BMW E39

The 'BMW E39' automobile platform was the basis for BMW 5 Series between 1996 to 2004. It was the successor of the BMW E34 in 1996, and was phased-out by the E60 platform in 2004. Sales to Germany and the United Kingdom started in 1995, and by 1996 sales to the remaining entities of Europe and the rest of the world had commenced. The base model was the 520i, which developed 112 kilowatts (150 hp) in the earlier models, and 126 kilowatts (170 hp) in later models. An M5 variant was introduced in 1998, with a 4.9 litre S62 V8 engine.
Various engine sizes and types have been available. The North American market saw the 525i, 528i, 530i, 540i and M5. The European range was however, more diverse, with BMW offering the 520i, 523i, 528i, 530i, 535i, 540i, 525tds, 520d, 525d, 530d and M5. From 1997-2000, the E39 model range in the USA consisted of the 528i, 540i, and M5. In 2001, the 528i was discontinued and replaced by the 525i and 530i. All models but the M5 were available as either a sedan or a Touring Wagon. The 520i, 523i, 525i and 528i were powered by 110 kw (150 hp) (earlier versions), 126 kw (170 hp) and 141 kw (190 hp) versions of the gasoline BMW M52 inline-6 engine. The 530i was powered by a 167 kw (225 hp) inline-6 shared with the E46 330i. The 540i was powered by the 210 kW (282 hp) 4.4 L V8 seen in the E38 (7 Series) and in the BMW E53 (X5).
Introduced in spring 1996 as an early 1997 model, the redesigned mid-level BMW sedan showed evolutionary styling changes rather than a dramatic redesign. Initially offered only as a sedan, the wheelbase grew by 68 mm (2.7 in) and overall length by 55 mm (2.2 in) over the E34. The new 5 Series came in two forms: with a I6 cylinder engine as the 528i, or with a V8 as the 540i. Both used engines upgraded over the prior 5 Series generation. The 2.8 L dual overhead camshaft 6-cylinder engine made 141 kw (190 hp), versus 210 kw (282 hp) for the 4.4 L V8. A 5-speed manual transmission was standard on the 528i, with an optional 4-speed automatic. The 540i, in contrast, could have either a 6-speed manual or 5-speed automatic transmission. Standard equipment on both models included dual front and side airbags, anti-lock brakes, traction control, power steering, and air conditioning. 1996 BMW 528I

Contents

Changes by model year (US)

Engine specifications

References

External links

Changes by model year (US)

★ '1996'
The 1997 model year 5 series E39 was introduced into the US market in late 1996. Models available were the 528i with a I6, and the 540i with a M62 V8.

★ '1997'
In 1997 the E39 went through minor design changes. The on-board computer, called the Multi-Information System (MID), was upgraded in mid '97.

★ '1998'
In 1998 optional rear side airbags became available, and both models also gained BMW's exclusive new Head Protection System, which consists of two tubular bags that inflate upon a side impact and pop out just above each front door. A new Sport Package for the 528i and 540i, as well as an automatic transmission 540i were added options. The Sport Package included black body trim, a sport-tuned suspension, and 17 inch wheels and tires. In September 1998, the 540i's M62B44 was updated to the M62TUB44, adding 15 ft·lbf of torque.
The high-performance M5 sedan returned to the BMW fold. Built in limited numbers, the M5 used a 400 hp V8 S62, and came with a firmer suspension, 18 inch wheels, a 6-speed manual transmission, and exclusive interior trim. Lower-body rear side airbags were standard on the M5, remaining optional for other models.

★ '1999'
1999 saw the introduction of the Touring (station wagon) body style and joined sedans in both 6-cylinder and V8 editions. Added options for 1999 were brighter xenon headlights, Park Distance Control that warns of obstacles when backing up, and self-leveling rear suspension for wagons. Standard on V8 models and newly optional for 528i versions was BMW's Dynamic Stability Control, designed to aid control in fast turns.

★ '2000'
In 2000, rain-sensing windshield wipers and xenon headlamps became standard on the 540i, and were newly available for 528i models. The 528i versions also gained the 540i's standard stability control system. All models now had daytime running lights, and fog lamps. The automatic transmission was upgraded from 4 speed to 5 speed on models built from 09/1999 on.

★ '2001'

For the '2001' model year, BMW updated the E39 with newer, clear-lens tail, side marker, and headlights which first displayed the now-popular "angel eyes" (Hella, the OEM, refers to these lights as "CELIS"). Rear tail lights and marker lights were changed to LEDs, while the rear turn signals were changed from yellow lenses to clear. The 528i was replaced by the 530i which had a new 168 kW (225 hp) M54B30 3.0 L inline-6. A new entry-level 525i was introduced featuring a 137 kW (184 hp) M54B25 2.5 L I6 and a slightly cheaper price. Meanwhile, the 540i's M62 was given more power, totalling 216 kW (290 hp). The available navigation system was changed to a wide screen version.

★ '2002'
In 2002, BMW Steptronic-equipped E39s had their manual shift direction switched to match BMW's SMG. Also, in 2002 the 540i V8 32V engine power was increased from 210 kw (282 hp) to 216 kw (290 hp) and 310 to 325 ft·lbf. All models got a standard in-dash CD player, 6-cylinder models added a standard power passenger seat, and the 525i received automatic climate control standard. Consumer Reports declared the 2002 BMW E39 the best car they had ever reviewed.

★ '2003'
2003 marked the last year for the E39 platform; they were differentiated by the addition of extra chrome trim on the trunk (boot) and on the sides of the body. In all 6-cylinder model 5-Series add a standard sunroof. The optional navigation systems upgraded from CD-ROM format (8 CDs to cover the entire USA and Canada) to single DVD-ROM. The optional sport package on the 540i carried parts from M-technic. This included a full M-tech ground effects, M-tech II suspension, 18 inch wheels, and a variety of M badging. The 2003 540 M-Sport is the highest overall performance BMW ever made with an automatic transmission as it had the same 4.4 liter M62 V8 as the 740i, 740Li, but in the smaller body. The E39 wagon (touring / estate) was continued into the 2004 model year until the touring version of the new E60 5 Series was released.

Engine specifications

Model	Engine Type	Displacement (cc)	Bore/Stroke (mm)	Comp. Ratio	Fuel System	Power (BHP)	Torque (NM)	0-100 km/h (s)	Years made
520i	L6 24V	1991	80/66	1:11.0	Multiport Fuel Injection	150 @ 5900	190 @ 3500	10.2 (man) / 11.5 (aut)	1996-2000
520i	L6 24V	2171	80/72	1:10.7	Multiport Fuel Injection	170 @ 6250	210 @ 3500	9.1(man) / 10.2 (aut)	2000-2003
523i	L6 24V	2496	84/75	1:10.5	Multiport Fuel Injection	170 @ 5500	245 @ 3500	8.5 (man) / 9.6 (aut)	1995-2000
525i	L6 24V	2494	84/75	1:10.5	Multiport Fuel Injection	192 @ 6000	245 @ 3500	8.1 (man) / 8.9 (aut)	2000-2003
528i	L6 24V	2793	84/84	1:10.2	Multiport Fuel Injection	193 @ 5500	280 @ 3500	7.5 (man) / 8.8 (aut)	1995-2000
530i	L6 24V	2979	84/89.6	1:10.2	Multiport Fuel Injection	231 @ 5900	300 @ 3500	7.1 (man) / 7.6 (aut)	2000-2003
535i	V8 32V	3498	84/78.9	1:10.0	Multiport Fuel Injection	245 @ 5800	345 @ 3800	7.4 (aut)	1996-2003
540i	V8 32V	4398	92/82.7	1:10.0	Multiport Fuel Injection	286 @ 5400	440 @ 3600	6.4 (aut)	1996-2000
M5	V8 32V	4941	94/89.0	1:11.0	Multiport Fuel Injection	400 @ 6600	500 @ 3800	5.3 (man)	1998-2003
520d	L4 16V	1951	88/84	1:19.0	Common Rail Turbodiesel	136 @ 4000	280 @ 1750	10.6 (man)	2000-2003
525d	L6 24V	2497	80/82.8	1:17.5	Common Rail Turbodiesel	163 @ 4000	350 @ 2000	8.9 (man) / 9.1 (aut)	2000-2003
525td	L6 12V	2498	80/82.8	1:22.0	Indirect injection Turbodiesel	115 @ 4800	230 @ 1900	11.9 (man)	1997-2000
525tds	L6 12V	2498	80/82.8	1:22.0	Indirect injection Turbodiesel	143 @ 4600	280 @ 2200	10.4 (man) / 11.0 (aut)	1996-2000
530d	L6 24V	2926	84/88	1:18.0	Common Rail Turbodiesel	184 @ 4000	390 @ 1750	8.0 (man) / 8.4 (aut)	1998-2000
530d	L6 24V	2926	84/88	1:18.0	Common Rail Turbodiesel	193 @ 4000	410 @ 1750	7.8 (man) / 8.0 (aut)	2000-2003

:''Figures are for European sedan models''^[1]

References

1. Autoweek Carbase for BMW 5-series

External links

★ A collection of E39 resources and documents

★ BMW Tips, a collection of E39 maintenance and upgrade articles