BMW Press have released over 30 photos of all the 5-Series they have built to date. If you own a classic 5-series you’ll probably be interested in checking out the photo gallery after the jump where you can find beauty shots of your car in its most pristine original state.
The 5-er has certainly grown larger, heavier and more powerful over the years. The first 5-er 520i used four cylinder engines making 115hp and 130hp respectively for the 520 and 520i. The most powerful first generation 5-er was the M535i, making 218 hp from its 6-pot.
The 2nd generation 5-Series made its debut with the introduction of the world’s first diesel 5-Series. Engine ranges extended from a low 90 horses up to 184 horses for the most powerful non-M 5-er. The M5 made 286 horsepower from its straight-six with individual throttle bodies. The first diesel 5-er was a 524td making 115 horses from its 2.4 litre inline-6.
The E34 was the third generation 5-series, starting from a 520i all the way up to a 535i, and then an M5. The petrol engines were exclusively 6-cylinder, and power was from as low as 115hp up to 211hp. The E45 M5 featured 6-potter engines making between 315 horses to 340 horses when it was updated in 1992. 1992 also introduced the V8-powered 530i and 540i models, using the same engines in the E32 730i and 740i. The E34 was also the first 5-er to feature electronically controlled all-wheel drive in 1991.
The fourth generation is my favorite 5-er. By now, more and more creature comforts have started being featured in the 5-er’s cabin including a multifunction steering, GPS navigation, active seats, DSC stability control, and etc. It was the first large-scale production car worldwide made almost completely of light alloy. You started off with a 150hp 520i inline-6, but the most powerful models were the 540i and M5, with the M car making 400 horsepower from its 4.9 litre V8 engine. Compare this to 218hp from the original M535i.
And then of course came the E60 which we only just recently said goodbye to. Well, not exactly since it is still on sale here in Malaysia pending the launch of the F10. The E60 also still holds the M5 crown since the F10 M5 has yet to be unveiled. The E60 had a controversial love or hate Chris Bangle design. How many of you used to dislike the E60 but now have grown fond of it since it has been replaced by the F10?
Because of the 7 year model lifecycle between BMW cars, you can see huge changes between models because of the progression of automotive technology. This car was complicated and full of tech – iDrive, DSC, Active Steering, Adaptive Drive, Head-Up Display, BMW Night Vision, Active Cruise Control with Stop & Go and Lane Departure Warning and etc.
From 2005 to 2008, the E60 BMW 5 Series was the best-selling car in its segment for four years in a row, with worldwide sales of this model generation amounting to more than a million units by the end of 2007. But not in Malaysia of course, where the E-Class rules in terms of official sales (no way to count the grey imports!).
Look after the jump for a full gallery of the 5-er lineage.
[zenphotopress number=999 album=1043]
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is it just me or there is just two pics in the gallery?
i’ve grown to love the bold n sporty design of the current 5. but after i saw the latest gen on the web, i’ve grown to love that as well!
lovely pics
Great cars… though with problems… still, all cars do..
And kudos to BMW, for a range that has been unbeatable thus far.
E34 design made history for BMW 5 series – everyone’s dream when launched
E39 the tank – what 5 series should be
E60 the mata sepet, the bland interior
i think E60 is a very good looking car compared to the new F10 and Paul favorite…
i don’t understand how they think the E60 is ugly, it redefines new BMW design and it succeeds…its the best selling BMW 5-er ever and people just hate it…why?
compared to the Merc E-class w211 and audi A6 C6 pre-facelift, the E60 is very good looking…
i think the F10 is very ugly and the new 7 series…ugh….it sucks badly….
same with me, i like the E60 most. if it can have those new diesel engine, it would be better. othe aspect of it is already good. really like the masculine looks…
fully agree with you, e60 is the most handsome 5 series.
Yup, E60 was the most handsome 5s, but meanwhile, i just still love the E39, is was classic & elegance, soul of beauty.
E39 has a timeless and classic design. That was and still is its essence. That’s why for decades to come, it will continue to look elegant where other generations which had radical looks (like E60) run the risk of looking outdated.
Agreed!
I think the E34 came with a 518i also. I’ve seen one in the UK.
Yes I agree with you, one of my pakistani classmate in my uni. in Leeds drove a 518i back in 1998….
an E34 518i that is….
I have one here, in Malaysia. Grey import, daily runner until today. Sept 1995 model.
Alex Khoo says:
14/4/2010 at 12:02 am
I think the E34 came with a 518i also. I’ve seen one in the UK.
in malaysia you can’t get a 518i though.. but can buy a e34 and convert to m40b18(the same 1.8 in 518 e34), but there’s no point..weak engine
mmm… is the new F10 here already? are u going to do a grand write up cum official welcome for the malaysian market… i hope so.
Btw… E39 Rulez…. still looking for one. hopefully i could get one by the mid of this year.
E12 to E 39 – design with true German-ness.
E60 – design with Asian in mind? (mata sepet)
4th Generation E-39 should be one of the best 5series they produce so far i had mine 528i in 1997 and sold it off in 2005 still miss that ride!
the E60 will always be my favourite…muacks!!
e60 is the worst bmw ever. the f10 bring back memory of the shark nose.
As the latest generation of 5er,F10 may look better and it depends.But I still drive an E60 which serves me well from every aspect,may not be the best and most beautiful ultimate driving machine around (M should be nicer),but saying E60 is the worst BMW ever from inside your Mxxxx , well…,I do not know what to say about you bro…..
miss my E34 so much :(
The E34 is pure elegant timeless classic. Those Ronin car chase is epic!
Paul, missing a F10 pic? Or was it it meant to have two E60 pics.
macho, masculine and aggressive looking of e60.
new f10, too indulgence.
bring this f10 for rich folk, i want to buy e60 when the price going down. my dream car.
totally agreed with wat u said :) My dream car as well!!
Hey rich fellows, start booking ur new f10 and sell ur e60 cheap cheap, haha
The E60 will go down to the pages of history as one of the best looking car ever made…..will miss the design once f10 comes out.
anyone know where to rebuild e34?
*sorry off topic
no point to rebuild E34, it’s not collector choice, just go to kedai potong and get a RB20 or 25, more practical, right?
E39 is the best all time ..but E60 has elevate the machine to next level…
Adrian van Hooydonk from Bangle butt……will it success?
Beautiful… Sweet…. Passion…
for me, it has to be the e28!! classic shark nose, slim body design, agile and wild!
best looking = E60
simply ugly = F10
I think i had the same opinion when the E60 came out. I said lots of nasty things about it.
Now I think its pretty hot.
The same will go with the F10. I will probably say I hate it and it looks odd, but I think it will grow on you. Trust me.
Same cant be said bout the mercs.
No wor…when E60 lauched, I was totally admire with her beauty & appearance, but when this one F10 came out…it just feel a bit dated and disappointed..
Same here.
yalo…F10 looks not so masculine, too normal…
E60 young & energetic appearance…
Am still waiting for some people to come here and say how BMW have copied the designs of a some P1 models :)
always and for most best looking car… be my next car.. The BMW E60..
Jeremy Clarckson said the e39 is a perfect car. Its one of his remarks which i agree with.
mind you he’s not even a bmw person, so that is saying something about the greatness of the e39. im dreaming to get a 530i e39.. lol
nice… reminds me of my old E34 :-)
E60 will go down as the best design executive saloon in the history. The design of this car really irritate the competitor. If I drove an E-class or A6, I would not want to park beside an E60, because I would appear weak and lame.
For me the E34 is the most evergreen design..
We used to own 2 of the 1st model 5-er the E12.1 was 525 after that changed to a 520 model.but the 520 engine was changed to Toyota 1G auto.Engine was reliable but take out some of its character.Rear comfort not so great,but from driver’s seat it was brilliant.There was a E12 518 4-cyl but the consumption was heavier than the 520.Mind you the early 5-er is a heavy car,even in those days.
If you happen to see 1 E12,try to look at the meter cluster (the 4 main dials).The design is still being used until present BMWs.Only the E28 & E21 3-er was a little different in design.
All the 5-er are great cars no matter what models.I like especially the e34 n e39.
bmw e12 is super rare now in malaysia.. e28 you can still see occasionally. e12 m535i is classic.
Beautifully engineered cars.
Unfortunately not as robust and durable as a Benz.
Agreed. How many old BMW still running compared to old Merc?
Shame, Id love a E34 535, but then a W124 300E would last better and is still viable 10 years from now. Bimmers dont last very well.
i’m in dilemma whether to wait for the f10 or just grab the current e60 especially the 520d… pls help me….
The best looking 5 series still the E60…..than the F10….F10 look similar to 7 series….
e39 interior>e60 interior. the e60 interior is quite bland.
i wonder which car is faster, e28 m5 or mk6 golf gti on a rolling start? if from start of course gti.
why u say e39 interior is better than e60?
my beemer history:- fell in love with the e21 when i was a child..my uncle had a 525i in singapore..open up my eyes, heart and mind to the bmw brand..it was solid, sporty and sounded very soulful..then both my australian uncle and my malaysian brother in law had e28s, 528i and 520i..both great cars..then my malaysian brother in law bought a 520i (e34) and traded up to a 525i (e34)..bought over the car from him until i had a nasty accident in that car and was totally written off but i came out of the accident unscathed with just a minor cut on my hand..finally i got a beemer of my own in 2001, a 520i (e39) which till today i still own. not only is it a beautiful car which is both timeless and elegant in design but as one reader mentioned, the design will last for decades more..was tempted to buy the e60 but was put off by the ugly bangle butt..now planning to get the new f10 if there are no electronic gremlins lurking within..will wait and see..by the way, also bought a mercedes along the way, an act which i regret, not beacuse the car is not beautiful but the drive is no where as wonderous as a beemer 5er..when i got the merc, was really tempted to sell off my well maintained and well loved e39 520i but the car was and still is kept in such a wonderful condition plus it is the best car ever, i cannot forgive myself if i was to sell it off…it looks great, sounds good and drives very well for an 8 year old car..
Am considering to get an E39.. 523 or 525…
but many friends advise me not to. They say E39 is a problematic car. A beauty but many problem. one of them sold it because the car is park in workshop more than in his house.
Any advise from those, who is currently driving an E39.. Paul?
the e34 actually starts with a 518i not 520i
I own a E39 2003 model, with full AB service record. I managed owning two models of the Nissan Cefiro A32 & A33 in 2004 until 2009 than liked the car so much upgraded to A33 both models Excimo 2.0 V6 engine. Until 2009 i got my E39 2003 last batch full accessories. Until today i would gladly say it is a Ultimate Driving Machine with Sheer Driving Pleasure.
Every car needs proper maintenance, disagree saying that BMW stays in the workshop more than own house garage…… cheers