BMW M5
The BMW M5 is a high-performance version of the BMW 5 Series automobile developed by BMW's motorsport division, BMW M GmbH, built since 1984 with periodic interruptions. The M5 has continuously been produced in the saloon body style, in some countries also as an estate.
The first M5 model was hand-built beginning in late 1984 on the E28 535i chassis with a modified engine from the M1 that made it the fastest production saloon at the time. M5 models have been produced for every generation of the 5 Series since 1984, with occasional gaps in production.
E28 M5 (1984–1988)
The first BMW M5, based on the E28 5 Series, was manufactured from October 1984 to June 1988. It made its debut at the Amsterdam Motor Show in February 1985. It was based on the 535i chassis with various mechanical changes, most notably the M88/3 engine which was an updated version of the engine used in the M1 sports car. At its launch, the E28 M5 was the fastest production saloon in the world.The official markets for the E28 M5 were Europe, Great Britain, the United States, Canada, and South Africa. The European and South African cars used the M88/3 engine which has a power output of.
Cars sold in the United States and Canada used a detuned version of the M88/3 called the S38B35, which was equipped with a catalytic converter and has a power output of. Due to an extended production run that exceeded BMW's original forecast of production volumes, a class action lawsuit was launched by owners in the United States. The results of this class action was that owners were given a voucher for in 1993. Production of North American specification M5 commenced in November 1986 and ended in November 1987.
Aside from 96 cars which were assembled in kit form at BMW's Plant in Rosslyn, South Africa, all cars were assembled by hand in Germany. Assembly took place at BMW Motorsport's plant in Preussenstrasse in Munich prior to the 1986 factory summer vacation. Thereafter, the M5 production was moved to Daimlerstrasse in Garching where the remainder were built. Production of the M5 continued until November 1988, almost a year after BMW had ceased production of regular E28 models. With a total production of 2,241 units, the E28 M5 remains among the rarest regular production BMW Motorsport cars – after the M1, M5 Touring and the 850CSi.
E34 M5 (1988–1995)
The E34 generation of the M5 was produced from September 1988 to August 1995. Powered by the S38 straight-six engine, an evolution of the previous generation's straight-six, the E34 was initially produced in a saloon body style, with a second LHD Touring version following in 1992.Production of M5 models began with the painted bodyshell of an E34 5 Series at the BMW Dingolfing plant. The shells were then transported to BMW M GmbH in Garching, where the car was assembled by hand over a period of two weeks. Only the South African M5 was entirely assembled at the Rosslyn, South Africa assembly plant from complete knock-down kits supplied from Garching, Germany. The M5 Touring, which was BMW M Division's first estate as well as the last hand-built M car, saw 891 units produced. Total production of the E34 M5 was 12,254 units, of which 8,344 were 3.6-litre and 3,910 were 3.8-litre. In the North American market, only the 3.6-litre version was sold.
Cosmetic changes to the exterior from the standard E34 included unique front and rear bumpers and side rocker panels, contributing to a drag coefficient of 0.32, while interior updates included a unique gearshift surround, different trunk lining with storage partitions and rear headrests.
The second-generation M5 was introduced with the S38B36 engine, which generated at 6,900 rpm and of torque at 4,750 rpm, touting a factory 0- acceleration time of 6.3 seconds. Top speed was electronically limited to.
Updates
In late 1991, the engine was upgraded to the 3.8-litre S38B38, with exception to North America and South Africa, which continued with the 3.6-litre engine due to emission laws. Power increased to, leading to a factory 0- acceleration time of 5.9 seconds, and the ignition changed to a distributor-less system with each cylinder having an individual coil. BMW also used a dual-mass flywheel in place of the single in the 3.6-litre version for a smoother idle and throttle input at the expense of response. The standard self-leveling suspension system, which maintained a constant ride height in the rear, was replaced with Electronic Damper Control, an electronically controlled and hydraulically regulated system that can switch between comfort "P" setting and a more track-oriented "S" setting.A 6-speed Getrag 420G manual transmission was introduced in 1994.
M-System wheels
The M5 came with an unusual wheel design. From 1988 to 1992 the M5 featured the three-piece Style 20 "M-System" wheels, which consisted of magnesium, unidirectional bolted-on wheel covers and an aluminium assembly with concentric fins that bolt on to the front of the black, 5-spoke forged aluminium wheel. According to BMW, the cover increased outside airflow to the brake assembly by 25 percent to improve cooling.In 1992 BMW changed the design to the "M-System II" which improved brake cooling from the combination of the larger openings and fins placed in the driving direction.
In May 1994, the M5 switched to 18-inch Style 37 "M Parallel" wheels that did away with the finned cover entirely.
Special editions
There were four special editions of the E34 M5. The Cecotto, Winkelhock and 20 Jahre editions which were offered as LHD Euro specification models while the RHD UK Limited edition was only sold in the United Kingdom.In 1991, BMW asked two race drivers to design their "ideal" version of the E34 M5. The Cecotto Edition M5, named after Johnny Cecotto, featured several luxury items fitted, including Nappa leather for the steering wheel and heated seats. A total of 22 Cecotto E34 M5s were produced with options of having either Lagoon Green metallic and Mauritius Blue metallic paint and Light Parchment or Light Silvergrey upholstery for the interior.
The other M5 special edition dedicated to a race driver was the Winkelhock Edition, named after touring car driver Joachim Winkelhock. The resulting car was a lightweight M5 stripped of some amenities. The Winkelhock Edition features a smaller battery, the reduced US-spec 81-litre fuel tank, reduced sound deadening, and deletion of non-essential items such as rear headrests, vanity mirrors, rear window switches and foglights. The Recaro front seat design, suede-covered 385mm M-Technic II steering wheel, shift knob and parking brake handle, and red seatbelts were similar to those on the BMW E30 M3 Sport Evolution. A total of 51 Winkelhock E34 M5s were produced with the options of having Jet Black with contrasting lower body panels in Sterling Silver metallic paint.
The 20 Jahre Motorsport Edition was built to celebrate BMW Motorsport's 20th anniversary in 1992. Twenty cars were produced, all Euro-spec 3.8-litre models. Offered only in Mugello Red, the anniversary edition had a number of aesthetic trim upgrades such as carbon fiber dash panels, red seat belts embroidered with "BMW Motorsport," and M-Technic rear-view mirrors. Unique seat centre & door trim fabric were matched with Alcantara, which was also used on the steering wheel, shift lever & parking brake lever.
The UK Limited Edition was produced from March to June 1995, to commemorate the end of right-hand drive E34 M5 production. Fifty cars were produced, in one of two colour and trim combinations: Rosso Red metallic with a Champagne extended leather interior and natural poplar wood trim or Orinoco metallic with a Bicolour Petrol and Mint extended leather interior and graphite bird's-eye maple wood trim. Each E34 M5 Limited Edition is equipped with the three-spoke sport steering wheel, Shadowline trim, power sunroof, power front seats, headlight washers and manual air conditioning. A numbered plaque appears on the centre console.
Additionally, 20 M5 Touring Elekta models were assembled for distribution in Italy in 1995. These were finished in either Sterling Silver over Marine Blue leather, or British Racing Green over Tobacco leather and featured extended leather interior as well as unique, numbered shift knobs. It is debated as to whether or not these cars constitute a true special edition as they were ordered directly by a group of Italian BMW dealers.
BMW developed a prototype convertible model, which featured an electric folding cloth roof and a steeper raked windshield than a standard M5. Steel reinforcements were added under both side valance panels to reduce body flex, and curb weight was approximately more than the saloon model. The prototype was never given the green light for production due to financial considerations.
Following the manufacturer's announcement that they were opening a new factory in Greer, South Carolina, a BMW M5 built to highway patrol specification was presented to the South Carolina Highway Patrol in July 1992. The car, shipped from Tennessee after it was rejected by the Tennessee Highway Patrol, was also initially rejected by the South Carolina Highway Patrol, due to concerns about it being considered a luxury vehicle, before it was eventually accepted into SCHP on lease purchase. A second M5 was later delivered to SCHP, with one of the two stored in a SCHP museum after completing service.
Motorsport
BMW Australia entered an E34 M5 in the Australian 1992 Bathurst 12 Hour Production Car endurance race, placing 2nd overall, and 1st in its class. It was driven by former F1 grand prix champion Alan Jones, Neville Crichton, and BMW Touring car driver Tony Longhurst.E39 M5 (1998–2003)
Introduced in 1998 at the Geneva Motor Show, the E39 generation of the M5 was the first M5 to use a V8 engine, resulting in an increase in power output to. It is also the first M5 to use aluminium front suspension components and a multi-link rear suspension. Production began in October 1998.Production totalled to 20,482 cars from 1999 to 2003. Unlike its predecessors, the M5 was produced on the same assembly line as the regular 5 Series models at the Dingolfing factory in Germany.
The official performance figures are 0– acceleration time of 4.8 seconds and an electronically limited top speed of. In testing, an unrestricted M5 reached a top speed in excess of. The E39 M5 recorded a Nürburgring lap time of 8:20.
The M5 received the September 2000 facelift at the same time as the standard E39 models. Changes included halogen "corona rings" in headlights, LED tail-lights and various interior upgrades. The mechanical specification was unchanged. For the subsequent two model years, changes were limited to the addition of new exterior colours and the upgrade to a DVD-based navigation system.
Production of a "Touring" E39 M5 model was evaluated by BMW, and at least one prototype was developed. However the Touring did not reach production, due to financial considerations.