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BMW 5 Series (E39)
Overview
Production	1995–2003
Body and chassis
Class	Executive car (E)[1]
Body style	4-door sedan 5-door wagon/estate
Layout	FR layout
Powertrain
Engine	Petrol: 2.0-2.8 L M52 I6 2.2-3.0 L M54 I6 3.5-4.4 L M62 V8 4.9 L S62 V8 Diesel: 2.0 L M47 turbo I4 2.5 L M51 turbo I6 2.5-2.9 L M57 turbo I6
Dimensions
Wheelbase	2,830 mm (111.4 in)
Length	Sedan: 4,775 mm (188.0 in) Wagon: 4,806 mm (189.2 in)
Width	1,800 mm (70.9 in)
Height	Sedan: 1,435 mm (56.5 in) Wagon: 1,440 mm (56.7 in)
Curb weight	1,480–1,800 kg (3,260–3,970 lb)
Chronology
Predecessor	BMW 5 Series (E34)
Successor	BMW 5 Series (E60)

Interior: pre-facelift

Interior: post-facelift (with M-sport steering wheel)

The BMW E39 is the fourth generation of BMW 5 Series, which was sold from 1995 to 2003. It was launched in the sedan body style, with the wagon/estate 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 December 2003.^[2]

The proportion of chassis components using aluminium significantly increased for the E39, and it was the first 5 Series to use aluminium components in the front suspension. It was also the first 5 Series where a four-cylinder diesel engine was available. Rack and pinion steering was used for the first time in a 5 Series, being fitted to the four-cylinder and six-cylinder models. Unlike its E34 predecessor and E60 successor, the E39 was not available with all-wheel drive.

The M5 sedan was introduced in 1998, powered by the 4.9-litre S62 V8 engine.

Development and launch

Development for the E34's successor began in 1989,^{[citation needed]} and ended in 1995. The final design by Joji Nagashima was selected in June 1992^[3][4] and later frozen for production under new design chief Chris Bangle. With design selection in 1992, the series development phase began and took 39 months till start of production. The domestic German design patent was filed on 20 April 1994, utilizing an E39 prototype.^[5]

In May 1995 BMW published the first official photos of the E39.^[6] The E39 premiered in September 1995 at the Frankfurt Motor Show.^[7][8] In December 1995 sales of sedan models began on the European mainland.^[9] Production of wagon/estate models began in November 1996.^[10](p7)

Body styles

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  E39 Sedan- front
  

  
  

  
  


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  E39 Touring- front
  

  
  

  
  


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  E39 Sedan- rear
  

  
  

  
  


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  E39 Touring- rear
  

  
  

  
  

Equipment

A "latent heat accumulator" was available as an option up until September 1999.^[11][12] The accumulator stores engine heat by converting a salt from solid to liquid form (phase transition).^[13][14] 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.^[15]

Separate to the latent heat accumulator is the Residual Heat function (activated by a button labelled "REST"),
^[16](p104) 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).

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.^[17]

Standard equipment on the launch models included dual front and side airbags, pretensioners and load limiters for the front seatbelts,^[18]anti-lock brakes, traction control, power steering, and air conditioning.^[19][20] Satellite navigation was also available, initially using maps on CD, then moving to DVD maps in 2002.

Engines

At launch, the petrol engines consisted of the M52 straight-six and M62 V8,^[21] which were both new engines at the time. In 1998, the "technical update" (TU) versions of these engines were introduced, which introduced double VANOS to increase torque at low rpm.^[22] At the 2000 facelift (LCI), the M52 straight-six engine was replaced by its successor the M54, however the M62TU remained in use for the V8 models.^[23] The M54B30 (in the E46 330i and E39 530i) topped the Ward's 10 Best Engines list in 2002 and 2003.^[24]

The initial diesel models used the M51 straight-six turbo-diesel engine. In 1998, its successor the M57 was introduced, however the M51 also remained in production for two more years. 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.^[25]

Drivetrain

ZF 5HP-30 automatic transmission

Manual transmissions

• 5-speed ZF S5-39DZ^[26] (525d,530d)


• 5-speed S5D 250G (523i,528i from 1996, 520i, 525i)


• 5-speed S5D 260Z (525td)


• 5 speed S5D 320Z (523i up to 1996, 530i, 535i)


• 6-speed Getrag 420G^[26] (540i, M5)

Automatic transmissions

• 4-speed GM 4L30-E (A4S270R)^[27] (523i and 528i- up to 1999)


• 5-speed GM 5L40-E (A5S360R) ^[27] (523i and 528i- 1999–2000)


• 5-speed GM 5L40-E (A5S390R)^[27] (520i, 525i, 530i and 530d)


• 5-speed ZF 5HP19 (A5S325Z) ^[27] (523i, 525i, 528, 530i)


• 5-speed ZF 5HP24 (A5S440Z)^[27] (540i after 1996, 535i)


• 5-speed ZF 5HP30 (A5S560Z)^[28] (540i model- 1996 only)

Note that the 523i, 525i, 528i and 530i had several overlapping automatic transmission options for some years.

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 steering,^[29] the first time this system has been used in a 5 Series. This system steers from the front of the axle.^[30] Models with V8 engines use recirculating ball steering, as per the previous generations of 5 Series.^[30]

Chassis and body

Compared with its E34 predecessor, the E39 wheelbase grew by 68 mm (2.7 in) and overall length by 55 mm (2.2 in). 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.^[30] Due to a stiffer body shell, the weight of the chassis increased by 10 kg (22 lb),^[31] which is offset by the reduced weight of some aluminium suspension components.

Structural dynamics was also an objective of the body design, so the body's frequencies for torsional twisting and bending are in separate ranges and above natural frequency. These frequencies are out of the range of engine and driveline vibrations, to avoid vibrations being amplified.^[30]

Suspension

The E39 was the first 5 Series to use aluminium components in the front suspension. The proportion of chassis components using aluminium significantly increased for the E39.^[32]

The front suspension consists of MacPherson struts,^[33][34] with six-cylinder cars using an aluminium front subframe. Aluminium is used for the steering knuckles, outer strut tube and the spring pads, resulting in a weight saving of 21 kg (46 lb).^[30] V8 models also use aluminium in the steering box and several suspension links,^[30] 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.^[30]

Models

Petrol engines

M54 straight-six engine in an E39 525i

M62TU V8 engine in an E39 540i

Figures shown are for European models.^{[35](p18),[36](p40),[37]}

Diesel engines

M51 straight-six turbo-diesel engine

Figures shown are for European models.^{[35](p18),[36](p40),[37]}

In Indonesia, the initial model range in 1996 was the 523i and 528i,^[38] 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 kits.

North American model range

From 1997–1998, the E39 model range in North America consisted of the 528i and 540i, In 1999 the M5 was introduced. In 2001, the 528i was discontinued and replaced by the 525i and 530i.

In 2001, the American market 540i's power output was increased to 216 kW (290 hp),^[39] unlike other markets where the 540i's power remained at 210 kW (282 hp).^[40]

Sales in the United States for May 1999 to May 2000 were 19,294 vehicles.^[41] The following year, sales for May 2000 to May 2001 were 15,233 vehicles.

M5 version

M5 (post-facelift)

M5 (post-facelift)

The M5 version of the E39 was Introduced in 1998 at the Geneva Motor Show 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

Alpina B10 V8

The petrol engined Alpina B10 3.2, 3.3, V8 and V8S models were built as sedans and wagons based on the E39 from January 1997 to May 2004.^[42]

In February 2000, Alpina introduced the Alpina D10 Biturbo, the first six-cylinder diesel model produced by Alpina. The engine, a 3.0 liter twin turbocharged unit with 180 kW (241 hp) and 500 N⋅m (369 lb⋅ft) of torque, was based on the engine of the BMW 530d.^[42]

Protection line

The 540i Protection light-armored vehicle was launched in Europe in September 1997 and in North America from January 1998.^[43] These models included aramid fiber armor, bullet-resistant glass that is coated with polycarbonate to reduce spall. The 540i Protection is rated to withstand the impact of handgun fire up to and including .44 Magnum,^[44] the glass is also protected from attack with blunt objects such as baseball bats and bricks.^[45] The additional security measures brought an additional weight of 130 kg (287 lb) compared to the normal 540i sedan.^[46] on request, an intercom system was available and from January 1998 a run-flat tire was available.^[44]

Model year changes

Most changes occur in September each year, when the changes for the following model year go into production, as is typical BMW practice. Therefore, the changes for 1996 represent the 1997 model year, for example.

1996

• 
  Wagon/Estate body style (called Touring) introduced.


• 525td model introduced.

1997

• On-board computer upgraded.


• 
  Cornering Brake Control introduced.


• Rear side airbags introduced.


• Sport Package introduced.


• Automatic transmission option introduced for 540i.


• North American sales commence, starting with the 528i and 540i models.

1998

• M5 model introduced.^[47] Lower-body rear side airbags were standard on the M5, remaining optional for other models.


• M52 straight-six engines updated to M52TU.^[48]
  


• M62 V8 engines updated to M62TU.^[49]
  


• 530d model introduced, using the new M57 straight-six turbo-diesel engine.


• Xenon headlights introduced.


• 
  Parking sensors ("Park Distance Control") introduced.


• Self-levelling rear suspension introduced for Estate models.


• 
  Stability control upgraded (from ASC+T to DSC).


• Sport Package replaced by "M Sport" package.


• Self-Adjusting Clutch (SAC) introduced on the straight-six petrol engines.


• Satellite navigation upgraded from MKI (or Mark I) to MKII.^[50][51] 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)^[52]
  


• Front seat airbags upgraded to dual stage^{[53]:page 5}
  

2000 facelift

The E39 facelift (also known as LCI) models were introduced in the 2001 model year (produced from September 2000).

• 520i, 525i and 530i models (using M54 engines) replace the 523i and 528i model (M52TU engines).


• 525d model (using M57 engine) replaces the 525td model (M51 engine).


• 530d model receives power increase.


• 520d introduced, powered by a four-cylinder diesel engine.


• Revised "angel eye" headlights.^[54]
  


• Revised tail lights with LED brake lights.


• Navigation screen updated from 4:3 to larger 16:9 widescreen.^[55]
  

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  Pre-facelift front
  

  
  

  
  


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  Post-facelift front
  

  
  

  
  


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  Pre-facelift rear
  

  
  

  
  


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  Post-facelift rear
  

  
  

  
  

2001

• Automatic transmission cars had the manual shift direction switched (to forwards for downshifts, backwards for upshifts).


• Automatic headlights introduced.


• 540i power increased from 210 kW (282 hp) to 216 kW (290 hp) in the American market.^{[53]:page 12}
  


• In-dash CD player becomes standard equipment on all models.^{[53]:page 12}
  


• Power passenger seat becomes standard on 6 cylinder models and automatic climate control becomes standard on 525i.^[56]
  

2002

• Navigation upgraded from CD-ROM format (8 CDs to cover the United States and Canada) to a single DVD-ROM.^[57]
  

2003

• 540i M-sport limited edition model produced.


• Additional chrome trim added on the trunk (boot) and on the sides of the body.

Motorsport

The M5 was used by several teams in the Italian Superstars Series.^[58]

Awards

Car and Driver featured the E39 in its "10Best list" six consecutive times, from 1997 to 2002.^[59][60] In 2001, Consumer Reports gave the 530i its highest car rating ever, declaring it the best car they had ever reviewed.^[61]

Other reviewers have also praised the E39 models.^{[62][63][64][65][66][67]}

Safety

Euro NCAP scores (1998)^[68]

Adult Occupant:
Pedestrian:

The series tested for IIHS's "moderate overlap front" test and received 'Good' rating results, the highest available.^[69]

Production

The first pilot production models were built in February 1995, with full-scale production starting later in the year.^[70] Most cars were built at the Dingolfing factory,^{[32](p40,46–48)} with complete knock-down assembly used in Mexico,^[71] Indonesia and Russia.^[72]

References

Wikimedia Commons has media related to BMW E39.