Car comparison

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

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

New comparison

BMW 5 Series (E39) · Facelift 2000

540i

286 hp4398 ccGasolineRWDAutomaticNaturally aspiratedSedan2000-2004
VS

BMW 5 Series Touring (E34)

540i

286 hp3982 ccGasolineRWDManualNaturally aspiratedWagon / estate1993-1997

Comparison overview

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

Best choices

BMW 5 Series (E39) Facelift 2000 540i

  • Fastest top speed
    265 km/h
    165 mph Unrestricted
    250 km/h
    155 mph Restricted
  • Most powerful
    286 hp
    213 kW
  • Highest torque
    440 Nm
    325 lb-ft
  • Lightest
    1,615 kg
    3,560 lb
  • Best power-to-weight
    177 hp/t
    132 kW/t
    5.6 kg/hp
  • Lowest combined fuel consumption
    12.0 L/100 km
    19.6 mpg US
    23.5 mpg UK
  • Largest trunk
    460 L
  • Best performance score
    64/100
  • Best economy score
    75/100

Specification comparison

Specification comparison
ModelBMW5 Series (E39)Facelift 2000540iBMW5 Series Touring (E34)540i
Power
286hp213kW
286hp213kW
Torque
440Nm325lb-ft
400Nm295lb-ft
Curb weight
1,615kg3,560lb
1,680kg3,704lb
Gross weight
2,220kg4,894lb
2,230kg4,916lb
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
63.7s99% target: 262 km/h / 163 mph
Calculated
65.2s99% target: 257 km/h / 160 mph
Calculated
0-100 km/h
6.5s
6.4s
0-200 km/h
19.4s
Calculated
20.0s
Calculated
0-60 mph
6.2s
Calculated
6.1s
Calculated
Fuel consumption
12L/100 km19.6mpg US23.5mpg UK
12.7L/100 km18.5mpg US22.2mpg UK
Fuel consumption city
19.9L/100 km11.8mpg US14.2mpg UK
-
Fuel consumption highway
9L/100 km26.1mpg US31.4mpg UK
-
Quarter mile
14.4s
Calculated
14.3s
Calculated
Power-to-weight
177hp/t132kW/t80hp/1000 lb
Calculated
170hp/t127kW/t77hp/1000 lb
Calculated
Torque-to-weight
272Nm/t182lb-ft/ton
Calculated
238Nm/t159lb-ft/ton
Calculated
Estimated range
583km362mi
Calculated
630km391mi
Calculated
Displacement
4,398cc268cu in
3,982cc243cu in
Length
4,775mm188in
4,720mm186in
Width
1,800mm71in
1,751mm69in
Height
1,435mm56in
1,417mm56in
Wheelbase
2,830mm111in
2,761mm109in
Front track
1,512mm60in
1,470mm58in
Rear track
1,526mm60in
1,495mm59in
Ground clearance
120mm5in
-
Trunk volume
460L
460L
Max trunk volume-
910L
Doors
4
5
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 (E39) Facelift 2000 540iBMW 5 Series Touring (E34) 540iPowerTorque
  • BMW 5 Series (E39) Facelift 2000 540i: Power / Torque
  • BMW 5 Series Touring (E34) 540i: Power / Torque
Dyno simulation data table
VehiclePeak power RPMPeak torque RPMMax engine speed
BMW5 Series (E39)Facelift 2000540i5,400 rpm3,600 rpm5,650 rpm
BMW5 Series Touring (E34)540i5,800 rpm4,500 rpm6,050 rpm

Acceleration curve

Estimated speed over time for selected vehicles.

Acceleration and drag-race table
MetricBMW5 Series (E39)Facelift 2000540iBMW5 Series Touring (E34)540i
Acceleration checkpoints
0-60 mph
0-97 km/h
6.2 s
6.1 s
0-100 km/h
0-62 mph
6.5 s
6.4 s
0-200 km/h
0-124 mph
19.4 s
20.0 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
2.7 s
2.6 s
330 ft
101 m
6.6 s
6.5 s
1/8 mile
201 m
9.7 s
9.6 s
1000 ft
305 m
12.2 s
12.2 s
1/4 mile
402 m
14.4 s
14.3 s
Trap speed
1/4 mile
402 m
172 km/h
107 mph
170 km/h
106 mph

Power comparison

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

Chart data table
VehicleValue
BMW5 Series (E39)Facelift 2000540i
286 hp
213 kW
BMW5 Series Touring (E34)540i
286 hp
213 kW

Torque comparison

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

Chart data table
VehicleValue
BMW5 Series (E39)Facelift 2000540i
440 Nm
325 lb-ft
BMW5 Series Touring (E34)540i
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 (E39)Facelift 2000540i
1,615 kg
3,560 lb
BMW5 Series Touring (E34)540i
1,680 kg
3,704 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 (E39)Facelift 2000540i
Unrestricted
265 km/h165 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph
BMW5 Series Touring (E34)540i
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

The biggest 0-100 km/h difference is between BMW 5 Series Touring (E34) 540i and BMW 5 Series (E39) Facelift 2000 540i: 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 (E39)Facelift 2000540i
12.0 L/100 km
19.6 mpg US
23.5 mpg UK
BMW5 Series Touring (E34)540i
12.7 L/100 km
18.5 mpg US
22.2 mpg UK

The biggest fuel consumption difference is between BMW 5 Series (E39) Facelift 2000 540i and BMW 5 Series Touring (E34) 540i: 0.7 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 (E39)Facelift 2000540i
177 hp/t
132 kW/t
5.6 kg/hp
BMW5 Series Touring (E34)540i
170 hp/t
127 kW/t
5.9 kg/hp

Estimated range comparison

Bar comparison chart for Estimated range. Higher is better · km / mi

Chart data table
VehicleValue
BMW5 Series (E39)Facelift 2000540i
583 km
362 mi
BMW5 Series Touring (E34)540i
630 km
391 mi

Performance spider chart

Radar chart comparing normalized performance and fuel-consumption scores.

Chart data table
VehiclePowerAccelerationTop speed
BMW5 Series (E39)Facelift 2000540i
286 hp
213 kW
6.5 s
Unrestricted
265 km/h165 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph
BMW5 Series Touring (E34)540i
286 hp
213 kW
6.4 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 (E39)Facelift 2000540i
Power
286 hp
213 kW
0-100 km/h6.5 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
4,775 mm
188.0 in
Height
1,435 mm
56.5 in
BMW5 Series Touring (E34)540i
Power
286 hp
213 kW
0-100 km/h6.4 s
Top speed
Unrestricted
260 km/h162 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph
Doors/seats
5 doors
5 seats
Trunk
460 L
16.2 cu ft
Length
4,720 mm
185.8 in
Height
1,417 mm
55.8 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 (E39)Facelift 2000540i
Power
286 hp
213 kW
0-100 km/h6.5 s
Top speed
Unrestricted
265 km/h165 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph
12.0 L/100 km
19.6 mpg US
23.5 mpg UK
BMW5 Series Touring (E34)540i
Power
286 hp
213 kW
0-100 km/h6.4 s
Top speed
Unrestricted
260 km/h162 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph
12.7 L/100 km
18.5 mpg US
22.2 mpg UK

BMW 5 Series (E39) Facelift 2000 540i 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 (E39)Facelift 2000540i
12.0 L/100 km
19.6 mpg US
23.5 mpg UK
6.5 s
BMW5 Series Touring (E34)540i
12.7 L/100 km
18.5 mpg US
22.2 mpg UK
6.4 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 (E39)Facelift 2000540i
177 hp/t
132 kW/t
5.6 kg/hp
12.0 L/100 km
19.6 mpg US
23.5 mpg UK
BMW5 Series Touring (E34)540i
170 hp/t
127 kW/t
5.9 kg/hp
12.7 L/100 km
18.5 mpg US
22.2 mpg UK

Detailed score breakdown

Detailed score breakdown
VehicleBMW5 Series (E39)Facelift 2000540iBMW5 Series Touring (E34)540i
Power
286 hp
213 kW
286 hp
213 kW
Torque
440 Nm
325 lb-ft
400 Nm
295 lb-ft
Acceleration
6.5 s
6.4 s
Top speed
Unrestricted
265 km/h165 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph
Unrestricted
260 km/h162 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph
Lightness
1,615 kg
3,560 lb
1,680 kg
3,704 lb
Fuel consumption
12.0 L/100 km
19.6 mpg US
23.5 mpg UK
12.7 L/100 km
18.5 mpg US
22.2 mpg UK
Practicality
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
Doors/seats
5 doors
5 seats
Trunk
460 L
16.2 cu ft
Length
4,720 mm
185.8 in
Height
1,417 mm
55.8 in
Range score
583 km
362 mi
630 km
391 mi
Trunk score
460 L
16.2 cu ft
460 L
16.2 cu ft
Power-to-weight score
177 hp/t
132 kW/t
5.6 kg/hp
170 hp/t
127 kW/t
5.9 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 (E39) Facelift 2000 540iBMW 5 Series Touring (E34) 540i
Consumption12 L/100 km19.6 mpg US23.5 mpg UK12.7 L/100 km18.5 mpg US22.2 mpg UK
Cost / 100 km21.00 LC100 km22.22 LC100 km
Cost / 100 mi33.80 LC100 mi35.77 LC100 mi
Annual fuel used1,800 L476 US gal396 UK gal1,905 L503 US gal419 UK gal
Annual fuel cost3,150 LC/year3,334 LC/year

Head-to-head comparisons

BMW 5 Series (E39) Facelift 2000 540i

  • Has 40 Nm more
  • Is 65 kg lighter
  • Has 5 km/h (3 mph) higher top speed
  • Uses 0.7 L/100 km less fuel
  • Has 7 hp/t better power-to-weight

Pros

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

Cons

  • Slowest 0-100 km/h

BMW 5 Series Touring (E34) 540i

  • Is 0.1 s quicker from 0-100 km/h
  • Has 47 km (29 mi) more estimated range

Pros

  • Quickest 0-100 km/h in this comparison
  • Best estimated range

Cons

  • Highest combined fuel consumption
  • Heaviest
  • Lowest top speed

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Model
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BMW 5 Series (E39) 540i
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BMW 5 Series (E39) · Facelift 2000 540i vs BMW 5 Series Touring (E34) 540i - car comparison - FastVsFaster