Car comparison

BMW 5 Series (E34) 540i V8vsBMW 5 Series (E39) 535i V8

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

New comparison

BMW 5 Series (E34)

540i V8

286 hp3982 ccGasolineRWDAutomaticNaturally aspiratedSedan1992-1995
VS

BMW 5 Series (E39)

535i V8

245 hp3498 ccGasolineRWDManualNaturally aspiratedSedan1998-2000

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
    6.8 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
  • Largest trunk
    460 L
  • Best overall score
    66/100
  • Best performance score
    62/100
  • Best economy score
    76/100
  • Best practicality score
    74/100

Specification comparison

Specification comparison
ModelBMW5 Series (E34)540i V8BMW5 Series (E39)535i V8
Power
286hp213kW
245hp183kW
Torque
400Nm295lb-ft
345Nm254lb-ft
Curb weight
1,605kg3,538lb
1,610kg3,549lb
Gross weight
2,115kg4,663lb
2,150kg4,740lb
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
65.7s99% target: 262 km/h / 163 mph
Calculated
68.4s99% target: 257 km/h / 160 mph
Calculated
0-100 km/h
6.8s
6.9s
0-200 km/h
20.1s
Calculated
21.3s
Calculated
0-60 mph
6.5s
Calculated
6.6s
Calculated
Fuel consumption
11.4L/100 km20.6mpg US24.8mpg UK
-
Fuel consumption city-
16.9L/100 km13.9mpg US16.7mpg UK
Fuel consumption highway-
8.5L/100 km27.7mpg US33.2mpg UK
Quarter mile
14.6s
Calculated
14.8s
Calculated
Power-to-weight
178hp/t133kW/t81hp/1000 lb
Calculated
152hp/t113kW/t69hp/1000 lb
Calculated
Torque-to-weight
249Nm/t167lb-ft/ton
Calculated
214Nm/t143lb-ft/ton
Calculated
Estimated range
702km436mi
Calculated
-
Displacement
3,982cc243cu in
3,498cc213cu in
Length
4,720mm186in
4,775mm188in
Width
1,751mm69in
1,800mm71in
Height
1,412mm56in
1,435mm56in
Wheelbase
2,761mm109in
2,830mm111in
Front track
1,470mm58in
1,512mm60in
Rear track
1,495mm59in
1,526mm60in
Trunk volume
460L
460L
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 5 Series (E39) 535i V8PowerTorque
  • BMW 5 Series (E34) 540i V8: Power / Torque
  • BMW 5 Series (E39) 535i V8: 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 (E39)535i V85,800 rpm3,800 rpm6,050 rpm

Acceleration curve

Estimated speed over time for selected vehicles.

Acceleration and drag-race table
MetricBMW5 Series (E34)540i V8BMW5 Series (E39)535i V8
Acceleration checkpoints
0-60 mph
0-97 km/h
6.5 s
6.6 s
0-100 km/h
0-62 mph
6.8 s
6.9 s
0-200 km/h
0-124 mph
20.1 s
21.3 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
2.8 s
2.7 s
330 ft
101 m
6.8 s
6.8 s
1/8 mile
201 m
9.9 s
9.9 s
1000 ft
305 m
12.5 s
12.6 s
1/4 mile
402 m
14.6 s
14.8 s
Trap speed
1/4 mile
402 m
170 km/h
105 mph
167 km/h
104 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 (E39)535i V8
245 hp
183 kW

BMW 5 Series (E34) 540i V8 has 41 hp more than BMW 5 Series (E39) 535i V8.

The biggest power difference is between BMW 5 Series (E39) 535i V8 and BMW 5 Series (E34) 540i V8: 41 hp (31 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 (E39)535i V8
345 Nm
254 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 (E39)535i V8
1,610 kg
3,549 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 (E39)535i V8
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 V86.8 s
BMW5 Series (E39)535i V86.9 s

The biggest 0-100 km/h difference is between BMW 5 Series (E34) 540i V8 and BMW 5 Series (E39) 535i 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 (E34)540i V8
178 hp/t
133 kW/t
5.6 kg/hp
BMW5 Series (E39)535i V8
152 hp/t
113 kW/t
6.6 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
6.8 s
Unrestricted
265 km/h165 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph
BMW5 Series (E39)535i V8
245 hp
183 kW
6.9 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/h6.8 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 (E39)535i V8
Power
245 hp
183 kW
0-100 km/h6.9 s
Top speed
Unrestricted
260 km/h162 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

Detailed score breakdown

Detailed score breakdown
VehicleBMW5 Series (E34)540i V8BMW5 Series (E39)535i V8
Power
286 hp
213 kW
245 hp
183 kW
Torque
400 Nm
295 lb-ft
345 Nm
254 lb-ft
Acceleration
6.8 s
6.9 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
1,610 kg
3,549 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
460 L
16.2 cu ft
Length
4,775 mm
188.0 in
Height
1,435 mm
56.5 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
178 hp/t
133 kW/t
5.6 kg/hp
152 hp/t
113 kW/t
6.6 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 (E34) 540i V8

  • Has 41 hp more
  • Has 55 Nm more
  • Is 5 kg lighter
  • Is 0.1 s quicker from 0-100 km/h
  • Has 5 km/h (3 mph) higher top speed
  • Has 26 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
  • Largest trunk

BMW 5 Series (E39) 535i V8

No measurable advantages in the available data.

Cons

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

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BMW 5 Series (E34) 540i V8
BMW 5 Series (E39) 535i V8
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