Car comparison

BMW 5 Series (E28) M535ivsMercedes-Benz W124 300 E

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

New comparison

BMW 5 Series (E28)

M535i

218 hp3430 ccGasolineRWDManualNaturally aspiratedSedan1984-1987
VS

Mercedes-Benz W124

300 E

190 hp2962 ccGasolineRWDManualNaturally aspiratedSedan1984-1985

Comparison overview

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

Best choices

BMW 5 Series (E28) M535i

  • Quickest 0-100 km/h
    7.2 s
  • Fastest top speed
    245 km/h
    152 mph Unrestricted
    230 km/h
    143 mph Restricted
  • Most powerful
    218 hp
    163 kW
  • Highest torque
    310 Nm
    229 lb-ft
  • Lightest
    1,315 kg
    2,899 lb
  • Best power-to-weight
    166 hp/t
    124 kW/t
    6.0 kg/hp
  • Best overall score
    61/100
  • Best performance score
    55/100
  • Best economy score
    0/100

Mercedes-Benz W124 300 E

  • Lowest city consumption
    12.1 L/100 km
    19.4 mpg US
    23.3 mpg UK
  • Lowest highway consumption
    6.5 L/100 km
    36.2 mpg US
    43.5 mpg UK
  • Largest trunk
    520 L
  • Best practicality score
    76/100

Specification comparison

Specification comparison
ModelBMW5 Series (E28)M535iMercedes-BenzW124300 E
Power
218hp163kW
190hp142kW
Torque
310Nm229lb-ft
260Nm192lb-ft
Curb weight
1,315kg2,899lb
1,340kg2,954lb
Gross weight
1,900kg4,189lb
1,860kg4,101lb
Top speed
Unrestricted
245 km/h152 mph
Restricted
230 km/h143 mph
Calculated
230 km/h
143 mph
To 99% top speed
62.2s99% target: 243 km/h / 151 mph
Calculated
72.3s99% target: 228 km/h / 141 mph
Calculated
0-100 km/h
7.2s
7.9s
0-200 km/h
23.1s
Calculated
30.5s
Calculated
0-60 mph
6.9s
Calculated
7.5s
Calculated
Fuel consumption city
15L/100 km15.7mpg US18.8mpg UK
12.1L/100 km19.4mpg US23.3mpg UK
Fuel consumption highway
9L/100 km26.1mpg US31.4mpg UK
6.5L/100 km36.2mpg US43.5mpg UK
Quarter mile
15.0s
Calculated
15.7s
Calculated
Power-to-weight
166hp/t124kW/t75hp/1000 lb
Calculated
142hp/t106kW/t64hp/1000 lb
Calculated
Torque-to-weight
236Nm/t158lb-ft/ton
Calculated
194Nm/t130lb-ft/ton
Calculated
Displacement
3,430cc209cu in
2,962cc181cu in
Length
4,604mm181in
4,740mm187in
Width
1,710mm67in
1,740mm69in
Height
1,397mm55in
1,451mm57in
Wheelbase
2,628mm103in
2,800mm110in
Front track
1,430mm56in
1,501mm59in
Rear track
1,460mm57in
1,485mm58in
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) M535iMercedes-Benz W124 300 EPowerTorque
  • BMW 5 Series (E28) M535i: Power / Torque
  • Mercedes-Benz W124 300 E: Power / Torque
Dyno simulation data table
VehiclePeak power RPMPeak torque RPMMax engine speed
BMW5 Series (E28)M535i5,500 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)M535iMercedes-BenzW124300 E
Acceleration checkpoints
0-60 mph
0-97 km/h
6.9 s
7.5 s
0-100 km/h
0-62 mph
7.2 s
7.9 s
0-200 km/h
0-124 mph
23.1 s
30.5 s
Top speed
Unrestricted
245 km/h152 mph
Restricted
230 km/h143 mph
Likely limited
230 km/h
143 mph
Drag race simulation
60 ft
18 m
2.8 s
2.8 s
330 ft
101 m
6.9 s
7.1 s
1/8 mile
201 m
10.1 s
10.4 s
1000 ft
305 m
12.8 s
13.3 s
1/4 mile
402 m
15.0 s
15.7 s
Trap speed
1/4 mile
402 m
164 km/h
102 mph
153 km/h
95 mph

Power comparison

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

Chart data table
VehicleValue
BMW5 Series (E28)M535i
218 hp
163 kW
Mercedes-BenzW124300 E
190 hp
142 kW

BMW 5 Series (E28) M535i 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) M535i: 28 hp (21 kW).

Torque comparison

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

Chart data table
VehicleValue
BMW5 Series (E28)M535i
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)M535i
1,315 kg
2,899 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)M535i
Unrestricted
245 km/h152 mph
Restricted
230 km/h143 mph
Mercedes-BenzW124300 E
230 km/h
143 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)M535i7.2 s
Mercedes-BenzW124300 E7.9 s

The biggest 0-100 km/h difference is between BMW 5 Series (E28) M535i and Mercedes-Benz W124 300 E: 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
BMW5 Series (E28)M535i
166 hp/t
124 kW/t
6.0 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)M535i
218 hp
163 kW
7.2 s
Unrestricted
245 km/h152 mph
Restricted
230 km/h143 mph
Mercedes-BenzW124300 E
190 hp
142 kW
7.9 s
230 km/h
143 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)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
Mercedes-BenzW124300 E
Power
190 hp
142 kW
0-100 km/h7.9 s
Top speed
230 km/h
143 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)M535iMercedes-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
7.9 s
Top speed
Unrestricted
245 km/h152 mph
Restricted
230 km/h143 mph
230 km/h
143 mph
Lightness
1,315 kg
2,899 lb
1,340 kg
2,954 lb
Practicality
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
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
Trunk score
460 L
16.2 cu ft
520 L
18.4 cu ft
Power-to-weight score
166 hp/t
124 kW/t
6.0 kg/hp
142 hp/t
106 kW/t
7.1 kg/hp
Overall
Fixed score
Fixed score

Head-to-head comparisons

BMW 5 Series (E28) M535i

  • Has 28 hp more
  • Has 50 Nm more
  • Is 25 kg lighter
  • Is 0.7 s quicker from 0-100 km/h
  • Has 15 km/h (9 mph) higher top speed
  • Has 24 hp/t better power-to-weight

Pros

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

Cons

  • Smallest trunk

Mercedes-Benz W124 300 E

  • Has 60 L more trunk volume

Pros

  • Largest trunk

Cons

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

Choose cars to compare

Brand
Model
Generation
Engine or modification
BMW 5 Series (E28) M535i
Mercedes-Benz W124 300 E
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BMW 5 Series (E28) M535i vs Mercedes-Benz W124 300 E - car comparison - FastVsFaster