Car comparison

BMW M5 (E34) 3.8vsBMW 5 Series (E34) 540i V8

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

New comparison

BMW M5 (E34)

3.8

340 hp3795 ccGasolineRWDManualNaturally aspiratedSedan1992-1994
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 M5 (E34) 3.8

  • Quickest 0-100 km/h
    5.9 s
  • Fastest top speed
    265 km/h
    165 mph Unrestricted
    250 km/h
    155 mph Restricted
  • Most powerful
    340 hp
    254 kW
  • Highest torque
    400 Nm
    295 lb-ft
  • Best power-to-weight
    206 hp/t
    154 kW/t
    4.9 kg/hp
  • Lowest combined fuel consumption
    9.6 L/100 km
    24.5 mpg US
    29.4 mpg UK
  • Best estimated range
    938 km
    583 mi
  • Largest trunk
    460 L
  • Best overall score
    68/100
  • Best performance score
    66/100
  • Best economy score
    81/100

Specification comparison

Specification comparison
ModelBMWM5 (E34)3.8BMW5 Series (E34)540i V8
Power
340hp254kW
286hp213kW
Torque
400Nm295lb-ft
400Nm295lb-ft
Curb weight
1,650kg3,638lb
1,605kg3,538lb
Gross weight
2,150kg4,740lb
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
59.0s99% target: 262 km/h / 163 mph
Calculated
60.9s99% target: 262 km/h / 163 mph
Calculated
0-100 km/h
5.9s
6.3s
0-200 km/h
17.7s
Calculated
18.6s
Calculated
0-60 mph
5.6s
Calculated
6.0s
Calculated
Fuel consumption
9.6L/100 km24.5mpg US29.4mpg UK
11.4L/100 km20.6mpg US24.8mpg UK
Fuel consumption city
18L/100 km13.1mpg US15.7mpg UK
-
Fuel consumption highway
8.3L/100 km28.3mpg US34.0mpg UK
-
Quarter mile
13.8s
Calculated
14.2s
Calculated
Power-to-weight
206hp/t154kW/t93hp/1000 lb
Calculated
178hp/t133kW/t81hp/1000 lb
Calculated
Torque-to-weight
242Nm/t162lb-ft/ton
Calculated
249Nm/t167lb-ft/ton
Calculated
Estimated range
938km583mi
Calculated
702km436mi
Calculated
Displacement
3,795cc232cu in
3,982cc243cu in
Length
4,720mm186in
4,720mm186in
Width
1,751mm69in
1,751mm69in
Height
1,392mm55in
1,412mm56in
Wheelbase
2,761mm109in
2,761mm109in
Front track
1,474mm58in
1,470mm58in
Rear track
1,496mm59in
1,495mm59in
Trunk volume
460L
460L
Doors
4
4
Seats
5
5
Fuel tank
90L
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 M5 (E34) 3.8BMW 5 Series (E34) 540i V8PowerTorque
  • BMW M5 (E34) 3.8: Power / Torque
  • BMW 5 Series (E34) 540i V8: Power / Torque
Dyno simulation data table
VehiclePeak power RPMPeak torque RPMMax engine speed
BMWM5 (E34)3.86,900 rpm4,750 rpm7,150 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
MetricBMWM5 (E34)3.8BMW5 Series (E34)540i V8
Acceleration checkpoints
0-60 mph
0-97 km/h
5.6 s
6.0 s
0-100 km/h
0-62 mph
5.9 s
6.3 s
0-200 km/h
0-124 mph
17.7 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
2.5 s
2.7 s
330 ft
101 m
6.3 s
6.5 s
1/8 mile
201 m
9.3 s
9.5 s
1000 ft
305 m
11.7 s
12.1 s
1/4 mile
402 m
13.8 s
14.2 s
Trap speed
1/4 mile
402 m
177 km/h
110 mph
174 km/h
108 mph

Power comparison

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

Chart data table
VehicleValue
BMWM5 (E34)3.8
340 hp
254 kW
BMW5 Series (E34)540i V8
286 hp
213 kW

BMW M5 (E34) 3.8 has 54 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) 3.8: 54 hp (40 kW).

Torque comparison

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

Chart data table
VehicleValue
BMWM5 (E34)3.8
400 Nm
295 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
BMWM5 (E34)3.8
1,650 kg
3,638 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
BMWM5 (E34)3.8
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
BMWM5 (E34)3.85.9 s
BMW5 Series (E34)540i V86.3 s

The biggest 0-100 km/h difference is between BMW M5 (E34) 3.8 and BMW 5 Series (E34) 540i V8: 0.4 s.

Fuel consumption comparison

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

Chart data table
VehicleValue
BMWM5 (E34)3.8
9.6 L/100 km
24.5 mpg US
29.4 mpg UK
BMW5 Series (E34)540i V8
11.4 L/100 km
20.6 mpg US
24.8 mpg UK

The biggest fuel consumption difference is between BMW M5 (E34) 3.8 and BMW 5 Series (E34) 540i V8: 1.8 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
BMWM5 (E34)3.8
206 hp/t
154 kW/t
4.9 kg/hp
BMW5 Series (E34)540i V8
178 hp/t
133 kW/t
5.6 kg/hp

Estimated range comparison

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

Chart data table
VehicleValue
BMWM5 (E34)3.8
938 km
583 mi
BMW5 Series (E34)540i V8
702 km
436 mi

Performance spider chart

Radar chart comparing normalized performance and fuel-consumption scores.

Chart data table
VehiclePowerAccelerationTop speed
BMWM5 (E34)3.8
340 hp
254 kW
5.9 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
BMWM5 (E34)3.8
Power
340 hp
254 kW
0-100 km/h5.9 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
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

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
BMWM5 (E34)3.8
Power
340 hp
254 kW
0-100 km/h5.9 s
Top speed
Unrestricted
265 km/h165 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph
9.6 L/100 km
24.5 mpg US
29.4 mpg UK
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

BMW M5 (E34) 3.8 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
BMWM5 (E34)3.8
9.6 L/100 km
24.5 mpg US
29.4 mpg UK
5.9 s
BMW5 Series (E34)540i V8
11.4 L/100 km
20.6 mpg US
24.8 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
BMWM5 (E34)3.8
206 hp/t
154 kW/t
4.9 kg/hp
9.6 L/100 km
24.5 mpg US
29.4 mpg UK
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

Detailed score breakdown

Detailed score breakdown
VehicleBMWM5 (E34)3.8BMW5 Series (E34)540i V8
Power
340 hp
254 kW
286 hp
213 kW
Torque
400 Nm
295 lb-ft
400 Nm
295 lb-ft
Acceleration
5.9 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
1,650 kg
3,638 lb
1,605 kg
3,538 lb
Fuel consumption
9.6 L/100 km
24.5 mpg US
29.4 mpg UK
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
1,392 mm
54.8 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
938 km
583 mi
702 km
436 mi
Trunk score
460 L
16.2 cu ft
460 L
16.2 cu ft
Power-to-weight score
206 hp/t
154 kW/t
4.9 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 M5 (E34) 3.8BMW 5 Series (E34) 540i V8
Consumption9.6 L/100 km24.5 mpg US29.4 mpg UK11.4 L/100 km20.6 mpg US24.8 mpg UK
Cost / 100 km16.80 LC100 km19.95 LC100 km
Cost / 100 mi27.04 LC100 mi32.11 LC100 mi
Annual fuel used1,440 L380 US gal317 UK gal1,710 L452 US gal376 UK gal
Annual fuel cost2,520 LC/year2,993 LC/year

Head-to-head comparisons

BMW M5 (E34) 3.8

  • Has 54 hp more
  • Is 0.4 s quicker from 0-100 km/h
  • Uses 1.8 L/100 km less fuel
  • Has 28 hp/t better power-to-weight
  • Has 236 km (146 mi) more estimated range

Pros

  • Quickest 0-100 km/h in this comparison
  • Highest top speed
  • Most powerful
  • Highest torque
  • Lowest combined fuel consumption
  • Best power-to-weight ratio
  • Best estimated range
  • Largest trunk

Cons

  • Heaviest

Choose cars to compare

Brand
Model
Generation
Engine or modification
BMW M5 (E34) 3.8
BMW 5 Series (E34) 540i V8
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2 vehicles selected

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BMW M5 (E34) 3.8 vs BMW 5 Series (E34) 540i V8 - car comparison - FastVsFaster