Car comparison

BMW 5 Series (E34) 540i V8vsBMW 5 Series Touring (E39) · Facelift 2000 540i 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 Touring (E39) · Facelift 2000

540i V8

286 hp4398 ccGasolineRWDAutomaticNaturally aspiratedWagon / estate2000-2004

Comparison overview

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

Best choices

BMW 5 Series (E34) 540i V8

  • Fastest top speed
    265 km/h
    165 mph Unrestricted
    250 km/h
    155 mph Restricted
  • Most powerful
    286 hp
    213 kW
  • Lightest
    1,605 kg
    3,538 lb
  • Best power-to-weight
    178 hp/t
    133 kW/t
    5.6 kg/hp
  • Lowest combined fuel consumption
    11.4 L/100 km
    20.6 mpg US
    24.8 mpg UK
  • Best estimated range
    702 km
    436 mi
  • Largest trunk
    460 L
  • Best performance score
    62/100
  • Best economy score
    76/100

Specification comparison

Specification comparison
ModelBMW5 Series (E34)540i V8BMW5 Series Touring (E39)Facelift 2000540i V8
Power
286hp213kW
286hp213kW
Torque
400Nm295lb-ft
440Nm325lb-ft
Curb weight
1,605kg3,538lb
1,790kg3,946lb
Gross weight
2,115kg4,663lb
2,310kg5,093lb
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
71.2s99% target: 257 km/h / 160 mph
Calculated
0-100 km/h
6.8s
6.7s
0-200 km/h
20.1s
Calculated
21.4s
Calculated
0-60 mph
6.5s
Calculated
6.4s
Calculated
Fuel consumption
11.4L/100 km20.6mpg US24.8mpg UK
12.3L/100 km19.1mpg US23.0mpg UK
Fuel consumption city-
18.2L/100 km12.9mpg US15.5mpg UK
Fuel consumption highway-
8.9L/100 km26.4mpg US31.7mpg UK
Quarter mile
14.6s
Calculated
14.6s
Calculated
Power-to-weight
178hp/t133kW/t81hp/1000 lb
Calculated
160hp/t119kW/t72hp/1000 lb
Calculated
Torque-to-weight
249Nm/t167lb-ft/ton
Calculated
246Nm/t164lb-ft/ton
Calculated
Estimated range
702km436mi
Calculated
569km354mi
Calculated
Displacement
3,982cc243cu in
4,398cc268cu in
Length
4,720mm186in
4,805mm189in
Width
1,751mm69in
1,800mm71in
Height
1,412mm56in
1,445mm57in
Wheelbase
2,761mm109in
2,830mm111in
Front track
1,470mm58in
1,516mm60in
Rear track
1,495mm59in
1,527mm60in
Ground clearance-
120mm5in
Trunk volume
460L
410L
Max trunk volume-
1,525L
Doors
4
5
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 Touring (E39) Facelift 2000 540i V8PowerTorque
  • BMW 5 Series (E34) 540i V8: Power / Torque
  • BMW 5 Series Touring (E39) Facelift 2000 540i 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 Touring (E39)Facelift 2000540i V85,400 rpm3,600 rpm5,650 rpm

Acceleration curve

Estimated speed over time for selected vehicles.

Acceleration and drag-race table
MetricBMW5 Series (E34)540i V8BMW5 Series Touring (E39)Facelift 2000540i V8
Acceleration checkpoints
0-60 mph
0-97 km/h
6.5 s
6.4 s
0-100 km/h
0-62 mph
6.8 s
6.7 s
0-200 km/h
0-124 mph
20.1 s
21.4 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
2.6 s
330 ft
101 m
6.8 s
6.6 s
1/8 mile
201 m
9.9 s
9.8 s
1000 ft
305 m
12.5 s
12.4 s
1/4 mile
402 m
14.6 s
14.6 s
Trap speed
1/4 mile
402 m
170 km/h
105 mph
166 km/h
103 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 Touring (E39)Facelift 2000540i V8
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
BMW5 Series Touring (E39)Facelift 2000540i V8
440 Nm
325 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 Touring (E39)Facelift 2000540i V8
1,790 kg
3,946 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 Touring (E39)Facelift 2000540i 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 Touring (E39)Facelift 2000540i V86.7 s

The biggest 0-100 km/h difference is between BMW 5 Series Touring (E39) Facelift 2000 540i V8 and BMW 5 Series (E34) 540i V8: 0.1 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 (E34)540i V8
11.4 L/100 km
20.6 mpg US
24.8 mpg UK
BMW5 Series Touring (E39)Facelift 2000540i V8
12.3 L/100 km
19.1 mpg US
23.0 mpg UK

The biggest fuel consumption difference is between BMW 5 Series (E34) 540i V8 and BMW 5 Series Touring (E39) Facelift 2000 540i V8: 0.9 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
BMW5 Series Touring (E39)Facelift 2000540i V8
160 hp/t
119 kW/t
6.3 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
BMW5 Series Touring (E39)Facelift 2000540i V8
569 km
354 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
6.8 s
Unrestricted
265 km/h165 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph
BMW5 Series Touring (E39)Facelift 2000540i V8
286 hp
213 kW
6.7 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 Touring (E39)Facelift 2000540i V8
Power
286 hp
213 kW
0-100 km/h6.7 s
Top speed
Unrestricted
260 km/h162 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph
Doors/seats
5 doors
5 seats
Trunk
410 L
14.5 cu ft
Length
4,805 mm
189.2 in
Height
1,445 mm
56.9 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/h6.8 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
BMW5 Series Touring (E39)Facelift 2000540i V8
Power
286 hp
213 kW
0-100 km/h6.7 s
Top speed
Unrestricted
260 km/h162 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph
12.3 L/100 km
19.1 mpg US
23.0 mpg UK

BMW 5 Series (E34) 540i V8 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
6.8 s
BMW5 Series Touring (E39)Facelift 2000540i V8
12.3 L/100 km
19.1 mpg US
23.0 mpg UK
6.7 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
BMW5 Series Touring (E39)Facelift 2000540i V8
160 hp/t
119 kW/t
6.3 kg/hp
12.3 L/100 km
19.1 mpg US
23.0 mpg UK

Detailed score breakdown

Detailed score breakdown
VehicleBMW5 Series (E34)540i V8BMW5 Series Touring (E39)Facelift 2000540i V8
Power
286 hp
213 kW
286 hp
213 kW
Torque
400 Nm
295 lb-ft
440 Nm
325 lb-ft
Acceleration
6.8 s
6.7 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
1,790 kg
3,946 lb
Fuel consumption
11.4 L/100 km
20.6 mpg US
24.8 mpg UK
12.3 L/100 km
19.1 mpg US
23.0 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
5 doors
5 seats
Trunk
410 L
14.5 cu ft
Length
4,805 mm
189.2 in
Height
1,445 mm
56.9 in
Range score
702 km
436 mi
569 km
354 mi
Trunk score
460 L
16.2 cu ft
410 L
14.5 cu ft
Power-to-weight score
178 hp/t
133 kW/t
5.6 kg/hp
160 hp/t
119 kW/t
6.3 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 5 Series Touring (E39) Facelift 2000 540i V8
Consumption11.4 L/100 km20.6 mpg US24.8 mpg UK12.3 L/100 km19.1 mpg US23 mpg UK
Cost / 100 km19.95 LC100 km21.53 LC100 km
Cost / 100 mi32.11 LC100 mi34.64 LC100 mi
Annual fuel used1,710 L452 US gal376 UK gal1,845 L487 US gal406 UK gal
Annual fuel cost2,993 LC/year3,229 LC/year

Head-to-head comparisons

BMW 5 Series (E34) 540i V8

  • Is 185 kg lighter
  • Has 5 km/h (3 mph) higher top speed
  • Uses 0.9 L/100 km less fuel
  • Has 18 hp/t better power-to-weight
  • Has 133 km (82 mi) more estimated range
  • Has 50 L more trunk volume

Pros

  • Highest top speed
  • Most powerful
  • Lightest
  • Lowest combined fuel consumption
  • Best power-to-weight ratio
  • Best estimated range
  • Largest trunk

Cons

  • Slowest 0-100 km/h

Choose cars to compare

Brand
Model
Generation
Engine or modification
BMW 5 Series (E34) 540i V8
BMW 5 Series Touring (E39) 540i V8
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