Car comparison

BMW 5 Series (E34) 540i V8vsBMW 5 Series (E28) 535i

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

New comparison

BMW 5 Series (E34)

540i V8

286 hp3982 ccGasolineRWDManualNaturally aspiratedSedan1992-1995
VS

BMW 5 Series (E28)

535i

218 hp3430 ccGasolineRWDManualNaturally aspiratedSedan1984-1987

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
    6.3 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
  • Best power-to-weight
    178 hp/t
    133 kW/t
    5.6 kg/hp
  • Largest trunk
    460 L
  • Best overall score
    67/100
  • Best performance score
    64/100
  • Best practicality score
    74/100

BMW 5 Series (E28) 535i

  • Lightest
    1,370 kg
    3,020 lb
  • Lowest combined fuel consumption
    9.3 L/100 km
    25.3 mpg US
    30.4 mpg UK
  • Best estimated range
    753 km
    468 mi
  • Best economy score
    82/100

Specification comparison

Specification comparison
ModelBMW5 Series (E34)540i V8BMW5 Series (E28)535i
Power
286hp213kW
218hp163kW
Torque
400Nm295lb-ft
310Nm229lb-ft
Curb weight
1,605kg3,538lb
1,370kg3,020lb
Gross weight
2,115kg4,663lb
-
Top speed
Unrestricted
265 km/h165 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph
Calculated
Unrestricted
240 km/h149 mph
Restricted
225 km/h140 mph
Calculated
To 99% top speed
60.9s99% target: 262 km/h / 163 mph
Calculated
61.4s99% target: 238 km/h / 148 mph
Calculated
0-100 km/h
6.3s
7.2s
0-200 km/h
18.6s
Calculated
23.9s
Calculated
0-60 mph
6.0s
Calculated
6.9s
Calculated
Fuel consumption
11.4L/100 km20.6mpg US24.8mpg UK
9.3L/100 km25.3mpg US30.4mpg UK
Fuel consumption city-
15L/100 km15.7mpg US18.8mpg UK
Fuel consumption highway-
7.3L/100 km32.2mpg US38.7mpg UK
Quarter mile
14.2s
Calculated
15.1s
Calculated
Power-to-weight
178hp/t133kW/t81hp/1000 lb
Calculated
159hp/t119kW/t72hp/1000 lb
Calculated
Torque-to-weight
249Nm/t167lb-ft/ton
Calculated
226Nm/t151lb-ft/ton
Calculated
Estimated range
702km436mi
Calculated
753km468mi
Calculated
Displacement
3,982cc243cu in
3,430cc209cu in
Length
4,720mm186in
4,620mm182in
Width
1,751mm69in
1,700mm67in
Height
1,412mm56in
1,415mm56in
Wheelbase
2,761mm109in
2,625mm103in
Front track
1,470mm58in
1,430mm56in
Rear track
1,495mm59in
1,470mm58in
Ground clearance-
152mm6in
Trunk volume
460L
460L
Doors
4
4
Seats
5
5
Fuel tank
80L
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 (E34) 540i V8BMW 5 Series (E28) 535iPowerTorque
  • BMW 5 Series (E34) 540i V8: Power / Torque
  • BMW 5 Series (E28) 535i: Power / Torque
Dyno simulation data table
VehiclePeak power RPMPeak torque RPMMax engine speed
BMW5 Series (E34)540i V85,800 rpm4,500 rpm6,050 rpm
BMW5 Series (E28)535i5,500 rpm4,000 rpm5,750 rpm

Acceleration curve

Estimated speed over time for selected vehicles.

Acceleration and drag-race table
MetricBMW5 Series (E34)540i V8BMW5 Series (E28)535i
Acceleration checkpoints
0-60 mph
0-97 km/h
6.0 s
6.9 s
0-100 km/h
0-62 mph
6.3 s
7.2 s
0-200 km/h
0-124 mph
18.6 s
23.9 s
Top speed
Unrestricted
265 km/h165 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph
Likely limited
Unrestricted
240 km/h149 mph
Restricted
225 km/h140 mph
Likely limited
Drag race simulation
60 ft
18 m
2.7 s
2.8 s
330 ft
101 m
6.5 s
6.9 s
1/8 mile
201 m
9.5 s
10.1 s
1000 ft
305 m
12.1 s
12.8 s
1/4 mile
402 m
14.2 s
15.1 s
Trap speed
1/4 mile
402 m
174 km/h
108 mph
162 km/h
101 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
BMW5 Series (E28)535i
218 hp
163 kW

BMW 5 Series (E34) 540i V8 has 68 hp more than BMW 5 Series (E28) 535i.

The biggest power difference is between BMW 5 Series (E28) 535i and BMW 5 Series (E34) 540i V8: 68 hp (51 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
BMW5 Series (E28)535i
310 Nm
229 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
BMW5 Series (E28)535i
1,370 kg
3,020 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
BMW5 Series (E28)535i
Unrestricted
240 km/h149 mph
Restricted
225 km/h140 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 V86.3 s
BMW5 Series (E28)535i7.2 s

The biggest 0-100 km/h difference is between BMW 5 Series (E34) 540i V8 and BMW 5 Series (E28) 535i: 0.9 s.

Fuel consumption comparison

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

Chart data table
VehicleValue
BMW5 Series (E34)540i V8
11.4 L/100 km
20.6 mpg US
24.8 mpg UK
BMW5 Series (E28)535i
9.3 L/100 km
25.3 mpg US
30.4 mpg UK

The biggest fuel consumption difference is between BMW 5 Series (E28) 535i and BMW 5 Series (E34) 540i V8: 2.1 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
BMW5 Series (E34)540i V8
178 hp/t
133 kW/t
5.6 kg/hp
BMW5 Series (E28)535i
159 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
VehicleValue
BMW5 Series (E34)540i V8
702 km
436 mi
BMW5 Series (E28)535i
753 km
468 mi

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
6.3 s
Unrestricted
265 km/h165 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph
BMW5 Series (E28)535i
218 hp
163 kW
7.2 s
Unrestricted
240 km/h149 mph
Restricted
225 km/h140 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/h6.3 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
BMW5 Series (E28)535i
Power
218 hp
163 kW
0-100 km/h7.2 s
Top speed
Unrestricted
240 km/h149 mph
Restricted
225 km/h140 mph
Doors/seats
4 doors
5 seats
Trunk
460 L
16.2 cu ft
Length
4,620 mm
181.9 in
Height
1,415 mm
55.7 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
BMW5 Series (E34)540i V8
Power
286 hp
213 kW
0-100 km/h6.3 s
Top speed
Unrestricted
265 km/h165 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph
11.4 L/100 km
20.6 mpg US
24.8 mpg UK
BMW5 Series (E28)535i
Power
218 hp
163 kW
0-100 km/h7.2 s
Top speed
Unrestricted
240 km/h149 mph
Restricted
225 km/h140 mph
9.3 L/100 km
25.3 mpg US
30.4 mpg UK

BMW 5 Series (E34) 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
BMW5 Series (E34)540i V8
11.4 L/100 km
20.6 mpg US
24.8 mpg UK
6.3 s
BMW5 Series (E28)535i
9.3 L/100 km
25.3 mpg US
30.4 mpg UK
7.2 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
BMW5 Series (E34)540i V8
178 hp/t
133 kW/t
5.6 kg/hp
11.4 L/100 km
20.6 mpg US
24.8 mpg UK
BMW5 Series (E28)535i
159 hp/t
119 kW/t
6.3 kg/hp
9.3 L/100 km
25.3 mpg US
30.4 mpg UK

Detailed score breakdown

Detailed score breakdown
VehicleBMW5 Series (E34)540i V8BMW5 Series (E28)535i
Power
286 hp
213 kW
218 hp
163 kW
Torque
400 Nm
295 lb-ft
310 Nm
229 lb-ft
Acceleration
6.3 s
7.2 s
Top speed
Unrestricted
265 km/h165 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph
Unrestricted
240 km/h149 mph
Restricted
225 km/h140 mph
Lightness
1,605 kg
3,538 lb
1,370 kg
3,020 lb
Fuel consumption
11.4 L/100 km
20.6 mpg US
24.8 mpg UK
9.3 L/100 km
25.3 mpg US
30.4 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
460 L
16.2 cu ft
Length
4,620 mm
181.9 in
Height
1,415 mm
55.7 in
Range score
702 km
436 mi
753 km
468 mi
Trunk score
460 L
16.2 cu ft
460 L
16.2 cu ft
Power-to-weight score
178 hp/t
133 kW/t
5.6 kg/hp
159 hp/t
119 kW/t
6.3 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 (E34) 540i V8BMW 5 Series (E28) 535i
Consumption11.4 L/100 km20.6 mpg US24.8 mpg UK9.3 L/100 km25.3 mpg US30.4 mpg UK
Cost / 100 km19.95 LC100 km16.28 LC100 km
Cost / 100 mi32.11 LC100 mi26.19 LC100 mi
Annual fuel used1,710 L452 US gal376 UK gal1,395 L369 US gal307 UK gal
Annual fuel cost2,993 LC/year2,441 LC/year

Head-to-head comparisons

BMW 5 Series (E34) 540i V8

  • Has 68 hp more
  • Has 90 Nm more
  • Is 0.9 s quicker from 0-100 km/h
  • Has 25 km/h (16 mph) higher top speed
  • Has 19 hp/t better power-to-weight

Pros

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

Cons

  • Highest combined fuel consumption
  • Heaviest

BMW 5 Series (E28) 535i

  • Is 235 kg lighter
  • Uses 2.1 L/100 km less fuel
  • Has 51 km (32 mi) more estimated range

Pros

  • Lightest
  • Lowest combined fuel consumption
  • Best estimated range

Cons

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

Choose cars to compare

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Model
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Engine or modification
BMW 5 Series (E34) 540i V8
BMW 5 Series (E28) 535i
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