The BMW E39 is the fourth generation of the
BMW 5 Series
The BMW 5 Series is an executive car manufactured and marketed by BMW since 1972, succeeding the New Class Sedans, and currently in its seventh generation.
The 5 Series was initially available as a sedan, with a wagon/estate body style (market ...
range of
executive cars
Executive car is a British term for a large car which is equivalent to the European E-segment and American full-size classifications. Executive cars are larger than compact executive cars (and the non-luxury equivalent mid-size cars), and smal ...
, which was manufactured from 1995 to 2004. It was launched in the sedan body style, with the station wagon body style (marketed as "Touring") introduced in 1996. The E39 was replaced by the
E60 5 Series in 2003, however E39 Touring models remained in production until May 2004.
The proportion of chassis components using aluminium significantly increased for the E39, and it was the first 5 Series to use aluminium for all major components in the front suspension or any in the rear. It was also the first 5 Series where a four-cylinder diesel engine was available. Rack and pinion steering was used for four- and six-cylinder models, the first time that a 5 Series has used this steering system in significant volumes. Unlike its E34 predecessor and E60 successor, the E39 was not available with all-wheel drive.
The high performance
E39 M5 sedan was introduced in 1998, powered by a DOHC V8 engine. It was the first M5 model to be powered by a V8 engine.
Development and launch
Development for the E34's successor began in 1989, and ended in 1995. The final design by
Joji Nagashima
Joji Nagashima (born 1955; 永島譲二) is an automobile designer for BMW. Nagashima was born in Tokyo and educated in Japan. He is best known for the exterior designs of the E90 versions of the BMW 3 Series, the E39 version of the BMW 5 Ser ...
was selected in June 1992
and later frozen for production under new design chief
Chris Bangle
Christopher Edward Bangle (born October 14, 1956) is an American automobile designer. Bangle is known best for his work as Chief of Design for BMW Group, where he was responsible for the BMW, MINI and Rolls-Royce motor cars.
Early life
Bangl ...
. With design selection in 1992, the series development phase began and took 39 months until start of production. The domestic German design patent was filed on 20 April 1994, with an E39 prototype.
In May 1995 BMW published the first official photos of the E39. The E39 premiered in September 1995 at the
Frankfurt Motor Show
The International Motor Show Germany or International Mobility Show Germany, in German known as the ''Internationale Automobil-Ausstellung'' (''IAA'' – International Automobile Exhibition), is one of the world's largest mobility shows. It cons ...
. In December 1995 sales of sedan models began on the European mainland. Production of wagon/estate models began in November 1996.
Body styles
File:BMW 530i Sport Individual - Flickr - The Car Spy (24).jpg , E39 sedan- front
File:BMW E39 Touring front 20090204.jpg, E39 station wagon- front
File:BMW 530i Sport Individual - Flickr - The Car Spy (18).jpg, E39 sedan- rear
File:BMW E39 Touring rear 20090204.jpg, E39 station wagon- rear
Equipment
The E39 was one of the first vehicles (alongside the
E38 7 Series) to have
curtain airbags, which protect the occupants' heads in a side impact. Standard equipment on the launch models included dual front and side
airbag
An airbag is a vehicle occupant-restraint system using a bag designed to inflate extremely quickly, then quickly deflate during a collision. It consists of the airbag cushion, a flexible fabric bag, an inflation module, and an impact sensor. Th ...
s,
pretensioners and load limiters for the front seatbelts,
anti-lock brakes
An anti-lock braking system (ABS) is a safety anti-skid braking system used on aircraft and on land vehicles, such as cars, motorcycles, trucks, and buses. ABS operates by preventing the wheels from locking up during braking, thereby maintainin ...
,
traction control
A traction control system (TCS), also known as ASR (from german: Antriebsschlupfregelung, lit=drive slippage regulation), is typically (but not necessarily) a secondary function of the electronic stability control (ESC) on production motor vehicle ...
,
power steering
A power steering is a mechanical device equipped on a motor vehicle that helps drivers steer the vehicle by reducing steering effort needed to turn the steering wheel, making it easier for the vehicle to turn or maneuver at lower speeds.
Hydraul ...
, and
air conditioning
Air conditioning, often abbreviated as A/C or AC, is the process of removing heat from an enclosed space to achieve a more comfortable interior environment (sometimes referred to as 'comfort cooling') and in some cases also strictly controlling ...
. Satellite navigation was also available, initially using maps on CD-ROMs, then moving to DVD maps in 2002. Several models were available in ''Sports'' or ''Executive'' trim levels.
Special options available options on wagon models were either a roller blind or extending cargo cover with patrician net for the rear cargo area, roller sun visors for rear and side windows.
A "latent heat accumulator" was available as an option up until September 1999. The accumulator stores engine heat by converting a salt from solid to liquid form (
phase transition
In chemistry, thermodynamics, and other related fields, a phase transition (or phase change) is the physical process of transition between one state of a medium and another. Commonly the term is used to refer to changes among the basic states of ...
). The insulated tank can store heat for several days. The next time the vehicle is started, this heat is automatically used to reduce exhaust emissions (by heating the engine up to operating temperature quicker), for cabin heating and window defrosting.
Separate to the latent heat accumulator is the Residual Heat function (activated by a button labelled "REST"), which allows the demister and cabin heater to use the heat of an engine that has recently been turned off (using an electric pump to push hot coolant through the heater core).
Engines
Petrol engines
![BMW M62TUB44](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/54/BMW_M62TUB44.jpg)
At launch, the petrol engines consisted of the
BMW M52
The BMW M52 is a straight-6 DOHC petrol engine which was produced from 1994 to 2000. It was released in the E36 320i, to replace the M50. The BMW S52 engine is a high performance variant of the M52 which powered the American and Canadian market E ...
straight-6 and the
BMW M62
BMW M62 is a naturally aspirated V8 petrol engine which was produced from 1995 to 2005. A successor to the BMW M60, the M62 features an aluminium engine block and a single row timing chain.
In 1998, a Technical Update included VANOS (variable va ...
V8. In late 1998, the "technical update" (TÜ) versions of these engines were introduced, introducing
double VANOS to the M52 and
single VANOS to the M62, primarily to increase torque at low rpm.
For the facelift of the model range in the year 2000, the M52 was replaced by the
BMW M54
The BMW M54 is a naturally aspirated straight-6 petrol engine produced from 2000 to 2006. It was released in the E53 X5 and is the replacement for the M52 engine. The S54 is the equivalent high performance engine, used in the E46 M3, the Z3 M ...
straight-6 engine, however the M62TÜ remained in use for the V8 models. The M54B30 used in the 530i model topped the
Ward's 10 Best Engines 10 of the World's best engines is an annual list of the ten ''"''best''"'' automobile engines available in the U.S. market, that are selected by ''Ward's AutoWorld'' magazine. The list was started in 1994 for Model Year 1995, and has been drawn eve ...
list in 2002 and 2003.
Specifications for European models are shown below.
,,
Diesel engines
![M51 Motor](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/23/M51_Motor.JPG)
The initial diesel models used the
BMW M51
The BMW M51 is an inline-6 cylinder Diesel engine produced by the Upper Austrian BMW plant in Steyr from July 1991 through February 2000. Its predecessor is the BMW M21, the successor is the BMW M57.
Description
The M51 is a water-cooled and ...
turbocharged straight-6 engine carried over from
its predecessor. In 1998, its successor the
BMW M57
The BMW M57 is a straight-6 diesel engine produced from 1998 up to 2013 in BMW's upper Austrian engine plant in Steyr.
Description
The M57 is a water-cooled and turbocharged inline six cylinder diesel engine with common-rail-injection. It w ...
was introduced in the 530d model, however the BMW M51 engine continued to be used for two more years in the 525td and 525tds models.
In 1999, the
M47 four-cylinder turbo-diesel was introduced in the 520d model, which is the only E39 model to use a four-cylinder engine.
Specifications for European models are shown below.
,,
Drivetrain
Manual transmissions
Six-cylinder petrol models were fitted with either the 5-speed ''Getrag 250G'' or
ZF 320Z (S5-32) transmission, depending on the year and model. Diesel models with the M51 engine were fitted with the 5-speed ''ZF 260Z'' transmission, while the M57 diesel models were fitted with the 5-speed
ZF 390 (S5-39DZ) transmission.
V8 petrol models were fitted with the 6-speed
Getrag 420G transmission The 420G is a 6-speed manual transmission manufactured by Getrag. It is designed for longitudinal engine applications and is designed for use on engines producing up to of torque.
BMW used this transmission with M60 V8 models such as the European ...
.
Automatic transmissions
![740d ZF 5HP-30](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/34/740d_ZF_5HP-30.JPG)
Some pre-facelift six-cylinder petrol models were fitted with the 4-speed
GM 4L30-E (A4S270R) transmission. Six-cylinder pre-facelift cars built for the Japanese market were fitted with the
Jatco 5R01 5 speed automatic transmission. All other six-cylinder models were fitted with 5-speed transmissions, either the
GM 5L40-E (A5S360R),
GM 5L40-E (A5S390R),
or
ZF 5HP19 (A5S325Z) transmission,
depending on the year and model. V8 petrol models were fitted with either the 5-speed
ZF 5HP24 (A5S440Z) or the 5-speed
ZF 5HP30 (A5S560Z).
Differential ratios
The following differential ratios were used by the E39:
* 2.35: 530d manual
* 2.64: 525tds automatic
* 2.81: 540i manual, 530d automatic
* 2.93: 528i/530i manual
* 3.07: 528iT/530iT manual
* 3.15: 525i/525tds manual, 540i automatic
* 3.15 (LSD): M5
* 3.23: 525iT manual
* 3.46: 525i/528i/530i (5-speed) automatic
* 4.10: 528i (4-speed) automatic
Steering
Unusually, two different steering systems were used for the E39, depending on the engine. Models with four-cylinder and six-cylinder models use
rack and pinion
A rack and pinion is a type of linear actuator that comprises a circular gear (the '' pinion'') engaging a linear gear (the ''rack''). Together, they convert rotational motion into linear motion. Rotating the pinion causes the rack to be driven ...
steering,
the first time this system has been used in a 5 Series (except for the E34 525iX model). This system steers from the front of the axle.
Models with V8 engines use
recirculating ball
Recirculating ball, also known as recirculating ball and nut or worm and sector, is a steering mechanism commonly found in older automobiles, off-road vehicles, and some trucks. Most newer cars use the more economical rack and pinion steering ins ...
steering, as per the previous generations of 5 Series.
Chassis and body
Compared with its E34 predecessor, the E39's wheelbase grew by and overall length by . Torsional rigidity was increased over the E34 by 40 percent, which reduces body flex and allows the suspension to operate more accurately, also improving ride quality.
Structural dynamics were also an objective of the body design, so the body's frequencies for torsional twisting and bending are in separate ranges and above the
natural frequency
Natural frequency, also known as eigenfrequency, is the frequency at which a system tends to oscillate in the absence of any driving force.
The motion pattern of a system oscillating at its natural frequency is called the normal mode (if all pa ...
of the body. These frequencies are out of the range of engine and driveline vibrations, to avoid vibrations being amplified.
Due to a stiffer body shell, the weight of the chassis increased by , which is offset by the reduced weight of some aluminium suspension components. The wagon version was longer than the previous generation (E34) and weighed approximately more.
Suspension
The E39 was the first 5 Series to use aluminium for most components in the front suspension. The proportion of chassis components using aluminium significantly increased for the E39.
The front suspension consists of a double-jointed version of the
MacPherson strut
The MacPherson strut is a type of automotive suspension system that uses the top of a telescopic damper as the upper steering pivot. It is widely used in the front suspension of modern vehicles, and is named for American automotive engineer Ear ...
, with six-cylinder cars using an aluminium front
subframe
A subframe is a structural component of a vehicle, such as an automobile or an aircraft, that uses a discrete, separate structure within a larger body-on-frame or unit body to carry certain components, such as the engine, drivetrain, or suspens ...
. Aluminium is used for the
steering knuckle
300px, Double Wishbone Suspension
In automotive suspension, a steering knuckle or upright is that part which contains the wheel hub or spindle, and attaches to the suspension and steering components. The terms ''spindle'' and ''hub'' are someti ...
s, outer strut tube and the spring pads, resulting in a weight saving of .
V8 models also use aluminium in the steering box and several suspension links,
to compensate for the heavier steel subframe.
The rear suspension consists of a
four link design (called "Z-link"), which is similar to the system used by the
E38 7 Series. The design minimises unintentional
toe angle changes, which increases the stability of the handling.
Wagon self-levelling suspension
The Touring model was the first BMW model to use
air suspension
Air suspension is a type of vehicle suspension powered by an electric or engine-driven air pump or compressor. This compressor pumps the air into a flexible bellows, usually made from textile-reinforced rubber. Unlike hydropneumatic suspension, ...
(self-levelling suspension was first used by BMW for the
E23 7 Series with a closed-loop nitrogen system that operated in parallel with the steel springs).
This "self leveling" system controls the ride height of the rear of the vehicle and is designed to keep the center of the wheel a specified distance from the lip of the fender as the weight of the load in the cargo area varies.
Instead of using a traditional coil springs, the system uses pneumatic springs paired with air reservoirs that are pressurised by an air compressor.
The system is controlled by two
Hall effect sensor
A Hall effect sensor (or simply Hall sensor) is a type of sensor which detects the presence and magnitude of a magnetic field using the Hall effect. The output voltage of a Hall sensor is directly proportional to the strength of the field. ...
s at the rear of the vehicle.
These sensors tell the EHC (electric height control) if the rear ride height needs to be adjusted and adjust headlight height for vehicles equipped with Xenon headlights.
When a door or the rear hatch is opened and then closed the control module will constantly monitor the input signals from the HALL sensors and will activate a correction if the ride height has change greater than 10mm.
During normal operation the system stays online but does not adjust to conditions such as potholes.
M5 model
![BMW M5 (2002) - Flickr - The Car Spy (15)](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/56/BMW_M5_%282002%29_-_Flickr_-_The_Car_Spy_%2815%29.jpg)
The M5 model of the E39 was introduced in 1998 at the
Geneva Motor Show
The Geneva International Motor Show is an annual auto show held in March in the Swiss city of Geneva. The show is hosted at the Palexpo, a convention centre located next to the Geneva Cointrin International Airport. The Salon is organised by th ...
and was produced from 1998 to 2003. It was powered by the
S62 V8 engine. All E39 M5 cars were sold in the sedan body style with a 6-speed manual transmission.
Special models
Alpina B10 and D10
![BMW Alpina B10 V8 (4756503938)](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/1e/BMW_Alpina_B10_V8_%284756503938%29.jpg)
The Alpina B10 3.2, 3.3, V8 and V8S petrol-engined models were built in sedans and wagon body styles based on the E39 from January 1997 to May 2004.
The Alpina D10 was the first diesel model produced by Alpina and was introduced in February 2000. The engine, a 3.0 litre twin-turbocharged unit rated at and of torque, was based on the engine of the 530d model.
Protection line
The 540i Protection light-armored vehicle was launched in Europe in September 1997 and in North America from January 1998. These models included aramid fiber armor, bullet-resistant glass that is coated with polycarbonate to reduce
spall
Spall are fragments of a material that are broken off a larger solid body. It can be produced by a variety of mechanisms, including as a result of projectile impact, corrosion, weathering, cavitation, or excessive rolling pressure (as in a ball ...
. The 540i Protection is rated to withstand the impact of handgun fire up to and including
.44 Magnum,
the glass is also protected from attack with blunt objects such as baseball bats and bricks. The additional security measures brought an additional weight of compared to the normal 540i sedan. on request, an intercom system was available and from January 1998
run-flat tyres
A run-flat tire/tyre is a pneumatic vehicle tire that is designed to resist the effects of deflation when punctured, and to allow the vehicle to continue to be driven at reduced speeds - under – and for limited distances – usually , dependin ...
were available.
Model year changes
Most changes occur in September each year, when the changes for the following
model year
The model year (sometimes abbreviated "MY") is a method of describing the version of a product which has been produced over multiple years. The model year may or may not be the same as the calendar year in which the product was manufactured.
...
go into production, as is typical BMW practice. Therefore, the changes for 1996 represent the 1997 model year, for example.
1996
*
Station wagon
A station wagon ( US, also wagon) or estate car ( UK, also estate), is an automotive body-style variant of a sedan/saloon with its roof extended rearward over a shared passenger/cargo volume with access at the back via a third or fifth door ( ...
(estate, marketed as "Touring") body style introduced.
* 525td model introduced.
1997
* On-board computer upgraded.
*
Cornering Brake Control
Cornering brake control (CBC) is an automotive safety system introduced by carmakers BMW and Mercedes-Benz (ESP Dynamic Cornering Assist and Curve Dynamic Assist). It is a further development and expansion of the anti-lock braking system, design ...
introduced.
* Rear side airbags introduced.
1998
* M5 model introduced. Lower-body rear side airbags were standard on the M5, remaining optional for other models.
* M52 straight-six engines updated to
M52TU.
* M62 V8 engines updated to
M62TU.
* 530d model introduced, using the new
M57 straight-six turbo-diesel engine.
* Xenon headlights introduced.
*
Parking sensor
Parking sensors are proximity sensors for road vehicles designed to alert the driver of obstacles while parking. These systems use either electromagnetic or ultrasonic sensors.
Ultrasonic systems
These systems feature ultrasonic proximity dete ...
s ("Park Distance Control") introduced.
* Self-levelling rear suspension introduced for
Estate models.
*
Stability control
Electronic stability control (ESC), also referred to as electronic stability program (ESP) or dynamic stability control (DSC), is a computerized technology that improves a car handling, vehicle's stability by detecting and reducing loss of Tract ...
upgraded (from ASC+T to DSC).
* Self-Adjusting Clutch (SAC) introduced on the straight-six petrol engines.
* Air conditioning, electric rear windows and on board computer added to standard equipment
* Satellite navigation upgraded from MKI (or Mark I) to MKII. Like the MKI, the MKII uses a 4:3 screen and stores the maps on a
CD.
1999
* Rain-sensing windshield wipers introduced (June 1999)
* Front seat airbags upgraded to
dual stage
* 520d model (using M47 inline-four engine) introduced, replaces the 525td model (M51 engine).
* 525d model (using M57 engine) replaces the 525tds model (M51 engine).
2000 facelift
The E39
facelift
A facelift, technically known as a rhytidectomy (from the Ancient Greek () "wrinkle", and () "excision", the surgical removal of wrinkles), is a type of cosmetic surgery procedure used to give a more youthful facial appearance. There are mul ...
(also known as LCI) models began production in September 2000 (for the 2001
model year
The model year (sometimes abbreviated "MY") is a method of describing the version of a product which has been produced over multiple years. The model year may or may not be the same as the calendar year in which the product was manufactured.
...
).
* 520i, 525i and 530i models (using M54 engines) replace the 520i, 523i and 528i model (M52TU engines).
* 530d model receives power increase.
* Kidney grilles on all models are changed to those of the M5.
* Revised "
angel eye" headlights.
* Revised tail lights with
LED
A light-emitting diode (LED) is a semiconductor Electronics, device that Light#Light sources, emits light when Electric current, current flows through it. Electrons in the semiconductor recombine with electron holes, releasing energy i ...
running lights.
* Navigation screen updated from 4:3 to larger 16:9 widescreen.
File:BMW_E39_front_20081125.jpg, Pre-facelift front
File:BMW E39 front 20071114.jpg, Post-facelift front
File:BMW E39 rear 20081125.jpg, Pre-facelift rear
File:2000-2003 BMW 525i (E39) Executive sedan (2011-11-17).jpg, Post-facelift rear
2001
* Automatic transmission cars had the manual shift direction switched (to forwards for downshifts, backwards for upshifts).
* Front brakes were upgraded with 324mm discs and new calipers on 6 cylinder models.
* Automatic headlights introduced.
* In-dash CD player becomes standard equipment on all models.
* Power passenger seat becomes standard on 6 cylinder models and automatic climate control becomes standard on 525i.
* M Sport package introduced for the 540i
2002
* Navigation computer updated to “Mk IV” Used 2 DVD maps instead of 8 CDs).
2003
* Additional chrome trim added on the trunk (boot) and on the sides of the body.
Country-specific model ranges
Indonesia
In Indonesia, the initial model range in 1996 was the 523i and 528i, with only the 523i available with a manual transmission. Following the September 2000 facelift, the line-up consisted of 520i, 525i and 530i. Indonesian models were assembled in Jakarta from
complete knock-down
A knock-down kit (also knockdown kit, knocked-down kit, or simply knockdown or KD) is a collection of parts required to assemble a product. The parts are typically manufactured in one country or region, then exported to another country or region ...
kits.
United States
From 1997 to 1998, the E39 model range in North America consisted of the 528i and 540i, In 1999 the
M5 was introduced along with station wagon (marketed as "sports wagon") versions of the 528i and 540i. For the 2001 model year, the 528i was discontinued and replaced by the 525i (525i Touring in estate/wagon format) and 530i (with no wagon variant in the US).
In 2001, the American market 540i's power output was increased to ,
unlike other markets where the 540i's power remained at . All North American models from factory arrived pre-wired for mobile phones; it was a dealer option to have a mobile phone installed into the center console. The station wagon models were marketed as "Sports Wagon" and standard features included roof rails for mounting a
roof rack
A roof rack is a set of bars secured to the roof of a motor car. It is used to carry bulky items such as luggage, bicycles, canoes, kayaks, skis, or various carriers and containers.
They allow users of an automobile to transport objects on ...
.
In 2003 BMW sold the 540i M-Sport package as a limited production model in the United States, with 1,190 cars produced with a manual transmission. Upgrades included 18-inch wheels and various cosmetic features.
Sales in the United States for May 1999 to May 2000 were 19,294 vehicles. The following year, sales for May 2000 to May 2001 were 15,233 vehicles.
Motorsport
The M5 was used by several teams in the Italian
Superstars Series
The Superstars International Series was a production-based touring car racing championship held between 2004 and 2013. It was managed by the "Superstars World of Racing SpA", SWR, a company of FG GROUP with headquarters in Rome and sanctioned by t ...
.
Awards
''
Car and Driver
''Car and Driver'' (''CD'' or ''C/D'') is an American automotive enthusiast magazine. In 2006 its total circulation was 1.23 million. It is owned by Hearst Magazines, who purchased prior owner Hachette Filipacchi Media U.S. in 2011. It was fou ...
'' featured the E39 in its "
10Best
1 (one, unit, unity) is a number representing a single or the only entity. 1 is also a numerical digit and represents a single unit of counting or measurement. For example, a line segment of ''unit length'' is a line segment of length 1. I ...
list" six consecutive times, from 1997 to 2002. In 2001,
Consumer Reports
Consumer Reports (CR), formerly Consumers Union (CU), is an American nonprofit consumer organization dedicated to independent product testing, investigative journalism, consumer-oriented research, public education, and consumer advocacy.
Founded ...
gave the 530i its highest car rating ever, declaring it the best car they had ever reviewed to date.
Other reviewers have also praised the E39 models.
Safety
The series tested for
IIHS
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) is a U.S. nonprofit organization funded by auto insurance companies, established in 1959 and headquartered in Arlington, Virginia. It works to reduce the number of motor vehicle traffic collision ...
's "moderate overlap front" test and received 'Good' rating results, the highest available.
Production
The first pilot production models were built in February 1995, with full-scale production starting in September that year. Most cars were built at the
Dingolfing factory,
with
complete knock-down
A knock-down kit (also knockdown kit, knocked-down kit, or simply knockdown or KD) is a collection of parts required to assemble a product. The parts are typically manufactured in one country or region, then exported to another country or region ...
assembly used in Mexico, Indonesia and Russia. CKD production amounted to 17,280, with total production numbering 1,488,038 of which 266,209 units were Touring models.
References
{{BMW cars: 1980s to 2000s
Euro NCAP executive cars
5 Series
The BMW 5 Series is an executive car manufactured and marketed by BMW since 1972, succeeding the New Class Sedans, and currently in its seventh generation.
The 5 Series was initially available as a sedan, with a wagon/estate body style (market ...
Cars introduced in 1995
2000s cars