2000 BMW M5

The BMW E34 M5, introduced for 1998, effectively re-invented the idea of the sports saloon. They were not alone; Jaguar had just introduced their XJR with 365 horsepower, and Mercedes-Benz's E55 model produced 350 horsepower. BMW's E39 M5 raised the bar even further, with its muscular bodywork and its 5-liter, DOHC 32-valve, V8 with variable valve-timing and roughly 400 horsepower mated to a six-speed manual gearbox. It was capable of achieving zero-to-sixty mph in just 4.7 seconds which made it faster than a Porsche 911.

Standard features included M Driving Dynamics Control, Dynamic Stability Control, All Season Control, Dynamic Brake Control, rain-sensing windshield wipers, power heated seats, 14-speaker sound system, climate control and a BMW navigation system. Options included fold-down rear seat, electric rear sunshade, and Park Distance Control. The E39 M5 offered unparalleled driving pleasure in a traditional, unfettered manner, complete with a six-speed manual gearbox. For those drivers seeking a more refined and comfortable driving experience, BMW offered the E60 M5 with its seven-speed sequential manual gearbox, iDrive and otherworldly electronics.

The painted bodyshell of the E34 5 Series was sent from the BMW Dingolfing plant to BMW M GmbH in Garching, where the car was assembled by hand, over a two-week period. (The South African M5 version was assembled completely at the Rosslyn, South Africa assembly plant from knock-down kits supplied from Garching, Germany.)

Production of the E34 M5 lasted through August 1995. Of the 12,254 examples of the E34 M5 built, 891 were built with Touring (wagon) body styles. 8,344 examples were fitted with the 3.6-liter engine and 3,910 used the larger, 3.8-liter unit. The North American model was only available with the 3.6-liter version.

by Daniel Vaughan | Jul 2016