Performance Review: BMW 5 Series 530i Saloon E39 - [1996]

Figures & Specs Summary:

BMW 5 Series Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the BMW 5 Series 530i Saloon E39 is the 5 speed / Semi-Auto version and was first brought out in 1996. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 1997 TVR Speed 12 7.7L V12 and the 1996 Ferrari F50 GT1 4.7l V12.This particular BMW 5 Series has a 2979cc Naturally Aspirated Petrol powerplant with 6 cylinders in a St formation.

Alternative Petrol St6's includes the 1965 Aston-Martin DB6 1965

The 5 Series shares its Petrol St6 engine configuration with the likes of the 1965 Aston-Martin DB6 1965 and the . 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 1605 kgs (3538 lbs) this makes the BMW 5 Series 530i Saloon E39 in the same weight category as the 2022 Porsche 911 Carrera T 3.0 Turbo PDK 992 or the give or take 50kg.

The BMW 5 Series shares the same bhp with the 2022 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works Cabrio 2.0 Turbo (228 bhp)

In terms of power the 2979cc 24V St6 engine produces 231 bhp (172 kW) @ 0 rpm similar to the 2022 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works Cabrio 2.0 Turbo (228 bhp) or the 2020 Audi TT S Turbo 50 TFSI (225 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated St6 throws out 221 lb-ft (299.6 Nm) @ 0 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2022 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works Cabrio 2.0 Turbo (236 lb-ft) or the 2020 McLaren Sabre 4.0 V8 Twin Turbo (206 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 1982 Lamborghini Jalpa 350 S (168.9 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 143.9 bhp per ton and 137.6 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1996 5 Series competing with the 1982 Lamborghini Jalpa 350 S (168.9 bhp per ton) or the 2012 BMW X6 M50d E71 (168.9 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 137.6 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 1953 Alfa-Romeo Disco Volante 1900 Touring Coupe (162.6 lb-ft per ton) or the 1952 Alfa-Romeo Disco Volante 1900 Touring Spider (162.6 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 7.10 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 7.3 secs, this made the BMW 5 Series 530i Saloon E39 as fast as the 2018 Abarth 595 Turismo 1.4 Turbo (7.10 secs) the 2013 Land-Rover Range Rover Sport 3.0 SDV6 (7.10 secs) the 2012 Lexus ES 350 (7.10 secs) the or the 2011 Alfa-Romeo Mito 170 Quadrifoglio Verde (7.10 secs). This BMW 5 Series 530i Saloon E39 is also faster than the 2018 Abarth 695 XSR Yamaha Automated (7.20 secs) the 2015 Volkswagen-VW Golf GTD 2.0 TDI DSG (7.20 secs) the 2014 Peugeot 308 GT 1.6 Turbo (7.20 secs) the and the 2013 Volvo S60 T5 2.5 Turbo (7.20 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the 5 Series and the 2008 Rolls-Royce Phantom Coupe 6.7 V12

When talking about the performance of the BMW 5 Series on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 15.89 secs @ 86.1 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 2008 Rolls-Royce Phantom Coupe 6.7 V12 (15.82 secs), the 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer GSR Ralliart Sportback SST (15.82 secs), and the 1980 Audi Quattro UR-Quattro (15.85 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1996 version of the BMW 5 Series 530i Saloon E39 has a maximum speed of 155mph.

Top Speed of the 1996 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 1996 BMW 5 Series 530i Saloon 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:

1996 5 Series Rivals List.

A Brief History of BMW

Car Comparison