Car comparison

BMW 5 Series (E34) 540i V8vsBMW M5 (E28) 3.5

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 M5 (E28)

3.5

286 hp3453 ccGasolineRWDManualNaturally aspiratedSedan1985-1987

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
  • Best overall score
    67/100
  • Best performance score
    64/100
  • Best economy score
    76/100

BMW M5 (E28) 3.5

  • Lightest
    1,430 kg
    3,153 lb
  • Best power-to-weight
    200 hp/t
    149 kW/t
    5.0 kg/hp
  • Largest trunk
    640 L
  • Best practicality score
    80/100

Specification comparison

Specification comparison
ModelBMW5 Series (E34)540i V8BMWM5 (E28)3.5
Power
286hp213kW
286hp213kW
Torque
400Nm295lb-ft
340Nm251lb-ft
Curb weight
1,605kg3,538lb
1,430kg3,153lb
Gross weight
2,115kg4,663lb
1,900kg4,189lb
Top speed
Unrestricted
265 km/h165 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph
Calculated
245 km/h
152 mph
To 99% top speed
60.9s99% target: 262 km/h / 163 mph
Calculated
57.2s99% target: 243 km/h / 151 mph
Calculated
0-100 km/h
6.3s
6.5s
0-200 km/h
18.6s
Calculated
21.0s
Calculated
0-60 mph
6.0s
Calculated
6.2s
Calculated
Fuel consumption
11.4L/100 km20.6mpg US24.8mpg UK
-
Fuel consumption city-
16.5L/100 km14.3mpg US17.1mpg UK
Quarter mile
14.2s
Calculated
14.4s
Calculated
Power-to-weight
178hp/t133kW/t81hp/1000 lb
Calculated
200hp/t149kW/t91hp/1000 lb
Calculated
Torque-to-weight
249Nm/t167lb-ft/ton
Calculated
238Nm/t159lb-ft/ton
Calculated
Estimated range
702km436mi
Calculated
-
Displacement
3,982cc243cu in
3,453cc211cu in
Length
4,720mm186in
4,620mm182in
Width
1,751mm69in
1,700mm67in
Height
1,412mm56in
1,400mm55in
Wheelbase
2,761mm109in
2,625mm103in
Front track
1,470mm58in
1,430mm56in
Rear track
1,495mm59in
1,465mm58in
Trunk volume
460L
640L
Doors
4
4
Seats
5
5
Fuel tank
80L
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 (E34) 540i V8BMW M5 (E28) 3.5PowerTorque
  • BMW 5 Series (E34) 540i V8: Power / Torque
  • BMW M5 (E28) 3.5: Power / Torque
Dyno simulation data table
VehiclePeak power RPMPeak torque RPMMax engine speed
BMW5 Series (E34)540i V85,800 rpm4,500 rpm6,050 rpm
BMWM5 (E28)3.56,500 rpm4,500 rpm6,750 rpm

Acceleration curve

Estimated speed over time for selected vehicles.

Acceleration and drag-race table
MetricBMW5 Series (E34)540i V8BMWM5 (E28)3.5
Acceleration checkpoints
0-60 mph
0-97 km/h
6.0 s
6.2 s
0-100 km/h
0-62 mph
6.3 s
6.5 s
0-200 km/h
0-124 mph
18.6 s
21.0 s
Top speed
Unrestricted
265 km/h165 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph
Likely limited
245 km/h
152 mph
Drag race simulation
60 ft
18 m
2.7 s
2.7 s
330 ft
101 m
6.5 s
6.6 s
1/8 mile
201 m
9.5 s
9.7 s
1000 ft
305 m
12.1 s
12.3 s
1/4 mile
402 m
14.2 s
14.4 s
Trap speed
1/4 mile
402 m
174 km/h
108 mph
168 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
BMWM5 (E28)3.5
286 hp
213 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
BMWM5 (E28)3.5
340 Nm
251 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
BMWM5 (E28)3.5
1,430 kg
3,153 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
BMWM5 (E28)3.5
245 km/h
152 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
BMWM5 (E28)3.56.5 s

The biggest 0-100 km/h difference is between BMW 5 Series (E34) 540i V8 and BMW M5 (E28) 3.5: 0.2 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 (E34)540i V8
178 hp/t
133 kW/t
5.6 kg/hp
BMWM5 (E28)3.5
200 hp/t
149 kW/t
5.0 kg/hp

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
BMWM5 (E28)3.5
286 hp
213 kW
6.5 s
245 km/h
152 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
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

Detailed score breakdown

Detailed score breakdown
VehicleBMW5 Series (E34)540i V8BMWM5 (E28)3.5
Power
286 hp
213 kW
286 hp
213 kW
Torque
400 Nm
295 lb-ft
340 Nm
251 lb-ft
Acceleration
6.3 s
6.5 s
Top speed
Unrestricted
265 km/h165 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph
245 km/h
152 mph
Lightness
1,605 kg
3,538 lb
1,430 kg
3,153 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
4,720 mm
185.8 in
Height
1,412 mm
55.6 in
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
Range score
702 km
436 mi
-
Trunk score
460 L
16.2 cu ft
640 L
22.6 cu ft
Power-to-weight score
178 hp/t
133 kW/t
5.6 kg/hp
200 hp/t
149 kW/t
5.0 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 (E34) 540i V8

  • Has 60 Nm more
  • Is 0.2 s quicker from 0-100 km/h
  • Has 20 km/h (12 mph) higher top speed

Pros

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

Cons

  • Heaviest
  • Smallest trunk

BMW M5 (E28) 3.5

  • Is 175 kg lighter
  • Has 22 hp/t better power-to-weight
  • Has 180 L more trunk volume

Pros

  • Lightest
  • Best power-to-weight ratio
  • Largest trunk

Cons

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

Choose cars to compare

Brand
Model
Generation
Engine or modification
BMW 5 Series (E34) 540i V8
BMW M5 (E28) 3.5
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2 vehicles selected

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BMW 5 Series (E34) 540i V8 vs BMW M5 (E28) 3.5 - car comparison - FastVsFaster