Car comparison

BMW 5 Series (E60) 540ivsBMW 5 Series (E28) M535i

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

New comparison

BMW 5 Series (E60)

540i

306 hp4000 ccGasolineRWDManualNaturally aspiratedSedan2005-2007
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 (E60) 540i

  • Quickest 0-100 km/h
    6.2 s
  • Fastest top speed
    265 km/h
    165 mph Unrestricted
    250 km/h
    155 mph Restricted
  • Most powerful
    306 hp
    228 kW
  • Highest torque
    390 Nm
    288 lb-ft
  • Best power-to-weight
    185 hp/t
    138 kW/t
    5.4 kg/hp
  • Lowest highway consumption
    8.0 L/100 km
    29.4 mpg US
    35.3 mpg UK
  • Largest trunk
    520 L
  • Best overall score
    68/100
  • Best performance score
    64/100
  • Best economy score
    0/100
  • Best practicality score
    78/100

Specification comparison

Specification comparison
ModelBMW5 Series (E60)540iBMW5 Series (E28)M535i
Power
306hp228kW
218hp163kW
Torque
390Nm288lb-ft
310Nm229lb-ft
Curb weight
1,655kg3,649lb
1,315kg2,899lb
Gross weight
2,210kg4,872lb
1,900kg4,189lb
Top speed
Unrestricted
265 km/h165 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph
Calculated
Unrestricted
245 km/h152 mph
Restricted
230 km/h143 mph
Calculated
To 99% top speed
63.4s99% target: 262 km/h / 163 mph
Calculated
62.2s99% target: 243 km/h / 151 mph
Calculated
0-100 km/h
6.2s
7.2s
0-200 km/h
18.9s
Calculated
23.1s
Calculated
0-60 mph
5.9s
Calculated
6.9s
Calculated
Fuel consumption city
16.2L/100 km14.5mpg US17.4mpg UK
15L/100 km15.7mpg US18.8mpg UK
Fuel consumption highway
8L/100 km29.4mpg US35.3mpg UK
9L/100 km26.1mpg US31.4mpg UK
Quarter mile
14.1s
Calculated
15.0s
Calculated
Power-to-weight
185hp/t138kW/t84hp/1000 lb
Calculated
166hp/t124kW/t75hp/1000 lb
Calculated
Torque-to-weight
236Nm/t158lb-ft/ton
Calculated
236Nm/t158lb-ft/ton
Calculated
Displacement
4,000cc244cu in
3,430cc209cu in
Length
4,841mm191in
4,604mm181in
Width
1,846mm73in
1,710mm67in
Height
1,468mm58in
1,397mm55in
Wheelbase
2,888mm114in
2,628mm103in
Front track
1,558mm61in
1,430mm56in
Rear track
1,582mm62in
1,460mm57in
Trunk volume-
460L
Max trunk volume
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 (E60) 540iBMW 5 Series (E28) M535iPowerTorque
  • BMW 5 Series (E60) 540i: Power / Torque
  • BMW 5 Series (E28) M535i: Power / Torque
Dyno simulation data table
VehiclePeak power RPMPeak torque RPMMax engine speed
BMW5 Series (E60)540i6,300 rpm3,500 rpm6,550 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 (E60)540iBMW5 Series (E28)M535i
Acceleration checkpoints
0-60 mph
0-97 km/h
5.9 s
6.9 s
0-100 km/h
0-62 mph
6.2 s
7.2 s
0-200 km/h
0-124 mph
18.9 s
23.1 s
Top speed
Unrestricted
265 km/h165 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
2.6 s
2.8 s
330 ft
101 m
6.4 s
6.9 s
1/8 mile
201 m
9.5 s
10.1 s
1000 ft
305 m
12.0 s
12.8 s
1/4 mile
402 m
14.1 s
15.0 s
Trap speed
1/4 mile
402 m
173 km/h
108 mph
164 km/h
102 mph

Power comparison

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

Chart data table
VehicleValue
BMW5 Series (E60)540i
306 hp
228 kW
BMW5 Series (E28)M535i
218 hp
163 kW

BMW 5 Series (E60) 540i has 88 hp more than BMW 5 Series (E28) M535i.

The biggest power difference is between BMW 5 Series (E28) M535i and BMW 5 Series (E60) 540i: 88 hp (66 kW).

Torque comparison

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

Chart data table
VehicleValue
BMW5 Series (E60)540i
390 Nm
288 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 (E60)540i
1,655 kg
3,649 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 (E60)540i
Unrestricted
265 km/h165 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 (E60)540i6.2 s
BMW5 Series (E28)M535i7.2 s

The biggest 0-100 km/h difference is between BMW 5 Series (E60) 540i and BMW 5 Series (E28) M535i: 1.0 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 (E60)540i
185 hp/t
138 kW/t
5.4 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 (E60)540i
306 hp
228 kW
6.2 s
Unrestricted
265 km/h165 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 (E60)540i
Power
306 hp
228 kW
0-100 km/h6.2 s
Top speed
Unrestricted
265 km/h165 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph
Doors/seats
4 doors
5 seats
Trunk
520 L
18.4 cu ft
Length
4,841 mm
190.6 in
Height
1,468 mm
57.8 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 (E60)540iBMW5 Series (E28)M535i
Power
306 hp
228 kW
218 hp
163 kW
Torque
390 Nm
288 lb-ft
310 Nm
229 lb-ft
Acceleration
6.2 s
7.2 s
Top speed
Unrestricted
265 km/h165 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph
Unrestricted
245 km/h152 mph
Restricted
230 km/h143 mph
Lightness
1,655 kg
3,649 lb
1,315 kg
2,899 lb
Practicality
Doors/seats
4 doors
5 seats
Trunk
520 L
18.4 cu ft
Length
4,841 mm
190.6 in
Height
1,468 mm
57.8 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
520 L
18.4 cu ft
460 L
16.2 cu ft
Power-to-weight score
185 hp/t
138 kW/t
5.4 kg/hp
166 hp/t
124 kW/t
6.0 kg/hp
Overall
Fixed score
Fixed score

Head-to-head comparisons

BMW 5 Series (E60) 540i

  • Has 88 hp more
  • Has 80 Nm more
  • Is 1.0 s quicker from 0-100 km/h
  • Has 20 km/h (12 mph) higher top speed
  • Has 19 hp/t better power-to-weight
  • Has 60 L more trunk volume

Pros

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

Cons

  • Heaviest

Choose cars to compare

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Model
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Engine or modification
BMW 5 Series (E60) 540i
BMW 5 Series (E28) M535i
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BMW 5 Series (E60) 540i vs BMW 5 Series (E28) M535i - car comparison - FastVsFaster