Performance Review: BMW 5 Series 540i M-Sport E39 - [2002]

Figures & Specs Summary:

BMW 5 Series Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the BMW 5 Series 540i M-Sport E39 is the 6 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 2002. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 2002 Ferrari Enzo 6.0 V12 and the 2002 Pagani Zonda C12 S 7.3.This particular BMW 5 Series has a 4398cc Naturally Aspirated Petrol powerplant with 8 cylinders in a V formation.

Alternative Petrol V8's includes the 2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170

The 5 Series shares its Petrol V8 engine configuration with the likes of the 2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170 and the 2023 Ferrari SF 90 XX Spider 4.0 V8 Turbo. 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 1705 kgs (3758 lbs) this makes the BMW 5 Series 540i M-Sport E39 in the same weight category as the 2023 Aston-Martin Valour 5.2 V12 Twin Turbo or the give or take 50kg.

The BMW 5 Series shares the same bhp with the 2023 Porsche Cayenne Coupe E-Hybrid 3.0 V6 Turbo (300 bhp)

In terms of power the 4398cc 32V V8 engine produces 282 bhp (210 kW) @ 5400 rpm similar to the 2023 Porsche Cayenne Coupe E-Hybrid 3.0 V6 Turbo (300 bhp) or the 2023 Porsche Cayenne E-Hybrid 3.0 V6 Turbo (300 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated V8 throws out 325 lb-ft (440.6 Nm) @ 3600 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2023 Porsche Boxster Spyder RS 4.0 982 (332 lb-ft) or the 2023 Porsche Cayenne E-Hybrid 3.0 V6 Turbo (310 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 1999 Audi A6 S6 4.2 Quattro (189.9 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 165.3 bhp per ton and 190.6 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 2002 5 Series competing with the 1999 Audi A6 S6 4.2 Quattro (189.9 bhp per ton) or the 2014 BMW 2 Series M235i Cabriolet Auto F23 (189.9 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 190.6 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 2020 Alfa-Romeo Giulia 2.2 16v Turbo Diesel (215.5 lb-ft per ton) or the 2015 Audi A3 RS3 Sportback 2.5 Turbo (215.0 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 540i M-Sport E39 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 540i M-Sport E39 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 2001 Honda Civic 2.0i 16v VTEC Type R EP2 - JDM

When talking about the performance of the BMW 5 Series on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 14.85 secs @ 92.1 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 2001 Honda Civic 2.0i 16v VTEC Type R EP2 - JDM (14.79 secs), the 2004 Honda Civic Type R 2.0 16v EP3 - JDM (14.79 secs), and the 2008 Honda Accord Coupe EX-L (14.82 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 2002 version of the BMW 5 Series 540i M-Sport E39 has a maximum speed of 155mph.

Top Speed of the 2002 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 2002 BMW 5 Series 540i M-Sport E39 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:

2002 5 Series Rivals List.

A Brief History of BMW

Car Comparison