Car comparison

BMW 5 Series (E28) 535ivsMercedes-Benz W124 300 E

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

New comparison

BMW 5 Series (E28)

535i

218 hp3430 ccGasolineRWDManualNaturally aspiratedSedan1984-1987
VS

Mercedes-Benz W124

300 E

190 hp2962 ccGasolineRWDAutomaticNaturally aspiratedSedan1984-1985

Comparison overview

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

Best choices

BMW 5 Series (E28) 535i

  • Quickest 0-100 km/h
    7.2 s
  • Fastest top speed
    240 km/h
    149 mph Unrestricted
    225 km/h
    140 mph Restricted
  • Most powerful
    218 hp
    163 kW
  • Highest torque
    310 Nm
    229 lb-ft
  • Best power-to-weight
    159 hp/t
    119 kW/t
    6.3 kg/hp
  • Lowest highway consumption
    7.3 L/100 km
    32.2 mpg US
    38.7 mpg UK
  • Best overall score
    61/100
  • Best performance score
    55/100
  • Best economy score
    82/100

Mercedes-Benz W124 300 E

  • Lightest
    1,340 kg
    2,954 lb
  • Lowest city consumption
    11.9 L/100 km
    19.8 mpg US
    23.7 mpg UK
  • Largest trunk
    520 L
  • Best practicality score
    76/100

Specification comparison

Specification comparison
ModelBMW5 Series (E28)535iMercedes-BenzW124300 E
Power
218hp163kW
190hp142kW
Torque
310Nm229lb-ft
260Nm192lb-ft
Curb weight
1,370kg3,020lb
1,340kg2,954lb
Gross weight-
1,860kg4,101lb
Top speed
Unrestricted
240 km/h149 mph
Restricted
225 km/h140 mph
Calculated
225 km/h
140 mph
To 99% top speed
61.4s99% target: 238 km/h / 148 mph
Calculated
73.6s99% target: 223 km/h / 138 mph
Calculated
0-100 km/h
7.2s
8.3s
0-200 km/h
23.9s
Calculated
33.6s
Calculated
0-60 mph
6.9s
Calculated
7.9s
Calculated
Fuel consumption
9.3L/100 km25.3mpg US30.4mpg UK
-
Fuel consumption city
15L/100 km15.7mpg US18.8mpg UK
11.9L/100 km19.8mpg US23.7mpg UK
Fuel consumption highway
7.3L/100 km32.2mpg US38.7mpg UK
8L/100 km29.4mpg US35.3mpg UK
Quarter mile
15.1s
Calculated
16.0s
Calculated
Power-to-weight
159hp/t119kW/t72hp/1000 lb
Calculated
142hp/t106kW/t64hp/1000 lb
Calculated
Torque-to-weight
226Nm/t151lb-ft/ton
Calculated
194Nm/t130lb-ft/ton
Calculated
Estimated range
753km468mi
Calculated
-
Displacement
3,430cc209cu in
2,962cc181cu in
Length
4,620mm182in
4,740mm187in
Width
1,700mm67in
1,740mm69in
Height
1,415mm56in
1,451mm57in
Wheelbase
2,625mm103in
2,800mm110in
Front track
1,430mm56in
1,501mm59in
Rear track
1,470mm58in
1,485mm58in
Ground clearance
152mm6in
-
Trunk volume
460L
520L
Doors
4
4
Seats
5
5
Fuel tank
70L
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 (E28) 535iMercedes-Benz W124 300 EPowerTorque
  • BMW 5 Series (E28) 535i: Power / Torque
  • Mercedes-Benz W124 300 E: Power / Torque
Dyno simulation data table
VehiclePeak power RPMPeak torque RPMMax engine speed
BMW5 Series (E28)535i5,500 rpm4,000 rpm5,750 rpm
Mercedes-BenzW124300 E5,600 rpm4,250 rpm5,850 rpm

Acceleration curve

Estimated speed over time for selected vehicles.

Acceleration and drag-race table
MetricBMW5 Series (E28)535iMercedes-BenzW124300 E
Acceleration checkpoints
0-60 mph
0-97 km/h
6.9 s
7.9 s
0-100 km/h
0-62 mph
7.2 s
8.3 s
0-200 km/h
0-124 mph
23.9 s
33.6 s
Top speed
Unrestricted
240 km/h149 mph
Restricted
225 km/h140 mph
Likely limited
225 km/h
140 mph
Drag race simulation
60 ft
18 m
2.8 s
2.8 s
330 ft
101 m
6.9 s
7.2 s
1/8 mile
201 m
10.1 s
10.6 s
1000 ft
305 m
12.8 s
13.6 s
1/4 mile
402 m
15.1 s
16.0 s
Trap speed
1/4 mile
402 m
162 km/h
101 mph
150 km/h
93 mph

Power comparison

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

Chart data table
VehicleValue
BMW5 Series (E28)535i
218 hp
163 kW
Mercedes-BenzW124300 E
190 hp
142 kW

BMW 5 Series (E28) 535i has 28 hp more than Mercedes-Benz W124 300 E.

The biggest power difference is between Mercedes-Benz W124 300 E and BMW 5 Series (E28) 535i: 28 hp (21 kW).

Torque comparison

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

Chart data table
VehicleValue
BMW5 Series (E28)535i
310 Nm
229 lb-ft
Mercedes-BenzW124300 E
260 Nm
192 lb-ft

Curb weight comparison

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

Chart data table
VehicleValue
BMW5 Series (E28)535i
1,370 kg
3,020 lb
Mercedes-BenzW124300 E
1,340 kg
2,954 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 (E28)535i
Unrestricted
240 km/h149 mph
Restricted
225 km/h140 mph
Mercedes-BenzW124300 E
225 km/h
140 mph

0-100 km/h comparison

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

Chart data table
VehicleValue
BMW5 Series (E28)535i7.2 s
Mercedes-BenzW124300 E8.3 s

The biggest 0-100 km/h difference is between BMW 5 Series (E28) 535i and Mercedes-Benz W124 300 E: 1.1 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 (E28)535i
159 hp/t
119 kW/t
6.3 kg/hp
Mercedes-BenzW124300 E
142 hp/t
106 kW/t
7.1 kg/hp

Performance spider chart

Radar chart comparing normalized performance and fuel-consumption scores.

Chart data table
VehiclePowerAccelerationTop speed
BMW5 Series (E28)535i
218 hp
163 kW
7.2 s
Unrestricted
240 km/h149 mph
Restricted
225 km/h140 mph
Mercedes-BenzW124300 E
190 hp
142 kW
8.3 s
225 km/h
140 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 (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
Mercedes-BenzW124300 E
Power
190 hp
142 kW
0-100 km/h8.3 s
Top speed
225 km/h
140 mph
Doors/seats
4 doors
5 seats
Trunk
520 L
18.4 cu ft
Length
4,740 mm
186.6 in
Height
1,451 mm
57.1 in

Detailed score breakdown

Detailed score breakdown
VehicleBMW5 Series (E28)535iMercedes-BenzW124300 E
Power
218 hp
163 kW
190 hp
142 kW
Torque
310 Nm
229 lb-ft
260 Nm
192 lb-ft
Acceleration
7.2 s
8.3 s
Top speed
Unrestricted
240 km/h149 mph
Restricted
225 km/h140 mph
225 km/h
140 mph
Lightness
1,370 kg
3,020 lb
1,340 kg
2,954 lb
Fuel consumption
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
4,620 mm
181.9 in
Height
1,415 mm
55.7 in
Doors/seats
4 doors
5 seats
Trunk
520 L
18.4 cu ft
Length
4,740 mm
186.6 in
Height
1,451 mm
57.1 in
Range score
753 km
468 mi
-
Trunk score
460 L
16.2 cu ft
520 L
18.4 cu ft
Power-to-weight score
159 hp/t
119 kW/t
6.3 kg/hp
142 hp/t
106 kW/t
7.1 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 (E28) 535i
Consumption9.3 L/100 km25.3 mpg US30.4 mpg UK
Cost / 100 km16.28 LC100 km
Cost / 100 mi26.19 LC100 mi
Annual fuel used1,395 L369 US gal307 UK gal
Annual fuel cost2,441 LC/year

Head-to-head comparisons

BMW 5 Series (E28) 535i

  • Has 28 hp more
  • Has 50 Nm more
  • Is 1.1 s quicker from 0-100 km/h
  • Has 15 km/h (9 mph) higher top speed
  • Has 17 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

Cons

  • Heaviest
  • Smallest trunk

Mercedes-Benz W124 300 E

  • Is 30 kg lighter
  • Has 60 L more trunk volume

Pros

  • Lightest
  • 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 (E28) 535i
Mercedes-Benz W124 300 E
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