Car comparison

BMW 5 Series Touring (E34) 540ivsBMW 5 Series Touring (G31) 520i

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 (G31)

520i

184 hp1998 ccGasolineRWDAutomaticTurbochargedWagon / estate2017-2020

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
  • Highest torque
    400 Nm
    295 lb-ft
  • Best power-to-weight
    170 hp/t
    127 kW/t
    5.9 kg/hp
  • Best overall score
    68/100
  • Best performance score
    62/100

BMW 5 Series Touring (G31) 520i

  • Lightest
    1,630 kg
    3,594 lb
  • Lowest combined fuel consumption
    6.2 L/100 km
    37.9 mpg US
    45.6 mpg UK
  • Best estimated range
    1,097 km
    682 mi
  • Largest trunk
    570 L
  • Best economy score
    90/100
  • Best practicality score
    87/100

Specification comparison

Specification comparison
ModelBMW5 Series Touring (E34)540iBMW5 Series Touring (G31)520i
Power
286hp213kW
184hp137kW
Torque
400Nm295lb-ft
290Nm214lb-ft
Curb weight
1,680kg3,704lb
1,630kg3,594lb
Gross weight
2,230kg4,916lb
2,350kg5,181lb
Top speed
Unrestricted
260 km/h162 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph
Calculated
225 km/h
140 mph
To 99% top speed
65.3s99% target: 257 km/h / 160 mph
Calculated
77.8s99% target: 223 km/h / 138 mph
Calculated
0-100 km/h
6.4s
8.2s
0-200 km/h
20.0s
Calculated
34.7s
Calculated
0-60 mph
6.1s
Calculated
7.8s
Calculated
Fuel consumption
12.7L/100 km18.5mpg US22.2mpg UK
6.2L/100 km37.9mpg US45.6mpg UK
Fuel consumption city-
7.5L/100 km31.4mpg US37.7mpg UK
Fuel consumption highway-
5.5L/100 km42.8mpg US51.4mpg UK
Quarter mile
14.3s
Calculated
15.9s
Calculated
Power-to-weight
170hp/t127kW/t77hp/1000 lb
Calculated
113hp/t84kW/t51hp/1000 lb
Calculated
Torque-to-weight
238Nm/t159lb-ft/ton
Calculated
178Nm/t119lb-ft/ton
Calculated
Estimated range
630km391mi
Calculated
1,097km682mi
Calculated
Displacement
3,982cc243cu in
1,998cc122cu in
Length
4,720mm186in
4,942mm195in
Width
1,751mm69in
1,868mm74in
Height
1,417mm56in
1,498mm59in
Wheelbase
2,761mm109in
2,975mm117in
Front track
1,470mm58in
-
Rear track
1,495mm59in
-
Trunk volume
460L
570L
Max trunk volume
910L
1,700L
Doors
5
5
Seats
5
5
Fuel tank
80L
68L
CO2 emissions-
141g/km

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 (G31) 520iPowerTorque
  • BMW 5 Series Touring (E34) 540i: Power / Torque
  • BMW 5 Series Touring (G31) 520i: 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 (G31)520i5,000-6,500 rpm1,350-4,250 rpm6,750 rpm

Acceleration curve

Estimated speed over time for selected vehicles.

Acceleration and drag-race table
MetricBMW5 Series Touring (E34)540iBMW5 Series Touring (G31)520i
Acceleration checkpoints
0-60 mph
0-97 km/h
6.1 s
7.8 s
0-100 km/h
0-62 mph
6.4 s
8.2 s
0-200 km/h
0-124 mph
20.0 s
34.7 s
Top speed
Unrestricted
260 km/h162 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph
Likely limited
225 km/h
140 mph
Drag race simulation
60 ft
18 m
2.6 s
2.8 s
330 ft
101 m
6.5 s
7.1 s
1/8 mile
201 m
9.6 s
10.5 s
1000 ft
305 m
12.2 s
13.5 s
1/4 mile
402 m
14.3 s
15.9 s
Trap speed
1/4 mile
402 m
170 km/h
106 mph
149 km/h
92 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 (G31)520i
184 hp
137 kW

BMW 5 Series Touring (E34) 540i has 102 hp more than BMW 5 Series Touring (G31) 520i.

The biggest power difference is between BMW 5 Series Touring (G31) 520i and BMW 5 Series Touring (E34) 540i: 102 hp (76 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 (G31)520i
290 Nm
214 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 (G31)520i
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 Touring (E34)540i
Unrestricted
260 km/h162 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph
BMW5 Series Touring (G31)520i
225 km/h
140 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 (G31)520i8.2 s

The biggest 0-100 km/h difference is between BMW 5 Series Touring (E34) 540i and BMW 5 Series Touring (G31) 520i: 1.8 s.

Fuel consumption comparison

Bar comparison chart for Fuel consumption. Lower is better · L/100 km / mpg US / mpg UK

Chart data table
VehicleValue
BMW5 Series Touring (E34)540i
12.7 L/100 km
18.5 mpg US
22.2 mpg UK
BMW5 Series Touring (G31)520i
6.2 L/100 km
37.9 mpg US
45.6 mpg UK

The biggest fuel consumption difference is between BMW 5 Series Touring (G31) 520i and BMW 5 Series Touring (E34) 540i: 6.5 L/100 km.

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 (G31)520i
113 hp/t
84 kW/t
8.9 kg/hp

Estimated range comparison

Bar comparison chart for Estimated range. Higher is better · km / mi

Chart data table
VehicleValue
BMW5 Series Touring (E34)540i
630 km
391 mi
BMW5 Series Touring (G31)520i
1,097 km
682 mi

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 (G31)520i
184 hp
137 kW
8.2 s
225 km/h
140 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 (G31)520i
Power
184 hp
137 kW
0-100 km/h8.2 s
Top speed
225 km/h
140 mph
Doors/seats
5 doors
5 seats
Trunk
570 L
20.1 cu ft
Length
4,942 mm
194.6 in
Height
1,498 mm
59.0 in

Performance vs fuel economy

Cars closer to the top-right corner combine stronger performance with better fuel economy scores.

Performance vs fuel economy data table
VehiclePerformance scoreFuel economy 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
12.7 L/100 km
18.5 mpg US
22.2 mpg UK
BMW5 Series Touring (G31)520i
Power
184 hp
137 kW
0-100 km/h8.2 s
Top speed
225 km/h
140 mph
6.2 L/100 km
37.9 mpg US
45.6 mpg UK

BMW 5 Series Touring (E34) 540i is closest to the top-right balance target for performance and fuel economy.

Acceleration vs fuel consumption

Cars closer to the lower-left corner offer a better mix of quick acceleration and low fuel consumption.

Acceleration vs fuel consumption data table
VehicleFuel consumption, L/100 km0-100 km/h, s
BMW5 Series Touring (E34)540i
12.7 L/100 km
18.5 mpg US
22.2 mpg UK
6.4 s
BMW5 Series Touring (G31)520i
6.2 L/100 km
37.9 mpg US
45.6 mpg UK
8.2 s

Power-to-weight vs fuel consumption

The shaded area favors higher power-to-weight with lower combined fuel consumption.

Power-to-weight vs fuel consumption data table
VehiclePower-to-weight, hp/tFuel consumption, L/100 km
BMW5 Series Touring (E34)540i
170 hp/t
127 kW/t
5.9 kg/hp
12.7 L/100 km
18.5 mpg US
22.2 mpg UK
BMW5 Series Touring (G31)520i
113 hp/t
84 kW/t
8.9 kg/hp
6.2 L/100 km
37.9 mpg US
45.6 mpg UK

Detailed score breakdown

Detailed score breakdown
VehicleBMW5 Series Touring (E34)540iBMW5 Series Touring (G31)520i
Power
286 hp
213 kW
184 hp
137 kW
Torque
400 Nm
295 lb-ft
290 Nm
214 lb-ft
Acceleration
6.4 s
8.2 s
Top speed
Unrestricted
260 km/h162 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph
225 km/h
140 mph
Lightness
1,680 kg
3,704 lb
1,630 kg
3,594 lb
Fuel consumption
12.7 L/100 km
18.5 mpg US
22.2 mpg UK
6.2 L/100 km
37.9 mpg US
45.6 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
570 L
20.1 cu ft
Length
4,942 mm
194.6 in
Height
1,498 mm
59.0 in
Range score
630 km
391 mi
1,097 km
682 mi
CO2 score
-
141 g/km
Trunk score
460 L
16.2 cu ft
570 L
20.1 cu ft
Power-to-weight score
170 hp/t
127 kW/t
5.9 kg/hp
113 hp/t
84 kW/t
8.9 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) 540iBMW 5 Series Touring (G31) 520i
Consumption12.7 L/100 km18.5 mpg US22.2 mpg UK6.2 L/100 km37.9 mpg US45.6 mpg UK
Cost / 100 km22.22 LC100 km10.85 LC100 km
Cost / 100 mi35.77 LC100 mi17.46 LC100 mi
Annual fuel used1,905 L503 US gal419 UK gal930 L246 US gal205 UK gal
Annual fuel cost3,334 LC/year1,628 LC/year

Head-to-head comparisons

BMW 5 Series Touring (E34) 540i

  • Has 102 hp more
  • Has 110 Nm more
  • Is 1.8 s quicker from 0-100 km/h
  • Has 35 km/h (22 mph) higher top speed
  • Has 57 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

  • Highest combined fuel consumption
  • Heaviest
  • Smallest trunk

BMW 5 Series Touring (G31) 520i

  • Is 50 kg lighter
  • Uses 6.5 L/100 km less fuel
  • Has 467 km (290 mi) more estimated range
  • Has 110 L more trunk volume

Pros

  • Lightest
  • Lowest combined fuel consumption
  • Best estimated range
  • Largest trunk

Cons

  • Slowest 0-100 km/h
  • Lowest power
  • Lowest top speed

Choose cars to compare

Brand
Model
Generation
Engine or modification
BMW 5 Series Touring (E34) 540i
BMW 5 Series Touring (G31) 520i
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BMW 5 Series Touring (E34) 540i vs BMW 5 Series Touring (G31) 520i - car comparison - FastVsFaster