BMW 5 Series - E34

The E34 succeeded the BMW E28 in 1989 with two models. The 525i used the BMW M20 engine while the 535i used the larger M30. The cars were a blend of BMW tradition and modern technology. BMW's traditional FR layout and straight-6 were used, providing the smooth engine and optimal weight distribution BMW customers had come to expect. The E34 also had a much stiffer body and was more streamlined than its predecessor, looking very much like the BMW E32 7-series.

The E34 was among the most reliable luxury cars on the market, earning the best-in-class reliability rating from Intellichoice in 1991. It is still considered one of the most reliable BMWs made. It was also one of the safest cars on the road during its production, providing airbags, 4-wheel anti-lock brakes, and a very rigid body structure to protect occupants in the event of an accident. The E34's 60-0 mph stopping distance of 130 feet was the best of any production sedan in 1990. It was also equipped with dynamic stability control (DSC) or skid control in later years on higher-specification variants.

A few enhancements to the body's cosmetics and functionality, as well as a slew of engine and transmission evolutions, have appeared throughout its years of production. Among those, BMW's VANOS variable valve timing technology made its first appearance in the M50 2.5L engines built in September 1992 and later.

BMW E34 525i

The 525i was built throughout the E34 production, and in 1992 was offered as a wagon (touring version) in the USA. In June 1990, the engine was switched from the single overhead cam M20 engine to the double overhead cam M50B25 engine, raising power from 167 to 189 horsepower also increasing fuel economy by ten percent, while a change from a timing belt to a timing chain improved reliability. A further revision of the 525i engine took place in 1993, when VANOS was added to the M50 engine which was designated the M50TU. The TU represents a Technical Update, reflecting the variable valve timing technology (VANOS) added to the intake camshaft. VANOS brought a moderate horwepower increase, but flattened the torque curve from about 3,000 RMP up to redline at approximately 6,300 RPM. Power is commonly increased through slight modifications by way of a new engine management computer chip.

BMW E34525iX

The 525iX was the only four-wheel drive version in the E34 series. It was available both as a sedan and a wagon (touring version). It features a computer-controlled rear and middle differentials. The middle differential normally would divide 36% torque to the front axle and 64% to the rear axle, but could alter the ratio according to driving conditions (in case one of the axles started to slip).

BMW E34530i

The 6-cylinder E34 530i was available in Europe starting from 1988, but never in North America. It had a M30B30 3.0 liter inline-6 engine producing 185 bhp. This version of the 530i was discontinued in 1990. The 8-cylinder 530i model, often referred to as the hyundai in the BMW world, which was sold in North America, was introduced in 1992. Replacing the 535i, it had the new M60, 32 valve DOHC 3.0 liter V8 engine producing 218 bhp. It was also offered in a touring version.

BMW E34535i

The E34 535i was introduced in Europe as a 1988 model but was not available in North America until 1989. Production of the E34 535i and its engine ended in 1993, replaced by the V8 530i and 540i models. Despite the 535i designation, the M30 engine found in the E34 535i was actually 3430cc (3.4 liters). The car can get 14-17 miles per U.S. gallon (17 to 14 L/100 km) city and 20-23 mpg (U.S.) highway. A rare 535is model was available in some markets (not North America). It featured a limited-slip differential and sport trim.

BMW E34 540i

In 1993 BMW added a 4.0 liter V8 to the 5 Series lineup. It was available in both sedan and touring models (the latter not in US). Its large, torquey engine, upgraded brakes, and rare optional 6-speed transmission (offered in 1995 in North America, and from 1993 to 1996 in Europe) made it very competitive in the sports sedan market. Only 1357 examples of the 95 540i 6spd were produced.

BMW E34 540i M-Sport

A rare 540i M-Sport model was built in 1995. This package included not just a firmer suspension and sport seats, but used many parts from the M5, save for the engine and transmission. 200 "Sport" models were built, 135 of them with a 6-speed manual. Canada also got a special version – the M540i, which was similar to the American 540i Sport but had even more M5 parts, such as 345 mm floating front rotors, 18 inch M-Parallel wheels, and various trim pieces. Only 32 of these cars were built, all with a manual transmission. Australia was the final market that received one of the M5 enhanced 1995 540i 6 speeds. 70 '540i Manual Limited Edition's' were produced, all manual and all individually numbered. They all came with full M5 running gear and interior and the 'throwing star' M-System II wheels, but didn't have the M-tech exterior kit fitted.

BMW E34 M5

The M5 version of the E34 was produced from 1988-1995. It featured an S38 straight-6 engine, originally a 3.6 L with an output of 310 bhp, later upgraded to a 3.8 L producing 335 bhp.

In its last two years of production, it also sported the 6-speed manual gearbox that had been given to some of the 540i E34. This gearbox then followed through to the next generation of 5 series: the E39.

As with many M-Series cars, the body's styling was upgraded with aerodynamic and cosmetic enhancements to outline its sportier nature.

Along with a modified suspension, the M5 was outfitted with 17 and 18 inch alloy wheels. Interestingly, one of these wheel models was the 17 inch M System wheels, which had two interchangeable fascia known as Turbine and Throwing-Stars (or T-Stars). These wheels are still highly sought and praised amongst BMW enthusiasts, and are sometimes worn without any fascia.

Check the bmw e34 performance stats

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