Car comparison

BMW 5 Series (E39) 540i V8vsBMW 5 Series Sedan (G60) 520d

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

New comparison

BMW 5 Series (E39)

540i V8

286 hp4398 ccGasolineRWDAutomaticNaturally aspiratedSedan1998-2000
VS

BMW 5 Series Sedan (G60)

520d

197 hp1995 ccDieselAWDAutomaticTurbochargedSedan2023-present

Comparison overview

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

Best choices

BMW 5 Series (E39) 540i V8

  • Quickest 0-100 km/h
    6.5 s
  • 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
    1,630 kg
    3,594 lb
  • Best power-to-weight
    175 hp/t
    131 kW/t
    5.7 kg/hp
  • Best overall score
    67/100
  • Best performance score
    64/100

Specification comparison

Specification comparison
ModelBMW5 Series (E39)540i V8BMW5 Series Sedan (G60)520d
Power
286hp213kW
197hp147kW
Torque
440Nm325lb-ft
400Nm295lb-ft
Curb weight
1,630kg3,594lb
1,830kg4,034lb
Gross weight
2,170kg4,784lb
2,460kg5,423lb
Top speed
Unrestricted
265 km/h165 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph
Calculated
228 km/h
142 mph
To 99% top speed
63.9s99% target: 262 km/h / 163 mph
Calculated
66.1s99% target: 226 km/h / 140 mph
Calculated
0-100 km/h
6.5s
7.3s
0-200 km/h
19.4s
Calculated
28.7s
Calculated
0-60 mph
6.2s
Calculated
7.0s
Calculated
Fuel consumption-
6L/100 km39.2mpg US47.1mpg 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
15.2s
Calculated
Power-to-weight
175hp/t131kW/t80hp/1000 lb
Calculated
108hp/t80kW/t49hp/1000 lb
Calculated
Torque-to-weight
270Nm/t181lb-ft/ton
Calculated
219Nm/t146lb-ft/ton
Calculated
Estimated range-
1,000km621mi
Calculated
Displacement
4,398cc268cu in
1,995cc122cu in
Length
4,775mm188in
5,060mm199in
Width
1,800mm71in
1,900mm75in
Height
1,435mm56in
1,515mm60in
Wheelbase
2,830mm111in
2,995mm118in
Front track
1,512mm60in
1,634mm64in
Rear track
1,526mm60in
1,669mm66in
Ground clearance-
154mm6in
Trunk volume
460L
520L
Doors
4
4
Seats
5
5
Fuel tank
70L
60L

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) 540i V8BMW 5 Series Sedan (G60) 520dPowerTorque
  • BMW 5 Series (E39) 540i V8: Power / Torque
  • BMW 5 Series Sedan (G60) 520d: Power / Torque
Dyno simulation data table
VehiclePeak power RPMPeak torque RPMMax engine speed
BMW5 Series (E39)540i V85,400 rpm3,600 rpm5,650 rpm
BMW5 Series Sedan (G60)520d4,000 rpm1,500-2,750 rpm4,250 rpm

Acceleration curve

Estimated speed over time for selected vehicles.

Acceleration and drag-race table
MetricBMW5 Series (E39)540i V8BMW5 Series Sedan (G60)520d
Acceleration checkpoints
0-60 mph
0-97 km/h
6.2 s
7.0 s
0-100 km/h
0-62 mph
6.5 s
7.3 s
0-200 km/h
0-124 mph
19.4 s
28.7 s
Top speed
Unrestricted
265 km/h165 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph
Likely limited
228 km/h
142 mph
Drag race simulation
60 ft
18 m
2.7 s
2.7 s
330 ft
101 m
6.6 s
6.8 s
1/8 mile
201 m
9.7 s
10.1 s
1000 ft
305 m
12.2 s
12.9 s
1/4 mile
402 m
14.4 s
15.2 s
Trap speed
1/4 mile
402 m
172 km/h
107 mph
156 km/h
97 mph

Power comparison

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

Chart data table
VehicleValue
BMW5 Series (E39)540i V8
286 hp
213 kW
BMW5 Series Sedan (G60)520d
197 hp
147 kW

BMW 5 Series (E39) 540i V8 has 89 hp more than BMW 5 Series Sedan (G60) 520d.

The biggest power difference is between BMW 5 Series Sedan (G60) 520d and BMW 5 Series (E39) 540i V8: 89 hp (66 kW).

Torque comparison

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

Chart data table
VehicleValue
BMW5 Series (E39)540i V8
440 Nm
325 lb-ft
BMW5 Series Sedan (G60)520d
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)540i V8
1,630 kg
3,594 lb
BMW5 Series Sedan (G60)520d
1,830 kg
4,034 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)540i V8
Unrestricted
265 km/h165 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph
BMW5 Series Sedan (G60)520d
228 km/h
142 mph

0-100 km/h comparison

Bar comparison chart for 0-100 km/h. Lower is better · seconds

Chart data table
VehicleValue
BMW5 Series (E39)540i V86.5 s
BMW5 Series Sedan (G60)520d7.3 s

The biggest 0-100 km/h difference is between BMW 5 Series (E39) 540i V8 and BMW 5 Series Sedan (G60) 520d: 0.8 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 (E39)540i V8
175 hp/t
131 kW/t
5.7 kg/hp
BMW5 Series Sedan (G60)520d
108 hp/t
80 kW/t
9.3 kg/hp

Performance spider chart

Radar chart comparing normalized performance and fuel-consumption scores.

Chart data table
VehiclePowerAccelerationTop speed
BMW5 Series (E39)540i V8
286 hp
213 kW
6.5 s
Unrestricted
265 km/h165 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph
BMW5 Series Sedan (G60)520d
197 hp
147 kW
7.3 s
228 km/h
142 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)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
BMW5 Series Sedan (G60)520d
Power
197 hp
147 kW
0-100 km/h7.3 s
Top speed
228 km/h
142 mph
Doors/seats
4 doors
5 seats
Trunk
520 L
18.4 cu ft
Length
5,060 mm
199.2 in
Height
1,515 mm
59.6 in

Detailed score breakdown

Detailed score breakdown
VehicleBMW5 Series (E39)540i V8BMW5 Series Sedan (G60)520d
Power
286 hp
213 kW
197 hp
147 kW
Torque
440 Nm
325 lb-ft
400 Nm
295 lb-ft
Acceleration
6.5 s
7.3 s
Top speed
Unrestricted
265 km/h165 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph
228 km/h
142 mph
Lightness
1,630 kg
3,594 lb
1,830 kg
4,034 lb
Fuel consumption
-
6.0 L/100 km
39.2 mpg US
47.1 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
4 doors
5 seats
Trunk
520 L
18.4 cu ft
Length
5,060 mm
199.2 in
Height
1,515 mm
59.6 in
Range score
-
1,000 km
621 mi
Trunk score
460 L
16.2 cu ft
520 L
18.4 cu ft
Power-to-weight score
175 hp/t
131 kW/t
5.7 kg/hp
108 hp/t
80 kW/t
9.3 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 Sedan (G60) 520d
Consumption6 L/100 km39.2 mpg US47.1 mpg UK
Cost / 100 km10.50 LC100 km
Cost / 100 mi16.90 LC100 mi
Annual fuel used900 L238 US gal198 UK gal
Annual fuel cost1,575 LC/year

Head-to-head comparisons

BMW 5 Series (E39) 540i V8

  • Has 89 hp more
  • Has 40 Nm more
  • Is 200 kg lighter
  • Is 0.8 s quicker from 0-100 km/h
  • Has 37 km/h (23 mph) higher top speed
  • Has 68 hp/t better power-to-weight

Pros

  • Quickest 0-100 km/h in this comparison
  • Highest top speed
  • Most powerful
  • Highest torque
  • Lightest
  • Best power-to-weight ratio

Cons

  • Smallest trunk

Choose cars to compare

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Model
Generation
Engine or modification
BMW 5 Series (E39) 540i V8
BMW 5 Series Sedan (G60) 520d
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BMW 5 Series (E39) 540i V8 vs BMW 5 Series Sedan (G60) 520d - car comparison - FastVsFaster