Car comparison

BMW 5 Series (E60) 545ivsBMW 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)

545i

333 hp4398 ccGasolineRWDAutomaticNaturally aspiratedSedan2003-2005
VS

BMW 5 Series (E39)

540i V8

286 hp4398 ccGasolineRWDManualNaturally aspiratedSedan1998-2000

Comparison overview

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

Best choices

BMW 5 Series (E60) 545i

  • Quickest 0-100 km/h
    5.8 s
  • Fastest top speed
    265 km/h
    165 mph Unrestricted
    250 km/h
    155 mph Restricted
  • Most powerful
    333 hp
    248 kW
  • Highest torque
    450 Nm
    332 lb-ft
  • Best power-to-weight
    203 hp/t
    151 kW/t
    4.9 kg/hp
  • Lowest city consumption
    15.8 L/100 km
    14.9 mpg US
    17.9 mpg UK
  • Lowest highway consumption
    7.7 L/100 km
    30.5 mpg US
    36.7 mpg UK
  • Largest trunk
    520 L
  • Best overall score
    71/100
  • Best performance score
    68/100
  • Best economy score
    78/100
  • Best practicality score
    76/100

Specification comparison

Specification comparison
ModelBMW5 Series (E60)545iBMW5 Series (E39)540i V8
Power
333hp248kW
286hp213kW
Torque
450Nm332lb-ft
440Nm325lb-ft
Curb weight
1,640kg3,616lb
1,630kg3,594lb
Gross weight
2,190kg4,828lb
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
57.7s99% target: 262 km/h / 163 mph
Calculated
61.0s99% target: 262 km/h / 163 mph
Calculated
0-100 km/h
5.8s
6.2s
0-200 km/h
17.4s
Calculated
18.5s
Calculated
0-60 mph
5.6s
Calculated
5.9s
Calculated
Fuel consumption
10.6L/100 km22.2mpg US26.6mpg UK
-
Fuel consumption city
15.8L/100 km14.9mpg US17.9mpg UK
17.7L/100 km13.3mpg US16.0mpg UK
Fuel consumption highway
7.7L/100 km30.5mpg US36.7mpg UK
8.9L/100 km26.4mpg US31.7mpg UK
Quarter mile
13.7s
Calculated
14.1s
Calculated
Power-to-weight
203hp/t151kW/t92hp/1000 lb
Calculated
175hp/t131kW/t80hp/1000 lb
Calculated
Torque-to-weight
274Nm/t184lb-ft/ton
Calculated
270Nm/t181lb-ft/ton
Calculated
Estimated range
660km410mi
Calculated
-
Displacement
4,398cc268cu in
4,398cc268cu in
Length
4,841mm191in
4,775mm188in
Width
1,846mm73in
1,800mm71in
Height
1,464mm58in
1,435mm56in
Wheelbase
2,888mm114in
2,830mm111in
Front track
1,558mm61in
1,512mm60in
Rear track
1,582mm62in
1,526mm60in
Trunk volume
520L
460L
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) 545iBMW 5 Series (E39) 540i V8PowerTorque
  • BMW 5 Series (E60) 545i: Power / Torque
  • BMW 5 Series (E39) 540i V8: Power / Torque
Dyno simulation data table
VehiclePeak power RPMPeak torque RPMMax engine speed
BMW5 Series (E60)545i6,100 rpm3,600 rpm6,350 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)545iBMW5 Series (E39)540i V8
Acceleration checkpoints
0-60 mph
0-97 km/h
5.6 s
5.9 s
0-100 km/h
0-62 mph
5.8 s
6.2 s
0-200 km/h
0-124 mph
17.4 s
18.5 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
2.6 s
330 ft
101 m
6.3 s
6.5 s
1/8 mile
201 m
9.2 s
9.5 s
1000 ft
305 m
11.7 s
12.0 s
1/4 mile
402 m
13.7 s
14.1 s
Trap speed
1/4 mile
402 m
178 km/h
110 mph
174 km/h
108 mph

Power comparison

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

Chart data table
VehicleValue
BMW5 Series (E60)545i
333 hp
248 kW
BMW5 Series (E39)540i V8
286 hp
213 kW

BMW 5 Series (E60) 545i has 47 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) 545i: 47 hp (35 kW).

Torque comparison

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

Chart data table
VehicleValue
BMW5 Series (E60)545i
450 Nm
332 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)545i
1,640 kg
3,616 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)545i
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)545i5.8 s
BMW5 Series (E39)540i V86.2 s

The biggest 0-100 km/h difference is between BMW 5 Series (E60) 545i and BMW 5 Series (E39) 540i V8: 0.4 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)545i
203 hp/t
151 kW/t
4.9 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)545i
333 hp
248 kW
5.8 s
Unrestricted
265 km/h165 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph
BMW5 Series (E39)540i V8
286 hp
213 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 (E60)545i
Power
333 hp
248 kW
0-100 km/h5.8 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
1,464 mm
57.6 in
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

Detailed score breakdown

Detailed score breakdown
VehicleBMW5 Series (E60)545iBMW5 Series (E39)540i V8
Power
333 hp
248 kW
286 hp
213 kW
Torque
450 Nm
332 lb-ft
440 Nm
325 lb-ft
Acceleration
5.8 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
1,640 kg
3,616 lb
1,630 kg
3,594 lb
Fuel consumption
10.6 L/100 km
22.2 mpg US
26.6 mpg UK
-
Practicality
Doors/seats
4 doors
5 seats
Trunk
520 L
18.4 cu ft
Length
4,841 mm
190.6 in
Height
1,464 mm
57.6 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
Range score
660 km
410 mi
-
Trunk score
520 L
18.4 cu ft
460 L
16.2 cu ft
Power-to-weight score
203 hp/t
151 kW/t
4.9 kg/hp
175 hp/t
131 kW/t
5.7 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 (E60) 545i
Consumption10.6 L/100 km22.2 mpg US26.6 mpg UK
Cost / 100 km18.55 LC100 km
Cost / 100 mi29.85 LC100 mi
Annual fuel used1,590 L420 US gal350 UK gal
Annual fuel cost2,783 LC/year

Head-to-head comparisons

BMW 5 Series (E60) 545i

  • Has 47 hp more
  • Has 10 Nm more
  • Is 0.4 s quicker from 0-100 km/h
  • Has 28 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

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Model
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Engine or modification
BMW 5 Series (E60) 545i
BMW 5 Series (E39) 540i V8
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BMW 5 Series (E60) 545i vs BMW 5 Series (E39) 540i V8 - car comparison - FastVsFaster