Performance Review: BMW 5 Series 535d M-Sport Saloon Auto E60 - [2004]

Figures & Specs Summary:

BMW 5 Series Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the BMW 5 Series 535d M-Sport Saloon Auto E60 is the 6 speed / Auto version and was first brought out in 2004. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 2005 Bugatti Veyron 8.0 litre W16 and the 2005 SSC Aero SC 8T 6.3L.This particular BMW 5 Series has a 2993cc Turbo Diesel powerplant with 6 cylinders in a St formation.

Alternative Diesel St6's includes the

The 5 Series shares its Diesel St6 engine configuration with the likes of the and the 2017 BMW 5 Series 540d xDrive G30. If you're looking for other fast cars which share the 5 Series's Rear Wheel Drive, Saloon combination then how about the 1982 Fiat X1/9 1.5 8V or the 1965 Aston-Martin DB6 1965.

Power and Weight:

Weighing in at 1723 kgs (3798 lbs) this makes the BMW 5 Series 535d M-Sport Saloon Auto E60 in the same weight category as the 2022 Chevrolet Camaro SS 6.2 V8 Auto or the give or take 50kg.

The BMW 5 Series shares the same bhp with the 2022 Hyundai i30 N Performance 2.0 Turbo (276 bhp)

In terms of power the 2993cc 24V St6 engine produces 268 bhp (199 kW) @ 4400 rpm similar to the 2022 Hyundai i30 N Performance 2.0 Turbo (276 bhp) or the 2021 KIA K5 GT 2.5 Turbo (290 bhp).

The Turbo St6 throws out 412 lb-ft (558.5 Nm) @ 2000 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2024 Ford Mustang Dark Horse 5.0 V8 (418 lb-ft) or the 2022 KTM X-Bow GT-XR 2.5 Turbo (429 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If one combines the weight with power or torque performance for the BMW 5 Series you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 1969 Ferrari 246 Dino GT (180.5 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the BMW 5 Series.

The BMW 5 Series has a Power to weight ratio of 155.5 bhp per ton and 239.1 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 2004 5 Series competing with the 1969 Ferrari 246 Dino GT (180.5 bhp per ton) or the 1956 Studebaker Golden Hawk 5.8L V8 352 (180.4 bhp per ton).

Power to Weight(cont.):

If you agree with the late great Carroll Shelby then arguably an even better indicator of potential performance, Torque. Use weight as well and you end up with - Torque per ton, with the BMW 5 Series generating around 239.1 lb-ft per ton. If you're curious as to what other cars have as much torque to weight then look no further than the 1970 Ford Falcon 4th Gen 429 Cobra Jet V-8 4-speed (263.9 lb-ft per ton) or the 2012 Mercedes CLS Class 63 AMG Shooting Brake (263.9 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 6.20 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 6.4 secs, this made the BMW 5 Series 535d M-Sport Saloon Auto E60 as fast as the 2019 Toyota Supra SZ-R 2.0 Turbo (6.20 secs) the 2019 Toyota Supra SZ 2.0 Turbo (6.20 secs) the 2017 Volkswagen-VW Arteon 2.0 TDi SCR 4Motion (6.20 secs) the or the 2014 Peugeot 208 Gti 1.6 Turbo 30th (6.20 secs). This BMW 5 Series 535d M-Sport Saloon Auto E60 is also faster than the 2024 Mazda CX-90 S 3.3 Turbo (6.30 secs) the 2020 Audi A1 Sportback 40 TFSI S tronic S line (6.30 secs) the 2018 Ford Fiesta ST 1.5 Turbo 5 door (6.30 secs) the and the 2018 Ford Fiesta ST 1.5 Turbo (6.30 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the 5 Series and the 1986 Lamborghini LM002 5.2 V12

When talking about the performance of the BMW 5 Series on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 15.35 secs @ 89.2 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 1986 Lamborghini LM002 5.2 V12 (15.29 secs), the 1953 Alfa-Romeo Disco Volante 1900 Touring Coupe (15.30 secs), and the 2002 Alfa-Romeo 156 GTA 3.2 V6 Sportwagon (15.30 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 2004 version of the BMW 5 Series 535d M-Sport Saloon Auto E60 has a maximum speed of 155mph.

Top Speed of the 2004 5 Series equals the 2024 Ford Mustang Dark Horse 5.0 V8 (166 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 2004 BMW 5 Series 535d M-Sport Saloon Auto E60 then how about the 2024 Ford Mustang Dark Horse 5.0 V8 (166 mph), the 2022 Ford Mustang GT 5.0 V8 (166 mph), or the 2021 Ford Mustang Mach 1 5.0 V8 (166 mph).

Related Links:

2004 5 Series Rivals List.

A Brief History of BMW

Car Comparison