Car comparison

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

3.5

315 hp3535 ccGasolineRWDManualNaturally aspiratedSedan1988-1991

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
  • Highest torque
    400 Nm
    295 lb-ft
  • Lightest
    1,605 kg
    3,538 lb
  • Largest trunk
    460 L
  • Best overall score
    67/100
  • Best performance score
    64/100
  • Best practicality score
    74/100

BMW M5 (E34) 3.5

  • Most powerful
    315 hp
    235 kW
  • Best power-to-weight
    189 hp/t
    141 kW/t
    5.3 kg/hp
  • Lowest combined fuel consumption
    9.4 L/100 km
    25.0 mpg US
    30.1 mpg UK
  • Best estimated range
    957 km
    595 mi
  • Best economy score
    82/100

Specification comparison

Specification comparison
ModelBMW5 Series (E34)540i V8BMWM5 (E34)3.5
Power
286hp213kW
315hp235kW
Torque
400Nm295lb-ft
360Nm266lb-ft
Curb weight
1,605kg3,538lb
1,670kg3,682lb
Gross weight
2,115kg4,663lb
2,100kg4,630lb
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
60.9s99% target: 262 km/h / 163 mph
Calculated
64.0s99% target: 262 km/h / 163 mph
Calculated
0-100 km/h
6.3s
6.3s
0-200 km/h
18.6s
Calculated
19.1s
Calculated
0-60 mph
6.0s
Calculated
6.0s
Calculated
Fuel consumption
11.4L/100 km20.6mpg US24.8mpg UK
9.4L/100 km25mpg US30.1mpg UK
Fuel consumption city-
18.1L/100 km13mpg US15.6mpg UK
Fuel consumption highway-
8.2L/100 km28.7mpg US34.4mpg UK
Quarter mile
14.2s
Calculated
14.2s
Calculated
Power-to-weight
178hp/t133kW/t81hp/1000 lb
Calculated
189hp/t141kW/t86hp/1000 lb
Calculated
Torque-to-weight
249Nm/t167lb-ft/ton
Calculated
216Nm/t144lb-ft/ton
Calculated
Estimated range
702km436mi
Calculated
957km595mi
Calculated
Displacement
3,982cc243cu in
3,535cc216cu in
Length
4,720mm186in
4,720mm186in
Width
1,751mm69in
1,751mm69in
Height
1,412mm56in
1,392mm55in
Wheelbase
2,761mm109in
2,761mm109in
Front track
1,470mm58in
1,473mm58in
Rear track
1,495mm59in
1,495mm59in
Trunk volume
460L
460L
Doors
4
4
Seats
5
5
Fuel tank
80L
90L

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 (E34) 3.5PowerTorque
  • BMW 5 Series (E34) 540i V8: Power / Torque
  • BMW M5 (E34) 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 (E34)3.56,900 rpm4,750 rpm7,150 rpm

Acceleration curve

Estimated speed over time for selected vehicles.

Acceleration and drag-race table
MetricBMW5 Series (E34)540i V8BMWM5 (E34)3.5
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
19.1 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
2.7 s
2.6 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
12.1 s
12.1 s
1/4 mile
402 m
14.2 s
14.2 s
Trap speed
1/4 mile
402 m
174 km/h
108 mph
172 km/h
107 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 (E34)3.5
315 hp
235 kW

BMW M5 (E34) 3.5 has 29 hp more than BMW 5 Series (E34) 540i V8.

The biggest power difference is between BMW 5 Series (E34) 540i V8 and BMW M5 (E34) 3.5: 29 hp (22 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 (E34)3.5
360 Nm
266 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 (E34)3.5
1,670 kg
3,682 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 (E34)3.5
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 (E34)540i V86.3 s
BMWM5 (E34)3.56.3 s

Although BMW M5 (E34) 3.5 has more power, BMW 5 Series (E34) 540i V8 is quicker from 0-100 km/h.

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
BMWM5 (E34)3.5
9.4 L/100 km
25.0 mpg US
30.1 mpg UK

The biggest fuel consumption difference is between BMW M5 (E34) 3.5 and BMW 5 Series (E34) 540i V8: 2.0 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
BMWM5 (E34)3.5
189 hp/t
141 kW/t
5.3 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
BMWM5 (E34)3.5
957 km
595 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
BMWM5 (E34)3.5
315 hp
235 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 (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 (E34)3.5
Power
315 hp
235 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
1,392 mm
54.8 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
BMWM5 (E34)3.5
Power
315 hp
235 kW
0-100 km/h6.3 s
Top speed
Unrestricted
265 km/h165 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph
9.4 L/100 km
25.0 mpg US
30.1 mpg UK

BMW M5 (E34) 3.5 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
BMWM5 (E34)3.5
9.4 L/100 km
25.0 mpg US
30.1 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
BMWM5 (E34)3.5
189 hp/t
141 kW/t
5.3 kg/hp
9.4 L/100 km
25.0 mpg US
30.1 mpg UK

Detailed score breakdown

Detailed score breakdown
VehicleBMW5 Series (E34)540i V8BMWM5 (E34)3.5
Power
286 hp
213 kW
315 hp
235 kW
Torque
400 Nm
295 lb-ft
360 Nm
266 lb-ft
Acceleration
6.3 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
1,605 kg
3,538 lb
1,670 kg
3,682 lb
Fuel consumption
11.4 L/100 km
20.6 mpg US
24.8 mpg UK
9.4 L/100 km
25.0 mpg US
30.1 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
460 L
16.2 cu ft
Length
4,720 mm
185.8 in
Height
1,392 mm
54.8 in
Range score
702 km
436 mi
957 km
595 mi
Trunk score
460 L
16.2 cu ft
460 L
16.2 cu ft
Power-to-weight score
178 hp/t
133 kW/t
5.6 kg/hp
189 hp/t
141 kW/t
5.3 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 M5 (E34) 3.5
Consumption11.4 L/100 km20.6 mpg US24.8 mpg UK9.4 L/100 km25 mpg US30.1 mpg UK
Cost / 100 km19.95 LC100 km16.45 LC100 km
Cost / 100 mi32.11 LC100 mi26.47 LC100 mi
Annual fuel used1,710 L452 US gal376 UK gal1,410 L372 US gal310 UK gal
Annual fuel cost2,993 LC/year2,468 LC/year

Head-to-head comparisons

BMW 5 Series (E34) 540i V8

  • Has 40 Nm more
  • Is 65 kg lighter

Pros

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

Cons

  • Lowest power
  • Highest combined fuel consumption

BMW M5 (E34) 3.5

  • Has 29 hp more
  • Uses 2.0 L/100 km less fuel
  • Has 10 hp/t better power-to-weight
  • Has 256 km (159 mi) more estimated range

Pros

  • Most powerful
  • Lowest combined fuel consumption
  • Best power-to-weight ratio
  • Best estimated range

Cons

  • Heaviest

Choose cars to compare

Brand
Model
Generation
Engine or modification
BMW 5 Series (E34) 540i V8
BMW M5 (E34) 3.5
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BMW 5 Series (E34) 540i V8 vs BMW M5 (E34) 3.5 - car comparison - FastVsFaster