The M5 has been the most powerful version of the BMW 5 Series since 1984, always as a saloon and in some countries as an estate. The first one was hand-built with an engine derived from the M1 and was the fastest production saloon in the world. Later generations moved from a straight-six to a V8 and then to a V10.
BMW M5 at a glance
| Maker | BMW M GmbH |
|---|---|
| Produced since | 1984, with gaps in 1995–1998 and 2023–2024 |
| E28 engine | M88/3 straight-six, 286 PS in Europe |
| E28 production | 2,241 cars, October 1984 to 1988 |
| E34 engine | S38 six, 3.6 then 3.8 litres, up to 340 PS |
| E34 production | 12,254 cars, including 891 Touring |
| E39 engine | S62 V8, the first V8 M5 |
| E39 production | 20,482 cars |
| E60 engine | S85 V10, 507 PS |
| Hand assembly | E28 and E34 built by hand at Garching |
| Rarest version | E34 Touring, 891 cars |
| First estate | M5 Touring, from 1992 |
The E60 generation is covered from the 5 Series article; later generations are mentioned only in passing.
History of the BMW M5
E28 (1984–1988)
The first M5 was hand-built from late 1984 on the chassis of the E28 535i, with an updated M88/3 engine from the M1 that also served in the M635CSi. It made its debut at the Amsterdam Motor Show in February 1985 and, with 210 kW (286 PS), was the fastest production saloon in the world at the time. Cars for the United States and Canada used the S38B35, a detuned unit with a catalytic converter rated at 191 kW (256 hp); production for North America ran from November 1986 to November 1987, and an extended run led to a class action that ended with owners receiving a $4,000 voucher in 1993. All cars were assembled by hand in Munich, most after the 1986 summer break at Garching, with 96 assembled from kits at Rosslyn in South Africa. Production ended in November 1988 with 2,241 cars built. In Germany the car cost 81,000 DM at launch, and a test by Auto Motor und Sport recorded 6.1 seconds to 100 km/h and 251 km/h.
E34 (1988–1995)
The second M5 was built from September 1988 to August 1995 with the S38 straight-six. Painted bodyshells came from Dingolfing and were finished by hand at Garching over two weeks. The first version produced 232 kW (315 PS) at 6,900 rpm and 360 N·m, with a 0–97 km/h time of 6.3 seconds and a 250 km/h limit. In late 1991 the engine grew to 3.8 litres, 250 kW (340 PS) and 5.9 seconds, with distributorless ignition and a dual-mass flywheel; North America and South Africa kept the 3.6-litre unit for emission reasons. Self-levelling suspension gave way to Electronic Damper Control with comfort and sport settings, and a six-speed Getrag gearbox arrived in 1994. The M5 Touring of 1992 was the division’s first estate and its last hand-built car, with 891 made. Of 12,254 E34 M5s, 8,344 had the 3.6-litre engine and 3,910 the 3.8.
E39 and E60
The third M5, shown at the Geneva show in the spring of 1998 and on sale from the end of that year, was the first with a V8: the 5.0-litre S62 developed from the M62. It was sold only as a saloon; an estate stayed a prototype. To hold down cost the European and North American cars differed as little as possible. Production totalled 20,482 cars, of which 9,992 went to North America, 2,595 were right-hand drive and 7,895 stayed in Germany and Europe. Top speed was limited to 250 km/h, although buyers outside Germany could order the car without the limiter, for a claimed 300 km/h. The E60 M5 of 2005 used the S85 V10 with a seven-speed SMG III gearbox, sold as a saloon and an estate, and was the only M5 with a V10.
Design and features
- M1-derived engine: the E28 used the M88/3 six, close to the unit in BMW’s mid-engined supercar.
- Hand assembly: the E28 and E34 were finished by hand at Garching rather than on a normal line.
- First estate: the E34 M5 Touring of 1992, with 891 cars, was M GmbH’s first estate.
- V8 and V10: the E39 introduced a V8 in 1998 and the E60 a V10 in 2005.
- Unrestricted option: buyers outside Germany could order the E39 without the 250 km/h limiter.
BMW M5 versions
- E28 (1984–1988): M88/3 six, 286 PS, 2,241 cars, saloon only.
- E34 3.6 (1988–1992): S38B36, 315 PS, saloon.
- E34 3.8 (1992–1995): S38B38, 340 PS, with the Touring estate from 1992.
- E39 (1998–2003): S62 V8, saloon only, 20,482 cars.
- E60 (2005–2010): S85 V10 with the seven-speed SMG III, saloon and estate.
Each M5 is based on a 5 Series generation: the E34, the E39 and the E60. The same division built the M3, and more cars are in the BMW collection.
Sources
- BMW M5, English Wikipedia: E28 and E34 development, production, equipment
- BMW M5, German Wikipedia: E28 launch details, E34 production, E39 figures
- BMW M5, Italian Wikipedia: E28 and E34 specifications and performance
