Car comparison

BMW 5 Series (E34) 540i V8vsAUDI V8 (D11) 4.2

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

New comparison

BMW 5 Series (E34)

540i V8

286 hp3982 ccGasolineRWDAutomaticNaturally aspiratedSedan1992-1995
VS

AUDI V8 (D11)

4.2

280 hp4172 ccGasolineAWDAutomaticNaturally aspiratedSedan1991-1993

Comparison overview

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

Best choices

BMW 5 Series (E34) 540i V8

  • Quickest 0-100 km/h
    6.8 s
  • Fastest top speed
    265 km/h
    165 mph Unrestricted
    250 km/h
    155 mph Restricted
  • Most powerful
    286 hp
    213 kW
  • Highest torque
    400 Nm
    295 lb-ft
  • Lightest
    1,605 kg
    3,538 lb
  • Best power-to-weight
    178 hp/t
    133 kW/t
    5.6 kg/hp
  • Best overall score
    66/100
  • Best performance score
    62/100
  • Best economy score
    76/100

Specification comparison

Specification comparison
ModelBMW5 Series (E34)540i V8AUDIV8 (D11)4.2
Power
286hp213kW
280hp209kW
Torque
400Nm295lb-ft
400Nm295lb-ft
Curb weight
1,605kg3,538lb
1,710kg3,770lb
Gross weight
2,115kg4,663lb
2,310kg5,093lb
Top speed
Unrestricted
265 km/h165 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph
Calculated
249 km/h
155 mph
To 99% top speed
65.7s99% target: 262 km/h / 163 mph
Calculated
79.0s99% target: 247 km/h / 153 mph
Calculated
0-100 km/h
6.8s
7.7s
0-200 km/h
20.1s
Calculated
26.2s
Calculated
0-60 mph
6.5s
Calculated
7.3s
Calculated
Fuel consumption
11.4L/100 km20.6mpg US24.8mpg UK
-
Quarter mile
14.6s
Calculated
15.5s
Calculated
Power-to-weight
178hp/t133kW/t81hp/1000 lb
Calculated
164hp/t122kW/t74hp/1000 lb
Calculated
Torque-to-weight
249Nm/t167lb-ft/ton
Calculated
234Nm/t157lb-ft/ton
Calculated
Estimated range
702km436mi
Calculated
-
Displacement
3,982cc243cu in
4,172cc255cu in
Length
4,720mm186in
4,874mm192in
Width
1,751mm69in
1,814mm71in
Height
1,412mm56in
1,420mm56in
Wheelbase
2,761mm109in
2,702mm106in
Front track
1,470mm58in
1,514mm60in
Rear track
1,495mm59in
1,531mm60in
Trunk volume
460L
570L
Doors
4
4
Seats
5
5
Fuel tank
80L
80L

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.

BMW 5 Series (E34) 540i V8AUDI V8 (D11) 4.2PowerTorque
  • BMW 5 Series (E34) 540i V8: Power / Torque
  • AUDI V8 (D11) 4.2: Power / Torque
Dyno simulation data table
VehiclePeak power RPMPeak torque RPMMax engine speed
BMW5 Series (E34)540i V85,800 rpm4,500 rpm6,050 rpm
AUDIV8 (D11)4.25,800 rpm4,000 rpm6,050 rpm

Acceleration curve

Estimated speed over time for selected vehicles.

Acceleration and drag-race table
MetricBMW5 Series (E34)540i V8AUDIV8 (D11)4.2
Acceleration checkpoints
0-60 mph
0-97 km/h
6.5 s
7.3 s
0-100 km/h
0-62 mph
6.8 s
7.7 s
0-200 km/h
0-124 mph
20.1 s
26.2 s
Top speed
Unrestricted
265 km/h165 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph
Likely limited
249 km/h
155 mph
Drag race simulation
60 ft
18 m
2.8 s
2.8 s
330 ft
101 m
6.8 s
7.0 s
1/8 mile
201 m
9.9 s
10.3 s
1000 ft
305 m
12.5 s
13.2 s
1/4 mile
402 m
14.6 s
15.5 s
Trap speed
1/4 mile
402 m
170 km/h
105 mph
157 km/h
97 mph

Power comparison

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

Chart data table
VehicleValue
BMW5 Series (E34)540i V8
286 hp
213 kW
AUDIV8 (D11)4.2
280 hp
209 kW

BMW 5 Series (E34) 540i V8 has 6 hp more than AUDI V8 (D11) 4.2.

The biggest power difference is between AUDI V8 (D11) 4.2 and BMW 5 Series (E34) 540i V8: 6 hp (4 kW).

Torque comparison

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

Chart data table
VehicleValue
BMW5 Series (E34)540i V8
400 Nm
295 lb-ft
AUDIV8 (D11)4.2
400 Nm
295 lb-ft

Curb weight comparison

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

Chart data table
VehicleValue
BMW5 Series (E34)540i V8
1,605 kg
3,538 lb
AUDIV8 (D11)4.2
1,710 kg
3,770 lb

Top speed without limiter comparison

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

Chart data table
VehicleValue
BMW5 Series (E34)540i V8
Unrestricted
265 km/h165 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph
AUDIV8 (D11)4.2
249 km/h
155 mph

0-100 km/h comparison

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

Chart data table
VehicleValue
BMW5 Series (E34)540i V86.8 s
AUDIV8 (D11)4.27.7 s

The biggest 0-100 km/h difference is between BMW 5 Series (E34) 540i V8 and AUDI V8 (D11) 4.2: 0.9 s.

Power-to-weight comparison

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

Chart data table
VehicleValue
BMW5 Series (E34)540i V8
178 hp/t
133 kW/t
5.6 kg/hp
AUDIV8 (D11)4.2
164 hp/t
122 kW/t
6.1 kg/hp

Performance spider chart

Radar chart comparing normalized performance and fuel-consumption scores.

Chart data table
VehiclePowerAccelerationTop speed
BMW5 Series (E34)540i V8
286 hp
213 kW
6.8 s
Unrestricted
265 km/h165 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph
AUDIV8 (D11)4.2
280 hp
209 kW
7.7 s
249 km/h
155 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
BMW5 Series (E34)540i V8
Power
286 hp
213 kW
0-100 km/h6.8 s
Top speed
Unrestricted
265 km/h165 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph
Doors/seats
4 doors
5 seats
Trunk
460 L
16.2 cu ft
Length
4,720 mm
185.8 in
Height
1,412 mm
55.6 in
AUDIV8 (D11)4.2
Power
280 hp
209 kW
0-100 km/h7.7 s
Top speed
249 km/h
155 mph
Doors/seats
4 doors
5 seats
Trunk
570 L
20.1 cu ft
Length
4,874 mm
191.9 in
Height
1,420 mm
55.9 in

Detailed score breakdown

Detailed score breakdown
VehicleBMW5 Series (E34)540i V8AUDIV8 (D11)4.2
Power
286 hp
213 kW
280 hp
209 kW
Torque
400 Nm
295 lb-ft
400 Nm
295 lb-ft
Acceleration
6.8 s
7.7 s
Top speed
Unrestricted
265 km/h165 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph
249 km/h
155 mph
Lightness
1,605 kg
3,538 lb
1,710 kg
3,770 lb
Fuel consumption
11.4 L/100 km
20.6 mpg US
24.8 mpg UK
-
Practicality
Doors/seats
4 doors
5 seats
Trunk
460 L
16.2 cu ft
Length
4,720 mm
185.8 in
Height
1,412 mm
55.6 in
Doors/seats
4 doors
5 seats
Trunk
570 L
20.1 cu ft
Length
4,874 mm
191.9 in
Height
1,420 mm
55.9 in
Range score
702 km
436 mi
-
Trunk score
460 L
16.2 cu ft
570 L
20.1 cu ft
Power-to-weight score
178 hp/t
133 kW/t
5.6 kg/hp
164 hp/t
122 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
VehicleBMW 5 Series (E34) 540i V8
Consumption11.4 L/100 km20.6 mpg US24.8 mpg UK
Cost / 100 km19.95 LC100 km
Cost / 100 mi32.11 LC100 mi
Annual fuel used1,710 L452 US gal376 UK gal
Annual fuel cost2,993 LC/year

Head-to-head comparisons

BMW 5 Series (E34) 540i V8

  • Has 6 hp more
  • Is 105 kg lighter
  • Is 0.9 s quicker from 0-100 km/h
  • Has 16 km/h (10 mph) higher top speed
  • Has 14 hp/t better power-to-weight

Pros

  • Quickest 0-100 km/h in this comparison
  • Highest top speed
  • Most powerful
  • Highest torque
  • Lightest
  • Best power-to-weight ratio

Cons

  • Smallest trunk

AUDI V8 (D11) 4.2

  • Has 110 L more trunk volume

Pros

  • Largest trunk

Cons

  • Slowest 0-100 km/h
  • Lowest power
  • Heaviest
  • Lowest top speed

Choose cars to compare

Brand
Model
Generation
Engine or modification
BMW 5 Series (E34) 540i V8
AUDI V8 (D11) 4.2
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