BMW M5 E34 1991

The BMW M5 is a high-performance variant of the BMW 5 Series marketed under the BMW M sub-brand. It is considered an iconic vehicle in the sports sedan category.

The first M5 model was hand-built in 1985 on the E28 535i chassis with a modified engine from the M1 that made it the fastest production sedan at the time. M5 models have been produced for every generation of the 5 Series since 1985.

The E34 generation of the M5 was in production from September 1988 to August 1995 in both sedan and Touring (wagon/estate) body styles.

It has marked the first time the all-wheel drive was incorporated into the 5 Series with the 525iX, and the first V8 engine to be used in a 5 Series. The E34 also saw the introduction of stability control (ASC), traction control (ASC+T) a 6-speed manual transmission, and adjustable damping (EDC) to the 5 Series range.

Production of M5 models began with the painted bodyshell of an E34 5 Series at the BMW Dingolfing plant. The shells were then transported to BMW M GmbH in Garching, where the car was assembled by hand for two weeks. The M5 Touring, which was BMW M Division’s first wagon as well as the last hand-built M car, saw 891 units produced. The total production of the E34 M5 was 12254 units.

Cosmetic changes to the exterior from the standard E34 included unique front and rear bumpers and side rocker panels, contributing to a drag coefficient of 0.32 (from 0.30), and interior updates included a unique gearshift surround and rear headrests.

The E34 M 5 is powered by the S38B36, an evolution of the previous generation’s straight-6, originally with a displacement of 3.6 L and an output of 232 kW /311 HP at 6900 rpm and a maximum torque of 360 Nm (265 lb.ft) at 4750 rpm, attaining a factory 0-97 km/h (60 mph) acceleration figure of 6.3 seconds, , with a 5-speed Getrag 280 manual transmission.

Top speed was electronically limited to 250 km/h (160 mph).

In late 1991 (1992 model year), the engine was upgraded to a 3.8 L  S38B36 which increased the power to 250 kW /335 HP  with a factory 0-97 km/h (60mph) acceleration time of 5.9 seconds, and the ignition changed to a distributor-less system with each cylinder having an individual coil.

A 6-speed Getrag 420G manual transmission was introduced in 1994, which added an overdriven top gear.