Car comparison

BMW 5 Series Touring (E34) 540ivsBMW 5 Series Touring (E61) 535d

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

New comparison

BMW 5 Series Touring (E34)

540i

286 hp3982 ccGasolineRWDManualNaturally aspiratedWagon / estate1993-1997
VS

BMW 5 Series Touring (E61)

535d

272 hp2993 ccDieselRWDAutomaticTurbochargedWagon / estate2005-2007

Comparison overview

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

Best choices

BMW 5 Series Touring (E34) 540i

  • Quickest 0-100 km/h
    6.4 s
  • Fastest top speed
    260 km/h
    162 mph Unrestricted
    250 km/h
    155 mph Restricted
  • Most powerful
    286 hp
    213 kW
  • Lightest
    1,680 kg
    3,704 lb
  • Best power-to-weight
    170 hp/t
    127 kW/t
    5.9 kg/hp
  • Best economy score
    73/100

BMW 5 Series Touring (E61) 535d

  • Highest torque
    560 Nm
    413 lb-ft
  • Largest trunk
    500 L
  • Best overall score
    70/100
  • Best performance score
    64/100
  • Best practicality score
    84/100

Specification comparison

Specification comparison
ModelBMW5 Series Touring (E34)540iBMW5 Series Touring (E61)535d
Power
286hp213kW
272hp203kW
Torque
400Nm295lb-ft
560Nm413lb-ft
Curb weight
1,680kg3,704lb
1,760kg3,880lb
Gross weight
2,230kg4,916lb
2,315kg5,104lb
Top speed
Unrestricted
260 km/h162 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph
Calculated
Unrestricted
260 km/h162 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph
Calculated
To 99% top speed
65.2s99% target: 257 km/h / 160 mph
Calculated
73.6s99% target: 257 km/h / 160 mph
Calculated
0-100 km/h
6.4s
6.6s
0-200 km/h
20.0s
Calculated
21.6s
Calculated
0-60 mph
6.1s
Calculated
6.3s
Calculated
Fuel consumption
12.7L/100 km18.5mpg US22.2mpg UK
-
Fuel consumption city-
11.1L/100 km21.2mpg US25.4mpg UK
Fuel consumption highway-
6.5L/100 km36.2mpg US43.5mpg UK
Quarter mile
14.3s
Calculated
14.5s
Calculated
Power-to-weight
170hp/t127kW/t77hp/1000 lb
Calculated
155hp/t115kW/t70hp/1000 lb
Calculated
Torque-to-weight
238Nm/t159lb-ft/ton
Calculated
318Nm/t213lb-ft/ton
Calculated
Estimated range
630km391mi
Calculated
-
Displacement
3,982cc243cu in
2,993cc183cu in
Length
4,720mm186in
4,843mm191in
Width
1,751mm69in
1,846mm73in
Height
1,417mm56in
1,491mm59in
Wheelbase
2,761mm109in
2,886mm114in
Front track
1,470mm58in
1,558mm61in
Rear track
1,495mm59in
1,581mm62in
Trunk volume
460L
500L
Max trunk volume
910L
1,650L
Doors
5
5
Seats
5
5
Fuel tank
80L
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 Touring (E34) 540iBMW 5 Series Touring (E61) 535dPowerTorque
  • BMW 5 Series Touring (E34) 540i: Power / Torque
  • BMW 5 Series Touring (E61) 535d: Power / Torque
Dyno simulation data table
VehiclePeak power RPMPeak torque RPMMax engine speed
BMW5 Series Touring (E34)540i5,800 rpm4,500 rpm6,050 rpm
BMW5 Series Touring (E61)535d4,000 rpm2,000 rpm4,250 rpm

Acceleration curve

Estimated speed over time for selected vehicles.

Acceleration and drag-race table
MetricBMW5 Series Touring (E34)540iBMW5 Series Touring (E61)535d
Acceleration checkpoints
0-60 mph
0-97 km/h
6.1 s
6.3 s
0-100 km/h
0-62 mph
6.4 s
6.6 s
0-200 km/h
0-124 mph
20.0 s
21.6 s
Top speed
Unrestricted
260 km/h162 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph
Likely limited
Unrestricted
260 km/h162 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
6.5 s
1/8 mile
201 m
9.6 s
9.7 s
1000 ft
305 m
12.2 s
12.3 s
1/4 mile
402 m
14.3 s
14.5 s
Trap speed
1/4 mile
402 m
170 km/h
106 mph
166 km/h
103 mph

Power comparison

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

Chart data table
VehicleValue
BMW5 Series Touring (E34)540i
286 hp
213 kW
BMW5 Series Touring (E61)535d
272 hp
203 kW

BMW 5 Series Touring (E34) 540i has 14 hp more than BMW 5 Series Touring (E61) 535d.

The biggest power difference is between BMW 5 Series Touring (E61) 535d and BMW 5 Series Touring (E34) 540i: 14 hp (10 kW).

Torque comparison

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

Chart data table
VehicleValue
BMW5 Series Touring (E34)540i
400 Nm
295 lb-ft
BMW5 Series Touring (E61)535d
560 Nm
413 lb-ft

Curb weight comparison

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

Chart data table
VehicleValue
BMW5 Series Touring (E34)540i
1,680 kg
3,704 lb
BMW5 Series Touring (E61)535d
1,760 kg
3,880 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 Touring (E34)540i
Unrestricted
260 km/h162 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph
BMW5 Series Touring (E61)535d
Unrestricted
260 km/h162 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 Touring (E34)540i6.4 s
BMW5 Series Touring (E61)535d6.6 s

The biggest 0-100 km/h difference is between BMW 5 Series Touring (E34) 540i and BMW 5 Series Touring (E61) 535d: 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
BMW5 Series Touring (E34)540i
170 hp/t
127 kW/t
5.9 kg/hp
BMW5 Series Touring (E61)535d
155 hp/t
115 kW/t
6.5 kg/hp

Performance spider chart

Radar chart comparing normalized performance and fuel-consumption scores.

Chart data table
VehiclePowerAccelerationTop speed
BMW5 Series Touring (E34)540i
286 hp
213 kW
6.4 s
Unrestricted
260 km/h162 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph
BMW5 Series Touring (E61)535d
272 hp
203 kW
6.6 s
Unrestricted
260 km/h162 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 Touring (E34)540i
Power
286 hp
213 kW
0-100 km/h6.4 s
Top speed
Unrestricted
260 km/h162 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph
Doors/seats
5 doors
5 seats
Trunk
460 L
16.2 cu ft
Length
4,720 mm
185.8 in
Height
1,417 mm
55.8 in
BMW5 Series Touring (E61)535d
Power
272 hp
203 kW
0-100 km/h6.6 s
Top speed
Unrestricted
260 km/h162 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph
Doors/seats
5 doors
5 seats
Trunk
500 L
17.7 cu ft
Length
4,843 mm
190.7 in
Height
1,491 mm
58.7 in

Detailed score breakdown

Detailed score breakdown
VehicleBMW5 Series Touring (E34)540iBMW5 Series Touring (E61)535d
Power
286 hp
213 kW
272 hp
203 kW
Torque
400 Nm
295 lb-ft
560 Nm
413 lb-ft
Acceleration
6.4 s
6.6 s
Top speed
Unrestricted
260 km/h162 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph
Unrestricted
260 km/h162 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph
Lightness
1,680 kg
3,704 lb
1,760 kg
3,880 lb
Fuel consumption
12.7 L/100 km
18.5 mpg US
22.2 mpg UK
-
Practicality
Doors/seats
5 doors
5 seats
Trunk
460 L
16.2 cu ft
Length
4,720 mm
185.8 in
Height
1,417 mm
55.8 in
Doors/seats
5 doors
5 seats
Trunk
500 L
17.7 cu ft
Length
4,843 mm
190.7 in
Height
1,491 mm
58.7 in
Range score
630 km
391 mi
-
Trunk score
460 L
16.2 cu ft
500 L
17.7 cu ft
Power-to-weight score
170 hp/t
127 kW/t
5.9 kg/hp
155 hp/t
115 kW/t
6.5 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 5 Series Touring (E34) 540i
Consumption12.7 L/100 km18.5 mpg US22.2 mpg UK
Cost / 100 km22.22 LC100 km
Cost / 100 mi35.77 LC100 mi
Annual fuel used1,905 L503 US gal419 UK gal
Annual fuel cost3,334 LC/year

Head-to-head comparisons

BMW 5 Series Touring (E34) 540i

  • Has 14 hp more
  • Is 80 kg lighter
  • Is 0.2 s quicker from 0-100 km/h
  • Has 16 hp/t better power-to-weight

Pros

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

Cons

  • Smallest trunk

Choose cars to compare

Brand
Model
Generation
Engine or modification
BMW 5 Series Touring (E34) 540i
BMW 5 Series Touring (E61) 535d
Compare selected cars
2 vehicles selected

Popular comparisons

540i
540i V8
VS
BMW5 Series Touring (E34)540ivsBMW5 Series Touring (E39)540i V8
535d
540i V8
VS
BMW5 Series Touring (E61)535dvsBMW5 Series Touring (E39)Facelift 2000540i V8
540i
540i V8
VS
BMW5 Series Touring (E34)540ivsBMW5 Series (E34)540i V8
535d
535i
VS
BMW5 Series Touring (E61)535dvsBMW5 Series Touring (F11)535i
540i
540d
VS
BMW5 Series Touring (E34)540ivsBMW5 Series Touring (G61)540d
535d
530d
VS
BMW5 Series Touring (E61)535dvsBMW5 Series Touring (G31)530d
540i
545i
VS
BMW5 Series Touring (E34)540ivsBMW5 Series Touring (E61)545i
535d
540i
VS
BMW5 Series Touring (E61)535dvsBMW5 Series (E60)540i
535d
540i
VS
BMW5 Series Touring (E61)535dvsBMW5 Series (E39)Facelift 2000540i
540i
540i V8
VS
BMW5 Series Touring (E34)540ivsBMW5 Series (E39)540i V8
535d
535d
VS
BMW5 Series Touring (E61)535dvsBMW5 Series Sedan (F10)535d
540i
540d
VS
BMW5 Series Touring (E34)540ivsBMW5 Series Sedan (G60)540d
BMW 5 Series Touring (E34) 540i vs BMW 5 Series Touring (E61) 535d - car comparison - FastVsFaster