Car comparison

BMW 5 Series (E34) 540i V8vsBMW 5 Series Touring (G31) 530i

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

New comparison

BMW 5 Series (E34)

540i V8

286 hp3982 ccGasolineRWDManualNaturally aspiratedSedan1992-1995
VS

BMW 5 Series Touring (G31)

530i

252 hp1998 ccGasolineAWDAutomaticTurbochargedWagon / estate2017-2020

Comparison overview

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

Best choices

BMW 5 Series (E34) 540i V8

  • Quickest 0-100 km/h
    6.3 s
  • Fastest top speed
    265 km/h
    165 mph Unrestricted
    250 km/h
    155 mph Restricted
  • Most powerful
    286 hp
    213 kW
  • Highest torque
    400 Nm
    295 lb-ft
  • Lightest
    1,605 kg
    3,538 lb
  • Best power-to-weight
    178 hp/t
    133 kW/t
    5.6 kg/hp
  • Best performance score
    64/100

BMW 5 Series Touring (G31) 530i

  • Lowest combined fuel consumption
    7.0 L/100 km
    33.6 mpg US
    40.4 mpg UK
  • Best estimated range
    971 km
    604 mi
  • Largest trunk
    570 L
  • Best overall score
    69/100
  • Best economy score
    88/100
  • Best practicality score
    87/100

Specification comparison

Specification comparison
ModelBMW5 Series (E34)540i V8BMW5 Series Touring (G31)530i
Power
286hp213kW
252hp188kW
Torque
400Nm295lb-ft
350Nm258lb-ft
Curb weight
1,605kg3,538lb
1,695kg3,737lb
Gross weight
2,115kg4,663lb
2,440kg5,379lb
Top speed
Unrestricted
265 km/h165 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph
Calculated
Unrestricted
260 km/h162 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph
Calculated
To 99% top speed
60.9s99% target: 262 km/h / 163 mph
Calculated
69.3s99% target: 257 km/h / 160 mph
Calculated
0-100 km/h
6.3s
6.3s
0-200 km/h
18.6s
Calculated
20.5s
Calculated
0-60 mph
6.0s
Calculated
6.0s
Calculated
Fuel consumption
11.4L/100 km20.6mpg US24.8mpg UK
7L/100 km33.6mpg US40.4mpg UK
Fuel consumption city-
8.6L/100 km27.4mpg US32.8mpg UK
Fuel consumption highway-
6L/100 km39.2mpg US47.1mpg UK
Quarter mile
14.2s
Calculated
14.3s
Calculated
Power-to-weight
178hp/t133kW/t81hp/1000 lb
Calculated
149hp/t111kW/t67hp/1000 lb
Calculated
Torque-to-weight
249Nm/t167lb-ft/ton
Calculated
206Nm/t138lb-ft/ton
Calculated
Estimated range
702km436mi
Calculated
971km604mi
Calculated
Displacement
3,982cc243cu in
1,998cc122cu in
Length
4,720mm186in
4,942mm195in
Width
1,751mm69in
1,868mm74in
Height
1,412mm56in
1,498mm59in
Wheelbase
2,761mm109in
2,975mm117in
Front track
1,470mm58in
1,605mm63in
Rear track
1,495mm59in
1,630mm64in
Ground clearance-
140mm6in
Trunk volume
460L
570L
Max trunk volume-
1,700L
Doors
4
5
Seats
5
5
Fuel tank
80L
68L
CO2 emissions-
159g/km

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 (E34) 540i V8BMW 5 Series Touring (G31) 530iPowerTorque
  • BMW 5 Series (E34) 540i V8: Power / Torque
  • BMW 5 Series Touring (G31) 530i: Power / Torque
Dyno simulation data table
VehiclePeak power RPMPeak torque RPMMax engine speed
BMW5 Series (E34)540i V85,800 rpm4,500 rpm6,050 rpm
BMW5 Series Touring (G31)530i5,200-6,500 rpm1,450-4,800 rpm6,750 rpm

Acceleration curve

Estimated speed over time for selected vehicles.

Acceleration and drag-race table
MetricBMW5 Series (E34)540i V8BMW5 Series Touring (G31)530i
Acceleration checkpoints
0-60 mph
0-97 km/h
6.0 s
6.0 s
0-100 km/h
0-62 mph
6.3 s
6.3 s
0-200 km/h
0-124 mph
18.6 s
20.5 s
Top speed
Unrestricted
265 km/h165 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph
Likely limited
Unrestricted
260 km/h162 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph
Likely limited
Drag race simulation
60 ft
18 m
2.7 s
2.5 s
330 ft
101 m
6.5 s
6.4 s
1/8 mile
201 m
9.5 s
9.5 s
1000 ft
305 m
12.1 s
12.1 s
1/4 mile
402 m
14.2 s
14.3 s
Trap speed
1/4 mile
402 m
174 km/h
108 mph
169 km/h
105 mph

Power comparison

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

Chart data table
VehicleValue
BMW5 Series (E34)540i V8
286 hp
213 kW
BMW5 Series Touring (G31)530i
252 hp
188 kW

BMW 5 Series (E34) 540i V8 has 34 hp more than BMW 5 Series Touring (G31) 530i.

The biggest power difference is between BMW 5 Series Touring (G31) 530i and BMW 5 Series (E34) 540i V8: 34 hp (25 kW).

Torque comparison

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

Chart data table
VehicleValue
BMW5 Series (E34)540i V8
400 Nm
295 lb-ft
BMW5 Series Touring (G31)530i
350 Nm
258 lb-ft

Curb weight comparison

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

Chart data table
VehicleValue
BMW5 Series (E34)540i V8
1,605 kg
3,538 lb
BMW5 Series Touring (G31)530i
1,695 kg
3,737 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 (E34)540i V8
Unrestricted
265 km/h165 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph
BMW5 Series Touring (G31)530i
Unrestricted
260 km/h162 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 (E34)540i V86.3 s
BMW5 Series Touring (G31)530i6.3 s

Fuel consumption comparison

Bar comparison chart for Fuel consumption. Lower is better · L/100 km / mpg US / mpg UK

Chart data table
VehicleValue
BMW5 Series (E34)540i V8
11.4 L/100 km
20.6 mpg US
24.8 mpg UK
BMW5 Series Touring (G31)530i
7.0 L/100 km
33.6 mpg US
40.4 mpg UK

The biggest fuel consumption difference is between BMW 5 Series Touring (G31) 530i and BMW 5 Series (E34) 540i V8: 4.4 L/100 km.

Power-to-weight comparison

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

Chart data table
VehicleValue
BMW5 Series (E34)540i V8
178 hp/t
133 kW/t
5.6 kg/hp
BMW5 Series Touring (G31)530i
149 hp/t
111 kW/t
6.7 kg/hp

Estimated range comparison

Bar comparison chart for Estimated range. Higher is better · km / mi

Chart data table
VehicleValue
BMW5 Series (E34)540i V8
702 km
436 mi
BMW5 Series Touring (G31)530i
971 km
604 mi

Performance spider chart

Radar chart comparing normalized performance and fuel-consumption scores.

Chart data table
VehiclePowerAccelerationTop speed
BMW5 Series (E34)540i V8
286 hp
213 kW
6.3 s
Unrestricted
265 km/h165 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph
BMW5 Series Touring (G31)530i
252 hp
188 kW
6.3 s
Unrestricted
260 km/h162 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 (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
BMW5 Series Touring (G31)530i
Power
252 hp
188 kW
0-100 km/h6.3 s
Top speed
Unrestricted
260 km/h162 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph
Doors/seats
5 doors
5 seats
Trunk
570 L
20.1 cu ft
Length
4,942 mm
194.6 in
Height
1,498 mm
59.0 in

Performance vs fuel economy

Cars closer to the top-right corner combine stronger performance with better fuel economy scores.

Performance vs fuel economy data table
VehiclePerformance scoreFuel economy score
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
11.4 L/100 km
20.6 mpg US
24.8 mpg UK
BMW5 Series Touring (G31)530i
Power
252 hp
188 kW
0-100 km/h6.3 s
Top speed
Unrestricted
260 km/h162 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph
7.0 L/100 km
33.6 mpg US
40.4 mpg UK

BMW 5 Series Touring (G31) 530i is closest to the top-right balance target for performance and fuel economy.

Acceleration vs fuel consumption

Cars closer to the lower-left corner offer a better mix of quick acceleration and low fuel consumption.

Acceleration vs fuel consumption data table
VehicleFuel consumption, L/100 km0-100 km/h, s
BMW5 Series (E34)540i V8
11.4 L/100 km
20.6 mpg US
24.8 mpg UK
6.3 s
BMW5 Series Touring (G31)530i
7.0 L/100 km
33.6 mpg US
40.4 mpg UK
6.3 s

Power-to-weight vs fuel consumption

The shaded area favors higher power-to-weight with lower combined fuel consumption.

Power-to-weight vs fuel consumption data table
VehiclePower-to-weight, hp/tFuel consumption, L/100 km
BMW5 Series (E34)540i V8
178 hp/t
133 kW/t
5.6 kg/hp
11.4 L/100 km
20.6 mpg US
24.8 mpg UK
BMW5 Series Touring (G31)530i
149 hp/t
111 kW/t
6.7 kg/hp
7.0 L/100 km
33.6 mpg US
40.4 mpg UK

Detailed score breakdown

Detailed score breakdown
VehicleBMW5 Series (E34)540i V8BMW5 Series Touring (G31)530i
Power
286 hp
213 kW
252 hp
188 kW
Torque
400 Nm
295 lb-ft
350 Nm
258 lb-ft
Acceleration
6.3 s
6.3 s
Top speed
Unrestricted
265 km/h165 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph
Unrestricted
260 km/h162 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph
Lightness
1,605 kg
3,538 lb
1,695 kg
3,737 lb
Fuel consumption
11.4 L/100 km
20.6 mpg US
24.8 mpg UK
7.0 L/100 km
33.6 mpg US
40.4 mpg UK
Practicality
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
Doors/seats
5 doors
5 seats
Trunk
570 L
20.1 cu ft
Length
4,942 mm
194.6 in
Height
1,498 mm
59.0 in
Range score
702 km
436 mi
971 km
604 mi
CO2 score
-
159 g/km
Trunk score
460 L
16.2 cu ft
570 L
20.1 cu ft
Power-to-weight score
178 hp/t
133 kW/t
5.6 kg/hp
149 hp/t
111 kW/t
6.7 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 V8BMW 5 Series Touring (G31) 530i
Consumption11.4 L/100 km20.6 mpg US24.8 mpg UK7 L/100 km33.6 mpg US40.4 mpg UK
Cost / 100 km19.95 LC100 km12.25 LC100 km
Cost / 100 mi32.11 LC100 mi19.71 LC100 mi
Annual fuel used1,710 L452 US gal376 UK gal1,050 L277 US gal231 UK gal
Annual fuel cost2,993 LC/year1,838 LC/year

Head-to-head comparisons

BMW 5 Series (E34) 540i V8

  • Has 34 hp more
  • Has 50 Nm more
  • Is 90 kg lighter
  • Has 5 km/h (3 mph) higher top speed
  • Has 30 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

  • Highest combined fuel consumption
  • Smallest trunk

BMW 5 Series Touring (G31) 530i

  • Uses 4.4 L/100 km less fuel
  • Has 270 km (168 mi) more estimated range
  • Has 110 L more trunk volume

Pros

  • Lowest combined fuel consumption
  • Best estimated range
  • Largest trunk

Cons

  • Lowest power
  • Heaviest
  • Lowest top speed

Choose cars to compare

Brand
Model
Generation
Engine or modification
BMW 5 Series (E34) 540i V8
BMW 5 Series Touring (G31) 530i
Compare selected cars
2 vehicles selected

Popular comparisons

540i V8
540i V8
VS
BMW5 Series (E34)540i V8vsBMW5 Series (E39)540i V8
530i
540d
VS
BMW5 Series Touring (G31)530ivsBMW5 Series Touring (G61)540d
540i V8
540i V8
VS
BMW5 Series (E34)540i V8vsBMW5 Series (E39)Facelift 2000540i V8
530i
535i
VS
BMW5 Series Touring (G31)530ivsBMW5 Series Touring (F11)535i
540i V8
540i
VS
BMW5 Series (E34)540i V8vsBMW5 Series Touring (E34)540i
530i
535d
VS
BMW5 Series Touring (G31)530ivsBMW5 Series Touring (E61)535d
540i V8
540d
VS
BMW5 Series (E34)540i V8vsBMW5 Series Sedan (G60)540d
530i
530i 24V
VS
BMW5 Series Touring (G31)530ivsBMW5 Series Touring (E39)Facelift 2000530i 24V
540i V8
540i
VS
BMW5 Series (E34)540i V8vsBMW5 Series (E60)540i
530i
540i V8
VS
BMW5 Series Touring (G31)530ivsBMW5 Series Touring (E39)540i V8
540i V8
535d
VS
BMW5 Series (E34)540i V8vsBMW5 Series Sedan (F10)535d
540i V8
M535i
VS
BMW5 Series (E34)540i V8vsBMW5 Series (E28)M535i
BMW 5 Series (E34) 540i V8 vs BMW 5 Series Touring (G31) 530i - car comparison - FastVsFaster