Car comparison

Alpina B3 Touring (E46) 3.3 i 24V B3SvsBMW 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 B3S

305 hp3346 ccGasolineRWDAutomaticNaturally aspiratedWagon / estate2003-2006
VS

BMW 5 Series Touring (E39) · Facelift 2000

540i V8

286 hp4398 ccGasolineRWDManualNaturally aspiratedWagon / estate2000-2004

Comparison overview

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

Best choices

Alpina B3 Touring (E46) 3.3 i 24V B3S

  • Fastest top speed
    261 km/h
    162 mph
  • Most powerful
    305 hp
    227 kW
  • Lightest
    1,525 kg
    3,362 lb
  • Best power-to-weight
    200 hp/t
    149 kW/t
    5.0 kg/hp
  • Lowest combined fuel consumption
    11.8 L/100 km
    19.9 mpg US
    23.9 mpg UK
  • Lowest city consumption
    18.2 L/100 km
    12.9 mpg US
    15.5 mpg UK
  • Lowest highway consumption
    8.1 L/100 km
    29.0 mpg US
    34.9 mpg UK
  • Largest trunk
    435 L
  • Best economy score
    75/100
  • Best practicality score
    81/100

Specification comparison

Specification comparison
ModelAlpinaB3 Touring (E46)3.3 i 24V B3SBMW5 Series Touring (E39)Facelift 2000540i V8
Power
305hp227kW
286hp213kW
Torque
362Nm267lb-ft
440Nm325lb-ft
Curb weight
1,525kg3,362lb
1,740kg3,836lb
Gross weight
2,065kg4,553lb
2,280kg5,027lb
Top speed
261 km/h
162 mph
Unrestricted
260 km/h162 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph
Calculated
To 99% top speed
65.7s99% target: 258 km/h / 161 mph
Calculated
66.1s99% target: 257 km/h / 160 mph
Calculated
0-100 km/h
6.6s
6.3s
0-200 km/h
20.3s
Calculated
20.0s
Calculated
0-60 mph
6.3s
Calculated
6.0s
Calculated
Fuel consumption
11.8L/100 km19.9mpg US23.9mpg UK
12.3L/100 km19.1mpg US23.0mpg UK
Fuel consumption city
18.2L/100 km12.9mpg US15.5mpg UK
18.4L/100 km12.8mpg US15.4mpg UK
Fuel consumption highway
8.1L/100 km29mpg US34.9mpg UK
8.8L/100 km26.7mpg US32.1mpg UK
Quarter mile
14.5s
Calculated
14.2s
Calculated
Power-to-weight
200hp/t149kW/t91hp/1000 lb
Calculated
164hp/t123kW/t75hp/1000 lb
Calculated
Torque-to-weight
237Nm/t159lb-ft/ton
Calculated
253Nm/t169lb-ft/ton
Calculated
Estimated range
534km332mi
Calculated
569km354mi
Calculated
Displacement
3,346cc204cu 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 24V B3SBMW 5 Series Touring (E39) Facelift 2000 540i V8PowerTorque
  • Alpina B3 Touring (E46) 3.3 i 24V B3S: Power / Torque
  • BMW 5 Series Touring (E39) Facelift 2000 540i V8: Power / Torque
Dyno simulation data table
VehiclePeak power RPMPeak torque RPMMax engine speed
AlpinaB3 Touring (E46)3.3 i 24V B3S6,300 rpm4,800 rpm6,550 rpm
BMW5 Series Touring (E39)Facelift 2000540i V85,400 rpm3,600 rpm5,650 rpm

Acceleration curve

Estimated speed over time for selected vehicles.

Acceleration and drag-race table
MetricAlpinaB3 Touring (E46)3.3 i 24V B3SBMW5 Series Touring (E39)Facelift 2000540i V8
Acceleration checkpoints
0-60 mph
0-97 km/h
6.3 s
6.0 s
0-100 km/h
0-62 mph
6.6 s
6.3 s
0-200 km/h
0-124 mph
20.3 s
20.0 s
Top speed
261 km/h
162 mph
Unrestricted
260 km/h162 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph
Likely limited
Drag race simulation
60 ft
18 m
2.7 s
2.6 s
330 ft
101 m
6.6 s
6.4 s
1/8 mile
201 m
9.7 s
9.5 s
1000 ft
305 m
12.3 s
12.1 s
1/4 mile
402 m
14.5 s
14.2 s
Trap speed
1/4 mile
402 m
169 km/h
105 mph
170 km/h
106 mph

Power comparison

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

Chart data table
VehicleValue
AlpinaB3 Touring (E46)3.3 i 24V B3S
305 hp
227 kW
BMW5 Series Touring (E39)Facelift 2000540i V8
286 hp
213 kW

Alpina B3 Touring (E46) 3.3 i 24V B3S has 19 hp more than BMW 5 Series Touring (E39) Facelift 2000 540i V8.

The biggest power difference is between BMW 5 Series Touring (E39) Facelift 2000 540i V8 and Alpina B3 Touring (E46) 3.3 i 24V B3S: 19 hp (14 kW).

Torque comparison

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

Chart data table
VehicleValue
AlpinaB3 Touring (E46)3.3 i 24V B3S
362 Nm
267 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
VehicleValue
AlpinaB3 Touring (E46)3.3 i 24V B3S
1,525 kg
3,362 lb
BMW5 Series Touring (E39)Facelift 2000540i V8
1,740 kg
3,836 lb

Top speed without limiter comparison

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

Chart data table
VehicleValue
AlpinaB3 Touring (E46)3.3 i 24V B3S
261 km/h
162 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
VehicleValue
AlpinaB3 Touring (E46)3.3 i 24V B3S6.6 s
BMW5 Series Touring (E39)Facelift 2000540i V86.3 s

Although Alpina B3 Touring (E46) 3.3 i 24V B3S has more power, BMW 5 Series Touring (E39) Facelift 2000 540i V8 is quicker from 0-100 km/h.

The biggest 0-100 km/h difference is between BMW 5 Series Touring (E39) Facelift 2000 540i V8 and Alpina B3 Touring (E46) 3.3 i 24V B3S: 0.3 s.

Fuel consumption comparison

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

Chart data table
VehicleValue
AlpinaB3 Touring (E46)3.3 i 24V B3S
11.8 L/100 km
19.9 mpg US
23.9 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 B3S and BMW 5 Series Touring (E39) Facelift 2000 540i V8: 0.5 L/100 km.

Power-to-weight comparison

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

Chart data table
VehicleValue
AlpinaB3 Touring (E46)3.3 i 24V B3S
200 hp/t
149 kW/t
5.0 kg/hp
BMW5 Series Touring (E39)Facelift 2000540i V8
164 hp/t
123 kW/t
6.1 kg/hp

Estimated range comparison

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

Chart data table
VehicleValue
AlpinaB3 Touring (E46)3.3 i 24V B3S
534 km
332 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
VehiclePowerAccelerationTop speed
AlpinaB3 Touring (E46)3.3 i 24V B3S
305 hp
227 kW
6.6 s
261 km/h
162 mph
BMW5 Series Touring (E39)Facelift 2000540i V8
286 hp
213 kW
6.3 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.

Chart data table
VehiclePerformance scorePracticality score
AlpinaB3 Touring (E46)3.3 i 24V B3S
Power
305 hp
227 kW
0-100 km/h6.6 s
Top speed
261 km/h
162 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/h6.3 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.

Performance vs fuel economy data table
VehiclePerformance scoreFuel economy score
AlpinaB3 Touring (E46)3.3 i 24V B3S
Power
305 hp
227 kW
0-100 km/h6.6 s
Top speed
261 km/h
162 mph
11.8 L/100 km
19.9 mpg US
23.9 mpg UK
BMW5 Series Touring (E39)Facelift 2000540i V8
Power
286 hp
213 kW
0-100 km/h6.3 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

BMW 5 Series Touring (E39) Facelift 2000 540i V8 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
VehicleFuel consumption, L/100 km0-100 km/h, s
AlpinaB3 Touring (E46)3.3 i 24V B3S
11.8 L/100 km
19.9 mpg US
23.9 mpg UK
6.6 s
BMW5 Series Touring (E39)Facelift 2000540i V8
12.3 L/100 km
19.1 mpg US
23.0 mpg UK
6.3 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
VehiclePower-to-weight, hp/tFuel consumption, L/100 km
AlpinaB3 Touring (E46)3.3 i 24V B3S
200 hp/t
149 kW/t
5.0 kg/hp
11.8 L/100 km
19.9 mpg US
23.9 mpg UK
BMW5 Series Touring (E39)Facelift 2000540i V8
164 hp/t
123 kW/t
6.1 kg/hp
12.3 L/100 km
19.1 mpg US
23.0 mpg UK

Detailed score breakdown

Detailed score breakdown
VehicleAlpinaB3 Touring (E46)3.3 i 24V B3SBMW5 Series Touring (E39)Facelift 2000540i V8
Power
305 hp
227 kW
286 hp
213 kW
Torque
362 Nm
267 lb-ft
440 Nm
325 lb-ft
Acceleration
6.6 s
6.3 s
Top speed
261 km/h
162 mph
Unrestricted
260 km/h162 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph
Lightness
1,525 kg
3,362 lb
1,740 kg
3,836 lb
Fuel consumption
11.8 L/100 km
19.9 mpg US
23.9 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
534 km
332 mi
569 km
354 mi
Trunk score
435 L
15.4 cu ft
410 L
14.5 cu ft
Power-to-weight score
200 hp/t
149 kW/t
5.0 kg/hp
164 hp/t
123 kW/t
6.1 kg/hp
Overall
Fixed score
Fixed score

Fuel cost and annual usage

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

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
VehicleAlpina B3 Touring (E46) 3.3 i 24V B3SBMW 5 Series Touring (E39) Facelift 2000 540i V8
Consumption11.8 L/100 km19.9 mpg US23.9 mpg UK12.3 L/100 km19.1 mpg US23 mpg UK
Cost / 100 km20.65 LC100 km21.53 LC100 km
Cost / 100 mi33.23 LC100 mi34.64 LC100 mi
Annual fuel used1,770 L468 US gal389 UK gal1,845 L487 US gal406 UK gal
Annual fuel cost3,098 LC/year3,229 LC/year

Head-to-head comparisons

Alpina B3 Touring (E46) 3.3 i 24V B3S

  • Has 19 hp more
  • Is 215 kg lighter
  • Has 1 km/h (1 mph) higher top speed
  • Uses 0.5 L/100 km less fuel
  • Has 36 hp/t better power-to-weight
  • Has 25 L more trunk volume

Pros

  • Highest top speed
  • Most powerful
  • Lightest
  • Lowest combined fuel consumption
  • Best power-to-weight ratio
  • Largest trunk

Cons

  • Slowest 0-100 km/h

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

  • Has 78 Nm more
  • Is 0.3 s quicker from 0-100 km/h
  • Has 35 km (22 mi) more estimated range

Pros

  • Quickest 0-100 km/h in this comparison
  • Highest torque
  • Best estimated range

Cons

  • Lowest power
  • Highest combined fuel consumption
  • Heaviest
  • Lowest top speed
  • Smallest trunk

Choose cars to compare

Brand
Model
Generation
Engine or modification
Alpina B3 Touring (E46) 3.3 i 24V B3S
BMW 5 Series Touring (E39) 540i V8
Compare selected cars
2 vehicles selected

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