BMW 5 Series (e39)

Dimensions
Wheelbase

2,830mm (111.4in)

Length

4,775mm (188.0in) (saloon)

4,806mm (189.2in) (estate)

Width

1,801mm (70.9in)

Height

1,435mm
1,415mm
saloon)
1,440mm
estate)
1,417mm
saloon)
1,486mm
estate)

(56.5in) (saloon)
(55.7in) (2000-03 540i
(56.7in) (1997-99
(55.8in) (1997-99 540i
(58.5in) (2000-03

heBMW 5 Series (E39)is the generation ofBMW 5 Seriesmade

between 1995 and 2003. The E39 series was the successor of the
BMW 5 Series (E34)in 1995, and was replaced by theE60in 2003.
Sales to Germany and most of Western Europe began in 1995, and by
1996 sales to the rest of the world had commenced. A
mid-generational refreshappeared in 2000, featuring minute detail
changes. At launch, the base model was the 520i, which developed
112kilowatts (150hp) in the pre-update models, and 126kilowatts
(170hp) in later models. AnM5variant was introduced in 1998, with a
4.9-litreS62V8 engine. All models but the M5 were available as either
asaloonor anestate, the latter called Touring.
Development for the E34's successor began in early 1989, internally
known as "Entwicklung 39" and ended in 1995. The final design by Joji
Nagashima was selected in June 1992 and later frozen for production
under new design chief Chris Bangle. With design selection in 1992, the
series development phase began and took 39 months till start of
production. The domestic German design patent was filed on April 20,
1994, utilizing an E39 prototype. The first pilot production models were
built in February 1995, with full-scale production starting later in the
year.

The complete vehicle redesign draws heavily from theE38 7 Seriesin

body construction and electronic technology. The mid-level BMW saloon
showed evolutionary styling changes rather than a dramatic redesign.
Initially offered only as a saloon, thewheelbasegrew by 68millimetres
(2.7in) and overall length by 55millimetres (2.2in) over the previous 5series, theE34. In the US, the new 5 Series came in two forms: the 528i
and 540i. The 1996 528i introduced a newM52in-line six that it shared
with theE36 328i, the 540i a 4.4-litreM62V8shared with theE38 740i.
Both engines were upgraded over the prior 5 Series generation. The 2.8litre dualoverhead camshaftsix-cylinderengine made 141kilowatts
(190hp), versus 210kilowatts (282hp) for the 4.4-litre dual overhead
camshaft, all-aluminiumV8. AZFS5-31 five-speedclose-ratio
manual transmissionwas standard on the 528i, with an optional A4S
310 R four-speedautomaticor (in Rest of World models) a A5S310Z fivespeed Steptronic transmission (based on the ZF 5HP18). The 540i, in
contrast, could have either aGetrag six-speedmanual or a new fivespeed A5S 560Z automatic transmission with adaptive transmission
control (with or without Steptronic option). Standard equipment on both
models included dual front and sideairbags,anti-lock brakes,
traction control,power steering, andair conditioning.