Car comparison

BMW 5 Series (E60) 545ivsBMW 5 Series (E34) 540i V8

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

New comparison

BMW 5 Series (E60)

545i

333 hp4398 ccGasolineRWDManualNaturally aspiratedSedan2003-2005
VS

BMW 5 Series (E34)

540i V8

286 hp3982 ccGasolineRWDAutomaticNaturally aspiratedSedan1992-1995

Comparison overview

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

Best choices

BMW 5 Series (E60) 545i

  • Quickest 0-100 km/h
    5.8 s
  • Fastest top speed
    265 km/h
    165 mph Unrestricted
    250 km/h
    155 mph Restricted
  • Most powerful
    333 hp
    248 kW
  • Highest torque
    450 Nm
    332 lb-ft
  • Best power-to-weight
    203 hp/t
    151 kW/t
    4.9 kg/hp
  • Lowest combined fuel consumption
    10.9 L/100 km
    21.6 mpg US
    25.9 mpg UK
  • Largest trunk
    520 L
  • Best overall score
    71/100
  • Best performance score
    68/100
  • Best economy score
    78/100
  • Best practicality score
    76/100

Specification comparison

Specification comparison
ModelBMW5 Series (E60)545iBMW5 Series (E34)540i V8
Power
333hp248kW
286hp213kW
Torque
450Nm332lb-ft
400Nm295lb-ft
Curb weight
1,640kg3,616lb
1,605kg3,538lb
Gross weight
2,190kg4,828lb
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
57.7s99% target: 262 km/h / 163 mph
Calculated
65.7s99% target: 262 km/h / 163 mph
Calculated
0-100 km/h
5.8s
6.8s
0-200 km/h
17.4s
Calculated
20.1s
Calculated
0-60 mph
5.6s
Calculated
6.5s
Calculated
Fuel consumption
10.9L/100 km21.6mpg US25.9mpg UK
11.4L/100 km20.6mpg US24.8mpg UK
Fuel consumption city
16.3L/100 km14.4mpg US17.3mpg UK
-
Fuel consumption highway
7.9L/100 km29.8mpg US35.8mpg UK
-
Quarter mile
13.7s
Calculated
14.6s
Calculated
Power-to-weight
203hp/t151kW/t92hp/1000 lb
Calculated
178hp/t133kW/t81hp/1000 lb
Calculated
Torque-to-weight
274Nm/t184lb-ft/ton
Calculated
249Nm/t167lb-ft/ton
Calculated
Estimated range
642km399mi
Calculated
702km436mi
Calculated
Displacement
4,398cc268cu in
3,982cc243cu in
Length
4,841mm191in
4,720mm186in
Width
1,846mm73in
1,751mm69in
Height
1,464mm58in
1,412mm56in
Wheelbase
2,888mm114in
2,761mm109in
Front track
1,558mm61in
1,470mm58in
Rear track
1,582mm62in
1,495mm59in
Trunk volume
520L
460L
Doors
4
4
Seats
5
5
Fuel tank
70L
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 5 Series (E60) 545iBMW 5 Series (E34) 540i V8PowerTorque
  • BMW 5 Series (E60) 545i: Power / Torque
  • BMW 5 Series (E34) 540i V8: Power / Torque
Dyno simulation data table
VehiclePeak power RPMPeak torque RPMMax engine speed
BMW5 Series (E60)545i6,100 rpm3,600 rpm6,350 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
MetricBMW5 Series (E60)545iBMW5 Series (E34)540i V8
Acceleration checkpoints
0-60 mph
0-97 km/h
5.6 s
6.5 s
0-100 km/h
0-62 mph
5.8 s
6.8 s
0-200 km/h
0-124 mph
17.4 s
20.1 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
2.5 s
2.8 s
330 ft
101 m
6.3 s
6.8 s
1/8 mile
201 m
9.2 s
9.9 s
1000 ft
305 m
11.7 s
12.5 s
1/4 mile
402 m
13.7 s
14.6 s
Trap speed
1/4 mile
402 m
178 km/h
110 mph
170 km/h
105 mph

Power comparison

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

Chart data table
VehicleValue
BMW5 Series (E60)545i
333 hp
248 kW
BMW5 Series (E34)540i V8
286 hp
213 kW

BMW 5 Series (E60) 545i has 47 hp more than BMW 5 Series (E34) 540i V8.

The biggest power difference is between BMW 5 Series (E34) 540i V8 and BMW 5 Series (E60) 545i: 47 hp (35 kW).

Torque comparison

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

Chart data table
VehicleValue
BMW5 Series (E60)545i
450 Nm
332 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
BMW5 Series (E60)545i
1,640 kg
3,616 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
BMW5 Series (E60)545i
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
BMW5 Series (E60)545i5.8 s
BMW5 Series (E34)540i V86.8 s

The biggest 0-100 km/h difference is between BMW 5 Series (E60) 545i and BMW 5 Series (E34) 540i V8: 1.0 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 (E60)545i
10.9 L/100 km
21.6 mpg US
25.9 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 5 Series (E60) 545i and BMW 5 Series (E34) 540i V8: 0.5 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 (E60)545i
203 hp/t
151 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
BMW5 Series (E60)545i
642 km
399 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
BMW5 Series (E60)545i
333 hp
248 kW
5.8 s
Unrestricted
265 km/h165 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph
BMW5 Series (E34)540i V8
286 hp
213 kW
6.8 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 (E60)545i
Power
333 hp
248 kW
0-100 km/h5.8 s
Top speed
Unrestricted
265 km/h165 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph
Doors/seats
4 doors
5 seats
Trunk
520 L
18.4 cu ft
Length
4,841 mm
190.6 in
Height
1,464 mm
57.6 in
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

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 (E60)545i
Power
333 hp
248 kW
0-100 km/h5.8 s
Top speed
Unrestricted
265 km/h165 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph
10.9 L/100 km
21.6 mpg US
25.9 mpg UK
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
11.4 L/100 km
20.6 mpg US
24.8 mpg UK

BMW 5 Series (E60) 545i 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 (E60)545i
10.9 L/100 km
21.6 mpg US
25.9 mpg UK
5.8 s
BMW5 Series (E34)540i V8
11.4 L/100 km
20.6 mpg US
24.8 mpg UK
6.8 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 (E60)545i
203 hp/t
151 kW/t
4.9 kg/hp
10.9 L/100 km
21.6 mpg US
25.9 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
VehicleBMW5 Series (E60)545iBMW5 Series (E34)540i V8
Power
333 hp
248 kW
286 hp
213 kW
Torque
450 Nm
332 lb-ft
400 Nm
295 lb-ft
Acceleration
5.8 s
6.8 s
Top speed
Unrestricted
265 km/h165 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph
Unrestricted
265 km/h165 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph
Lightness
1,640 kg
3,616 lb
1,605 kg
3,538 lb
Fuel consumption
10.9 L/100 km
21.6 mpg US
25.9 mpg UK
11.4 L/100 km
20.6 mpg US
24.8 mpg UK
Practicality
Doors/seats
4 doors
5 seats
Trunk
520 L
18.4 cu ft
Length
4,841 mm
190.6 in
Height
1,464 mm
57.6 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
642 km
399 mi
702 km
436 mi
Trunk score
520 L
18.4 cu ft
460 L
16.2 cu ft
Power-to-weight score
203 hp/t
151 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 5 Series (E60) 545iBMW 5 Series (E34) 540i V8
Consumption10.9 L/100 km21.6 mpg US25.9 mpg UK11.4 L/100 km20.6 mpg US24.8 mpg UK
Cost / 100 km19.08 LC100 km19.95 LC100 km
Cost / 100 mi30.70 LC100 mi32.11 LC100 mi
Annual fuel used1,635 L432 US gal360 UK gal1,710 L452 US gal376 UK gal
Annual fuel cost2,861 LC/year2,993 LC/year

Head-to-head comparisons

BMW 5 Series (E60) 545i

  • Has 47 hp more
  • Has 50 Nm more
  • Is 1.0 s quicker from 0-100 km/h
  • Uses 0.5 L/100 km less fuel
  • Has 25 hp/t better power-to-weight
  • Has 60 L more trunk volume

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
  • Largest trunk

Cons

  • Heaviest

BMW 5 Series (E34) 540i V8

  • Is 35 kg lighter
  • Has 60 km (37 mi) more estimated range

Pros

  • Lightest
  • Best estimated range

Cons

  • Slowest 0-100 km/h
  • Lowest power
  • Highest combined fuel consumption
  • Smallest trunk

Choose cars to compare

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Model
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Engine or modification
BMW 5 Series (E60) 545i
BMW 5 Series (E34) 540i V8
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