1988 BMW 520 vs. 1979 Ford Thunderbird
To start off, 1988 BMW 520 is newer by 9 year(s). Which means there will be less support and parts availability for 1979 Ford Thunderbird. In addition, the cost of maintenance, including insurance, on 1979 Ford Thunderbird would be higher. At 5,731 cc (8 cylinders), 1979 Ford Thunderbird is equipped with a bigger engine. In terms of performance, 1979 Ford Thunderbird (135 HP @ 3200 RPM) has 6 more horse power than 1988 BMW 520. (129 HP @ 6000 RPM) In normal driving conditions, 1979 Ford Thunderbird should accelerate faster than 1988 BMW 520. With that said, vehicle weight also plays an important factor in acceleration. 1979 Ford Thunderbird weights approximately 243 kg more than 1988 BMW 520. So despite on having greater horse power, its additional weight may have an impact towards its acceleration in comparison.
Both vehicles are rear wheel drive (RWD) - it offers better handling in dry conditions; in addition, if you are looking to drift, both vehicles do the job better than front wheel drive vehicles. With that said, do keep in mind that many other factors such as speed and the wear on your tires can also have significant impact on traction and control. Let's talk about torque, 1979 Ford Thunderbird (386 Nm @ 1400 RPM) has 212 more torque (in Nm) than 1988 BMW 520. (174 Nm @ 4000 RPM). This means 1979 Ford Thunderbird will have an easier job in driving up hills or pulling heavy equipment than 1988 BMW 520.
Compare all specifications:
1988 BMW 520 | 1979 Ford Thunderbird | |
Make | BMW | Ford |
Model | 520 | Thunderbird |
Year Released | 1988 | 1979 |
Engine Position | Front | Front |
Engine Size | 1989 cc | 5731 cc |
Engine Cylinders | 6 cylinders | 8 cylinders |
Engine Type | in-line | V |
Horse Power | 129 HP | 135 HP |
Engine RPM | 6000 RPM | 3200 RPM |
Torque | 174 Nm | 386 Nm |
Torque RPM | 4000 RPM | 1400 RPM |
Engine Bore Size | 80 mm | 101.6 mm |
Engine Stroke Size | 66 mm | 88.8 mm |
Engine Compression Ratio | 10.5:1 | 8.3:1 |
Top Speed | 202 km/hour | 170 km/hour |
Drive Type | Rear | Rear |
Transmission Type | Automatic | Automatic |
Number of Seats | 5 seats | 5 seats |
Number of Doors | 4 doors | 2 doors |
Vehicle Weight | 1570 kg | 1813 kg |
Vehicle Length | 4780 mm | 5520 mm |
Vehicle Width | 1810 mm | 2000 mm |
Vehicle Height | 1440 mm | 1350 mm |
Wheelbase Size | 2770 mm | 2900 mm |
Fuel Tank Capacity | 70 L | 80 L |