Car comparison

BMW M5 (E39) 4.9 V8vsBMW 5 Series (E60) 550i

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

New comparison

BMW M5 (E39)

4.9 V8

400 hp4941 ccGasolineRWDManualNaturally aspiratedSedan1998-2000
VS

BMW 5 Series (E60)

550i

367 hp4799 ccGasolineRWDManualNaturally aspiratedSedan2005-2007

Comparison overview

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

Best choices

BMW M5 (E39) 4.9 V8

  • Quickest 0-100 km/h
    5.3 s
  • Fastest top speed
    265 km/h
    165 mph Unrestricted
    250 km/h
    155 mph Restricted
  • Most powerful
    400 hp
    298 kW
  • Highest torque
    500 Nm
    369 lb-ft
  • Best power-to-weight
    233 hp/t
    173 kW/t
    4.3 kg/hp
  • Best overall score
    73/100
  • Best performance score
    73/100
  • Best economy score
    70/100

BMW 5 Series (E60) 550i

  • Lightest
    1,665 kg
    3,671 lb
  • 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 practicality score
    78/100

Specification comparison

Specification comparison
ModelBMWM5 (E39)4.9 V8BMW5 Series (E60)550i
Power
400hp298kW
367hp274kW
Torque
500Nm369lb-ft
490Nm361lb-ft
Curb weight
1,720kg3,792lb
1,665kg3,671lb
Gross weight
2,290kg5,049lb
2,220kg4,894lb
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
51.2s99% target: 262 km/h / 163 mph
Calculated
53.5s99% target: 262 km/h / 163 mph
Calculated
0-100 km/h
5.3s
5.5s
0-200 km/h
15.7s
Calculated
16.3s
Calculated
0-60 mph
5.1s
Calculated
5.3s
Calculated
Fuel consumption
13.9L/100 km16.9mpg US20.3mpg UK
-
Fuel consumption city
21.1L/100 km11.1mpg US13.4mpg UK
16.4L/100 km14.3mpg US17.2mpg UK
Fuel consumption highway
9.8L/100 km24mpg US28.8mpg UK
8L/100 km29.4mpg US35.3mpg UK
Quarter mile
13.2s
Calculated
13.4s
Calculated
Power-to-weight
233hp/t173kW/t105hp/1000 lb
Calculated
220hp/t164kW/t100hp/1000 lb
Calculated
Torque-to-weight
291Nm/t195lb-ft/ton
Calculated
294Nm/t197lb-ft/ton
Calculated
Estimated range
504km313mi
Calculated
-
Displacement
4,941cc302cu in
4,799cc293cu in
Length
4,784mm188in
4,841mm191in
Width
1,800mm71in
1,846mm73in
Height
1,437mm57in
1,468mm58in
Wheelbase
2,830mm111in
2,888mm114in
Front track
1,515mm60in
1,558mm61in
Rear track
1,527mm60in
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 M5 (E39) 4.9 V8BMW 5 Series (E60) 550iPowerTorque
  • BMW M5 (E39) 4.9 V8: Power / Torque
  • BMW 5 Series (E60) 550i: Power / Torque
Dyno simulation data table
VehiclePeak power RPMPeak torque RPMMax engine speed
BMWM5 (E39)4.9 V86,600 rpm3,800 rpm6,850 rpm
BMW5 Series (E60)550i6,300 rpm3,400 rpm6,550 rpm

Acceleration curve

Estimated speed over time for selected vehicles.

Acceleration and drag-race table
MetricBMWM5 (E39)4.9 V8BMW5 Series (E60)550i
Acceleration checkpoints
0-60 mph
0-97 km/h
5.1 s
5.3 s
0-100 km/h
0-62 mph
5.3 s
5.5 s
0-200 km/h
0-124 mph
15.7 s
16.3 s
Top speed
Unrestricted
265 km/h165 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph
Limited
Unrestricted
265 km/h165 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph
Likely limited
Drag race simulation
60 ft
18 m
2.4 s
2.5 s
330 ft
101 m
6.0 s
6.1 s
1/8 mile
201 m
8.8 s
9.0 s
1000 ft
305 m
11.2 s
11.4 s
1/4 mile
402 m
13.2 s
13.4 s
Trap speed
1/4 mile
402 m
184 km/h
114 mph
182 km/h
113 mph

Power comparison

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

Chart data table
VehicleValue
BMWM5 (E39)4.9 V8
400 hp
298 kW
BMW5 Series (E60)550i
367 hp
274 kW

BMW M5 (E39) 4.9 V8 has 33 hp more than BMW 5 Series (E60) 550i.

The biggest power difference is between BMW 5 Series (E60) 550i and BMW M5 (E39) 4.9 V8: 33 hp (25 kW).

Torque comparison

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

Chart data table
VehicleValue
BMWM5 (E39)4.9 V8
500 Nm
369 lb-ft
BMW5 Series (E60)550i
490 Nm
361 lb-ft

Curb weight comparison

Bar comparison chart for Curb weight. Lower is better · kg / lb

Chart data table
VehicleValue
BMWM5 (E39)4.9 V8
1,720 kg
3,792 lb
BMW5 Series (E60)550i
1,665 kg
3,671 lb

Top speed without limiter comparison

Bar comparison chart for Top speed without limiter. Higher is better · km/h / mph

Chart data table
VehicleValue
BMWM5 (E39)4.9 V8
Unrestricted
265 km/h165 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph
BMW5 Series (E60)550i
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
BMWM5 (E39)4.9 V85.3 s
BMW5 Series (E60)550i5.5 s

The biggest 0-100 km/h difference is between BMW M5 (E39) 4.9 V8 and BMW 5 Series (E60) 550i: 0.2 s.

Power-to-weight comparison

Bar comparison chart for Power-to-weight. Higher is better · hp/t / kW/t

Chart data table
VehicleValue
BMWM5 (E39)4.9 V8
233 hp/t
173 kW/t
4.3 kg/hp
BMW5 Series (E60)550i
220 hp/t
164 kW/t
4.5 kg/hp

Performance spider chart

Radar chart comparing normalized performance and fuel-consumption scores.

Chart data table
VehiclePowerAccelerationTop speed
BMWM5 (E39)4.9 V8
400 hp
298 kW
5.3 s
Unrestricted
265 km/h165 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph
BMW5 Series (E60)550i
367 hp
274 kW
5.5 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
BMWM5 (E39)4.9 V8
Power
400 hp
298 kW
0-100 km/h5.3 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
4,784 mm
188.3 in
Height
1,437 mm
56.6 in
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

Detailed score breakdown

Detailed score breakdown
VehicleBMWM5 (E39)4.9 V8BMW5 Series (E60)550i
Power
400 hp
298 kW
367 hp
274 kW
Torque
500 Nm
369 lb-ft
490 Nm
361 lb-ft
Acceleration
5.3 s
5.5 s
Top speed
Unrestricted
265 km/h165 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph
Unrestricted
265 km/h165 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph
Lightness
1,720 kg
3,792 lb
1,665 kg
3,671 lb
Fuel consumption
13.9 L/100 km
16.9 mpg US
20.3 mpg UK
-
Practicality
Doors/seats
4 doors
5 seats
Trunk
460 L
16.2 cu ft
Length
4,784 mm
188.3 in
Height
1,437 mm
56.6 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
Range score
504 km
313 mi
-
Trunk score
460 L
16.2 cu ft
520 L
18.4 cu ft
Power-to-weight score
233 hp/t
173 kW/t
4.3 kg/hp
220 hp/t
164 kW/t
4.5 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 M5 (E39) 4.9 V8
Consumption13.9 L/100 km16.9 mpg US20.3 mpg UK
Cost / 100 km24.33 LC100 km
Cost / 100 mi39.15 LC100 mi
Annual fuel used2,085 L551 US gal459 UK gal
Annual fuel cost3,649 LC/year

Head-to-head comparisons

BMW M5 (E39) 4.9 V8

  • Has 33 hp more
  • Has 10 Nm more
  • Is 0.2 s quicker from 0-100 km/h
  • Has 12 hp/t better power-to-weight

Pros

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

Cons

  • Heaviest
  • Smallest trunk

BMW 5 Series (E60) 550i

  • Is 55 kg lighter
  • Has 60 L more trunk volume

Pros

  • Lightest
  • Largest trunk

Cons

  • Slowest 0-100 km/h
  • Lowest power

Choose cars to compare

Brand
Model
Generation
Engine or modification
BMW M5 (E39) 4.9 V8
BMW 5 Series (E60) 550i
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