Car comparison

BMW 5 Series Touring (E39) 540i V8vsBMW 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 (E39)

540i V8

286 hp4398 ccGasolineRWDAutomaticNaturally aspiratedWagon / estate1998-2000
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 (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) 520i

  • Lightest
    1,630 kg
    3,594 lb
  • Lowest city consumption
    7.5 L/100 km
    31.4 mpg US
    37.7 mpg UK
  • Lowest highway consumption
    5.5 L/100 km
    42.8 mpg US
    51.4 mpg UK
  • Largest trunk
    570 L
  • Best economy score
    90/100
  • Best practicality score
    87/100

Specification comparison

Specification comparison
ModelBMW5 Series Touring (E39)540i V8BMW5 Series Touring (G31)520i
Power
286hp213kW
184hp137kW
Torque
440Nm325lb-ft
290Nm214lb-ft
Curb weight
1,740kg3,836lb
1,630kg3,594lb
Gross weight
2,280kg5,027lb
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
70.3s99% target: 257 km/h / 160 mph
Calculated
77.8s99% target: 223 km/h / 138 mph
Calculated
0-100 km/h
6.7s
8.2s
0-200 km/h
21.3s
Calculated
34.7s
Calculated
0-60 mph
6.4s
Calculated
7.8s
Calculated
Fuel consumption-
6.2L/100 km37.9mpg US45.6mpg UK
Fuel consumption city
17.6L/100 km13.4mpg US16.1mpg UK
7.5L/100 km31.4mpg US37.7mpg UK
Fuel consumption highway
9.7L/100 km24.2mpg US29.1mpg UK
5.5L/100 km42.8mpg US51.4mpg UK
Quarter mile
14.6s
Calculated
15.9s
Calculated
Power-to-weight
164hp/t123kW/t75hp/1000 lb
Calculated
113hp/t84kW/t51hp/1000 lb
Calculated
Torque-to-weight
253Nm/t169lb-ft/ton
Calculated
178Nm/t119lb-ft/ton
Calculated
Estimated range-
1,097km682mi
Calculated
Displacement
4,398cc268cu in
1,998cc122cu 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
-
Rear track
1,522mm60in
-
Trunk volume
410L
570L
Max trunk volume
1,525L
1,700L
Doors
5
5
Seats
5
5
Fuel tank
70L
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 (E39) 540i V8BMW 5 Series Touring (G31) 520iPowerTorque
  • BMW 5 Series Touring (E39) 540i V8: Power / Torque
  • BMW 5 Series Touring (G31) 520i: 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)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 (E39)540i V8BMW5 Series Touring (G31)520i
Acceleration checkpoints
0-60 mph
0-97 km/h
6.4 s
7.8 s
0-100 km/h
0-62 mph
6.7 s
8.2 s
0-200 km/h
0-124 mph
21.3 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
6.6 s
7.1 s
1/8 mile
201 m
9.8 s
10.5 s
1000 ft
305 m
12.4 s
13.5 s
1/4 mile
402 m
14.6 s
15.9 s
Trap speed
1/4 mile
402 m
167 km/h
104 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 (E39)540i V8
286 hp
213 kW
BMW5 Series Touring (G31)520i
184 hp
137 kW

BMW 5 Series Touring (E39) 540i V8 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 (E39) 540i V8: 102 hp (76 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)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 (E39)540i V8
1,740 kg
3,836 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 (E39)540i V8
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 (E39)540i V86.7 s
BMW5 Series Touring (G31)520i8.2 s

The biggest 0-100 km/h difference is between BMW 5 Series Touring (E39) 540i V8 and BMW 5 Series Touring (G31) 520i: 1.5 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)520i
113 hp/t
84 kW/t
8.9 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)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 (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)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

Detailed score breakdown

Detailed score breakdown
VehicleBMW5 Series Touring (E39)540i V8BMW5 Series Touring (G31)520i
Power
286 hp
213 kW
184 hp
137 kW
Torque
440 Nm
325 lb-ft
290 Nm
214 lb-ft
Acceleration
6.7 s
8.2 s
Top speed
Unrestricted
260 km/h162 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph
225 km/h
140 mph
Lightness
1,740 kg
3,836 lb
1,630 kg
3,594 lb
Fuel consumption
-
6.2 L/100 km
37.9 mpg US
45.6 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
-
1,097 km
682 mi
CO2 score
-
141 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
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 (G31) 520i
Consumption6.2 L/100 km37.9 mpg US45.6 mpg UK
Cost / 100 km10.85 LC100 km
Cost / 100 mi17.46 LC100 mi
Annual fuel used930 L246 US gal205 UK gal
Annual fuel cost1,628 LC/year

Head-to-head comparisons

BMW 5 Series Touring (E39) 540i V8

  • Has 102 hp more
  • Has 150 Nm more
  • Is 1.5 s quicker from 0-100 km/h
  • Has 35 km/h (22 mph) higher top speed
  • Has 51 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

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Model
Generation
Engine or modification
BMW 5 Series Touring (E39) 540i V8
BMW 5 Series Touring (G31) 520i
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