Car comparison

BMW 7 Series (E38) 740ivsBMW M5 (E28) 3.5

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

New comparison

BMW 7 Series (E38)

740i

286 hp3982 ccGasolineRWDManualNaturally aspiratedSedan1994-1996
VS

BMW M5 (E28)

3.5

286 hp3453 ccGasolineRWDManualNaturally aspiratedSedan1985-1987

Comparison overview

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

Best choices

BMW M5 (E28) 3.5

  • Quickest 0-100 km/h
    6.5 s
  • Lightest
    1,430 kg
    3,153 lb
  • Best power-to-weight
    200 hp/t
    149 kW/t
    5.0 kg/hp
  • Lowest city consumption
    16.5 L/100 km
    14.3 mpg US
    17.1 mpg UK
  • Largest trunk
    640 L
  • Best overall score
    66/100
  • Best practicality score
    80/100

BMW 7 Series (E38) 740i

  • 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 performance score
    60/100
  • Best economy score
    75/100

Specification comparison

Specification comparison
ModelBMW7 Series (E38)740iBMWM5 (E28)3.5
Power
286hp213kW
286hp213kW
Torque
400Nm295lb-ft
340Nm251lb-ft
Curb weight
1,750kg3,858lb
1,430kg3,153lb
Gross weight
2,285kg5,038lb
1,900kg4,189lb
Top speed
Unrestricted
260 km/h162 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph
Calculated
245 km/h
152 mph
To 99% top speed
72.0s99% target: 257 km/h / 160 mph
Calculated
57.2s99% target: 243 km/h / 151 mph
Calculated
0-100 km/h
6.9s
6.5s
0-200 km/h
21.9s
Calculated
21.0s
Calculated
0-60 mph
6.6s
Calculated
6.2s
Calculated
Fuel consumption
11.8L/100 km19.9mpg US23.9mpg UK
-
Fuel consumption city
17.1L/100 km13.8mpg US16.5mpg UK
16.5L/100 km14.3mpg US17.1mpg UK
Fuel consumption highway
8.5L/100 km27.7mpg US33.2mpg UK
-
Quarter mile
14.8s
Calculated
14.4s
Calculated
Power-to-weight
163hp/t122kW/t74hp/1000 lb
Calculated
200hp/t149kW/t91hp/1000 lb
Calculated
Torque-to-weight
229Nm/t153lb-ft/ton
Calculated
238Nm/t159lb-ft/ton
Calculated
Estimated range
720km448mi
Calculated
-
Displacement
3,982cc243cu in
3,453cc211cu in
Length
4,984mm196in
4,620mm182in
Width
1,862mm73in
1,700mm67in
Height
1,435mm56in
1,400mm55in
Wheelbase
2,930mm115in
2,625mm103in
Front track
1,552mm61in
1,430mm56in
Rear track
1,568mm62in
1,465mm58in
Trunk volume
500L
640L
Doors
4
4
Seats
5
5
Fuel tank
85L
70L

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 7 Series (E38) 740iBMW M5 (E28) 3.5PowerTorque
  • BMW 7 Series (E38) 740i: Power / Torque
  • BMW M5 (E28) 3.5: Power / Torque
Dyno simulation data table
VehiclePeak power RPMPeak torque RPMMax engine speed
BMW7 Series (E38)740i5,800 rpm4,500 rpm6,050 rpm
BMWM5 (E28)3.56,500 rpm4,500 rpm6,750 rpm

Acceleration curve

Estimated speed over time for selected vehicles.

Acceleration and drag-race table
MetricBMW7 Series (E38)740iBMWM5 (E28)3.5
Acceleration checkpoints
0-60 mph
0-97 km/h
6.6 s
6.2 s
0-100 km/h
0-62 mph
6.9 s
6.5 s
0-200 km/h
0-124 mph
21.9 s
21.0 s
Top speed
Unrestricted
260 km/h162 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph
Likely limited
245 km/h
152 mph
Drag race simulation
60 ft
18 m
2.7 s
2.7 s
330 ft
101 m
6.7 s
6.6 s
1/8 mile
201 m
9.9 s
9.7 s
1000 ft
305 m
12.6 s
12.3 s
1/4 mile
402 m
14.8 s
14.4 s
Trap speed
1/4 mile
402 m
165 km/h
103 mph
168 km/h
105 mph

Power comparison

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

Chart data table
VehicleValue
BMW7 Series (E38)740i
286 hp
213 kW
BMWM5 (E28)3.5
286 hp
213 kW

Torque comparison

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

Chart data table
VehicleValue
BMW7 Series (E38)740i
400 Nm
295 lb-ft
BMWM5 (E28)3.5
340 Nm
251 lb-ft

Curb weight comparison

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

Chart data table
VehicleValue
BMW7 Series (E38)740i
1,750 kg
3,858 lb
BMWM5 (E28)3.5
1,430 kg
3,153 lb

Top speed without limiter comparison

Bar comparison chart for Top speed without limiter. Higher is better · km/h / mph

Chart data table
VehicleValue
BMW7 Series (E38)740i
Unrestricted
260 km/h162 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph
BMWM5 (E28)3.5
245 km/h
152 mph

0-100 km/h comparison

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

Chart data table
VehicleValue
BMW7 Series (E38)740i6.9 s
BMWM5 (E28)3.56.5 s

The biggest 0-100 km/h difference is between BMW M5 (E28) 3.5 and BMW 7 Series (E38) 740i: 0.4 s.

Power-to-weight comparison

Bar comparison chart for Power-to-weight. Higher is better · hp/t / kW/t

Chart data table
VehicleValue
BMW7 Series (E38)740i
163 hp/t
122 kW/t
6.1 kg/hp
BMWM5 (E28)3.5
200 hp/t
149 kW/t
5.0 kg/hp

Performance spider chart

Radar chart comparing normalized performance and fuel-consumption scores.

Chart data table
VehiclePowerAccelerationTop speed
BMW7 Series (E38)740i
286 hp
213 kW
6.9 s
Unrestricted
260 km/h162 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph
BMWM5 (E28)3.5
286 hp
213 kW
6.5 s
245 km/h
152 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
BMW7 Series (E38)740i
Power
286 hp
213 kW
0-100 km/h6.9 s
Top speed
Unrestricted
260 km/h162 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph
Doors/seats
4 doors
5 seats
Trunk
500 L
17.7 cu ft
Length
4,984 mm
196.2 in
Height
1,435 mm
56.5 in
BMWM5 (E28)3.5
Power
286 hp
213 kW
0-100 km/h6.5 s
Top speed
245 km/h
152 mph
Doors/seats
4 doors
5 seats
Trunk
640 L
22.6 cu ft
Length
4,620 mm
181.9 in
Height
1,400 mm
55.1 in

Detailed score breakdown

Detailed score breakdown
VehicleBMW7 Series (E38)740iBMWM5 (E28)3.5
Power
286 hp
213 kW
286 hp
213 kW
Torque
400 Nm
295 lb-ft
340 Nm
251 lb-ft
Acceleration
6.9 s
6.5 s
Top speed
Unrestricted
260 km/h162 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph
245 km/h
152 mph
Lightness
1,750 kg
3,858 lb
1,430 kg
3,153 lb
Fuel consumption
11.8 L/100 km
19.9 mpg US
23.9 mpg UK
-
Practicality
Doors/seats
4 doors
5 seats
Trunk
500 L
17.7 cu ft
Length
4,984 mm
196.2 in
Height
1,435 mm
56.5 in
Doors/seats
4 doors
5 seats
Trunk
640 L
22.6 cu ft
Length
4,620 mm
181.9 in
Height
1,400 mm
55.1 in
Range score
720 km
448 mi
-
Trunk score
500 L
17.7 cu ft
640 L
22.6 cu ft
Power-to-weight score
163 hp/t
122 kW/t
6.1 kg/hp
200 hp/t
149 kW/t
5.0 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 7 Series (E38) 740i
Consumption11.8 L/100 km19.9 mpg US23.9 mpg UK
Cost / 100 km20.65 LC100 km
Cost / 100 mi33.23 LC100 mi
Annual fuel used1,770 L468 US gal389 UK gal
Annual fuel cost3,098 LC/year

Head-to-head comparisons

BMW 7 Series (E38) 740i

  • Has 60 Nm more
  • Has 15 km/h (9 mph) higher top speed

Pros

  • Highest top speed
  • Most powerful
  • Highest torque

Cons

  • Slowest 0-100 km/h
  • Heaviest
  • Smallest trunk

BMW M5 (E28) 3.5

  • Is 320 kg lighter
  • Is 0.4 s quicker from 0-100 km/h
  • Has 37 hp/t better power-to-weight
  • Has 140 L more trunk volume

Pros

  • Quickest 0-100 km/h in this comparison
  • Lightest
  • Best power-to-weight ratio
  • Largest trunk

Cons

  • Lowest top speed

Choose cars to compare

Brand
Model
Generation
Engine or modification
BMW 7 Series (E38) 740i
BMW M5 (E28) 3.5
Compare selected cars
2 vehicles selected

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BMW 7 Series (E38) 740i vs BMW M5 (E28) 3.5 - car comparison - FastVsFaster