Car comparison

BMW 5 Series Touring (G31) 540ivsBMW M5 Touring (E34) 3.8

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

New comparison

BMW 5 Series Touring (G31)

540i

340 hp2998 ccGasolineAWDAutomaticTurbochargedWagon / estate2017-2020
VS

BMW M5 Touring (E34)

3.8

340 hp3795 ccGasolineRWDManualNaturally aspiratedWagon / estate1992-1994

Comparison overview

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

Best choices

BMW 5 Series Touring (G31) 540i

  • Quickest 0-100 km/h
    5.1 s
  • Fastest top speed
    260 km/h
    162 mph Unrestricted
    250 km/h
    155 mph Restricted
  • Most powerful
    340 hp
    254 kW
  • Highest torque
    450 Nm
    332 lb-ft
  • Lowest combined fuel consumption
    7.7 L/100 km
    30.5 mpg US
    36.7 mpg UK
  • Lowest city consumption
    9.9 L/100 km
    23.8 mpg US
    28.5 mpg UK
  • Lowest highway consumption
    6.5 L/100 km
    36.2 mpg US
    43.5 mpg UK
  • Largest trunk
    570 L
  • Best overall score
    75/100
  • Best performance score
    69/100
  • Best economy score
    86/100
  • Best practicality score
    87/100

BMW M5 Touring (E34) 3.8

  • Lightest
    1,720 kg
    3,792 lb
  • Best power-to-weight
    198 hp/t
    147 kW/t
    5.1 kg/hp
  • Best estimated range
    891 km
    554 mi

Specification comparison

Specification comparison
ModelBMW5 Series Touring (G31)540iBMWM5 Touring (E34)3.8
Power
340hp254kW
340hp254kW
Torque
450Nm332lb-ft
400Nm295lb-ft
Curb weight
1,765kg3,891lb
1,720kg3,792lb
Gross weight
2,495kg5,501lb
2,220kg4,894lb
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
52.8s99% target: 257 km/h / 160 mph
Calculated
62.2s99% target: 257 km/h / 160 mph
Calculated
0-100 km/h
5.1s
5.9s
0-200 km/h
16.1s
Calculated
18.8s
Calculated
0-60 mph
4.9s
Calculated
5.6s
Calculated
Fuel consumption
7.7L/100 km30.5mpg US36.7mpg UK
10.1L/100 km23.3mpg US28.0mpg UK
Fuel consumption city
9.9L/100 km23.8mpg US28.5mpg UK
18L/100 km13.1mpg US15.7mpg UK
Fuel consumption highway
6.5L/100 km36.2mpg US43.5mpg UK
8.6L/100 km27.4mpg US32.8mpg UK
Quarter mile
13.1s
Calculated
13.9s
Calculated
Power-to-weight
193hp/t144kW/t87hp/1000 lb
Calculated
198hp/t147kW/t90hp/1000 lb
Calculated
Torque-to-weight
255Nm/t171lb-ft/ton
Calculated
233Nm/t156lb-ft/ton
Calculated
Estimated range
883km549mi
Calculated
891km554mi
Calculated
Displacement
2,998cc183cu in
3,795cc232cu in
Length
4,942mm195in
4,720mm186in
Width
1,868mm74in
1,751mm69in
Height
1,498mm59in
1,392mm55in
Wheelbase
2,975mm117in
2,761mm109in
Front track
1,605mm63in
1,474mm58in
Rear track
1,630mm64in
1,496mm59in
Ground clearance
140mm6in
-
Trunk volume
570L
460L
Max trunk volume
1,700L
1,450L
Doors
5
5
Seats
5
5
Fuel tank
68L
90L
CO2 emissions
177g/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 (G31) 540iBMW M5 Touring (E34) 3.8PowerTorque
  • BMW 5 Series Touring (G31) 540i: Power / Torque
  • BMW M5 Touring (E34) 3.8: Power / Torque
Dyno simulation data table
VehiclePeak power RPMPeak torque RPMMax engine speed
BMW5 Series Touring (G31)540i5,500-6,500 rpm1,380-5,200 rpm6,750 rpm
BMWM5 Touring (E34)3.86,900 rpm4,750 rpm7,150 rpm

Acceleration curve

Estimated speed over time for selected vehicles.

Acceleration and drag-race table
MetricBMW5 Series Touring (G31)540iBMWM5 Touring (E34)3.8
Acceleration checkpoints
0-60 mph
0-97 km/h
4.9 s
5.6 s
0-100 km/h
0-62 mph
5.1 s
5.9 s
0-200 km/h
0-124 mph
16.1 s
18.8 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
2.3 s
2.5 s
330 ft
101 m
5.9 s
6.3 s
1/8 mile
201 m
8.7 s
9.2 s
1000 ft
305 m
11.1 s
11.8 s
1/4 mile
402 m
13.1 s
13.9 s
Trap speed
1/4 mile
402 m
182 km/h
113 mph
173 km/h
108 mph

Power comparison

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

Chart data table
VehicleValue
BMW5 Series Touring (G31)540i
340 hp
254 kW
BMWM5 Touring (E34)3.8
340 hp
254 kW

Torque comparison

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

Chart data table
VehicleValue
BMW5 Series Touring (G31)540i
450 Nm
332 lb-ft
BMWM5 Touring (E34)3.8
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 (G31)540i
1,765 kg
3,891 lb
BMWM5 Touring (E34)3.8
1,720 kg
3,792 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 (G31)540i
Unrestricted
260 km/h162 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph
BMWM5 Touring (E34)3.8
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 (G31)540i5.1 s
BMWM5 Touring (E34)3.85.9 s

The biggest 0-100 km/h difference is between BMW 5 Series Touring (G31) 540i and BMW M5 Touring (E34) 3.8: 0.8 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 (G31)540i
7.7 L/100 km
30.5 mpg US
36.7 mpg UK
BMWM5 Touring (E34)3.8
10.1 L/100 km
23.3 mpg US
28.0 mpg UK

The biggest fuel consumption difference is between BMW 5 Series Touring (G31) 540i and BMW M5 Touring (E34) 3.8: 2.4 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 (G31)540i
193 hp/t
144 kW/t
5.2 kg/hp
BMWM5 Touring (E34)3.8
198 hp/t
147 kW/t
5.1 kg/hp

Estimated range comparison

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

Chart data table
VehicleValue
BMW5 Series Touring (G31)540i
883 km
549 mi
BMWM5 Touring (E34)3.8
891 km
554 mi

Performance spider chart

Radar chart comparing normalized performance and fuel-consumption scores.

Chart data table
VehiclePowerAccelerationTop speed
BMW5 Series Touring (G31)540i
340 hp
254 kW
5.1 s
Unrestricted
260 km/h162 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph
BMWM5 Touring (E34)3.8
340 hp
254 kW
5.9 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 (G31)540i
Power
340 hp
254 kW
0-100 km/h5.1 s
Top speed
Unrestricted
260 km/h162 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 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
BMWM5 Touring (E34)3.8
Power
340 hp
254 kW
0-100 km/h5.9 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
1,392 mm
54.8 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 (G31)540i
Power
340 hp
254 kW
0-100 km/h5.1 s
Top speed
Unrestricted
260 km/h162 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph
7.7 L/100 km
30.5 mpg US
36.7 mpg UK
BMWM5 Touring (E34)3.8
Power
340 hp
254 kW
0-100 km/h5.9 s
Top speed
Unrestricted
260 km/h162 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph
10.1 L/100 km
23.3 mpg US
28.0 mpg UK

BMW 5 Series Touring (G31) 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 (G31)540i
7.7 L/100 km
30.5 mpg US
36.7 mpg UK
5.1 s
BMWM5 Touring (E34)3.8
10.1 L/100 km
23.3 mpg US
28.0 mpg UK
5.9 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 (G31)540i
193 hp/t
144 kW/t
5.2 kg/hp
7.7 L/100 km
30.5 mpg US
36.7 mpg UK
BMWM5 Touring (E34)3.8
198 hp/t
147 kW/t
5.1 kg/hp
10.1 L/100 km
23.3 mpg US
28.0 mpg UK

Detailed score breakdown

Detailed score breakdown
VehicleBMW5 Series Touring (G31)540iBMWM5 Touring (E34)3.8
Power
340 hp
254 kW
340 hp
254 kW
Torque
450 Nm
332 lb-ft
400 Nm
295 lb-ft
Acceleration
5.1 s
5.9 s
Top speed
Unrestricted
260 km/h162 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph
Unrestricted
260 km/h162 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph
Lightness
1,765 kg
3,891 lb
1,720 kg
3,792 lb
Fuel consumption
7.7 L/100 km
30.5 mpg US
36.7 mpg UK
10.1 L/100 km
23.3 mpg US
28.0 mpg UK
Practicality
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
Doors/seats
5 doors
5 seats
Trunk
460 L
16.2 cu ft
Length
4,720 mm
185.8 in
Height
1,392 mm
54.8 in
Range score
883 km
549 mi
891 km
554 mi
CO2 score
177 g/km
-
Trunk score
570 L
20.1 cu ft
460 L
16.2 cu ft
Power-to-weight score
193 hp/t
144 kW/t
5.2 kg/hp
198 hp/t
147 kW/t
5.1 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) 540iBMW M5 Touring (E34) 3.8
Consumption7.7 L/100 km30.5 mpg US36.7 mpg UK10.1 L/100 km23.3 mpg US28 mpg UK
Cost / 100 km13.48 LC100 km17.68 LC100 km
Cost / 100 mi21.69 LC100 mi28.45 LC100 mi
Annual fuel used1,155 L305 US gal254 UK gal1,515 L400 US gal333 UK gal
Annual fuel cost2,021 LC/year2,651 LC/year

Head-to-head comparisons

BMW 5 Series Touring (G31) 540i

  • Has 50 Nm more
  • Is 0.8 s quicker from 0-100 km/h
  • Uses 2.4 L/100 km less fuel
  • Has 110 L more trunk volume

Pros

  • Quickest 0-100 km/h in this comparison
  • Highest top speed
  • Most powerful
  • Highest torque
  • Lowest combined fuel consumption
  • Largest trunk

Cons

  • Heaviest

BMW M5 Touring (E34) 3.8

  • Is 45 kg lighter
  • Has 5 hp/t better power-to-weight
  • Has 8 km (5 mi) more estimated range

Pros

  • Lightest
  • Best power-to-weight ratio
  • Best estimated range

Cons

  • Slowest 0-100 km/h
  • Highest combined fuel consumption
  • Smallest trunk

Choose cars to compare

Brand
Model
Generation
Engine or modification
BMW 5 Series Touring (G31) 540i
BMW M5 Touring (E34) 3.8
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2 vehicles selected

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