Performance Review: BMW 5 Series 540d xDrive G30 - [2017]

Figures & Specs Summary:

BMW 5 Series Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the BMW 5 Series 540d xDrive G30 is the 8 speed / Auto version and was first brought out in 2017. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 2018 Bugatti Chiron Sport 8.0L W16 Quad Turbo and the 2018 Bugatti Divo 8.0L W16 64 Valve Turbo.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 2013 BMW 5 Series M550d xDrive F10. If you're looking for other fast cars which share the 5 Series's All Wheel Drive, Saloon combination then how about the or the .

Power and Weight:

Weighing in at 1825 kgs (4023 lbs) this makes the BMW 5 Series 540d xDrive G30 in the same weight category as the 2023 Aston-Martin DBS 770 Ultimate 5.2 V12 Twin Turbo or the give or take 50kg.

The BMW 5 Series shares the same bhp with the 2024 Mazda CX-90 S 3.3 Turbo (340 bhp)

In terms of power the 2993cc 24V St6 engine produces 315 bhp (234 kW) @ 4400 rpm similar to the 2024 Mazda CX-90 S 3.3 Turbo (340 bhp) or the 2023 Toyota Corolla GR Morizo Edition 1.6 Turbo (300 bhp).

The Turbo St6 throws out 502 lb-ft (680.6 Nm) @ 1750 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2023 Lotus Eletre 603 bhp (524 lb-ft) or the 2023 BMW 3 Series M3 CS 3.0 Twin Turbo G80 (479 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 1992 Subaru Impreza WRX - Classic JDM (197.5 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 172.6 bhp per ton and 275.0 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 2017 5 Series competing with the 1992 Subaru Impreza WRX - Classic JDM (197.5 bhp per ton) or the 1971 Maserati Bora 4.7 V8 (197.4 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 275.0 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 2016 Jaguar F Type SVR 5.0 V8 Convertible (300.0 lb-ft per ton) or the 2006 BMW Alpina B5 V8 Switchtronic E60 (300.0 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 4.50 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 4.6 secs, this made the BMW 5 Series 540d xDrive G30 as fast as the 2022 BMW i7 xDrive60 (4.50 secs) the 2021 Rolls-Royce Ghost Black Badge 6.6 V12 Twin turbo (4.50 secs) the 2021 BMW 2 Series M240i xDrive Cabrio 3.0 Turbo F23 (4.50 secs) the or the 2021 BMW 2 Series M240i xDrive 3.0 Turbo F23 (4.50 secs). This BMW 5 Series 540d xDrive G30 is also faster than the 2023 Porsche Cayenne Coupe E-Hybrid 3.0 V6 Turbo (4.60 secs) the 2023 Porsche Cayenne E-Hybrid 3.0 V6 Turbo (4.60 secs) the 2021 BMW 2 Series M240i 3.0 Cabrio Turbo F23 (4.60 secs) the and the 2020 Audi A3 S3 Saloon (4.60 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the 5 Series and the 2009 Volkswagen-VW Golf 2.0 R DSG

When talking about the performance of the BMW 5 Series on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 14.25 secs @ 96.0 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 2009 Volkswagen-VW Golf 2.0 R DSG (14.20 secs), the 1998 Subaru Impreza 2.0 Turbo UK - Classic (14.20 secs), and the 2001 Volkswagen-VW Passat 4.0 W8 4Motion (14.20 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 2017 version of the BMW 5 Series 540d xDrive G30 has a maximum speed of 155mph.

Top Speed of the 2017 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 2017 BMW 5 Series 540d xDrive G30 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:

2017 5 Series Rivals List.

A Brief History of BMW

Car Comparison