The BMW 5 Series: 3 Generations of V8 Sedans

"RooWills" (roowills) 10/15/2013 at 11:30 • Filed to: BMW, 5 SERIES, NEW ZEALAND, ROO WILLS

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Am I getting old? I asked myself that over the weekend as I sat at a 'Dyno Day' that a local BMW forum had organized. I went along in my E34 540i with two friends, one in his E39 M5 and the other in his E60 545i. All three of us have previously (and recently) owned Nissan Silvias, Skylines and Mazda RX7s. How did we all end up in large German sedans?

It didn't take me long to figure out why. These cars are amazing, and each in their own way. We all know European cars, especially the big ones, depreciate very fast and that's part of the reason as to why these cars are so great. They don't cost anywhere near what they should and the amount of car you get for your money is largely unparalleled.

While they may not be as fast as our previous 'fun' cars (although the M5 is up there) they are better in almost every other way. They are big and can fit all of your friends, family and associated gear when travelling. They are fast enough to fly past a caravan on the highway and handle surprising well. How fast? Well my E34 recorded 153kW at the wheels, Dan's 545i got up to 176kW and Dave's M5 trumped the lot at 235kw.

The 5 Series has changed a lot in the 20 years between these vehicles and while they are all quite different BMW's famous 'kidney grille' brings all three together. Having them parked together like this allowed you to really study the change in design and the move to more rounded and sleek styling.

I have never loved the look of the E60 (although the Touring looks pretty good) but Dan's one really appeals. In stock form these can look a little boring but it's amazing what a set of wheels can do to a car. The interior and modern features make riding in it an absolutely pleasure and the after-market exhaust lets the V8 sing loudly. I never thought I would consider an E60 but they are starting to grow on me after spending some time with this one.

The M5 is the obvious standout in the group and is very deserving of that title. It's the ultimate in power vs luxury of the late 90s and early 2000s. 235kW, six-speed manual and an LSD means you can have a lot of fun in a car that is big enough to haul yourself and three friends down the countryside for a weekend away. These are relatively difficult to find in New Zealand and especially one in this condition.

Finally we get to my E34, the oldest and slowest of the lot. But (and I am very biased) probably the one with the most character. The large square and sharp design immediately makes me think of some mob boss riding around with his goons in the early 90s. It was optioned with a few AC Schnitzer bits like the wheels, exhaust, spoiler and wing mirrors. I absolutely love it. The leather 'sports' seats hug you when you hop in, it revs unnecessarily high when you start it and I can't wipe the smile off my face while I drive it. I have owned more expensive and faster cars but none have left me more satisfied with my decision.

The appeal of these cars is hard to put into words and a lot of Japanese car fans won't understand what I am trying to explain - until they drive one. And then hopefully they will click to what convinced us to head down this path. I think all three of us will continue down this route too, with E55 AMGs, M5s and RS4s being thrown around as possible replacements - not any time soon though.

Thank you Germany, we approve of your large V8 sedans.

Ilike_cougars > RooWills 10/15/2013 at 11:38

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You are missing the generation that counts..

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > RooWills 10/15/2013 at 11:40

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The E34 looks great.

JasonStern911 > RooWills 10/15/2013 at 11:42

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It took me a while, but I can see the benefits of driving a luxury car over a sports car. As much as I love my 911, the amount of time I spend driving the car like it was meant to be driven is much less than the amount of time I spend stuck at traffic lights or hoping someone doesn't hit me on the freeway. Of course, the real answer then is to own both. :)

JJJenningsIII > Ilike_cougars 10/15/2013 at 11:52

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I don't believe the e28 had a V8 option, but that car is dead sexy...

Jagvar > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com 10/15/2013 at 11:57

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I always have a hard time deciding which looks better: the E34 or the E39. They're both gorgeous designs.

Milky > RooWills 10/15/2013 at 12:12

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Such pretty cars .... well done sir.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > Jagvar 10/15/2013 at 12:19

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Definitely agree.

E39 = timeless

E34 = classic

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > RooWills 10/15/2013 at 12:29

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Is your wing factory? I'd be tempted to get rid of it.

Love the Q-ship appeal of the big BMW (and Audi) sedans.

BKRM3 > RooWills 10/15/2013 at 12:54

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Cool 5ers!

Ilike_cougars > JJJenningsIII 10/15/2013 at 13:15

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True, but it dint need a V8, the S38 was a lovely little engine, 250hp at the time out of a 3.5L engine when ford was trying to make 205 out of a 5.0L v8 says a lot. Not saying it as a bad thing the Fox bodies have their own charm.

Sudman > RooWills 10/15/2013 at 13:17

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E39 M5 is the best M5 ever made

Shady Balkan Subject, Drives an Alfa > Sudman 10/15/2013 at 13:44

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E39 M5 is the best BMW ever made in my oppinion. It is the future E30 when the E30s become as rare as old Ferraris.

JJJenningsIII > Ilike_cougars 10/15/2013 at 14:31

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You took the words out of my mouth my friend. I'd take an s38 over an early m60 any day of the week. Love hearing those ITB's wail at high RPM's

Sudman > Shady Balkan Subject, Drives an Alfa 10/15/2013 at 15:32

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Time to get one while you can!

LeadfootYT > JJJenningsIII 10/15/2013 at 17:34

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Neither did the E60.

EDIT: Oops, thought you were just doing M5s.

rayesc > RooWills 10/16/2013 at 03:39

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"it revs unnecessarily high when you start it"

So does the I6 (525). I like it too :)

The Opponaut formerly known as MattP123 > RooWills 10/22/2013 at 16:03

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xxxxxx > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com 10/22/2013 at 16:33

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"It was optioned with a few AC Schnitzer bits like the wheels, exhaust, spoiler and wing mirrors."

Straightsix9904 > RooWills 10/22/2013 at 16:35

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So, Is this your daily? I have been seriously looking at getting an E34, I love BMWs of this vintage. What kind of milage and maintenance costs do you expect? Buying advice? I was looking at the straight six version because....well...I love sixes.

MatthewHokie03 > RooWills 10/22/2013 at 16:44

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Like, like....stanced e60 with M badging? no likey.

50fridge > RooWills 10/22/2013 at 16:56

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In a few years I might need to look at an E60 5 series. I would love a 550i or a 535i but I would be worried how much it would cost to maintain compared to my VW GTI. Also how much would an aftermarket LSD cost on an E60 5 series.

RooWills > Straightsix9904 10/22/2013 at 17:01

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Yeah the E34 is my daily driver. I do around 350kms per week in it. It's done 170,000kms. I've only had it about 8 months but no reliability issues so far. Coming up for a service soon. Fuel economy is horrible though, but it sounds too good to worry.

Built BMW Tough > RooWills 10/22/2013 at 17:16

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Spread the word that E39 M5's are garbage, so the prices don't go too high before I can afford one. Piece of shit german trash, stupid expensive repairs...I can't think of anything bad to say :(

Pgmoran > RooWills 10/22/2013 at 17:51

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I love my E39 M5. Of course being a BMW and a ///M make it expensive to repair (160ish for an oil change with 10W60), but the joy I get from it every day is unparalleled. It's my DD and works great for a half hour commute, plus the fact that when it gets to 80+ MPH, it drives even better than a slower speed (and even gets better MPG at those speeds). Only 95k miles on the clock and I plan on having it for at least another 100k.

timwepunkt > Sudman 10/22/2013 at 17:53

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Oh yes.. they are truely getting rare :(

leathermansouth > RooWills 10/22/2013 at 18:02

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Had a 2001 540i M-Sport, 6-speed manual in the exact color pictured - damn I loved that car and these pics just brought it allll back. Like a taut, perfect fitting sports jacket - so muscular, understated and handsome. Hauled ass too

iliketoeat > RooWills 10/22/2013 at 18:04

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What's wrong with that E60 sitting so low, the top of the tire completely disappears in the wheel well? Collapsed shocks?

colorfulyawn > RooWills 10/22/2013 at 18:26

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I still prefer my smaller, lighter Japanese cars, but I have driven an E39 M5, and yes, I understand why people like these cars so much.

LoremIpsum010101 > RooWills 10/22/2013 at 18:52

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Trailer hitch?! I guess you gotta haul sheep somehow.

Pgmoran > colorfulyawn 10/22/2013 at 19:04

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What is it about them that you like better? And what Japanese cars are we referring to?

JBB > RooWills 10/22/2013 at 19:18

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WHY ??? Why does that E60 545 V8 have an M badge ??? That is a very lame move . . .

RooWills > JBB 10/22/2013 at 19:34

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Because the vehicle is 'Motorsport' that is what the M badge means. You are getting confused between an M5 badge and just M. Any and every model regardless of engine size in the BMW fleet can be kitted out from the factory with 'Motorsport' pieces like better wheels, lip spoilers etc and these vehicles all receive an M badge. The vehicle came from the factory with the badges you see.

Manuél Ferrari > Built BMW Tough 10/22/2013 at 19:37

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Where do you live? Where I live you can find clean and low-mileage E39 M5s very cheap. If I didn't already have too many cars I would go buy one. The E39 M5 is by far the best deal you can get right now in California. Not just the best uber sports sedan deal, it's just the best deal period. I recently saw one with 50,000 miles on the clock and a clean Carfax for under $24,000.

Built BMW Tough > Manuél Ferrari 10/22/2013 at 19:44

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That's a steal, but Enthusiast Auto in CT is gonna pick that up and remarket it for 35k. I am in CA, and I see a few with 75-80k for about 20, and while its a bargain now, I'm worried that in the next few months when I am in the market the value will have already started climbing.

You are right, as of right now you can't find a better deal. They are only appreciating.

exizeo - still loving fourza > RooWills 10/22/2013 at 20:07

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bullshit

I assure you the E60 didn't have a M logo on the back when it came out of the factory.

This is like saying it's alright to sticker your Civic with genuine Si, Type R, and vtec badges.

RooWills > exizeo - still loving fourza 10/22/2013 at 20:21

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You obviously don't understand the difference between 'Motorsport' and '///M X' cars.

Motorsport

M5

Manuél Ferrari > Built BMW Tough 10/22/2013 at 20:40

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You know now that I think about it that last E39 M5 search I did wasn't as recent as I thought it was. I work so many days a week that I lose track of how fast time flies as the days, weeks and months just kind of blend together. Prices may have gone up a lot since I last searched.

Damn I need money to stockpile these cars as an investment!

nrj > exizeo - still loving fourza 10/22/2013 at 21:27

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I dunno what country these guys are in, but it is possible that the vehicle has had that M badge since it was new. In a lot of smaller markets, BMW dealers add M badges to otherwise stock non-M vehicles. I don't know why, this is just an observation I've made after seeing way too many vehicles with those badges in foreign countries.

N51fanatic > RooWills 10/22/2013 at 21:33

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I want an E34 M bad. They are at the ABSOLUTE bottom of the depreciation curve. These things are going up from here.

JayZAyEighty thinks C4+3=C7 > RooWills 10/22/2013 at 21:33

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The E34 is such a nice looking car, and the rear is one of the best examples of 90s design language. It's definitely one of my favorite BMWs, and is a perfect combination of driving fun and immersion with comfort and styling.

Mockngbrd > RooWills 10/22/2013 at 22:08

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STOP MAKING ME MISS MY E34!!!!!! Bwaarrrggh :( :( :(

aquila121 > RooWills 10/23/2013 at 00:55

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The E39 M5 was part of the "Superstar" BMWfilms short—that's reason enough for me to love it, right there.

XJguy > RooWills 10/23/2013 at 01:10

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Price insanity....no sir, no thanks.

colorfulyawn > Pgmoran 10/23/2013 at 01:57

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Generally, it's easier to find the features I want, such as double-wishbone suspension and low curb weight, in Japanese cars. I also find Japanese cars to be simpler and less expensive to work on, and require less frequent servicing in my experience.

As for the specific models, I tend to go for small and light platforms more than sedans, so mostly stuff like '90s Hondas, S2000s, FD RX-7s, Miatas, etc.

However, the Japanese have never sold a car here (US) that compares to something like an M5. If you want an impressively balanced combination of speed, grip, comfort and luxury, it's pretty tough to beat a big-motor 5-series.

Zade Kekhia > RooWills 10/23/2013 at 03:21

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Is your 540i an automatic? A quick Google search tells me that 153rwkw equates to 206rwhp. Isn't that a bit too low?

It would make sense if it's a tough dyno and a bone stock auto, but other than that, something's off.

As for the high RPM on startup... You might need an upper gasket replacement kit. Mine used to do that, especially in cold weather. Then it sputters and drops then stabilizes again.

E34 540 Touring/6 speed here. :)

Turner950 > LeadfootYT 10/23/2013 at 03:32

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The e34 M didn't have a V8 either. Just throwin' that in there.

Zade Kekhia > JayZAyEighty thinks C4+3=C7 10/23/2013 at 03:39

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Driving fun indeed. That's my 540iT/6 that I used for track and hillclimb duty. Check TheShoomakan's channel for more vids! :D

McSchmalex > RooWills 10/23/2013 at 04:18

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Stancy McStancepants called, he wants his coilovers back

McSchmalex > Ilike_cougars 10/23/2013 at 04:21

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Fact: gold wheels are only acceptable on World Rally Blue WRX's

LeadfootYT > Turner950 10/23/2013 at 06:31

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Yeah. Although I guess if he's going by 5ers, there was the 530 and 540.

Squabbler > Straightsix9904 10/23/2013 at 07:19

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I had an e34 540i. Maintenance wasn't bad, but it's no Toyota. You could do far worse.

Kanaric > RooWills 10/23/2013 at 09:45

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Which is the better buy. E34 540i or E34 M5? they have near the same power as eachother but would they cost the same to maintain? Be near as fast?

Is the E34 540i really "slow" compared to the e39 540i? It should be quite a bit lighter?

Ilike_cougars > McSchmalex 10/23/2013 at 11:47

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Watch this video , before making a judgement on this car.

Rassss > exizeo - still loving fourza 10/23/2013 at 13:50

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yeah it's like audi and honda have their S-line and merc has amg optik bodykits

exizeo - still loving fourza > RooWills 10/23/2013 at 15:10

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So where's the motorsport in that E60?

The M (MOTORSPORT) had a F1-derived S85 V10. The standard car had a pleb V8, and cushy everything. Just because it's fucking hellaflush doesn't mean shit.

M Gmbh is separate from BMW. They, like Alpina, tune and mod cars to beauty. That slammed E60 is NOT motorsport.

RooWills > exizeo - still loving fourza 10/23/2013 at 15:59

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I don't know how to explain this any clearer. The car is not trying to be an M5. It does not have an M5 badge. It has an M badge. Because it came fitted with M-sport bits like the lip spoilers, suspension etc. Every model/engine size in BMW's range can be fitted with M-sport accessories and then have an M badge added to show this. It is COMPLETELY different from M3/M5 where the cars are fitted with a entirely different engine/gearbox etc at M GmbH. Read the paragraph under 'M Cars vs. M-badged Cars' - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BMW_M

"Vehicles which have been modified by BMW Motorsport, but are not full M Cars , may feature "M" badges, whilst full M Cars will have "M" badges with the model number (e.g. " M3 " or " M5 "). In recent years, there have been 'M'-badged accessories available on BMW's standard fleet as factory options or as part of the "M Sport" package (which is more expensive than the optional Sport package). Examples of this include the E39 and E60 5 series sedans which had optional aerodynamic packages that were strongly influenced by the M5's styling."

exizeo - still loving fourza > RooWills 10/23/2013 at 17:07

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Did it have an M badge on the back from the factory?

RooWills > exizeo - still loving fourza 10/23/2013 at 17:48

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Yes.

exizeo - still loving fourza > RooWills 10/23/2013 at 17:53

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Somehow I doubt that, but you europeans/uk have dealers who do that.

Oh well. Maybe the dealer's just trying to impress.

Meanwhile, this. From e90post, a filled 37-page thread of mocking posers. http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthr…

RooWills > exizeo - still loving fourza 10/23/2013 at 18:05

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This is going around in circles. No one is posing. If that quote from Wikipedia doesn't make it clear then I do not know what will.

Obviously BMW's are optioned and sold differently where I live than where you reside.

RooWills > exizeo - still loving fourza 10/23/2013 at 18:24

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http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index…

http://www.bmwland.co.uk/forums/viewtop…

http://www.teambmw.com/faces/jUsedCar…

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BMW_M#M-C…

And I can keep finding more. My research tells me this is far more common in Germany, rest of Europe, UK, Australia, NZ. Maybe that's why you yanks think everyone is 'posing' when you see M badges but this 545i is badged EXACTLY how it was optioned when it left the factory for the Japan market.

exizeo - still loving fourza > RooWills 10/23/2013 at 18:52

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Quote?

In the US, except for M Sport badging we don't have any Ms on the back. It's not an option. You have 328i, 335i, and whatever else. But except for posers, no Ms on the back unless it's an M car.

In the US, M implies that it's an M car, developed by M Gmbh. If it wasn't...well...

JayZAyEighty thinks C4+3=C7 > Zade Kekhia 10/23/2013 at 21:57

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Wow, that wagon is incredible; nice car you've got there. Saw the videos—it's really capable, too!

McSchmalex > Ilike_cougars 10/24/2013 at 02:29

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I am from Vermont. I was probably conceived in the back of a Subaru. I have owned many a Subaru. My best friend races Subarus.

I am a huge Subaloser and very biased.

Volk S. Wagen > exizeo - still loving fourza 10/25/2013 at 17:46

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Whereas, in some other countries, they DO come with the M badge on the back if they have been optioned with the M Sport package. He is not posing, he is from a country where that is applied. I dont see how this is hard for you to grasp

n54 & s38 > N51fanatic 10/22/2014 at 13:15

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Yup. Just bought one. Hope you're right about them going up :)