Car comparison

BMW 5 Series (E12) · Facelift 1976 M535ivsBMW 5 Series Sedan (G60) 540i

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

New comparison

BMW 5 Series (E12) · Facelift 1976

M535i

218 hp3453 ccGasolineRWDManualNaturally aspiratedSedan1980-1981
VS

BMW 5 Series Sedan (G60)

540i

375 hp2998 ccGasolineAWDAutomaticTurbochargedSedan2023-present

Comparison overview

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

Best choices

BMW 5 Series Sedan (G60) 540i

  • Quickest 0-100 km/h
    4.7 s
  • Most powerful
    375 hp
    280 kW
  • Highest torque
    540 Nm
    398 lb-ft
  • Best power-to-weight
    189 hp/t
    141 kW/t
    5.3 kg/hp
  • Best overall score
    73/100
  • Best performance score
    71/100
  • Best economy score
    84/100

Specification comparison

Specification comparison
ModelBMW5 Series (E12)Facelift 1976M535iBMW5 Series Sedan (G60)540i
Power
218hp163kW
375hp280kW
Torque
305Nm225lb-ft
540Nm398lb-ft
Curb weight
1,390kg3,064lb
1,982kg4,370lb
Gross weight
1,900kg4,189lb
2,435kg5,368lb
Top speed
229 km/h
142 mph
Unrestricted
225 km/h140 mph
Restricted
210 km/h130 mph
Calculated
To 99% top speed
64.5s99% target: 227 km/h / 141 mph
Calculated
37.7s99% target: 223 km/h / 138 mph
Calculated
0-100 km/h
7.2s
4.7s
0-200 km/h
27.8s
Calculated
17.8s
Calculated
0-60 mph
6.9s
Calculated
4.5s
Calculated
Fuel consumption-
8.4L/100 km28mpg US33.6mpg UK
Fuel consumption city-
9L/100 km26.1mpg US31.4mpg UK
Fuel consumption highway-
7.1L/100 km33.1mpg US39.8mpg UK
Quarter mile
15.1s
Calculated
12.8s
Calculated
Power-to-weight
157hp/t117kW/t71hp/1000 lb
Calculated
189hp/t141kW/t86hp/1000 lb
Calculated
Torque-to-weight
219Nm/t147lb-ft/ton
Calculated
272Nm/t182lb-ft/ton
Calculated
Estimated range-
714km444mi
Calculated
Displacement
3,453cc211cu in
2,998cc183cu in
Length
4,618mm182in
5,060mm199in
Width
1,689mm66in
1,900mm75in
Height
1,422mm56in
1,515mm60in
Wheelbase
2,637mm104in
2,995mm118in
Front track
1,422mm56in
1,623mm64in
Rear track
1,455mm57in
1,656mm65in
Ground clearance
152mm6in
155mm6in
Trunk volume
620L
520L
Doors
4
4
Seats
5
5
Fuel tank-
60L

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 (E12) Facelift 1976 M535iBMW 5 Series Sedan (G60) 540iPowerTorque
  • BMW 5 Series (E12) Facelift 1976 M535i: Power / Torque
  • BMW 5 Series Sedan (G60) 540i: Power / Torque
Dyno simulation data table
VehiclePeak power RPMPeak torque RPMMax engine speed
BMW5 Series (E12)Facelift 1976M535i5,200 rpm4,000 rpm5,450 rpm
BMW5 Series Sedan (G60)540i5,200-6,250 rpm1,850-5,000 rpm6,500 rpm

Acceleration curve

Estimated speed over time for selected vehicles.

Acceleration and drag-race table
MetricBMW5 Series (E12)Facelift 1976M535iBMW5 Series Sedan (G60)540i
Acceleration checkpoints
0-60 mph
0-97 km/h
6.9 s
4.5 s
0-100 km/h
0-62 mph
7.2 s
4.7 s
0-200 km/h
0-124 mph
27.8 s
17.8 s
Top speed
229 km/h
142 mph
Unrestricted
225 km/h140 mph
Restricted
210 km/h130 mph
Limited
Drag race simulation
60 ft
18 m
2.7 s
2.2 s
330 ft
101 m
6.8 s
5.7 s
1/8 mile
201 m
10.0 s
8.4 s
1000 ft
305 m
12.8 s
10.8 s
1/4 mile
402 m
15.1 s
12.8 s
Trap speed
1/4 mile
402 m
157 km/h
98 mph
179 km/h
111 mph

Power comparison

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

Chart data table
VehicleValue
BMW5 Series (E12)Facelift 1976M535i
218 hp
163 kW
BMW5 Series Sedan (G60)540i
375 hp
280 kW

BMW 5 Series Sedan (G60) 540i has 157 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 Sedan (G60) 540i: 157 hp (117 kW).

Torque comparison

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

Chart data table
VehicleValue
BMW5 Series (E12)Facelift 1976M535i
305 Nm
225 lb-ft
BMW5 Series Sedan (G60)540i
540 Nm
398 lb-ft

Curb weight comparison

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

Chart data table
VehicleValue
BMW5 Series (E12)Facelift 1976M535i
1,390 kg
3,064 lb
BMW5 Series Sedan (G60)540i
1,982 kg
4,370 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 (E12)Facelift 1976M535i
229 km/h
142 mph
BMW5 Series Sedan (G60)540i
Unrestricted
225 km/h140 mph
Restricted
210 km/h130 mph

0-100 km/h comparison

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

Chart data table
VehicleValue
BMW5 Series (E12)Facelift 1976M535i7.2 s
BMW5 Series Sedan (G60)540i4.7 s

The biggest 0-100 km/h difference is between BMW 5 Series Sedan (G60) 540i and BMW 5 Series (E12) Facelift 1976 M535i: 2.5 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 (E12)Facelift 1976M535i
157 hp/t
117 kW/t
6.4 kg/hp
BMW5 Series Sedan (G60)540i
189 hp/t
141 kW/t
5.3 kg/hp

Performance spider chart

Radar chart comparing normalized performance and fuel-consumption scores.

Chart data table
VehiclePowerAccelerationTop speed
BMW5 Series (E12)Facelift 1976M535i
218 hp
163 kW
7.2 s
229 km/h
142 mph
BMW5 Series Sedan (G60)540i
375 hp
280 kW
4.7 s
Unrestricted
225 km/h140 mph
Restricted
210 km/h130 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 (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
BMW5 Series Sedan (G60)540i
Power
375 hp
280 kW
0-100 km/h4.7 s
Top speed
Unrestricted
225 km/h140 mph
Restricted
210 km/h130 mph
Doors/seats
4 doors
5 seats
Trunk
520 L
18.4 cu ft
Length
5,060 mm
199.2 in
Height
1,515 mm
59.6 in

Detailed score breakdown

Detailed score breakdown
VehicleBMW5 Series (E12)Facelift 1976M535iBMW5 Series Sedan (G60)540i
Power
218 hp
163 kW
375 hp
280 kW
Torque
305 Nm
225 lb-ft
540 Nm
398 lb-ft
Acceleration
7.2 s
4.7 s
Top speed
229 km/h
142 mph
Unrestricted
225 km/h140 mph
Restricted
210 km/h130 mph
Lightness
1,390 kg
3,064 lb
1,982 kg
4,370 lb
Fuel consumption
-
8.4 L/100 km
28.0 mpg US
33.6 mpg UK
Practicality
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
Doors/seats
4 doors
5 seats
Trunk
520 L
18.4 cu ft
Length
5,060 mm
199.2 in
Height
1,515 mm
59.6 in
Range score
-
714 km
444 mi
Trunk score
620 L
21.9 cu ft
520 L
18.4 cu ft
Power-to-weight score
157 hp/t
117 kW/t
6.4 kg/hp
189 hp/t
141 kW/t
5.3 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 Sedan (G60) 540i
Consumption8.4 L/100 km28 mpg US33.6 mpg UK
Cost / 100 km14.70 LC100 km
Cost / 100 mi23.66 LC100 mi
Annual fuel used1,260 L333 US gal277 UK gal
Annual fuel cost2,205 LC/year

Head-to-head comparisons

BMW 5 Series (E12) Facelift 1976 M535i

  • Is 592 kg lighter
  • Has 4 km/h (2 mph) higher top speed
  • Has 100 L more trunk volume

Pros

  • Highest top speed
  • Lightest
  • Largest trunk

Cons

  • Slowest 0-100 km/h
  • Lowest power

BMW 5 Series Sedan (G60) 540i

  • Has 157 hp more
  • Has 235 Nm more
  • Is 2.5 s quicker from 0-100 km/h
  • Has 32 hp/t better power-to-weight

Pros

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

Cons

  • Heaviest
  • Lowest top speed
  • Smallest trunk

Choose cars to compare

Brand
Model
Generation
Engine or modification
BMW 5 Series (E12) M535i
BMW 5 Series Sedan (G60) 540i
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BMW 5 Series (E12) · Facelift 1976 M535i vs BMW 5 Series Sedan (G60) 540i - car comparison - FastVsFaster