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 ccGasolineRWDManualNaturally aspiratedWagon / estate1998-2000
VS

BMW 5 Series Touring (G31)

520d

190 hp1995 ccDieselAWDAutomaticTurbochargedWagon / 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
    6.3 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
    69/100
  • Best performance score
    63/100

BMW 5 Series Touring (G31) 520d

  • Lightest
    1,735 kg
    3,825 lb
  • Lowest city consumption
    5.9 L/100 km
    39.9 mpg US
    47.9 mpg UK
  • Lowest highway consumption
    4.9 L/100 km
    48.0 mpg US
    57.6 mpg UK
  • Largest trunk
    570 L
  • Best economy score
    93/100
  • 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
1,735kg3,825lb
Gross weight
2,280kg5,027lb
2,465kg5,434lb
Top speed
Unrestricted
260 km/h162 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph
Calculated
222 km/h
138 mph
To 99% top speed
66.1s99% target: 257 km/h / 160 mph
Calculated
74.5s99% target: 220 km/h / 137 mph
Calculated
0-100 km/h
6.3s
7.9s
0-200 km/h
20.0s
Calculated
34.9s
Calculated
0-60 mph
6.0s
Calculated
7.5s
Calculated
Fuel consumption-
5.3L/100 km44.4mpg US53.3mpg UK
Fuel consumption city
18L/100 km13.1mpg US15.7mpg UK
5.9L/100 km39.9mpg US47.9mpg UK
Fuel consumption highway
9.1L/100 km25.8mpg US31.0mpg UK
4.9L/100 km48mpg US57.6mpg UK
Quarter mile
14.2s
Calculated
15.7s
Calculated
Power-to-weight
164hp/t123kW/t75hp/1000 lb
Calculated
110hp/t82kW/t50hp/1000 lb
Calculated
Torque-to-weight
253Nm/t169lb-ft/ton
Calculated
231Nm/t154lb-ft/ton
Calculated
Estimated range-
1,245km774mi
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-
139g/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
6.0 s
7.5 s
0-100 km/h
0-62 mph
6.3 s
7.9 s
0-200 km/h
0-124 mph
20.0 s
34.9 s
Top speed
Unrestricted
260 km/h162 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph
Likely limited
222 km/h
138 mph
Drag race simulation
60 ft
18 m
2.6 s
2.7 s
330 ft
101 m
6.5 s
7.0 s
1/8 mile
201 m
9.5 s
10.4 s
1000 ft
305 m
12.1 s
13.3 s
1/4 mile
402 m
14.2 s
15.7 s
Trap speed
1/4 mile
402 m
170 km/h
106 mph
150 km/h
93 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
1,735 kg
3,825 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
222 km/h
138 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 V86.3 s
BMW5 Series Touring (G31)520d7.9 s

The biggest 0-100 km/h difference is between BMW 5 Series Touring (E39) 540i V8 and BMW 5 Series Touring (G31) 520d: 1.6 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
110 hp/t
82 kW/t
9.1 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
6.3 s
Unrestricted
260 km/h162 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph
BMW5 Series Touring (G31)520d
190 hp
142 kW
7.9 s
222 km/h
138 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/h6.3 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/h7.9 s
Top speed
222 km/h
138 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
6.3 s
7.9 s
Top speed
Unrestricted
260 km/h162 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph
222 km/h
138 mph
Lightness
1,740 kg
3,836 lb
1,735 kg
3,825 lb
Fuel consumption
-
5.3 L/100 km
44.4 mpg US
53.3 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
-
1,245 km
774 mi
CO2 score
-
139 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
110 hp/t
82 kW/t
9.1 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
Consumption5.3 L/100 km44.4 mpg US53.3 mpg UK
Cost / 100 km9.28 LC100 km
Cost / 100 mi14.93 LC100 mi
Annual fuel used795 L210 US gal175 UK gal
Annual fuel cost1,391 LC/year

Head-to-head comparisons

BMW 5 Series Touring (E39) 540i V8

  • Has 96 hp more
  • Has 40 Nm more
  • Is 1.6 s quicker from 0-100 km/h
  • Has 38 km/h (24 mph) higher top speed
  • Has 55 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

540i V8
540i V8
VS
BMW5 Series Touring (E39)540i V8vsBMW5 Series Touring (E39)Facelift 2000540i V8
520d
520i
VS
BMW5 Series Touring (G31)520dvsBMW5 Series Touring (G61)520i
540i V8
540i
VS
BMW5 Series Touring (E39)540i V8vsBMW5 Series Touring (E34)540i
520d
520i
VS
BMW5 Series Touring (G31)520dvsBMW5 Series Sedan (G60)520i
540i V8
535d
VS
BMW5 Series Touring (E39)540i V8vsBMW5 Series Touring (E61)535d
540i V8
540i V8
VS
BMW5 Series Touring (E39)540i V8vsBMW5 Series (E39)540i V8
520d
535i
VS
BMW5 Series Touring (G31)520dvsBMW5 Series Touring (F11)535i
520d
540i V8
VS
BMW5 Series Touring (G31)520dvsBMW5 Series Touring (E39)540i V8
540i V8
530d
VS
BMW5 Series Touring (E39)540i V8vsBMW5 Series Touring (G31)530d
540i V8
540i
VS
BMW5 Series Touring (E39)540i V8vsBMW5 Series (E39)Facelift 2000540i
520d
535i
VS
BMW5 Series Touring (G31)520dvsBMW5 Series (E28)535i
540i V8
540i V8
VS
BMW5 Series Touring (E39)540i V8vsBMW5 Series (E34)540i V8
BMW 5 Series Touring (E39) 540i V8 vs BMW 5 Series Touring (G31) 520d - car comparison - FastVsFaster