

160 hp/t

119 kW/t

6.3 kg/hp

Overall

Fixed score

Fuel cost and annual usage

Estimate running costs from combined consumption, your annual distance, and the fuel price in your local currency.

Average annual distanceDistance unitFuel price in your local currencyPrice unit

Enter the fuel price in your local currency, for example €/L, $/gal, £/L or any other local currency.

LC = Local Currency

Fuel cost and annual usage
Vehicle	Alpina B3 Touring (E46) 3.3 i 24V	BMW 5 Series Touring (E39) Facelift 2000 540i V8
Consumption	11 L/100 km21.4 mpg US25.7 mpg UK	12.3 L/100 km19.1 mpg US23 mpg UK
Cost / 100 km	19.25 LC100 km	21.53 LC100 km
Cost / 100 mi	30.98 LC100 mi	34.64 LC100 mi
Annual fuel used	1,650 L436 US gal363 UK gal	1,845 L487 US gal406 UK gal
Annual fuel cost	2,888 LC/year	3,229 LC/year