Car comparison

BMW 5 Series (E34) 540i V8vsBMW 5 Series Touring (E61) 535d

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 (E61)

535d

272 hp2993 ccDieselRWDAutomaticTurbochargedWagon / estate2005-2007

Comparison overview

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

Best choices

BMW 5 Series Touring (E61) 535d

  • Quickest 0-100 km/h
    6.6 s
  • Highest torque
    560 Nm
    413 lb-ft
  • Largest trunk
    500 L
  • Best overall score
    70/100
  • Best performance score
    64/100
  • Best practicality score
    84/100

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
  • Best economy score
    76/100

Specification comparison

Specification comparison
ModelBMW5 Series (E34)540i V8BMW5 Series Touring (E61)535d
Power
286hp213kW
272hp203kW
Torque
400Nm295lb-ft
560Nm413lb-ft
Curb weight
1,605kg3,538lb
1,760kg3,880lb
Gross weight
2,115kg4,663lb
2,315kg5,104lb
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
73.6s99% target: 257 km/h / 160 mph
Calculated
0-100 km/h
6.8s
6.6s
0-200 km/h
20.1s
Calculated
21.6s
Calculated
0-60 mph
6.5s
Calculated
6.3s
Calculated
Fuel consumption
11.4L/100 km20.6mpg US24.8mpg UK
-
Fuel consumption city-
11.1L/100 km21.2mpg US25.4mpg UK
Fuel consumption highway-
6.5L/100 km36.2mpg US43.5mpg UK
Quarter mile
14.6s
Calculated
14.5s
Calculated
Power-to-weight
178hp/t133kW/t81hp/1000 lb
Calculated
155hp/t115kW/t70hp/1000 lb
Calculated
Torque-to-weight
249Nm/t167lb-ft/ton
Calculated
318Nm/t213lb-ft/ton
Calculated
Estimated range
702km436mi
Calculated
-
Displacement
3,982cc243cu in
2,993cc183cu in
Length
4,720mm186in
4,843mm191in
Width
1,751mm69in
1,846mm73in
Height
1,412mm56in
1,491mm59in
Wheelbase
2,761mm109in
2,886mm114in
Front track
1,470mm58in
1,558mm61in
Rear track
1,495mm59in
1,581mm62in
Trunk volume
460L
500L
Max trunk volume-
1,650L
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 (E61) 535dPowerTorque
  • BMW 5 Series (E34) 540i V8: Power / Torque
  • BMW 5 Series Touring (E61) 535d: 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 (E61)535d4,000 rpm2,000 rpm4,250 rpm

Acceleration curve

Estimated speed over time for selected vehicles.

Acceleration and drag-race table
MetricBMW5 Series (E34)540i V8BMW5 Series Touring (E61)535d
Acceleration checkpoints
0-60 mph
0-97 km/h
6.5 s
6.3 s
0-100 km/h
0-62 mph
6.8 s
6.6 s
0-200 km/h
0-124 mph
20.1 s
21.6 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
6.5 s
1/8 mile
201 m
9.9 s
9.7 s
1000 ft
305 m
12.5 s
12.3 s
1/4 mile
402 m
14.6 s
14.5 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 (E61)535d
272 hp
203 kW

BMW 5 Series (E34) 540i V8 has 14 hp more than BMW 5 Series Touring (E61) 535d.

The biggest power difference is between BMW 5 Series Touring (E61) 535d and BMW 5 Series (E34) 540i V8: 14 hp (10 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 (E61)535d
560 Nm
413 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 (E61)535d
1,760 kg
3,880 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 (E61)535d
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 (E61)535d6.6 s

Although BMW 5 Series (E34) 540i V8 has more power, BMW 5 Series Touring (E61) 535d is quicker from 0-100 km/h.

The biggest 0-100 km/h difference is between BMW 5 Series Touring (E61) 535d and BMW 5 Series (E34) 540i V8: 0.2 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 (E61)535d
155 hp/t
115 kW/t
6.5 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 (E61)535d
272 hp
203 kW
6.6 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 (E61)535d
Power
272 hp
203 kW
0-100 km/h6.6 s
Top speed
Unrestricted
260 km/h162 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph
Doors/seats
5 doors
5 seats
Trunk
500 L
17.7 cu ft
Length
4,843 mm
190.7 in
Height
1,491 mm
58.7 in

Detailed score breakdown

Detailed score breakdown
VehicleBMW5 Series (E34)540i V8BMW5 Series Touring (E61)535d
Power
286 hp
213 kW
272 hp
203 kW
Torque
400 Nm
295 lb-ft
560 Nm
413 lb-ft
Acceleration
6.8 s
6.6 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
1,760 kg
3,880 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
500 L
17.7 cu ft
Length
4,843 mm
190.7 in
Height
1,491 mm
58.7 in
Range score
702 km
436 mi
-
Trunk score
460 L
16.2 cu ft
500 L
17.7 cu ft
Power-to-weight score
178 hp/t
133 kW/t
5.6 kg/hp
155 hp/t
115 kW/t
6.5 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 14 hp more
  • Is 155 kg lighter
  • Has 5 km/h (3 mph) higher top speed
  • Has 24 hp/t better power-to-weight

Pros

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

Cons

  • Slowest 0-100 km/h
  • Smallest trunk

BMW 5 Series Touring (E61) 535d

  • Has 160 Nm more
  • Is 0.2 s quicker from 0-100 km/h
  • Has 40 L more trunk volume

Pros

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

Cons

  • Lowest power
  • Heaviest
  • Lowest top speed

Choose cars to compare

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Model
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Engine or modification
BMW 5 Series (E34) 540i V8
BMW 5 Series Touring (E61) 535d
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