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Gallery BMW 5 Series E34 M5 (1989 - 1995) M Tech / M Sport Power, Styling and Facts |
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BMW E34 M5 |
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The E34 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 hand built nature of the E34 M5.
The engines were also built by hand by BMW M technicians.
The early E34 M5 used an evolution of the 24-valve I6 found in the E28 M5 and E24 M635CSi/M6. The engine was designated S38B36, with a bore of 93.4 mm (3.7 in) and stroke of 86 mm (3.4 in) for a total capacity of 3535 ccm. 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. Originally it had a displacement of 3.5 L and produced 315 hp (235 kW), and 266 ft·lbf (361 N·m) @ 4750 rpm. Cars sold in North America and Switzerland, due to a different catalytic converter, produced 310 hp (229 kW). In second half of 1991, the engine displacement was increased to 3.8 L with the S38B38, except in North America and South Africa, which continued with the 3.5 L engine. Power was now increased to 340 hp (250 kW) SAE. Also in 1992, a Touring version was introduced in LHD form with 891 cars made. The M5 came with an unusual wheel design. From 1989-1992 the M5 featured the M-System wheels. These wheels were 17x8J, 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 claiming 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 May 1994, the M5 came with M Parallel wheels that did away with the cover. |
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