BMW 5 Series

The BMW 5 Series is a mid-size luxury car / executive car manufactured by the German automaker BMW. The first 5 Series was first released in 1972 and currently is avaliable the fifth generation; available body styles are sedan and station wagon.

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)

E12 520

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 fuel injected 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 informationThe 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- 1.8 L M10B18
* 520i - 2.0 L M20B20 I6
* 524d - 2.4 L M21 diesel I6
* 524td - 2.4 L M21 turbodiesel I6
* 525i - 2.5 L M30B25 I6
* 525e - 2.7 L M20B27 I6
* 528i - 2.8 L M30B28 I6
* 530i - 3.0 L M30B30 I6
* 535i/M535i - 3.4 L M30B34 I6
* M5 - M88 I6, 286 DIN hp (210 kW):High performance 5 Series - 24-valve DOHC, I6, 6 throttle bodies, Bosch Motronic integrated fuel injection. At its launch in 1984, the European specification E28 M5 was the fastest production sedan in the world.

The following models were sold in America:
* 524td - 2.4 L M21 turbodiesel I6, 114 hp (85 kW)
* 528e - 2.7 L M20B27 I6, 121 hp (90 kW):Designed for fuel efficiency
* 533i - 3.2 L M30B33'' 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 S38B35 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)

E34

See also BMW E34 for more informationThe 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
** 1989â€"1993 518i - 1.8 L M40B18 I4
** 1993â€"1996 518i - 1.8 L M43B18 I4
** 1988â€"1990 520i - 2.0 L M20B20 I6
** 1988â€"1990 520i ECE - 2.0 L M20B20 I6::Higher compression than 520i non ECE)
** 1990â€"1995 520i - 2.0 L M50B20 I6
** 1988â€"1991 525i - 2.5 L M20B25 I6
** 1990â€"1995 525i - 2.5 L M50B25 I6
** 1994â€"1995 530i - 3.0 L M60B30 V8
** 1988â€"1992 535i - 3.5 L M30B35 I6
** 1993â€"1995 540i - 4.0 L M60B40 V8
* US
** 1989â€"1991 525i - 2.5 L M20B25 I6
** 1989â€"1993 535i - 3.5 L M30B35 I6
** 1991â€"1993 M5 - 3.6 L S38B36 I6, 310 hp (231 kW)
** 1992â€"1995 525i - 2.5 L M50B25 I6
** 1993â€"1995 530i - 3.0 L M60B30 V8
** 1993â€"1995 540i - 4.0 L M60B40 V8

E39 (1996-2003)

See also BMW E39 for more information

E39 530i with US specification Sport Package. EU and 2003 US specification Sport package had M-tech bodykit

The BMW E39 was one of BMW's most successful cars, with several different models. These included:
* 1996â€"2000 520i - 2.2 L M52B20 I6, 150 hp (110 kW)
* 2000â€"2003 520i - 2.2 L M52B20 I6, 170 hp (127 kW)
* 1996â€"2000 523i - 2.5 L M52B25 I6, 170 hp (143 kW)
* 2000â€"2003 525i - 2.5 L M54B25 I6, 184 hp
* 1996â€"1999 528i - 2.8 L M52B28 I6, 193 hp
* 1999â€"2000 528i - 2.8 L M52B28 TU I6, 193 hp
* 2000â€"2003 530i - 3.0 L M54B30 I6, 231 hp (172 kW)
* 1998â€"2000 530d - 3.0 L M51 diesel I6, 184 hp (137 kW)
* 2000â€"2003 530d - 3.0 L M57B30 diesel I6, 193 hp (142 kW)
* 2000â€"2003 525d - 2.5 L M57B25 diesel I6
* 1996â€"2003 535i - 3.5 L M62B35 V8, 245 hp (183 kW)
* 1996â€"2003 540i - 4.4 L M62B44 V8, 282 hp (213 kW)
* 1996â€"2003 540i - 4.4 L M62TUB44 V8, 290 hp
* 1998â€"2003 M5 - 4.9 L S62 V8, 400 hp (298 kW)

This car has been widely praised in all aspects; many say it is the best BMW in the world. Consumer Reports gave the 2001 530i its highest car rating ever. The diesel engines available in the European models provide great torque and smoothness with better economy. The M5 has been called "the ultimate in discreet speed" with 369 lb·ft (500 N·m) of torque and a 0â€"60 mph time of 5.2 s. The only downside was its smallish cabin and tiny trunk space of 11.1 ft³ (314 L) - for a car of the 5 Series' size not to be able to fit a set of golf clubs was regarded as inexcusable.The very first E39 BMW 5 Series rolled off the assembly line on June 18, 1996.

E60/E61 (2004-present)

See also BMW E60 for more information

E60 sedan

The BMW E60 is the current BMW 5 Series. Its design and many of its advanced features initially received mixed reviews. The E60 represents a huge leap in technological advance over previous models. It is now regarded as one of BMWs finest and most innovative models.

Active Seat continuous passive motion available on the 7-Series is introduced as an option on the 5 Series for driver and front passenger seats.

It is available in both sedan and wagon versions and has the following models: [1]
* 2003- 520d - 2.0 L (1995 cc) diesel I4, 120 kW (163 hp)
* 2003-2004 520i - 2.2 L (2171 cc) I6, 125 kW (170 hp)
* 2004- 523i - 2.5 L (2497 cc) I6, 130 kW (177 hp)
* 2003- 525i - 2.5 L (2497 cc) I6, 160 kW (215 hp DIN)
* 2003- 525d - 2.5 L (2497 cc) diesel I6, 130 kW (177 hp DIN)
* 2003- 530i - 3.0 L (2979 cc) I6, 190 kW (258 hp DIN)
* 2003- 530d - 3.0 L (2993 cc) diesel I6, 160 kW (218 hp DIN)
* 2004- 535d - 3.0 L (2993 cc) diesel I6, 200 kW (272 hp DIN) and 413 ft·lbf (560 N·m) (compression ratio: 16.5:1)
* 2003- 545i - 4.4 L (4398 cc) N62B44 V8, 245 kW (333 hp DIN)
* 2005- 550i - 4.8 L (4799 cc) N62B48 V8, 270 kW (360 hp )
* 2004- M5 - 5.0 L (4999 cc) V10, 373 kW (507 hp)

In some European jusridictions the BMW 5 Series is also used as a police interceptor as seen above.

All wheel drive is now an option on the 5 Series for the first time since the E34 in 1996. 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 and What Car? Executive Car of the Year 1997 through 2002. The E60 was named "Best New Luxury / Prestige Car" in the 2006 Canadian Car of the Year awards. Active Seat continuous passive motion seating comfort technology recognized as one of the Best Inventions of 1998 by Popular Science magazine.
*BMW Official Active Seat web page
* Official website
*Official M5 site