Car comparison

BMW 5 Series (E39) 540i V8vsBMW 5 Series (E34) 540i V8

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

New comparison

BMW 5 Series (E39)

540i V8

286 hp4398 ccGasolineRWDManualNaturally aspiratedSedan1998-2000
VS

BMW 5 Series (E34)

540i V8

286 hp3982 ccGasolineRWDManualNaturally aspiratedSedan1992-1995

Comparison overview

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

Best choices

BMW 5 Series (E39) 540i V8

  • 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
    286 hp
    213 kW
  • Highest torque
    440 Nm
    325 lb-ft
  • Largest trunk
    460 L
  • Best overall score
    68/100
  • Best performance score
    65/100
  • Best practicality score
    74/100

Specification comparison

Specification comparison
ModelBMW5 Series (E39)540i V8BMW5 Series (E34)540i V8
Power
286hp213kW
286hp213kW
Torque
440Nm325lb-ft
400Nm295lb-ft
Curb weight
1,630kg3,594lb
1,605kg3,538lb
Gross weight
2,170kg4,784lb
2,115kg4,663lb
Top speed
Unrestricted
265 km/h165 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph
Calculated
Unrestricted
265 km/h165 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph
Calculated
To 99% top speed
61.0s99% target: 262 km/h / 163 mph
Calculated
60.9s99% target: 262 km/h / 163 mph
Calculated
0-100 km/h
6.2s
6.3s
0-200 km/h
18.5s
Calculated
18.6s
Calculated
0-60 mph
5.9s
Calculated
6.0s
Calculated
Fuel consumption-
11.4L/100 km20.6mpg US24.8mpg UK
Fuel consumption city
17.7L/100 km13.3mpg US16.0mpg UK
-
Fuel consumption highway
8.9L/100 km26.4mpg US31.7mpg UK
-
Quarter mile
14.1s
Calculated
14.2s
Calculated
Power-to-weight
175hp/t131kW/t80hp/1000 lb
Calculated
178hp/t133kW/t81hp/1000 lb
Calculated
Torque-to-weight
270Nm/t181lb-ft/ton
Calculated
249Nm/t167lb-ft/ton
Calculated
Estimated range-
702km436mi
Calculated
Displacement
4,398cc268cu in
3,982cc243cu in
Length
4,775mm188in
4,720mm186in
Width
1,800mm71in
1,751mm69in
Height
1,435mm56in
1,412mm56in
Wheelbase
2,830mm111in
2,761mm109in
Front track
1,512mm60in
1,470mm58in
Rear track
1,526mm60in
1,495mm59in
Trunk volume
460L
460L
Doors
4
4
Seats
5
5
Fuel tank
70L
80L

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) 540i V8BMW 5 Series (E34) 540i V8PowerTorque
  • BMW 5 Series (E39) 540i V8: Power / Torque
  • BMW 5 Series (E34) 540i V8: Power / Torque
Dyno simulation data table
VehiclePeak power RPMPeak torque RPMMax engine speed
BMW5 Series (E39)540i V85,400 rpm3,600 rpm5,650 rpm
BMW5 Series (E34)540i V85,800 rpm4,500 rpm6,050 rpm

Acceleration curve

Estimated speed over time for selected vehicles.

Acceleration and drag-race table
MetricBMW5 Series (E39)540i V8BMW5 Series (E34)540i V8
Acceleration checkpoints
0-60 mph
0-97 km/h
5.9 s
6.0 s
0-100 km/h
0-62 mph
6.2 s
6.3 s
0-200 km/h
0-124 mph
18.5 s
18.6 s
Top speed
Unrestricted
265 km/h165 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph
Likely limited
Unrestricted
265 km/h165 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph
Likely limited
Drag race simulation
60 ft
18 m
2.6 s
2.7 s
330 ft
101 m
6.5 s
6.5 s
1/8 mile
201 m
9.5 s
9.5 s
1000 ft
305 m
12.0 s
12.1 s
1/4 mile
402 m
14.1 s
14.2 s
Trap speed
1/4 mile
402 m
174 km/h
108 mph
174 km/h
108 mph

Power comparison

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

Chart data table
VehicleValue
BMW5 Series (E39)540i V8
286 hp
213 kW
BMW5 Series (E34)540i V8
286 hp
213 kW

Torque comparison

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

Chart data table
VehicleValue
BMW5 Series (E39)540i V8
440 Nm
325 lb-ft
BMW5 Series (E34)540i V8
400 Nm
295 lb-ft

Curb weight comparison

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

Chart data table
VehicleValue
BMW5 Series (E39)540i V8
1,630 kg
3,594 lb
BMW5 Series (E34)540i V8
1,605 kg
3,538 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)540i V8
Unrestricted
265 km/h165 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph
BMW5 Series (E34)540i V8
Unrestricted
265 km/h165 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 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)540i V86.2 s
BMW5 Series (E34)540i V86.3 s

The biggest 0-100 km/h difference is between BMW 5 Series (E39) 540i V8 and BMW 5 Series (E34) 540i V8: 0.1 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 (E39)540i V8
175 hp/t
131 kW/t
5.7 kg/hp
BMW5 Series (E34)540i V8
178 hp/t
133 kW/t
5.6 kg/hp

Performance spider chart

Radar chart comparing normalized performance and fuel-consumption scores.

Chart data table
VehiclePowerAccelerationTop speed
BMW5 Series (E39)540i V8
286 hp
213 kW
6.2 s
Unrestricted
265 km/h165 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph
BMW5 Series (E34)540i V8
286 hp
213 kW
6.3 s
Unrestricted
265 km/h165 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 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)540i V8
Power
286 hp
213 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
460 L
16.2 cu ft
Length
4,775 mm
188.0 in
Height
1,435 mm
56.5 in
BMW5 Series (E34)540i V8
Power
286 hp
213 kW
0-100 km/h6.3 s
Top speed
Unrestricted
265 km/h165 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph
Doors/seats
4 doors
5 seats
Trunk
460 L
16.2 cu ft
Length
4,720 mm
185.8 in
Height
1,412 mm
55.6 in

Detailed score breakdown

Detailed score breakdown
VehicleBMW5 Series (E39)540i V8BMW5 Series (E34)540i V8
Power
286 hp
213 kW
286 hp
213 kW
Torque
440 Nm
325 lb-ft
400 Nm
295 lb-ft
Acceleration
6.2 s
6.3 s
Top speed
Unrestricted
265 km/h165 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph
Unrestricted
265 km/h165 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph
Lightness
1,630 kg
3,594 lb
1,605 kg
3,538 lb
Fuel consumption
-
11.4 L/100 km
20.6 mpg US
24.8 mpg UK
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
4,720 mm
185.8 in
Height
1,412 mm
55.6 in
Range score
-
702 km
436 mi
Trunk score
460 L
16.2 cu ft
460 L
16.2 cu ft
Power-to-weight score
175 hp/t
131 kW/t
5.7 kg/hp
178 hp/t
133 kW/t
5.6 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 (E34) 540i V8
Consumption11.4 L/100 km20.6 mpg US24.8 mpg UK
Cost / 100 km19.95 LC100 km
Cost / 100 mi32.11 LC100 mi
Annual fuel used1,710 L452 US gal376 UK gal
Annual fuel cost2,993 LC/year

Head-to-head comparisons

BMW 5 Series (E39) 540i V8

  • Has 40 Nm more
  • Is 0.1 s quicker from 0-100 km/h

Pros

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

Cons

  • Heaviest

BMW 5 Series (E34) 540i V8

  • Is 25 kg lighter
  • Has 3 hp/t better power-to-weight

Pros

  • Lightest
  • Best power-to-weight ratio

Cons

  • Slowest 0-100 km/h

Choose cars to compare

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Model
Generation
Engine or modification
BMW 5 Series (E39) 540i V8
BMW 5 Series (E34) 540i V8
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