Car comparison

BMW 5 Series (E39) 535i V8vsBMW 5 Series (E28) 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 (E28)

M535i

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 (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
  • Lowest highway consumption
    8.5 L/100 km
    27.7 mpg US
    33.2 mpg UK
  • Largest trunk
    460 L
  • Best overall score
    64/100
  • Best performance score
    59/100
  • Best economy score
    0/100
  • Best practicality score
    74/100

BMW 5 Series (E28) M535i

  • Lightest
    1,315 kg
    2,899 lb
  • Best power-to-weight
    166 hp/t
    124 kW/t
    6.0 kg/hp
  • Lowest city consumption
    15.0 L/100 km
    15.7 mpg US
    18.8 mpg UK

Specification comparison

Specification comparison
ModelBMW5 Series (E39)535i V8BMW5 Series (E28)M535i
Power
245hp183kW
218hp163kW
Torque
345Nm254lb-ft
310Nm229lb-ft
Curb weight
1,610kg3,549lb
1,315kg2,899lb
Gross weight
2,150kg4,740lb
1,900kg4,189lb
Top speed
Unrestricted
260 km/h162 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph
Calculated
Unrestricted
245 km/h152 mph
Restricted
230 km/h143 mph
Calculated
To 99% top speed
68.4s99% target: 257 km/h / 160 mph
Calculated
62.2s99% target: 243 km/h / 151 mph
Calculated
0-100 km/h
6.9s
7.2s
0-200 km/h
21.3s
Calculated
23.1s
Calculated
0-60 mph
6.6s
Calculated
6.9s
Calculated
Fuel consumption city
16.9L/100 km13.9mpg US16.7mpg UK
15L/100 km15.7mpg US18.8mpg UK
Fuel consumption highway
8.5L/100 km27.7mpg US33.2mpg UK
9L/100 km26.1mpg US31.4mpg UK
Quarter mile
14.8s
Calculated
15.0s
Calculated
Power-to-weight
152hp/t113kW/t69hp/1000 lb
Calculated
166hp/t124kW/t75hp/1000 lb
Calculated
Torque-to-weight
214Nm/t143lb-ft/ton
Calculated
236Nm/t158lb-ft/ton
Calculated
Displacement
3,498cc213cu in
3,430cc209cu in
Length
4,775mm188in
4,604mm181in
Width
1,800mm71in
1,710mm67in
Height
1,435mm56in
1,397mm55in
Wheelbase
2,830mm111in
2,628mm103in
Front track
1,512mm60in
1,430mm56in
Rear track
1,526mm60in
1,460mm57in
Trunk volume
460L
460L
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 (E39) 535i V8BMW 5 Series (E28) M535iPowerTorque
  • BMW 5 Series (E39) 535i V8: Power / Torque
  • BMW 5 Series (E28) 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 (E28)M535i5,500 rpm4,000 rpm5,750 rpm

Acceleration curve

Estimated speed over time for selected vehicles.

Acceleration and drag-race table
MetricBMW5 Series (E39)535i V8BMW5 Series (E28)M535i
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
23.1 s
Top speed
Unrestricted
260 km/h162 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph
Likely limited
Unrestricted
245 km/h152 mph
Restricted
230 km/h143 mph
Likely limited
Drag race simulation
60 ft
18 m
2.7 s
2.8 s
330 ft
101 m
6.8 s
6.9 s
1/8 mile
201 m
9.9 s
10.1 s
1000 ft
305 m
12.6 s
12.8 s
1/4 mile
402 m
14.8 s
15.0 s
Trap speed
1/4 mile
402 m
167 km/h
104 mph
164 km/h
102 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 (E28)M535i
218 hp
163 kW

BMW 5 Series (E39) 535i V8 has 27 hp more than BMW 5 Series (E28) M535i.

The biggest power difference is between BMW 5 Series (E28) 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 (E28)M535i
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 (E39)535i V8
1,610 kg
3,549 lb
BMW5 Series (E28)M535i
1,315 kg
2,899 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 (E28)M535i
Unrestricted
245 km/h152 mph
Restricted
230 km/h143 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 (E28)M535i7.2 s

The biggest 0-100 km/h difference is between BMW 5 Series (E39) 535i V8 and BMW 5 Series (E28) 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 (E28)M535i
166 hp/t
124 kW/t
6.0 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 (E28)M535i
218 hp
163 kW
7.2 s
Unrestricted
245 km/h152 mph
Restricted
230 km/h143 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 (E28)M535i
Power
218 hp
163 kW
0-100 km/h7.2 s
Top speed
Unrestricted
245 km/h152 mph
Restricted
230 km/h143 mph
Doors/seats
4 doors
5 seats
Trunk
460 L
16.2 cu ft
Length
4,604 mm
181.3 in
Height
1,397 mm
55.0 in

Detailed score breakdown

Detailed score breakdown
VehicleBMW5 Series (E39)535i V8BMW5 Series (E28)M535i
Power
245 hp
183 kW
218 hp
163 kW
Torque
345 Nm
254 lb-ft
310 Nm
229 lb-ft
Acceleration
6.9 s
7.2 s
Top speed
Unrestricted
260 km/h162 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph
Unrestricted
245 km/h152 mph
Restricted
230 km/h143 mph
Lightness
1,610 kg
3,549 lb
1,315 kg
2,899 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
460 L
16.2 cu ft
Length
4,604 mm
181.3 in
Height
1,397 mm
55.0 in
Trunk score
460 L
16.2 cu ft
460 L
16.2 cu ft
Power-to-weight score
152 hp/t
113 kW/t
6.6 kg/hp
166 hp/t
124 kW/t
6.0 kg/hp
Overall
Fixed score
Fixed score

Head-to-head comparisons

BMW 5 Series (E39) 535i V8

  • Has 27 hp more
  • Has 35 Nm more
  • Is 0.3 s quicker from 0-100 km/h
  • Has 15 km/h (9 mph) higher top speed

Pros

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

Cons

  • Heaviest

BMW 5 Series (E28) M535i

  • Is 295 kg lighter
  • Has 14 hp/t better power-to-weight

Pros

  • Lightest
  • Best power-to-weight ratio

Cons

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

Choose cars to compare

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Model
Generation
Engine or modification
BMW 5 Series (E39) 535i V8
BMW 5 Series (E28) M535i
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BMW 5 Series (E39) 535i V8 vs BMW 5 Series (E28) M535i - car comparison - FastVsFaster