Cars - BMW M5

	Cars - BMW M5

The BMW M5 is the high-performance version of the BMW 5-Series automobile made by BMW Motorsport. M5 versions of the E28, E34, E39 and E60 5-Series have been made.

E28 M5 (1984-1987)

:Main article: BMW M5 (E28)

The first M5, based on the E28 5-Series, made its debut at the 1984 Amsterdam Motor Show. It was the product of demand for an automobile with the carrying capacity of a saloon (sedan), but the overall performance of a sports car. It utilized the 535i chassis and an evolution of the engine from the BMW M1. The M5 was handbuilt by Motorsport technicians and at its launch was the fastest production saloon (sedan) in the world.

The M5 was offered in four different versions. The first version was the Left Hand Drive (LHD) Euro Spec M5. The second version was the Right Hand Drive (RHD) Spec M5. The third version was the North American Spec (NA or so-called 1988) M5. The fourth version was the South African (ZA) Spec M5.

The LHD, RHD Euro Spec M5s and the ZA spec M5s had the M88/3 powerplant which delivered 286 hp DIN (210 kW) whereas the North American 1988 M5 was equipped with a catalytic converter, which reduced the power output to 256 hp DIN (191 kW).

Specification

(Euro) - 286 hp
(USA) - 256 hp

Performance

At the time of sale, BMW quoted the following (relatively poor) 0-60 times to give the impression that the E28 M5 did not outperform the more expensive, heavier and top-of-the-range E24 M635csi.

(Euro) - 286 hp 0-60 mph - 6.2 s. Top Speed: 153 mph
(USA) - 256 hp 0-60 mph - 6.5 s. Top Speed: 148 mph

Special versions

Whilst BMW Motorsport did not built any special versions of the E28 M5, the German tuner Hartge produced the Hartge H35S-24, a 330 PS (325 hp/243 kW) version of the E28 M5. Main modifications over and above the standard E28 M5 were revised cams, a modified exhaust, modified Motronic ECU programming and a revised (and lowered) suspension setup.
Alpina limited their tuning efforts to the older M30 engine powered models.

E34 M5 (1989-1995)

:Main article: BMW M5 (E34)

The E34 M5 was produced from 1989 to 1995, although sales in North America started in 1991 and ended in 1993. It was produced at BMW M GmbH in Garching, Germany and like the previous M5, was entirely hand-built. It utilized the 535i chassis which was produced at BMW's Dingolfing plant. Assembly was done either by a single M employee or a team of M employees and generally took about two weeks. It is rumored that the test drivers of the E34 M5 could determine who or what team made each specific M5, due to characteristic quirks of the handbuilt nature of the E34 M5. The engines were also built by hand by BMW M technicians. All of the E34 M5 powerplants were built to 5% of advertised output.

The early E34 M5 used an evolution of the 24-valve I6 found in the E28 M5 and E24 M635CSi/M6. Designated S38B36, the engine technically remains a 3.5 L, with a bore of 93.4 mm and stroke of 86 mm for a total capacity of 3535 cc. The added stroke is due to a new forged steel crankshaft, though the camshafts were also changed. Compression was up slightly (10:1 versus 9.8:1). Other adjustments made included an electronically controlled butterfly valve in the intake plenum which provided better low rpm and mid-range power. The engine also featured an improved flywheel, Bosch Motronic fuel injection, equal length stainless steel headers and three way ceramic catalysts.

The E34 M5 had a highly-tuned I6 engine called the S38B36. Originally it had a displacement of 3.6 L and produced 315 hp (235 kW), and 266 lb·ft @ 4750 RPM. Cars sold in North America and Switzerland which, due to a different catalytic converter, produced 310 hp (229 kW).

In 1992, the engine displacement was increased to 3.8 L with the S38B36, except in North America, which continued with the 3.6 L engine. Power was now increased to 340 hp (250 kW) DIN. Also in 1992, a Touring version was introduced in LHD form only.

The M5 came with an unusual wheel design. From 1988-1992 the M5 featured the M-System wheels. These wheels were 8x17J, but came with a bolted-on wheel cover. Under the cover was a black 5-spoke alloy wheel. The press was critical of the design, often claming it gave the M5 the appearance of having "white-wall" tires. In 1992 BMW changed the design and a new cover was produced – the M-System II. The original intent of the M-System cover was to direct more air to the brake assembly to increase cooling. The cover actually integrated a fin assembly behind the cover. The M-System II covers, known as the "throwing stars" did not have as much capability to direct air to the brake assemblies. In late 1994, the M5 came with M Parallel wheels that did away with the cover.

Specification

89-92 (Euro) I6-24v 3.6 L - 232 kW/315 hp (only available with 5-speed manual transmission)
92-95 (Euro) I6-24v 3.8 L - 250 kW/340 hp (also available with 6-speed manual transmission)
91-93 (USA) I6-24v 3.6 L - 229 kW/310 hp (only available with 5-speed manual transmission)
89-95 (EU/USA) - (no automatic transmission available)

[ Visit the complete Wikipedia entry for BMW M5 ]

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Cars - BMW M5

E28 M5 (1984-1987)

Specification

Performance

Special versions

E34 M5 (1989-1995)

Specification

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