Car comparison

BMW 5 Series (E39) 540i V8vsBMW 5 Series (E60) 540i

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

New comparison

BMW 5 Series (E39)

540i V8

286 hp4398 ccGasolineRWDManualNaturally aspiratedSedan1998-2000
VS

BMW 5 Series (E60)

540i

306 hp4000 ccGasolineRWDManualNaturally aspiratedSedan2005-2007

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
    6.2 s
  • Fastest top speed
    265 km/h
    165 mph Unrestricted
    250 km/h
    155 mph Restricted
  • Highest torque
    440 Nm
    325 lb-ft
  • Lightest
    1,630 kg
    3,594 lb
  • Best overall score
    68/100
  • Best performance score
    65/100
  • Best economy score
    0/100

BMW 5 Series (E60) 540i

  • Most powerful
    306 hp
    228 kW
  • Best power-to-weight
    185 hp/t
    138 kW/t
    5.4 kg/hp
  • Lowest city consumption
    16.2 L/100 km
    14.5 mpg US
    17.4 mpg UK
  • Lowest highway consumption
    8.0 L/100 km
    29.4 mpg US
    35.3 mpg UK
  • Largest trunk
    520 L
  • Best practicality score
    78/100

Specification comparison

Specification comparison
ModelBMW5 Series (E39)540i V8BMW5 Series (E60)540i
Power
286hp213kW
306hp228kW
Torque
440Nm325lb-ft
390Nm288lb-ft
Curb weight
1,630kg3,594lb
1,655kg3,649lb
Gross weight
2,170kg4,784lb
2,210kg4,872lb
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
61.0s99% target: 262 km/h / 163 mph
Calculated
63.4s99% target: 262 km/h / 163 mph
Calculated
0-100 km/h
6.2s
6.2s
0-200 km/h
18.5s
Calculated
18.9s
Calculated
0-60 mph
5.9s
Calculated
5.9s
Calculated
Fuel consumption city
17.7L/100 km13.3mpg US16.0mpg UK
16.2L/100 km14.5mpg US17.4mpg UK
Fuel consumption highway
8.9L/100 km26.4mpg US31.7mpg UK
8L/100 km29.4mpg US35.3mpg UK
Quarter mile
14.1s
Calculated
14.1s
Calculated
Power-to-weight
175hp/t131kW/t80hp/1000 lb
Calculated
185hp/t138kW/t84hp/1000 lb
Calculated
Torque-to-weight
270Nm/t181lb-ft/ton
Calculated
236Nm/t158lb-ft/ton
Calculated
Displacement
4,398cc268cu in
4,000cc244cu in
Length
4,775mm188in
4,841mm191in
Width
1,800mm71in
1,846mm73in
Height
1,435mm56in
1,468mm58in
Wheelbase
2,830mm111in
2,888mm114in
Front track
1,512mm60in
1,558mm61in
Rear track
1,526mm60in
1,582mm62in
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 (E39) 540i V8BMW 5 Series (E60) 540iPowerTorque
  • BMW 5 Series (E39) 540i V8: Power / Torque
  • BMW 5 Series (E60) 540i: 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 (E60)540i6,300 rpm3,500 rpm6,550 rpm

Acceleration curve

Estimated speed over time for selected vehicles.

Acceleration and drag-race table
MetricBMW5 Series (E39)540i V8BMW5 Series (E60)540i
Acceleration checkpoints
0-60 mph
0-97 km/h
5.9 s
5.9 s
0-100 km/h
0-62 mph
6.2 s
6.2 s
0-200 km/h
0-124 mph
18.5 s
18.9 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
2.6 s
2.6 s
330 ft
101 m
6.5 s
6.4 s
1/8 mile
201 m
9.5 s
9.5 s
1000 ft
305 m
12.0 s
12.0 s
1/4 mile
402 m
14.1 s
14.1 s
Trap speed
1/4 mile
402 m
174 km/h
108 mph
173 km/h
108 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 (E60)540i
306 hp
228 kW

BMW 5 Series (E60) 540i has 20 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) 540i: 20 hp (15 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 (E60)540i
390 Nm
288 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 (E60)540i
1,655 kg
3,649 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 (E60)540i
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 (E39)540i V86.2 s
BMW5 Series (E60)540i6.2 s

Although BMW 5 Series (E60) 540i has more power, BMW 5 Series (E39) 540i V8 is quicker from 0-100 km/h.

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 (E60)540i
185 hp/t
138 kW/t
5.4 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
6.2 s
Unrestricted
265 km/h165 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph
BMW5 Series (E60)540i
306 hp
228 kW
6.2 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 (E39)540i V8
Power
286 hp
213 kW
0-100 km/h6.2 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 (E60)540i
Power
306 hp
228 kW
0-100 km/h6.2 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

Detailed score breakdown

Detailed score breakdown
VehicleBMW5 Series (E39)540i V8BMW5 Series (E60)540i
Power
286 hp
213 kW
306 hp
228 kW
Torque
440 Nm
325 lb-ft
390 Nm
288 lb-ft
Acceleration
6.2 s
6.2 s
Top speed
Unrestricted
265 km/h165 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph
Unrestricted
265 km/h165 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph
Lightness
1,630 kg
3,594 lb
1,655 kg
3,649 lb
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
4,841 mm
190.6 in
Height
1,468 mm
57.8 in
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
185 hp/t
138 kW/t
5.4 kg/hp
Overall
Fixed score
Fixed score

Head-to-head comparisons

BMW 5 Series (E39) 540i V8

  • Has 50 Nm more
  • Is 25 kg lighter

Pros

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

Cons

  • Lowest power
  • Smallest trunk

BMW 5 Series (E60) 540i

  • Has 20 hp more
  • Has 9 hp/t better power-to-weight
  • Has 60 L more trunk volume

Pros

  • Most powerful
  • Best power-to-weight ratio
  • Largest trunk

Cons

  • Heaviest

Choose cars to compare

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