We take a trip down memory lane to re-explore the heritage of the BMW 5 Series ahead of the F10’s impending launch in Malaysia.
1. New Class 1500 sedan (1962 – 1966)
The 5 Series heritage did not strictly begin with the 1500, but it definitely has strong roots with this model. Indeed, almost every modern BMW’s DNA can be traced back to this car. Although production only commenced in 1962, the 1500 had already made its debut at the 1961 Frankfurt Motor Show.
Sitting up front is the 1,499cc M115 four-pot sending a modest 80hp to the rear wheels. BMW introduced their famous Hoffmeister-kink styling signature on this model, which also helped establish the Bavarian company’s tradition of producing sporty handling vehicles. As time went on, bigger-engined models such as the 1600, 1800, and 2000 came in, but it was the 1500 that started it all.
Image: Official BMW release.
2. E12 (1972 – 1980)
Introduced at the 1972 Frankfurt Motor Show, the 5 Series debuted with a pair of 2.0-litre engines in the 520 and the 520i. Styled by Frenchman Paul Bracq, the 5 Series was so named because it was the fifth new model from Munich after the 1500 sedan above. The naming/numbering convention adopted by the E12 5 Series remains in practice today by BMW.
Other notable models of this generation include the 525 introduced in 1973 featuring the 2,494cc M30B25V straight-six engine rated at 145hp. The earlier mentioned 520 and 520i utilized the M10 four-banger carried over from the preceding 2000 sedan. Top of the line model of this generation was the 218hp M535i introduced in 1980.
Over its production span, BMW sold nearly 700,000 units of the E12 5 Series.
Image: Official BMW release.
3. E28 (1981 – 1987)
Aesthetically, the E28 looks like a mildly updated version of the E12, with both models looking outwardly similar from many angles. However, this generation saw BMW advance their game in the segment by huge margins. Anti-lock brakes were introduced here, together with electronic fuel injection.
This generation also saw the debut of the legendary M5 nameplate, and also marked BMW’s first attempt at diesel power with the 524td. Bread and butter models have power outputs ranging from 90 to 184hp, sitting below the 218hp M535i. Topping the range was, of course the 286hp M5, which featured the 3,453cc M88/3 straight-six.
A fuel-efficiency oriented variant was also produced, dubbed the 525e, which had a 2.7-litre petrol engine tuned to develop its max output of 125hp at a lowly 4,250rpm, and churn out its peak torque of 240Nm at 3,250rpm. It was offered with a 5-speed manual transmission.
By the time it was withdrawn from service, the E28 sold over 722,000 cars in a production run of seven years.
Image: Official BMW release.
4. E34 (1988 – 1994)
The third-generation 5 Series, the E34, debuted in 1988 with a clutch of six-cylinder models rated between 115 and 211hp. The range was then supplemented by the V8-powered 530i & 540i above them in 1992, and the four-cylinder 518i at the lower end of the spectrum in 1993. There was also the all-wheel drive 525iX variant launched in 1991.
The year 1992 also saw BMW bump up the M5’s output from 315hp to 340hp, accomplished by expanding the 3.5-litre S38 six-pot to displace 3.8-litres instead. Meanwhile the 5 Series Touring, featuring self-leveling air suspension also debuted in the same year. Total sales of the E34 worldwide added up to more than 1.3 million cars.
Image: Official BMW release.
5. E39 (1995 – 2002)
The best-looking, the best-loved, and probably the best of the 5 Series lineage, the E39 debuted at Frankfurt in 1995 and remained in service until 2003. In between, a mid-life refresh in 2000 helped to keep the model up to date. The highlight of the E39 was its superbly engineered lightweight chassis which boasted significantly increased stiffness over the E34.
Extensive use of light-alloy continues under the hood, with a range of all-aluminium powerplants called on for propulsion. Different powerplant sizes dictated the need for two distinct forward axle designs. Models using the smaller six-cylinder engines feature rack & pinion steering together with an all-aluminium front subframe. The V8 models, which include the M5, carry on with recirculating ball steering.
Powering the M5 of this generation is the 4,941cc S62B50 V8 with Double VANOS rated to produce 400hp @ 6,600rpm and 500Nm @ 3,800rpm. It is mated to a Getrag 6-speed manual transmission sending power to the rear wheels. Unlike the E28 and E34 versions of the M5, the E39 M5 was not hand built, but simply rolled off a standard production line alongside the run-of-the-mill 5 Series.
Image: Official BMW release.
6. E60 (2003 – 2009)
Perhaps the most controversial one of them all. The opinion-polarizing E60 was penned by the evocative Chris Bangle, whose flame-surfacing touch alienated BMW fan after BMW fan in its early days. Nevertheless, the controversial styling does not distract from the technical excellence that lies under the skin, first gen iDrive not withstanding
Rock-solid underpinnings and smooth revving engines ensured that most versions of the E60 were plenty of fun to drive. Early versions had questionable ergonomics, though the problems were mostly fixed during its mid-life update. Later versions even incorporated EfficientDynamics goodies such as Brake Energy Regeneration, gearshift point indicator, and on-demand ancillaries to keep fuel consumption down.
On top of the range is once again the M5, which in this iteration, features an F1-inspired 5.0-litre V10 that just revs and revs. Displacing 4,999cc, the M5’s S85B50 breathes naturally and produces 507hp at a stratospheric 7,750rpm. Max torque of 510Nm is churned out 6,100rpm, confirming its high-revving characteristic. It is mated to BMW’s 7-speed SMG-III sequential manual transmission, though North American models are offered with the option of a 6-speed manual.
Though almost universally ‘banged’ for the way he styled the E60 during the model’s early days, Bangle can rightfully feel himself vindicated as the model went on to become world’s best-selling car in its segment from 2005 to 2008. In fact, now people are getting so used to his designs, we have read comments on how the upcoming F10’s design seemed to lack the E60’s drama. How times change…
7. F10 (2010 – )
After a generation of flame-surfacing by Bangle, the F10 marks BMW’s return to a more toned down era of styling. The latest 5 is developed in parallel with the current generation F01 7 Series, from which a great many goodies were lifted over. BMW had earlier unveiled the F07 5 Series Gran Turismo, which gave us a preview of the F10’s styling and available engine options. Whatever the folks at BMW may say, this is a 5 Series hatch, and is offered with three model options – 535i GT, 550i GT, and 530d GT.
The sedan, launched a few months after the GT, had a wider range of petrol and diesel engines. Petrol power can be delivered in either V8 format (550i), straight-six with twin-scroll turbocharging (535i), or straight-six with natural aspiration (528i & 523i). Two diesel engines are on offer, a 2.0 four-cylinder in the 520d, or a 3.0-litre six-cylinder offered in two states of tune in the 525d and 530d. Six-speed manual transmissions are offered as standard, with an all-new 8-speed auto offered as an option.
The 523i and 528i both use the highly advanced 2,996cc N53 B30 inline-6 engine in different states of tune – 204hp & 258hp respectively. This engine features direct injection technology, and has been deemed unsuitable for markets which have high-sulphur fuel (read: us).
For the Malaysian market, the F10 will be offered as the 523i and the 535i. Official specifications released on BMW Malaysia’s website shows identical specifications to the European counterparts for the 535i. The 523i will be offered with the venerable 2,497cc N52B25 straight-six currently seeing action in the E60 523i and 525i. For its application in the F10, BMW has tuned the N52 to offer comparable on paper performance to the 3.0-litre N53 that powers the Euro-spec 523i.
Image: Official BMW release
KON
See also:
- Facelift at No Extra Cost – by Chips (8/5/2001)
- BMW 530i Now in Auto Bavaria Showrooms – by Chips (4/12/2001)
- BMW 5-Series is 30 Years Old – by Chips (10/9/2002)
- BMW 530d – by Chips (15/3/2004)
- BMW 530d – Clean Diesel Power & Muscle Car – by YS Khong (8/10/2004)
- BMW M5 – Muscle Car of the New Millennium – by YS Khong (26/12/2004)
- BMW 525i Tested – by YS Khong (27/2/2005)
- BMW 523i – High Speed Cruiser – by YS Khong (1/11/2005)
- Autoworld Blog >> Blog Archive >> History: BMW 7-series – by TheGunner (14/1/2009)
- Stretching It…. (BMW 320d & 520d) – by KON (14/11/2009)
- Autoworld Blog >> Blog Archive >> BMW 5-series (F10) unveiled – by KON (29/11/2009)
- A travelogue with the BMW 520d – by KON (28/12/2009)
- BMW 520d – Executive Ride, Diesel Economy, Great Driving! – by YS Khong (26/2/2010)
- BMW wraps up E60 5 Series SKD programme in Kulim – by KON (23/4/2010)
Talk about it: F10 5 Series
