BMW E39
The BMW E39 is the 5 Series made between 1995 and 2003. Various engine sizes and configurations 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, 525i, 528i, 530i, 535i, 540i, 525tds, 520d which was the only in-line four cylinder engine in this generation of cars, including the 525d, 530d and M5 vehicles complete the range.
At the time of the 5 series launch, the initial model was the 520i, which developed 112 kilowatts or150 Hp in the pre-update models, and 126 kW or 170 hp in later models. An M5 was introduced into the 5 series range in the year 1998, with a 4.9 litre S62 engine which was the birth of the performance V8 engine for the series.
Introduced in Europe in 1995, the complete vehicle redesign draws heavily from the E38, 7 series styling in much of the cars body construction and fast developing electronic technology which benchmarked the 5 series fortified design and technology. The mid level BMW saloon cars showed a lean towards evolutionary design and styling changes rather than a dramatic complete redesign of the series. The cars were first offered only as a saloon version but then desiners decided to extend the wheelbase of the series by 68 mm in length and overall length of the cars by 55 mm over the previous 5 series range, theE34.
The then new 5 Series, came in two forms, namely, the 528i and 540i which was fitted with a V8 engine. The 1996 528i introduced a new M52 in-line six cylinder engine that it shared with the E36 328i. The 540i which married the much desired 4.4 litre M62 which was capable of producing 210 kilowatts or 282 Hp out of the 4400cc dual overhead camshaft engine which was constructed from all-aluminum, which was also shared with the E38 740i series of BMW’s.
The 2.8 litre dual OHC six cylinder engine produced a respectable 141 kW or 190 Hp fitted with a ZF five-speed manual gearbox that was a standard feature for the 528i, with an optional A4S 310 R four-speed auto transmission box. Other models were also fitted with A5S310Z 5 speed Steptronic transmissions (based on the ZF 5HP18) as was for the South African market. The 540i, in contrast, could have either a Getrag six speed manual gearbox or a new five speed A5S 560Z automatic transmission with adaptive transmission control (with or without Steptronic option).
The E39 had no aluminium panels or stiffeners as this model was all steel body which was designed for all-round safety occupant protection in the event of an accident. Key points were reinforced throughout the cars chassis and body, to increase rigidity, without significantly adding to the weight. The only significant weght saver is the suspension which is mostly constructed from aluminium.
Torsional rigidity was also increased over the E34, by 40 percent. The chassis was so stiff that the rigidity was unchanged for the E60 model. This added stiffness allows the suspension to work more accurately improving more direct steering handling characteristics under excessive G’s which also allows total ride quality through the suspension, rather than in combination with body flex, leaving the brakes and tyres to suffice.
For more information CLICK HERE “BMW Engines / Parts / Engineering Services” or Call Centre : 0861 7777 22
