Car comparison

BMW M5 (E39) 4.9 V8vsBMW M5 (E28) 3.5

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

New comparison

BMW M5 (E39)

4.9 V8

400 hp4941 ccGasolineRWDManualNaturally aspiratedSedan1998-2000
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 (E39) 4.9 V8

  • Quickest 0-100 km/h
    5.3 s
  • Fastest top speed
    265 km/h
    165 mph Unrestricted
    250 km/h
    155 mph Restricted
  • Most powerful
    400 hp
    298 kW
  • Highest torque
    500 Nm
    369 lb-ft
  • Best power-to-weight
    233 hp/t
    173 kW/t
    4.3 kg/hp
  • Best overall score
    73/100
  • Best performance score
    73/100
  • Best economy score
    70/100

BMW M5 (E28) 3.5

  • Lightest
    1,430 kg
    3,153 lb
  • Lowest city consumption
    16.5 L/100 km
    14.3 mpg US
    17.1 mpg UK
  • Largest trunk
    640 L
  • Best practicality score
    80/100

Specification comparison

Specification comparison
ModelBMWM5 (E39)4.9 V8BMWM5 (E28)3.5
Power
400hp298kW
286hp213kW
Torque
500Nm369lb-ft
340Nm251lb-ft
Curb weight
1,720kg3,792lb
1,430kg3,153lb
Gross weight
2,290kg5,049lb
1,900kg4,189lb
Top speed
Unrestricted
265 km/h165 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph
Calculated
245 km/h
152 mph
To 99% top speed
51.2s99% target: 262 km/h / 163 mph
Calculated
57.2s99% target: 243 km/h / 151 mph
Calculated
0-100 km/h
5.3s
6.5s
0-200 km/h
15.7s
Calculated
21.0s
Calculated
0-60 mph
5.1s
Calculated
6.2s
Calculated
Fuel consumption
13.9L/100 km16.9mpg US20.3mpg UK
-
Fuel consumption city
21.1L/100 km11.1mpg US13.4mpg UK
16.5L/100 km14.3mpg US17.1mpg UK
Fuel consumption highway
9.8L/100 km24mpg US28.8mpg UK
-
Quarter mile
13.2s
Calculated
14.4s
Calculated
Power-to-weight
233hp/t173kW/t105hp/1000 lb
Calculated
200hp/t149kW/t91hp/1000 lb
Calculated
Torque-to-weight
291Nm/t195lb-ft/ton
Calculated
238Nm/t159lb-ft/ton
Calculated
Estimated range
504km313mi
Calculated
-
Displacement
4,941cc302cu in
3,453cc211cu in
Length
4,784mm188in
4,620mm182in
Width
1,800mm71in
1,700mm67in
Height
1,437mm57in
1,400mm55in
Wheelbase
2,830mm111in
2,625mm103in
Front track
1,515mm60in
1,430mm56in
Rear track
1,527mm60in
1,465mm58in
Trunk volume
460L
640L
Doors
4
4
Seats
5
5
Fuel tank
70L
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 M5 (E39) 4.9 V8BMW M5 (E28) 3.5PowerTorque
  • BMW M5 (E39) 4.9 V8: Power / Torque
  • BMW M5 (E28) 3.5: Power / Torque
Dyno simulation data table
VehiclePeak power RPMPeak torque RPMMax engine speed
BMWM5 (E39)4.9 V86,600 rpm3,800 rpm6,850 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
MetricBMWM5 (E39)4.9 V8BMWM5 (E28)3.5
Acceleration checkpoints
0-60 mph
0-97 km/h
5.1 s
6.2 s
0-100 km/h
0-62 mph
5.3 s
6.5 s
0-200 km/h
0-124 mph
15.7 s
21.0 s
Top speed
Unrestricted
265 km/h165 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph
Limited
245 km/h
152 mph
Drag race simulation
60 ft
18 m
2.4 s
2.7 s
330 ft
101 m
6.0 s
6.6 s
1/8 mile
201 m
8.8 s
9.7 s
1000 ft
305 m
11.2 s
12.3 s
1/4 mile
402 m
13.2 s
14.4 s
Trap speed
1/4 mile
402 m
184 km/h
114 mph
168 km/h
105 mph

Power comparison

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

Chart data table
VehicleValue
BMWM5 (E39)4.9 V8
400 hp
298 kW
BMWM5 (E28)3.5
286 hp
213 kW

BMW M5 (E39) 4.9 V8 has 114 hp more than BMW M5 (E28) 3.5.

The biggest power difference is between BMW M5 (E28) 3.5 and BMW M5 (E39) 4.9 V8: 114 hp (85 kW).

Torque comparison

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

Chart data table
VehicleValue
BMWM5 (E39)4.9 V8
500 Nm
369 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
BMWM5 (E39)4.9 V8
1,720 kg
3,792 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
BMWM5 (E39)4.9 V8
Unrestricted
265 km/h165 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
BMWM5 (E39)4.9 V85.3 s
BMWM5 (E28)3.56.5 s

The biggest 0-100 km/h difference is between BMW M5 (E39) 4.9 V8 and BMW M5 (E28) 3.5: 1.2 s.

Power-to-weight comparison

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

Chart data table
VehicleValue
BMWM5 (E39)4.9 V8
233 hp/t
173 kW/t
4.3 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
BMWM5 (E39)4.9 V8
400 hp
298 kW
5.3 s
Unrestricted
265 km/h165 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
BMWM5 (E39)4.9 V8
Power
400 hp
298 kW
0-100 km/h5.3 s
Top speed
Unrestricted
265 km/h165 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph
Doors/seats
4 doors
5 seats
Trunk
460 L
16.2 cu ft
Length
4,784 mm
188.3 in
Height
1,437 mm
56.6 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
VehicleBMWM5 (E39)4.9 V8BMWM5 (E28)3.5
Power
400 hp
298 kW
286 hp
213 kW
Torque
500 Nm
369 lb-ft
340 Nm
251 lb-ft
Acceleration
5.3 s
6.5 s
Top speed
Unrestricted
265 km/h165 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph
245 km/h
152 mph
Lightness
1,720 kg
3,792 lb
1,430 kg
3,153 lb
Fuel consumption
13.9 L/100 km
16.9 mpg US
20.3 mpg UK
-
Practicality
Doors/seats
4 doors
5 seats
Trunk
460 L
16.2 cu ft
Length
4,784 mm
188.3 in
Height
1,437 mm
56.6 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
504 km
313 mi
-
Trunk score
460 L
16.2 cu ft
640 L
22.6 cu ft
Power-to-weight score
233 hp/t
173 kW/t
4.3 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 M5 (E39) 4.9 V8
Consumption13.9 L/100 km16.9 mpg US20.3 mpg UK
Cost / 100 km24.33 LC100 km
Cost / 100 mi39.15 LC100 mi
Annual fuel used2,085 L551 US gal459 UK gal
Annual fuel cost3,649 LC/year

Head-to-head comparisons

BMW M5 (E39) 4.9 V8

  • Has 114 hp more
  • Has 160 Nm more
  • Is 1.2 s quicker from 0-100 km/h
  • Has 20 km/h (12 mph) higher top speed
  • Has 33 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

BMW M5 (E28) 3.5

  • Is 290 kg lighter
  • Has 180 L more trunk volume

Pros

  • Lightest
  • Largest trunk

Cons

  • Slowest 0-100 km/h
  • Lowest power
  • Lowest top speed

Choose cars to compare

Brand
Model
Generation
Engine or modification
BMW M5 (E39) 4.9 V8
BMW M5 (E28) 3.5
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BMW M5 (E39) 4.9 V8 vs BMW M5 (E28) 3.5 - car comparison - FastVsFaster