BMW 5 Series

The BMW 5 Series is a series of medium size automobiles manufactured by BMW in Germany. They have been available as four-door sedans (UK: saloon) or station wagons (UK: estate).

History

The 5 Series got its name by being the fifth of the "new series" cars after the V-8 and Isetta era. The preceding models were the 700, the "New Class" 1500/1600/1800/1602/2002/1502, the "New Six" 2500/2800/Bavaria and the CS. The 5 Series was intended to replace the smaller New Class sedans, leaving the coupes as the company's low-end model.

The body was styled by Marcello Gandini, who also did the Fiat 132 and Alfa Romeo Alfetta, two other cars that have a very similar design.

There have been five generations of the 5 Series to date. To differentiate between them, they are referred to by their unique chassis numbers (EXX).

The 5 Series began the BMW tradition of being named with a three-digit number. The first digit (5 in this case) represents the model, and the following two digits (usually) represent the size of the engine in decilitres, which is the main distinguishing difference. Additional letters or words may be added to the end of the three-digit number to define the fuel type (petrol or diesel), engine or transmission details, and the body style. The 'i' originally stood for (fuel) 'injection'.

E12 (1972–1981)

See also BMW E12 for more information

The BMW E12 was the first 5 Series BMW made. The following models were produced in this series:

• Non-US
  • 1974 518 – 1.8 L M118 I4
  • 1976 518 – 1.8 L M42 I4
  • 1980 518 – 1.8 L M10B18 I4
  • 1972 520 – 2.0 L M17 I4, 115 hp (86 kW)
  • 1972 520i – 2.0 L M64 FI I4, 125 hp (93 kW)
  • 1973 525i – 2.5 L I6
  • 1975 528i – 2.8 L I6
  • 1975 530i – 3.0 L I6, 176 hp (131 kW)
  • 1979 M535i – 3.5 L I6, 218 hp (163 kW)
• US
  • 1975–1978 530i – 3.0 L I6, 176 hp (131 kW)
  • 1979–1981 528i – 2.8 L I6, 169 hp (126 kW)

E28 (1982–1988)

See also BMW E28 for more information

The BMW E28 was the second BMW 5 Series and stylistically, was an evolution of the E12.

The following models were sold in Europe:

• 518/518i
• 520i – 2.0 L M20B20 I6
• 524d – 2.4 L M21 Diesel I6
• 524td – 2.4 L M21 turbo Diesel I6
• 525i – 2.5 L M20B25 I6
• 528e – 2.7 L I6
• 528i – 2.7 L I6
• 530i – 3.0 L M30B30 I6
• 535i/M535i – 3.4 L M30B34 I6
• M5 – M88 I6, 286 DIN HP (210kW)

High performance 5 Series – 24 valve DOHC, Straight-6, 6 throttle bodies, Bosch Motronic integrated fuel injection. At its launch in 1984 the European specification E28 M5 was the fastest production saloon car in the world.

The following models were sold in America:

• 524td – 2.4 L M21 turbo Diesel I6, 114 hp (85 kW)
• 528e – 2.7 L I6, 121 hp (90 kW)

Designed for fuel efficiency

• 533i – 3.2 L I6, 182 hp (135 kW)

High revving power

• 535i – 3.4 L M30B34 I6, 182 hp (135 kW)

A 533i bored to produce more torque and equal power

• 535is – 3.4 L M30B34 I6, 182 hp (135 kW)

A 535i with a sport suspension interior modifications

• M5 – 3.4 L M30B35 I6, 256 hp (190 kW)

High performance 5 Series – 24 valve DOHC, Straight-6, 6 throttle bodies, Bosch Motronic integrated fuel injection.

E34 (1989–1996)

See also BMW E34 for more information

The fourth generation 5 Series earned awards for safety and reliability and was considered one of the most elegant shapes of its time.

Models:

• Non-US
  • 1989–1993 518i – 1.8 L M40B18 I4
  • 1993–1996 518i – 1.8 L M43B20 I4
  • 1988–1990 520i – 2.0 L M20B20 I6
  • 1988–1990 520i ECE – 2.0 L M20B20 I6

Higher compression than 520i non ECE)

• • 1990–1995 520i – 2.0 L M50B20 I6
  • 1988–1991 525i – 2.5 L M20B25 I6
  • 1990–1995 525i – 2.5 L M50B25 I6
  • 1994–1995 530i – 3.0 L M60B30 V8
  • 1988–1992 535i – 3.5 L M50B35 V8
  • 1993–1995 540i – 4.0 L M60B40 V8
• US
  • 1989–1991 525i – 2.5 L M20B25 I6
  • 1989–1993 535i – 3.5 L M50B35 V8
  • 1991–1993 M5 – 3.6 L S38 I6, 310 hp (231 kW)
  • 1992–1995 525i – 2.5 L M50B25 I6
  • 1993–1995 530i – 3.0 L M60B30 V8
  • 1993–1995 540i – 4.0 L M60B40 V8

E39 (1997–2003)

See also BMW E39 for more information

The BMW E39 was one of BMW's most successful cars, with several different models. These included:

• 1997–2003 520i – 2.2 L M52B20 I6, 170 bhp (127 kW)
• 1997–1999 525i – 2.5 L M52B25 I6, 192 bhp (143 kW)
• 1999–2001 525i – 2.5 L M52B25 TU I6
• 2001–2003 525i – 2.5 L M54B25 I6
• 1997–1999 528i – 2.8 L M52B28 I6
• 1999–2001 528i – 2.8 L M52B28 TU I6
• 2001–2003 530i – 3.0 L M54B30 I6, 231 bhp (172 kW)
• 1997–2000 530d – 3.0 L M51 Diesel I6, 184 bhp (137 kW)
• 2000–2003 530d – 3.0 L M57B30 Diesel I6, 193 bhp (144 kW)
• 2000–2003 525d – 2.5 L M57B25 Diesel I6
• 1998–2003 540d – 4.0 L M67 Diesel V8
• 1997–2003 535i – 3.5 L M62B35 V8, 245 bhp (183 kW)
• 1997–2003 540i – 4.4 L M62B44 V8, 286 bhp (213 kW)
• 1998–2003 M5 – 4.9 L S62 V8, 400 bhp (298 kW)

This car has been widely praised in all aspects; many say it is the best BMW in the world. The diesels provide great torque and smoothness with great economy. The M5 has been called "the ultimate in discreet speed" with 369 lbf·ft (500 N·m) of torque and a 0–60 mph time of 5.2 s.

Note: The 540d was only sold in mainland Europe.

The very first 1997 BMW 5 Series rolled off the assembly line on June 18, 1996.

E60 (2004-present)

See also BMW E60 for more information

The BMW E60 is the current BMW 5 Series. Its design and many of its advanced features have received mixed reviews.

It is available in the following variants: [1]

• 520i – 2.2 L (2171 cc) I6, 125 kW (170 hp)
• 525i – 2.5 L (2494 cc) I6, 141 kW (192 hp)
• 525d – 2.5 L (2497 cc) Diesel I6, 130 kW (177 hp)
• 530i – 3.0 L (2979 cc) I6, 170 kW (231 hp)
• 530d – 3.0 L (2993 cc) Diesel I6, 160 kW (218 hp)
• 535d – 3.0 L (2993 cc) Diesel I6, 200 kW (272 hp)
• 545i – 4.4 L (4398 cc) N62B44 V8, 245 kW (333 hp)
• M5 – 5.0 L (4999 cc) V10, 373 kW (500 hp)

All wheel drive will be an option on the 5 Series for the first time in 2006. The xDrive system is shared with the X3 and X5. Models, following the company's naming scheme, will be the 525xi and 530xi.

Awards

The E39 5 Series was on Car and Driver magazine's annual Ten Best list for six years straight, from its introduction in 1997 through 2002. It was also Motor Trend's Import Car of the Year for 1997.

External links

• Official M5 site
• Official website
• Edmunds BMW 5 Series retrospective