Car comparison

BMW M5 (E28) 3.5vsBMW 5 Series (E28) M535i

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

New comparison

BMW M5 (E28)

3.5

286 hp3453 ccGasolineRWDManualNaturally aspiratedSedan1985-1987
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 M5 (E28) 3.5

  • Quickest 0-100 km/h
    6.5 s
  • Fastest top speed
    245 km/h
    152 mph
  • Most powerful
    286 hp
    213 kW
  • Highest torque
    340 Nm
    251 lb-ft
  • Best power-to-weight
    200 hp/t
    149 kW/t
    5.0 kg/hp
  • Largest trunk
    640 L
  • Best overall score
    66/100
  • Best performance score
    60/100
  • Best economy score
    0/100
  • Best practicality score
    80/100

Specification comparison

Specification comparison
ModelBMWM5 (E28)3.5BMW5 Series (E28)M535i
Power
286hp213kW
218hp163kW
Torque
340Nm251lb-ft
310Nm229lb-ft
Curb weight
1,430kg3,153lb
1,315kg2,899lb
Gross weight
1,900kg4,189lb
1,900kg4,189lb
Top speed
245 km/h
152 mph
Unrestricted
245 km/h152 mph
Restricted
230 km/h143 mph
Calculated
To 99% top speed
57.2s99% target: 243 km/h / 151 mph
Calculated
62.2s99% target: 243 km/h / 151 mph
Calculated
0-100 km/h
6.5s
7.2s
0-200 km/h
21.0s
Calculated
23.1s
Calculated
0-60 mph
6.2s
Calculated
6.9s
Calculated
Fuel consumption city
16.5L/100 km14.3mpg US17.1mpg UK
15L/100 km15.7mpg US18.8mpg UK
Fuel consumption highway-
9L/100 km26.1mpg US31.4mpg UK
Quarter mile
14.4s
Calculated
15.0s
Calculated
Power-to-weight
200hp/t149kW/t91hp/1000 lb
Calculated
166hp/t124kW/t75hp/1000 lb
Calculated
Torque-to-weight
238Nm/t159lb-ft/ton
Calculated
236Nm/t158lb-ft/ton
Calculated
Displacement
3,453cc211cu in
3,430cc209cu in
Length
4,620mm182in
4,604mm181in
Width
1,700mm67in
1,710mm67in
Height
1,400mm55in
1,397mm55in
Wheelbase
2,625mm103in
2,628mm103in
Front track
1,430mm56in
1,430mm56in
Rear track
1,465mm58in
1,460mm57in
Trunk volume
640L
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 M5 (E28) 3.5BMW 5 Series (E28) M535iPowerTorque
  • BMW M5 (E28) 3.5: Power / Torque
  • BMW 5 Series (E28) M535i: Power / Torque
Dyno simulation data table
VehiclePeak power RPMPeak torque RPMMax engine speed
BMWM5 (E28)3.56,500 rpm4,500 rpm6,750 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
MetricBMWM5 (E28)3.5BMW5 Series (E28)M535i
Acceleration checkpoints
0-60 mph
0-97 km/h
6.2 s
6.9 s
0-100 km/h
0-62 mph
6.5 s
7.2 s
0-200 km/h
0-124 mph
21.0 s
23.1 s
Top speed
245 km/h
152 mph
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
6.6 s
6.9 s
1/8 mile
201 m
9.7 s
10.1 s
1000 ft
305 m
12.3 s
12.8 s
1/4 mile
402 m
14.4 s
15.0 s
Trap speed
1/4 mile
402 m
168 km/h
105 mph
164 km/h
102 mph

Power comparison

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

Chart data table
VehicleValue
BMWM5 (E28)3.5
286 hp
213 kW
BMW5 Series (E28)M535i
218 hp
163 kW

BMW M5 (E28) 3.5 has 68 hp more than BMW 5 Series (E28) M535i.

The biggest power difference is between BMW 5 Series (E28) M535i and BMW M5 (E28) 3.5: 68 hp (51 kW).

Torque comparison

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

Chart data table
VehicleValue
BMWM5 (E28)3.5
340 Nm
251 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
BMWM5 (E28)3.5
1,430 kg
3,153 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
BMWM5 (E28)3.5
245 km/h
152 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
BMWM5 (E28)3.56.5 s
BMW5 Series (E28)M535i7.2 s

The biggest 0-100 km/h difference is between BMW M5 (E28) 3.5 and BMW 5 Series (E28) M535i: 0.7 s.

Power-to-weight comparison

Bar comparison chart for Power-to-weight. Higher is better · hp/t / kW/t

Chart data table
VehicleValue
BMWM5 (E28)3.5
200 hp/t
149 kW/t
5.0 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
BMWM5 (E28)3.5
286 hp
213 kW
6.5 s
245 km/h
152 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
BMWM5 (E28)3.5
Power
286 hp
213 kW
0-100 km/h6.5 s
Top speed
245 km/h
152 mph
Doors/seats
4 doors
5 seats
Trunk
640 L
22.6 cu ft
Length
4,620 mm
181.9 in
Height
1,400 mm
55.1 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
VehicleBMWM5 (E28)3.5BMW5 Series (E28)M535i
Power
286 hp
213 kW
218 hp
163 kW
Torque
340 Nm
251 lb-ft
310 Nm
229 lb-ft
Acceleration
6.5 s
7.2 s
Top speed
245 km/h
152 mph
Unrestricted
245 km/h152 mph
Restricted
230 km/h143 mph
Lightness
1,430 kg
3,153 lb
1,315 kg
2,899 lb
Practicality
Doors/seats
4 doors
5 seats
Trunk
640 L
22.6 cu ft
Length
4,620 mm
181.9 in
Height
1,400 mm
55.1 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
640 L
22.6 cu ft
460 L
16.2 cu ft
Power-to-weight score
200 hp/t
149 kW/t
5.0 kg/hp
166 hp/t
124 kW/t
6.0 kg/hp
Overall
Fixed score
Fixed score

Head-to-head comparisons

BMW M5 (E28) 3.5

  • Has 68 hp more
  • Has 30 Nm more
  • Is 0.7 s quicker from 0-100 km/h
  • Has 34 hp/t better power-to-weight
  • Has 180 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

Brand
Model
Generation
Engine or modification
BMW M5 (E28) 3.5
BMW 5 Series (E28) M535i
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2 vehicles selected

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BMW M5 (E28) 3.5 vs BMW 5 Series (E28) M535i - car comparison - FastVsFaster