Car comparison

BMW 5 Series Touring (E39) 540i V8vsBMW 5 Series Touring (G31) 520d

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

New comparison

BMW 5 Series Touring (E39)

540i V8

286 hp4398 ccGasolineRWDAutomaticNaturally aspiratedWagon / estate1998-2000
VS

BMW 5 Series Touring (G31)

520d

190 hp1995 ccDieselRWDAutomaticTurbochargedWagon / estate2017-2019

Comparison overview

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

Best choices

BMW 5 Series Touring (E39) 540i V8

  • Quickest 0-100 km/h
    6.7 s
  • Fastest top speed
    260 km/h
    162 mph Unrestricted
    250 km/h
    155 mph Restricted
  • Most powerful
    286 hp
    213 kW
  • Highest torque
    440 Nm
    325 lb-ft
  • Best power-to-weight
    164 hp/t
    123 kW/t
    6.1 kg/hp
  • Best overall score
    68/100
  • Best performance score
    62/100

BMW 5 Series Touring (G31) 520d

  • Lightest
    1,660 kg
    3,660 lb
  • Lowest city consumption
    5.2 L/100 km
    45.2 mpg US
    54.3 mpg UK
  • Lowest highway consumption
    4.4 L/100 km
    53.5 mpg US
    64.2 mpg UK
  • Largest trunk
    570 L
  • Best economy score
    94/100
  • Best practicality score
    87/100

Specification comparison

Specification comparison
ModelBMW5 Series Touring (E39)540i V8BMW5 Series Touring (G31)520d
Power
286hp213kW
190hp142kW
Torque
440Nm325lb-ft
400Nm295lb-ft
Curb weight
1,740kg3,836lb
1,660kg3,660lb
Gross weight
2,280kg5,027lb
2,390kg5,269lb
Top speed
Unrestricted
260 km/h162 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph
Calculated
Unrestricted
235 km/h146 mph
Restricted
225 km/h140 mph
Calculated
To 99% top speed
70.3s99% target: 257 km/h / 160 mph
Calculated
77.8s99% target: 233 km/h / 145 mph
Calculated
0-100 km/h
6.7s
7.8s
0-200 km/h
21.3s
Calculated
29.8s
Calculated
0-60 mph
6.4s
Calculated
7.4s
Calculated
Fuel consumption-
4.7L/100 km50mpg US60.1mpg UK
Fuel consumption city
17.6L/100 km13.4mpg US16.1mpg UK
5.2L/100 km45.2mpg US54.3mpg UK
Fuel consumption highway
9.7L/100 km24.2mpg US29.1mpg UK
4.4L/100 km53.5mpg US64.2mpg UK
Quarter mile
14.6s
Calculated
15.6s
Calculated
Power-to-weight
164hp/t123kW/t75hp/1000 lb
Calculated
114hp/t85kW/t52hp/1000 lb
Calculated
Torque-to-weight
253Nm/t169lb-ft/ton
Calculated
241Nm/t161lb-ft/ton
Calculated
Estimated range-
1,404km873mi
Calculated
Displacement
4,398cc268cu in
1,995cc122cu in
Length
4,805mm189in
4,942mm195in
Width
1,800mm71in
1,868mm74in
Height
1,440mm57in
1,498mm59in
Wheelbase
2,830mm111in
2,975mm117in
Front track
1,512mm60in
1,605mm63in
Rear track
1,522mm60in
1,630mm64in
Ground clearance-
140mm6in
Trunk volume
410L
570L
Max trunk volume
1,525L
1,700L
Doors
5
5
Seats
5
5
Fuel tank
70L
66L
CO2 emissions-
124g/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 (E39) 540i V8BMW 5 Series Touring (G31) 520dPowerTorque
  • BMW 5 Series Touring (E39) 540i V8: Power / Torque
  • BMW 5 Series Touring (G31) 520d: Power / Torque
Dyno simulation data table
VehiclePeak power RPMPeak torque RPMMax engine speed
BMW5 Series Touring (E39)540i V85,400 rpm3,600 rpm5,650 rpm
BMW5 Series Touring (G31)520d4,000 rpm1,750-2,500 rpm4,250 rpm

Acceleration curve

Estimated speed over time for selected vehicles.

Acceleration and drag-race table
MetricBMW5 Series Touring (E39)540i V8BMW5 Series Touring (G31)520d
Acceleration checkpoints
0-60 mph
0-97 km/h
6.4 s
7.4 s
0-100 km/h
0-62 mph
6.7 s
7.8 s
0-200 km/h
0-124 mph
21.3 s
29.8 s
Top speed
Unrestricted
260 km/h162 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph
Likely limited
Unrestricted
235 km/h146 mph
Restricted
225 km/h140 mph
Likely limited
Drag race simulation
60 ft
18 m
2.6 s
2.7 s
330 ft
101 m
6.6 s
7.0 s
1/8 mile
201 m
9.8 s
10.3 s
1000 ft
305 m
12.4 s
13.2 s
1/4 mile
402 m
14.6 s
15.6 s
Trap speed
1/4 mile
402 m
167 km/h
104 mph
153 km/h
95 mph

Power comparison

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

Chart data table
VehicleValue
BMW5 Series Touring (E39)540i V8
286 hp
213 kW
BMW5 Series Touring (G31)520d
190 hp
142 kW

BMW 5 Series Touring (E39) 540i V8 has 96 hp more than BMW 5 Series Touring (G31) 520d.

The biggest power difference is between BMW 5 Series Touring (G31) 520d and BMW 5 Series Touring (E39) 540i V8: 96 hp (72 kW).

Torque comparison

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

Chart data table
VehicleValue
BMW5 Series Touring (E39)540i V8
440 Nm
325 lb-ft
BMW5 Series Touring (G31)520d
400 Nm
295 lb-ft

Curb weight comparison

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

Chart data table
VehicleValue
BMW5 Series Touring (E39)540i V8
1,740 kg
3,836 lb
BMW5 Series Touring (G31)520d
1,660 kg
3,660 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 (E39)540i V8
Unrestricted
260 km/h162 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph
BMW5 Series Touring (G31)520d
Unrestricted
235 km/h146 mph
Restricted
225 km/h140 mph

0-100 km/h comparison

Bar comparison chart for 0-100 km/h. Lower is better · seconds

The biggest 0-100 km/h difference is between BMW 5 Series Touring (E39) 540i V8 and BMW 5 Series Touring (G31) 520d: 1.1 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 (E39)540i V8
164 hp/t
123 kW/t
6.1 kg/hp
BMW5 Series Touring (G31)520d
114 hp/t
85 kW/t
8.7 kg/hp

Performance spider chart

Radar chart comparing normalized performance and fuel-consumption scores.

Chart data table
VehiclePowerAccelerationTop speed
BMW5 Series Touring (E39)540i V8
286 hp
213 kW
6.7 s
Unrestricted
260 km/h162 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph
BMW5 Series Touring (G31)520d
190 hp
142 kW
7.8 s
Unrestricted
235 km/h146 mph
Restricted
225 km/h140 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 (E39)540i V8
Power
286 hp
213 kW
0-100 km/h6.7 s
Top speed
Unrestricted
260 km/h162 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph
Doors/seats
5 doors
5 seats
Trunk
410 L
14.5 cu ft
Length
4,805 mm
189.2 in
Height
1,440 mm
56.7 in
BMW5 Series Touring (G31)520d
Power
190 hp
142 kW
0-100 km/h7.8 s
Top speed
Unrestricted
235 km/h146 mph
Restricted
225 km/h140 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

Detailed score breakdown

Detailed score breakdown
VehicleBMW5 Series Touring (E39)540i V8BMW5 Series Touring (G31)520d
Power
286 hp
213 kW
190 hp
142 kW
Torque
440 Nm
325 lb-ft
400 Nm
295 lb-ft
Acceleration
6.7 s
7.8 s
Top speed
Unrestricted
260 km/h162 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph
Unrestricted
235 km/h146 mph
Restricted
225 km/h140 mph
Lightness
1,740 kg
3,836 lb
1,660 kg
3,660 lb
Fuel consumption
-
4.7 L/100 km
50.0 mpg US
60.1 mpg UK
Practicality
Doors/seats
5 doors
5 seats
Trunk
410 L
14.5 cu ft
Length
4,805 mm
189.2 in
Height
1,440 mm
56.7 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
-
1,404 km
873 mi
CO2 score
-
124 g/km
Trunk score
410 L
14.5 cu ft
570 L
20.1 cu ft
Power-to-weight score
164 hp/t
123 kW/t
6.1 kg/hp
114 hp/t
85 kW/t
8.7 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 Touring (G31) 520d
Consumption4.7 L/100 km50 mpg US60.1 mpg UK
Cost / 100 km8.23 LC100 km
Cost / 100 mi13.24 LC100 mi
Annual fuel used705 L186 US gal155 UK gal
Annual fuel cost1,234 LC/year

Head-to-head comparisons

BMW 5 Series Touring (E39) 540i V8

  • Has 96 hp more
  • Has 40 Nm more
  • Is 1.1 s quicker from 0-100 km/h
  • Has 25 km/h (16 mph) higher top speed
  • Has 50 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

Choose cars to compare

Brand
Model
Generation
Engine or modification
BMW 5 Series Touring (E39) 540i V8
BMW 5 Series Touring (G31) 520d
Compare selected cars
2 vehicles selected

Popular comparisons

BMW 5 Series Touring (E39) 540i V8 vs BMW 5 Series Touring (G31) 520d - car comparison - FastVsFaster