As in the case of its predecessor, BMW installed two eight-cylinder engines in the E39. Once again, the entry-level vehicle to go into this world was the BMW 535i. A larger displacement enabled the engine to deliver an increase in torque of 30 Nm and it now generated maximum torque of 320 Nm. The increase in torque meant that a longer rear axle ratio could be used. This benefited comfort when travelling long distances and helped fuel consumption thanks to lower engine speeds.