Car comparison

BMW 5 Series (E60) 550ivsBMW 5 Series (E39) 540i V8

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

New comparison

BMW 5 Series (E60)

550i

367 hp4799 ccGasolineRWDManualNaturally aspiratedSedan2005-2007
VS

BMW 5 Series (E39)

540i V8

286 hp4398 ccGasolineRWDAutomaticNaturally aspiratedSedan1998-2000

Comparison overview

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

Best choices

BMW 5 Series (E60) 550i

  • Quickest 0-100 km/h
    5.5 s
  • Fastest top speed
    265 km/h
    165 mph Unrestricted
    250 km/h
    155 mph Restricted
  • Most powerful
    367 hp
    274 kW
  • Highest torque
    490 Nm
    361 lb-ft
  • Best power-to-weight
    220 hp/t
    164 kW/t
    4.5 kg/hp
  • Lowest city consumption
    16.4 L/100 km
    14.3 mpg US
    17.2 mpg UK
  • Lowest highway consumption
    8.0 L/100 km
    29.4 mpg US
    35.3 mpg UK
  • Largest trunk
    520 L
  • Best overall score
    73/100
  • Best performance score
    71/100
  • Best economy score
    0/100
  • Best practicality score
    78/100

Specification comparison

Specification comparison
ModelBMW5 Series (E60)550iBMW5 Series (E39)540i V8
Power
367hp274kW
286hp213kW
Torque
490Nm361lb-ft
440Nm325lb-ft
Curb weight
1,665kg3,671lb
1,630kg3,594lb
Gross weight
2,220kg4,894lb
2,170kg4,784lb
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
53.5s99% target: 262 km/h / 163 mph
Calculated
63.9s99% target: 262 km/h / 163 mph
Calculated
0-100 km/h
5.5s
6.5s
0-200 km/h
16.3s
Calculated
19.4s
Calculated
0-60 mph
5.3s
Calculated
6.2s
Calculated
Fuel consumption city
16.4L/100 km14.3mpg US17.2mpg UK
19.9L/100 km11.8mpg US14.2mpg UK
Fuel consumption highway
8L/100 km29.4mpg US35.3mpg UK
9L/100 km26.1mpg US31.4mpg UK
Quarter mile
13.4s
Calculated
14.4s
Calculated
Power-to-weight
220hp/t164kW/t100hp/1000 lb
Calculated
175hp/t131kW/t80hp/1000 lb
Calculated
Torque-to-weight
294Nm/t197lb-ft/ton
Calculated
270Nm/t181lb-ft/ton
Calculated
Displacement
4,799cc293cu in
4,398cc268cu in
Length
4,841mm191in
4,775mm188in
Width
1,846mm73in
1,800mm71in
Height
1,468mm58in
1,435mm56in
Wheelbase
2,888mm114in
2,830mm111in
Front track
1,558mm61in
1,512mm60in
Rear track
1,582mm62in
1,526mm60in
Trunk volume-
460L
Max trunk volume
520L
-
Doors
4
4
Seats
5
5
Fuel tank
70L
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 (E60) 550iBMW 5 Series (E39) 540i V8PowerTorque
  • BMW 5 Series (E60) 550i: Power / Torque
  • BMW 5 Series (E39) 540i V8: Power / Torque
Dyno simulation data table
VehiclePeak power RPMPeak torque RPMMax engine speed
BMW5 Series (E60)550i6,300 rpm3,400 rpm6,550 rpm
BMW5 Series (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 (E60)550iBMW5 Series (E39)540i V8
Acceleration checkpoints
0-60 mph
0-97 km/h
5.3 s
6.2 s
0-100 km/h
0-62 mph
5.5 s
6.5 s
0-200 km/h
0-124 mph
16.3 s
19.4 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
2.7 s
330 ft
101 m
6.1 s
6.6 s
1/8 mile
201 m
9.0 s
9.7 s
1000 ft
305 m
11.4 s
12.2 s
1/4 mile
402 m
13.4 s
14.4 s
Trap speed
1/4 mile
402 m
182 km/h
113 mph
172 km/h
107 mph

Power comparison

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

Chart data table
VehicleValue
BMW5 Series (E60)550i
367 hp
274 kW
BMW5 Series (E39)540i V8
286 hp
213 kW

BMW 5 Series (E60) 550i has 81 hp more than BMW 5 Series (E39) 540i V8.

The biggest power difference is between BMW 5 Series (E39) 540i V8 and BMW 5 Series (E60) 550i: 81 hp (60 kW).

Torque comparison

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

Chart data table
VehicleValue
BMW5 Series (E60)550i
490 Nm
361 lb-ft
BMW5 Series (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 (E60)550i
1,665 kg
3,671 lb
BMW5 Series (E39)540i V8
1,630 kg
3,594 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)550i
Unrestricted
265 km/h165 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph
BMW5 Series (E39)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)550i5.5 s
BMW5 Series (E39)540i V86.5 s

The biggest 0-100 km/h difference is between BMW 5 Series (E60) 550i and BMW 5 Series (E39) 540i V8: 1.0 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 (E60)550i
220 hp/t
164 kW/t
4.5 kg/hp
BMW5 Series (E39)540i V8
175 hp/t
131 kW/t
5.7 kg/hp

Performance spider chart

Radar chart comparing normalized performance and fuel-consumption scores.

Chart data table
VehiclePowerAccelerationTop speed
BMW5 Series (E60)550i
367 hp
274 kW
5.5 s
Unrestricted
265 km/h165 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph
BMW5 Series (E39)540i V8
286 hp
213 kW
6.5 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)550i
Power
367 hp
274 kW
0-100 km/h5.5 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
1,468 mm
57.8 in
BMW5 Series (E39)540i V8
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

Detailed score breakdown

Detailed score breakdown
VehicleBMW5 Series (E60)550iBMW5 Series (E39)540i V8
Power
367 hp
274 kW
286 hp
213 kW
Torque
490 Nm
361 lb-ft
440 Nm
325 lb-ft
Acceleration
5.5 s
6.5 s
Top speed
Unrestricted
265 km/h165 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph
Unrestricted
265 km/h165 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph
Lightness
1,665 kg
3,671 lb
1,630 kg
3,594 lb
Practicality
Doors/seats
4 doors
5 seats
Trunk
520 L
18.4 cu ft
Length
4,841 mm
190.6 in
Height
1,468 mm
57.8 in
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
Trunk score
520 L
18.4 cu ft
460 L
16.2 cu ft
Power-to-weight score
220 hp/t
164 kW/t
4.5 kg/hp
175 hp/t
131 kW/t
5.7 kg/hp
Overall
Fixed score
Fixed score

Head-to-head comparisons

BMW 5 Series (E60) 550i

  • Has 81 hp more
  • Has 50 Nm more
  • Is 1.0 s quicker from 0-100 km/h
  • Has 45 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
  • Best power-to-weight ratio
  • Largest trunk

Cons

  • Heaviest

Choose cars to compare

Brand
Model
Generation
Engine or modification
BMW 5 Series (E60) 550i
BMW 5 Series (E39) 540i V8
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BMW 5 Series (E60) 550i vs BMW 5 Series (E39) 540i V8 - car comparison - FastVsFaster