BMW 5 Series
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| Missing image Redm5.JPG 2003 BMW M5 | |
| BMW 5 Series | |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer: | BMW |
| Production: | September 1972–present |
| Predecessor: | "New Class" 1500-2000 |
| Class: | sedan |
| Body Styles: | 4-door 5-door Touring |
| Competitors: | Mercedes-Benz E-Class Audi A6 Jaguar S-Type Cadillac CTS |
| E12 | |
| Production: | 1972–1981 |
| Engines: | 1.8 L M118 I4 1.8 L M42 I4 1.8 L M10B18 I4 2.0 L M17 I4 2.0 L M64 I4 2.5 L I6 2.8 L I6 3.0 L I6 3.5 L I6 |
| E28 | |
| Production: | 1982–1988 |
| Engines: | |
| E34 | |
| Production: | 1989–1996 |
| Engines: | 1.8 L M40B18 I4 1.8 L M43B20 I4 2.0 L M20B20 I6 2.0 L M50B20 I6 2.5 L M20B25 I6 2.5 L M50B25 I6 3.0 L M60B30 V8 3.5 L M50B35 V8 4.0 L M60B40 V8 3.6 L S38 I6 (M5) |
| Length: | 4841 mm (190.6 in) |
| Width: | 1864 mm (73.4 in) |
| Height: | 1469 mm (57.8 in) |
| E39 | |
| Missing image Bmw540i.JPG 2000 BMW 540i E39 | |
| Production: | 1997–2003 |
| Engines: | 2.2 L M52B20 I6 2.5 L M52B25 I6 2.5 L M54B25 I6 2.8 L M52B28 I6 3.0 L M54B30 I6 3.0 L M51 Diesel I6 3.0 L M57B30 Diesel I6 2.5 L M57B25 Diesel I6 4.0 L M67 Diesel V8 3.5 L M62B35 V8 4.4 L M62B44 V8 4.9 L S62 V8 (M5) |
| E60 | |
| Production: | 2004–present |
| Engines: | 2.2 L I6 2.5 L I6 2.5 L Diesel I6 3.0 L I6 3.0 L Diesel I6 4.4 L V8 5.0 L V10 (M5) |
| Unladen weight: | 545i 1705 kg (3759 lb) |
| This article is part of the automobile 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).
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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
- US
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:
- Designed for fuel efficiency
- 533i - 3.2 L I6, 182 hp (135 kW)
- High revving power
- A 533i bored to produce more torque and equal power
- A 535i with a sport suspension interior modifications
- 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
- Higher compression than 520i non ECE)
- US
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 both saloon and estate versions and has the following models: [1] (http://www.bmw.com/generic/com/en/products/automobiles/showroom/5series/sedan/index.html)
- 520i - 2.2 L (2171 cc) I6, 125 kW (170 hp)
- 523i - 2.5 L (2494 cc) I6
- 525i - 2.5 L (2494 cc) I6, 160 kW (215 hp DIN)
- 525d - 2.5 L (2497 cc) Diesel I6, 130 kW (177 hp DIN)
- 530i - 3.0 L (2979 cc) I6, 190 kW (258 hp DIN)
- 530d - 3.0 L (2993 cc) Diesel I6, 160 kW (218 hp DIN)
- 535d - 3.0 L (2993 cc) Diesel I6, 200 kW (272 hp DIN)
- 545i - 4.4 L (4398 cc) N62B44 V8, 245 kW (333 hp DIN)
- 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
- BMW Do It Yourself (http://www.bimmerdiy.com) provides BMW DIY articles for the home mechanic.
- Official M5 site (http://www.bmw.com/generic/com/en/products/automobiles/showroom/mseries/m5/index.html)
- Official website (http://www.bmw.com)
- Edmunds BMW 5 Series retrospective (http://www.edmunds.com/reviews/generations/articles/101202/article.html)