Car comparison

BMW 5 Series (E34) 540i V8vsBMW 5 Series Touring (E39) 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)

540i V8

286 hp4398 ccGasolineRWDAutomaticNaturally aspiratedWagon / estate1998-2000

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
  • 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)540i V8
Power
286hp213kW
286hp213kW
Torque
400Nm295lb-ft
440Nm325lb-ft
Curb weight
1,605kg3,538lb
1,740kg3,836lb
Gross weight
2,115kg4,663lb
2,280kg5,027lb
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
70.3s99% target: 257 km/h / 160 mph
Calculated
0-100 km/h
6.8s
6.7s
0-200 km/h
20.1s
Calculated
21.3s
Calculated
0-60 mph
6.5s
Calculated
6.4s
Calculated
Fuel consumption
11.4L/100 km20.6mpg US24.8mpg UK
-
Fuel consumption city-
17.6L/100 km13.4mpg US16.1mpg UK
Fuel consumption highway-
9.7L/100 km24.2mpg US29.1mpg UK
Quarter mile
14.6s
Calculated
14.6s
Calculated
Power-to-weight
178hp/t133kW/t81hp/1000 lb
Calculated
164hp/t123kW/t75hp/1000 lb
Calculated
Torque-to-weight
249Nm/t167lb-ft/ton
Calculated
253Nm/t169lb-ft/ton
Calculated
Estimated range
702km436mi
Calculated
-
Displacement
3,982cc243cu in
4,398cc268cu in
Length
4,720mm186in
4,805mm189in
Width
1,751mm69in
1,800mm71in
Height
1,412mm56in
1,440mm57in
Wheelbase
2,761mm109in
2,830mm111in
Front track
1,470mm58in
1,512mm60in
Rear track
1,495mm59in
1,522mm60in
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) 540i V8PowerTorque
  • BMW 5 Series (E34) 540i V8: Power / Torque
  • BMW 5 Series Touring (E39) 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)540i 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)540i 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
21.3 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
2.6 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
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 Touring (E39)540i 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)540i 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)540i V8
1,740 kg
3,836 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)540i 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)540i V86.7 s

The biggest 0-100 km/h difference is between BMW 5 Series Touring (E39) 540i V8 and BMW 5 Series (E34) 540i 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 Touring (E39)540i V8
164 hp/t
123 kW/t
6.1 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 Touring (E39)540i 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)540i 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
1,440 mm
56.7 in

Detailed score breakdown

Detailed score breakdown
VehicleBMW5 Series (E34)540i V8BMW5 Series Touring (E39)540i 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
1,740 kg
3,836 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
5 doors
5 seats
Trunk
410 L
14.5 cu ft
Length
4,805 mm
189.2 in
Height
1,440 mm
56.7 in
Range score
702 km
436 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
164 hp/t
123 kW/t
6.1 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

  • Is 135 kg lighter
  • Has 5 km/h (3 mph) higher top speed
  • Has 14 hp/t better power-to-weight
  • Has 50 L more trunk volume

Pros

  • Highest top speed
  • Most powerful
  • Lightest
  • Best power-to-weight ratio
  • Largest trunk

Cons

  • Slowest 0-100 km/h

BMW 5 Series Touring (E39) 540i V8

  • Has 40 Nm more
  • Is 0.1 s quicker from 0-100 km/h

Pros

  • Quickest 0-100 km/h in this comparison
  • Highest torque

Cons

  • Heaviest
  • Lowest top speed
  • Smallest trunk

Choose cars to compare

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