Car comparison

BMW 5 Series (E39) 535i V8vsBMW 5 Series (E12) · Facelift 1976 M535i

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

New comparison

BMW 5 Series (E39)

535i V8

245 hp3498 ccGasolineRWDManualNaturally aspiratedSedan1998-2000
VS

BMW 5 Series (E12) · Facelift 1976

M535i

218 hp3453 ccGasolineRWDManualNaturally aspiratedSedan1980-1981

Comparison overview

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

Best choices

BMW 5 Series (E39) 535i V8

  • Quickest 0-100 km/h
    6.9 s
  • Fastest top speed
    260 km/h
    162 mph Unrestricted
    250 km/h
    155 mph Restricted
  • Most powerful
    245 hp
    183 kW
  • Highest torque
    345 Nm
    254 lb-ft
  • Best overall score
    64/100
  • Best performance score
    59/100
  • Best economy score
    0/100

Specification comparison

Specification comparison
ModelBMW5 Series (E39)535i V8BMW5 Series (E12)Facelift 1976M535i
Power
245hp183kW
218hp163kW
Torque
345Nm254lb-ft
305Nm225lb-ft
Curb weight
1,610kg3,549lb
1,390kg3,064lb
Gross weight
2,150kg4,740lb
1,900kg4,189lb
Top speed
Unrestricted
260 km/h162 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph
Calculated
229 km/h
142 mph
To 99% top speed
68.4s99% target: 257 km/h / 160 mph
Calculated
64.5s99% target: 227 km/h / 141 mph
Calculated
0-100 km/h
6.9s
7.2s
0-200 km/h
21.3s
Calculated
27.8s
Calculated
0-60 mph
6.6s
Calculated
6.9s
Calculated
Fuel consumption city
16.9L/100 km13.9mpg US16.7mpg UK
-
Fuel consumption highway
8.5L/100 km27.7mpg US33.2mpg UK
-
Quarter mile
14.8s
Calculated
15.1s
Calculated
Power-to-weight
152hp/t113kW/t69hp/1000 lb
Calculated
157hp/t117kW/t71hp/1000 lb
Calculated
Torque-to-weight
214Nm/t143lb-ft/ton
Calculated
219Nm/t147lb-ft/ton
Calculated
Displacement
3,498cc213cu in
3,453cc211cu in
Length
4,775mm188in
4,618mm182in
Width
1,800mm71in
1,689mm66in
Height
1,435mm56in
1,422mm56in
Wheelbase
2,830mm111in
2,637mm104in
Front track
1,512mm60in
1,422mm56in
Rear track
1,526mm60in
1,455mm57in
Ground clearance-
152mm6in
Trunk volume
460L
620L
Doors
4
4
Seats
5
5
Fuel tank
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.

BMW 5 Series (E39) 535i V8BMW 5 Series (E12) Facelift 1976 M535iPowerTorque
  • BMW 5 Series (E39) 535i V8: Power / Torque
  • BMW 5 Series (E12) Facelift 1976 M535i: Power / Torque
Dyno simulation data table
VehiclePeak power RPMPeak torque RPMMax engine speed
BMW5 Series (E39)535i V85,800 rpm3,800 rpm6,050 rpm
BMW5 Series (E12)Facelift 1976M535i5,200 rpm4,000 rpm5,450 rpm

Acceleration curve

Estimated speed over time for selected vehicles.

Acceleration and drag-race table
MetricBMW5 Series (E39)535i V8BMW5 Series (E12)Facelift 1976M535i
Acceleration checkpoints
0-60 mph
0-97 km/h
6.6 s
6.9 s
0-100 km/h
0-62 mph
6.9 s
7.2 s
0-200 km/h
0-124 mph
21.3 s
27.8 s
Top speed
Unrestricted
260 km/h162 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph
Likely limited
229 km/h
142 mph
Drag race simulation
60 ft
18 m
2.7 s
2.7 s
330 ft
101 m
6.8 s
6.8 s
1/8 mile
201 m
9.9 s
10.0 s
1000 ft
305 m
12.6 s
12.8 s
1/4 mile
402 m
14.8 s
15.1 s
Trap speed
1/4 mile
402 m
167 km/h
104 mph
157 km/h
98 mph

Power comparison

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

Chart data table
VehicleValue
BMW5 Series (E39)535i V8
245 hp
183 kW
BMW5 Series (E12)Facelift 1976M535i
218 hp
163 kW

BMW 5 Series (E39) 535i V8 has 27 hp more than BMW 5 Series (E12) Facelift 1976 M535i.

The biggest power difference is between BMW 5 Series (E12) Facelift 1976 M535i and BMW 5 Series (E39) 535i V8: 27 hp (20 kW).

Torque comparison

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

Chart data table
VehicleValue
BMW5 Series (E39)535i V8
345 Nm
254 lb-ft
BMW5 Series (E12)Facelift 1976M535i
305 Nm
225 lb-ft

Curb weight comparison

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

Chart data table
VehicleValue
BMW5 Series (E39)535i V8
1,610 kg
3,549 lb
BMW5 Series (E12)Facelift 1976M535i
1,390 kg
3,064 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 (E39)535i V8
Unrestricted
260 km/h162 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph
BMW5 Series (E12)Facelift 1976M535i
229 km/h
142 mph

0-100 km/h comparison

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

Chart data table
VehicleValue
BMW5 Series (E39)535i V86.9 s
BMW5 Series (E12)Facelift 1976M535i7.2 s

The biggest 0-100 km/h difference is between BMW 5 Series (E39) 535i V8 and BMW 5 Series (E12) Facelift 1976 M535i: 0.3 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 (E39)535i V8
152 hp/t
113 kW/t
6.6 kg/hp
BMW5 Series (E12)Facelift 1976M535i
157 hp/t
117 kW/t
6.4 kg/hp

Performance spider chart

Radar chart comparing normalized performance and fuel-consumption scores.

Chart data table
VehiclePowerAccelerationTop speed
BMW5 Series (E39)535i V8
245 hp
183 kW
6.9 s
Unrestricted
260 km/h162 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph
BMW5 Series (E12)Facelift 1976M535i
218 hp
163 kW
7.2 s
229 km/h
142 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 (E39)535i V8
Power
245 hp
183 kW
0-100 km/h6.9 s
Top speed
Unrestricted
260 km/h162 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph
Doors/seats
4 doors
5 seats
Trunk
460 L
16.2 cu ft
Length
4,775 mm
188.0 in
Height
1,435 mm
56.5 in
BMW5 Series (E12)Facelift 1976M535i
Power
218 hp
163 kW
0-100 km/h7.2 s
Top speed
229 km/h
142 mph
Doors/seats
4 doors
5 seats
Trunk
620 L
21.9 cu ft
Length
4,618 mm
181.8 in
Height
1,422 mm
56.0 in

Detailed score breakdown

Detailed score breakdown
VehicleBMW5 Series (E39)535i V8BMW5 Series (E12)Facelift 1976M535i
Power
245 hp
183 kW
218 hp
163 kW
Torque
345 Nm
254 lb-ft
305 Nm
225 lb-ft
Acceleration
6.9 s
7.2 s
Top speed
Unrestricted
260 km/h162 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph
229 km/h
142 mph
Lightness
1,610 kg
3,549 lb
1,390 kg
3,064 lb
Practicality
Doors/seats
4 doors
5 seats
Trunk
460 L
16.2 cu ft
Length
4,775 mm
188.0 in
Height
1,435 mm
56.5 in
Doors/seats
4 doors
5 seats
Trunk
620 L
21.9 cu ft
Length
4,618 mm
181.8 in
Height
1,422 mm
56.0 in
Trunk score
460 L
16.2 cu ft
620 L
21.9 cu ft
Power-to-weight score
152 hp/t
113 kW/t
6.6 kg/hp
157 hp/t
117 kW/t
6.4 kg/hp
Overall
Fixed score
Fixed score

Head-to-head comparisons

BMW 5 Series (E39) 535i V8

  • Has 27 hp more
  • Has 40 Nm more
  • Is 0.3 s quicker from 0-100 km/h
  • Has 31 km/h (19 mph) higher top speed

Pros

  • Quickest 0-100 km/h in this comparison
  • Highest top speed
  • Most powerful
  • Highest torque

Cons

  • Heaviest
  • Smallest trunk

BMW 5 Series (E12) Facelift 1976 M535i

  • Is 220 kg lighter
  • Has 5 hp/t better power-to-weight
  • Has 160 L more trunk volume

Pros

  • Lightest
  • Best power-to-weight ratio
  • Largest trunk

Cons

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

Choose cars to compare

Brand
Model
Generation
Engine or modification
BMW 5 Series (E39) 535i V8
BMW 5 Series (E12) M535i
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BMW 5 Series (E39) 535i V8 vs BMW 5 Series (E12) · Facelift 1976 M535i - car comparison - FastVsFaster