The car from the BMW concern in the back of the E39 began to be developed back in 1989. Only 6 years later, the new generation of the 5 series was presented to the general public. This happened in autumn 1995 at an exhibition in Frankfurt.

"Entwicklung 39" is the code name for the fourth generation of BMW's fifth series.

E39 - the fourth generation of the fifth BMW series. According to the technical documentation at the factory, the car was called Entwicklung 39. Translated from German, this word means: “expansion”, “evolution”, “development”, “process”. Such words are the best suited for this car model from Bavarian design engineers. When developing it, reviews of BMW in the previous body with the E34 index were taken into account. The main claims then were to the suspension, so in the fourth generation it was she who was given a lot of attention.

Specifications

Indicator/modification	520i		520i Touring		525i	530i	520d	525tds	M5
	Before 2000	Since 2001	Before 2000	Since 2001
Engine volume, cu. cm	1991	2171	191	2171	2494	2979	1951	2498	4398
Power, hp	150	170	150	170	192	231	136	143	286
Maximum speed, km/h	220	226	212	223	238	250	206	211	250
Fuel consumption (urban cycle), l per 100 km	12,6	12,2	13,7	12,8	13,1	13,7	7,8	11,5	17,7
Acceleration time to 100 km/h, sec.	10,0	9,0	11,0	10	8,0	7,0	11,0	10,0	6,0
Length, mm	4775		4808	4805			4775
Height, mm	1800		1800	1800			1800
Width, mm	1435		1440	1445			1435

What was new in the fourth generation?

"Five" of the fourth generation was the first BMW car with a lightweight suspension. German engineers managed to reduce the overall weight of the car by 38%. This result was achieved through the use of components and parts made of aluminum. The light suspension made it possible to create a car with increased smoothness and significantly added ride comfort.

Aluminum was also used to make some body panels. This innovation helped protect it from corrosion. Body E39 perfectly resists rust.

The fourth generation of the BMW 5 Series Touring

The E39 was the first BMW to feature a stainless steel exhaust system. This greatly increased the life of the muffler.

The fourth generation of the BMW car was characterized by increased sound insulation. Double glass was used for the side windows. This significantly reduced the penetration of noise into the cabin.

Base model BMW E39. Salon equipment

The 520i is considered the backbone of BMW's 5 Series sedan lineup. It was equipped with a 2-liter power unit with a capacity of 148 horses. The average fuel consumption is 9 liters per 100 kilometers. Two years later, in 1997, the concern launched a station wagon into a series. The word was added to the index of the universal model Touring. This car consumes up to 13 liters in the "city" mode, 6.9 liters per hundred in the "highway" mode.

Fuel consumption in mixed mode is 9 liters per 100 kilometers

In the basic configuration, there are options that were previously available only for extra money. Here is their list:

• climate control;
• multifunction steering wheel;
• Cruise control;
• bluetooth;
• automatic heated mirrors.

On request, the car can be equipped with a heated steering wheel. The activation control is located on the steering wheel itself, which is very convenient. The steering column can be adjusted in two directions. Three steering positions can be memorized.

Comfortable front seats are adjustable. Not only the backrest tilt and seat height are adjustable, but also the length of the lower part. Now you can adjust the slope of the upper backrest separately from the bottom. This design was called "BMW breaking back". The front seats are equipped with three-position memory.

During the crash test, the E39 received four stars

A signature feature of this sedan is the floor-mounted accelerator pedal. Some BMW owners have pointed out that it is a bit stiff. But everyone unanimously stated that the gas pedal is very sensitive.

During the crash test, the E39 received four stars from the international organization EuroNCAP. In addition to AirBag pillows, the business sedan has a system for tightening seat belts in an accident.

EuroNCAP is a European international organization founded in 1997. Its main activity is the conduct of independent crash tests. Based on the test results, the committee issues passive and active safety ratings.

The wide rear sofa can accommodate three people. True, the average passenger will feel uncomfortable with the placement of the legs, he will be hindered by a rather wide transmission tunnel in the middle.

Remarkable is the fact that the luggage compartment of the sedan has a volume of 460 liters, which is 50 liters more than that of the station wagon. But in the station wagon, it is possible to open the glass of the fifth door without opening the trunk itself.

Power units E39

Under the hood of the E39, engines with an aluminum block were installed. It was in the 90s that German car manufacturers began to use all-aluminum cylinder blocks. The Bavarians did not even think that someone would bore and repair their engines. To increase the life of the motor, the cylinders inside were coated with a special substance called nikasil. It is an alloy of nickel and silicon. But as practice has shown, the nikasilon coating is quickly destroyed by low-quality fuel. Therefore, since 1998, they began to install cast-iron sleeves in blocks.

At the start of serial production, the business sedan was equipped with a line of three gasoline engines and one diesel engine. The engine of the previous "five" was taken as a basis. Below is a list of modifications with the corresponding power units:

• petrol models 520i - M52TU B20, 523i - M52TU B25, 528i - M52TU B28;
• diesel 525tds - M5

The M52 powertrain series is a six-cylinder block. The weakest develops power up to 150 horses. An engine with a volume of 2.3 liters produces 170 horsepower. On city roads, this car consumes a little more than 13 liters. The most powerful gasoline engine is capable of developing 193 hp. The diesel engine has a capacity of 143 horses. In urban mode, diesel fuel consumption is 11.5 liters, on the highway - 6.2 liters.

Double-VANOS system - camshaft control

Since 1998, the BMW concern has launched the production of the top model M5. The main difference of this model was in the engine. A V-shaped "eight" was installed under the hood. It was the first car with a power unit that developed 400 horsepower! Its volume was 5 liters. In addition, the M5 model used the new Double-VANOS system - control of two camshafts. The fuel supply system was also changed: eight throttle valves supply the air-fuel mixture to eight cylinders. The average fuel consumption is up to 14 liters per hundred kilometers.

Structural changes and restyling

In 1999, Bavarian designers carried out several upgrades of the BMW E39. The exterior has not been changed. The main design changes affected the engines. Two camshafts were installed on six-cylinder engines. In the same year, a new M57D30 engine was added to the line of diesel power units - a 6-cylinder engine with a new Common Rail injection system. The injection for this car was developed by Bosch.

In 2000, German engineers carried out a large-scale restyling of the fourth generation. This time, they made adjustments to the appearance and added three new power units. The exterior of the car received new marker lights, a modified grille and a new front bumper. For the first time, BMW used the new Celis-Technik technology, later it was called "angel eyes".

6-cylinder engine with new common rail injection system

Since 2000, they began to install new engines with the M54 index. These in-line engines had six cylinders and a Double-VANOS control system. Modernization made it possible to obtain more powerful engines. Model 520i has become more powerful by 20 horses. Now under its hood fits 170 horses. 525i with M54B25 engine develops 192 hp. with a torque of 245 Nm. The top model with the 530i index received the M54B30 with an impressive herd of 231 horses under the hood. The maximum speed of this “five” is 250 km / h, gas consumption in urban mode is 13.7 liters per hundred.

At the beginning of 2000, a new model with a diesel engine also appeared. This "five" wore the index 520d. Having a 2-liter diesel engine with a power of 136 hp, it accelerated to hundreds in just under 11 seconds.

The fourth generation was produced until 2003, the BMW M5 until 2004. The E39 body was replaced by the fifth generation E60. According to the editors of the authoritative publication AutoBild, the BMW E39 is the most successful business class sedan in terms of driving performance and with an excellent line of power units.

Vide review

Sales market: Russia.

In 2000, the BMW E39 sedan model line received an extensive list of changes. The updated “five” has changed lighting technology - new headlights now with light rings (the so-called “angel eyes”), fog lights (standard for all models) have changed shape and are now round, modified combined lights with LED brake lights appeared at the back. The car also features new bumpers and side mirrors, a new widescreen multimedia system. The updated engine range includes modernized and new gasoline and diesel units, the power of which lies in the range of 136-286 hp. For the Russian market, the Avtotor plant in Kaliningrad produces the 525i and 530i sedan models with the new M-54 engine in 2.5 or 3.0 liter versions.

The main change in the cabin of the BMW E39 is a 6.5-inch 16:9 infotainment screen, which was installed to replace the previous 4:3 screen. The software for "multimedia" has been changed - there are more functions. In general, the equipment of the "five" is excellent: full power accessories, air conditioning, on-board computer. For a surcharge, it was possible to retrofit the car with many options from an impressive list, including premium ones: leather interior or combined upholstery, climate control, multifunction steering wheel, heated steering wheel, power seats, sports seats or luxury seats with massage. The updated cars have a wireless handset, Bluetooth interface and other options.

Model range BMW E39 release 2000-2003 retains a wide variety of modifications. Back in early 2000, a 2-liter 4-cylinder M47 diesel engine with direct fuel injection appeared under the hood of the new basic version of the BMW 520d. The 525tds was replaced by the 525d with a 2.5-liter 163-horsepower 6-cylinder M57 turbodiesel, and the output of the 2.9-liter unit of the same series in the 530d model increased from 184 to 193 hp. The petrol range includes a new series of M54 straight-sixes with the Double-VANOS system, which received the BMW 520i (2.2 l, 170 hp), 525i (2.5 l, 192 hp) and 530i ( 3.0 l, 231 hp). Under the hood of the top versions of the sedan 535i (3.5 l, 245 hp) and 540i (4.4 l, 286 hp), V8 gasoline units of the M62TU series are still installed. Within this generation, the sports model of the M5 sedan with a 5.0-liter V8 with 400 hp continued to be produced.

The front suspension of the BMW E39 is independent, double wishbones with a subframe connected to the body through rubber mounts. The rear suspension is independent four-link, with floating silent blocks. Together with the main gear, it is also assembled on a subframe elastically connected to the body. The E39's suspension design makes extensive use of aluminum, from which the control arms, tie rods, front and rear suspension subframes, suspension strut mounts, and shock absorber outer tubes are made. Additionally, for the E39, an electronic damping control (EDC) system was offered, as well as rear axle air shock absorbers with ride height control, which is considered a rarity for a sedan (more often, the E39 Touring station wagon was equipped with a rear air suspension). The E39 steering features two options: base models use rack and pinion (a first for the 5 Series), while V8 models retain the traditional ball-and-socket design of previous generations. BMW E39 sedan body dimensions: length 4775 mm, width 1800 mm, height 1435 mm. Wheelbase 2830 mm. The minimum turning radius is 5.65 m. The ground clearance for the "Europeans" was 120 mm, but for the Russian market it was increased to 155 mm. Trunk volume 460 liters.

The body of the BMW 5-Series E39 sedan is characterized by high torsional rigidity. Standard equipment since 2000 includes front, side and head airbags, head restraints and three-point belts for all seats, anti-lock and traction control, optional DSC stability control (standard on V8). For a surcharge, side rear airbags were offered - now they were installed together with the rear head airbags, so the total number of airbags increased to ten. Since 2001, DSC has been standard on all versions except the 520d, where it was offered at an additional cost. The "Five" E39 received four EuroNCAP stars.

The advantages of the BMW E39 were: spectacular design, high-performance engines, excellent handling, previously inaccessible level of comfort (the developers of the car largely relied on the cars of the 7th E38 series). The car is also distinguished by high build quality. There are also disadvantages - expensive maintenance, capricious electronics, low ground clearance, requiring increased attention to the suspension. Also, one of the disadvantages of this generation is the lack of all-wheel drive modifications that the E34 had (this defect was corrected only in the next generation of the E60).

Read completely

For the first time, the fourth generation of the BMW 5 Series was presented to the public at the Geneva Motor Show in September 1995. Touring station wagon debuted a little later - in 1997.
Compared to the BMW E34, the sound insulation in the E39 cabin has improved, the quality of finishing materials and assembly has significantly increased. Despite the apparent spaciousness and solid appearance, inside the E39 is not so spacious. Like its predecessor, the new "five" was designed around the driver. The rear sofa is not too spacious and is clearly not designed for three people. Legroom here is less than that of German classmates, although two passengers in the back will be comfortable. The ceiling is quite low, and landing in the cabin is not very comfortable - due to the large wheel arch, the doorway is narrow.
The trunk will also seem not very large for a car of this class - “only” 460 liters. The luggage compartment of the station wagon also loses to classmates - 410 liters against almost 600 liters for the Mercedes-Benz E-klasse. For a surcharge, the Touring was equipped with a retractable luggage compartment floor. The frame with glass in the rear door of the station wagon can open up separately from the door itself.
The “charged” version of the “five” - the M5 model from the sports division of BMW Motorsport GmbH was released in October 1998. Those wishing to purchase the Bavarian "wolf" need to remember that the M5 is an original model that has a number of differences from the usual E39, and this applies not only to the "stuffing". Some body parts have also changed, even the rear-view mirrors have become different. The car was equipped with a 4.9-liter V8 engine with a capacity of 400 hp, a sports suspension, a reinforced transmission, and a special aerodynamic body kit, which, however, was optionally installed on conventional modifications.
But the absolute exclusive was the B10 5.7 model, released in 1997 by the tuning company BMW Alpina. The 5.7-liter 12-cylinder power unit installed on the car develops 387 hp. And the maximum torque is as much as 560 Nm! In total, about 500 cars were produced.
At the end of 1999, the Avtotor plant in Kaliningrad began assembling the BMW E39 523i and 528i for the Russian market. These cars differed from their German counterparts in a special package for “bad” roads and the absence of a catalyst.
In the fall of 2000, the "five" BMW was upgraded.

The restyled versions differ from the cars of early releases by new headlights with characteristic parking lights in the form of rings made on LEDs (the so-called "angel eyes"). The front fog lamps have changed shape from trapezoidal to round. Bumpers, direction indicators and taillights have also changed. Moldings began to be painted in body color. The range of power units has also been updated.

SPECIFICATIONS BMW 5 SERIES E39 2000 - 2003 SEDAN

ENGINE SPECIFICATIONS

Modifications	Engine capacity, cm3	Power, kW (hp) / about	cylinders	Torque, Nm/(r/min)	Fuel system type	Fuel type
520d	1951	100(136)/4000	L4 (row arrangement)	280/1750	common rail	Diesel
525d	2497	120(163)/4000	Row arrangement - L6	350/2000	common rail	Diesel
530d	2926	142(193.1)/4000	Row arrangement - L6	410/1750	common rail	Diesel
520i	2171	125(170)/6100	Row arrangement - L6	210/3500	Multi-point injection	Petrol
525i	2494	141(192)/6000	Row arrangement - L6	245/3500	Multi-point injection	Petrol
530i	2979	170(231)/5900	Row arrangement - L6	300/3500	Multi-point injection	Petrol
535i	3498	180(245)/5800	V-shaped: V8	345/3800	Multi-point injection	Petrol
540i	4398	210(286)/5400	V-shaped: V8	440/3600	Multi-point injection	Petrol

DRIVE AND TRANSMISSION

Modifications	type of drive	Transmission type (basic)	Transmission type (optional)
520d	Rear drive	5-speed manual	5-automatic transmission,
525d	Rear drive	5-speed manual	5-automatic transmission,
530d	Rear drive	5-speed manual	5-automatic transmission,
520i	Rear drive	5-speed manual	5-automatic transmission,
525i	Rear drive	5-speed manual	5-automatic transmission,
530i	Rear drive	5-speed manual	5-automatic transmission Steptronic,
535i	Rear drive	5-automatic transmission
540i	Rear drive	5-automatic transmission

BRAKES AND POWER STEERING

Modifications	Front brake type	Rear brake type	Power steering
520d	Ventilated discs	Disc ventilated	there is
525d	Ventilated discs	Disc ventilated	there is
530d	Ventilated discs	Disc ventilated	there is
520i	Ventilated discs	Disc ventilated	there is
525i	Ventilated discs	Disc ventilated	there is
530i	Ventilated discs	Disc ventilated	there is
535i	Ventilated discs	Disc ventilated	there is
540i	Ventilated discs	Disc ventilated	there is

TIRE SIZE

Modifications	The size
520d	205/65 R15 94V
525d	205/65 R15 94V
530d	225/55 R16 95W
520i	205/65 R15 94V
525i	225/60 R15 96W
530i	225/55R1695W
535i	225/55 R16 95W
540i	225/55 R16 95W

DIMENSIONS

Modifications	Length, mm	Width, mm	Height, mm	Track front / rear, mm	Wheel base, mm	Ground clearance (clearance), mm	Trunk volume, l
520d	4775	1801	1435	1516/1529	2830	119	459
525d	4775	1801	1435	1516/1529	2830	119	459
530d	4775	1801	1435	1511/1527	2830	119	459
520i	4775	1801	1435	1516/1529	2830	119	459
525i	4775	1801	1435	1511/1527	2830	119	459
530i	4775	1801	1435	1511/1527	2830	—	456
535i	4775	1801	1435	1511/1527	2830	—	459
540i	4775	1801	1435	1511/1527	2830	—	459

VEHICLE WEIGHT

Modifications	Curb weight, kg	Maximum weight, kg	Load capacity, kg
520d	1565	2000	435
525d	1670	2135	465
530d	1700	2165	465
520i	1570	2005	435
525i	1575	2010	435
530i	1605	2070	465
535i	1685	2150	465
540i	1705	2170	465

DYNAMICS

Modifications	Maximum speed, km/h	Acceleration time to 100 km/h, s	Cd (Drag coefficient)
520d	206	10.6	0.29
525d	219	8.9	0.29
530d	230	7.8	0.29
520i	226	9.1	0.29
525i	238	8.1	0.29
530i	250	7.1	0.3
535i	250	6.9	0.29
540i	250	6.2	0.29

FUEL CONSUMPTION

Modifications	In the city, l / 100 km	On the highway, l / 100 km	Average consumption, l/100 km	CO2 emissions, g/km	Fuel type
520d	7.8	4.7	5.9	156	Diesel
525d	9.2	5.3	6.7	179	Diesel
530d	9.7	5.6	7.1	189	Diesel
520i	12.2	7.1	9	216	Petrol
525i	13.1	7.2	9.4	225	Petrol
530i	13.1	7.4	9.5	229	Petrol
535i	17.6	8.5	11.8	286	Petrol
540i	18.4	8.8	12.3	295	Petrol

PRICES BMW 5 SERIES E39 2000 - 2003 IN RUSSIA (UPDATED APRIL 22, 2016)

Modifications according to year of manufacture	Total cars for sale (in Russia)	Average price, rubles	Average price from Automatic transmission, rubles	Total for sale with automatic transmission	Average price from Manual transmission, rubles	Total for sale with manual transmission
2001	66	484 893	489 790	48	472 100	21
2002	46	522 943	524 823	33	510 849	10
2003	48	652 652	653 510	35	650 495	16

Body and equipment

The history of the BMW 5 E39 began in 1995 and ended in 2003, having survived one restyling at the end of 2000. Traditionally for the Bavarian manufacturer, the whole car is built around the driver's seat. This does not mean that the passengers were infringed, just the driver was given maximum attention. Despite the rather impressive dimensions of the car, the cabin is not as spacious as it seems from the outside, but with a height of up to 190 cm it will be comfortable for everyone, even those sitting behind the driver.

The quality of finishing materials and assembly are at their best, door cards are most susceptible to damage. Noise isolation at the "five" - ​​on the five (on a 5.5 point scale), it is desirable to additionally "silence" the doors, especially if you like high-quality sound in the car. Established music is also not perfect, often cassette recorders are included in the package, if there is a CD changer, then you still can’t see MP3, but this can be easily fixed (if there is money left after purchase).

But the equipment of the car most often pleases, because even in the “base” it was already relied on: electrical accessories (mirrors, windows), air conditioning, 6 airbags, hydraulic booster, ABS (anti-lock braking system), ASC + T (traction control system) and DSC III (electronic system stabilization). Moreover, cars with richer equipment are often offered for sale, for example, dual-zone climate control is almost the norm.

The most noticeable change after restyling was the front optics, and then the famous "angel eyes" were born. The taillights and direction indicators have also changed, the fog lights have become round, and the moldings on the bumpers have been painted in body color. The decorative grille has changed and the design of the steering wheel has become M-style. The range of engines has also been updated.

The body of the BMW 5 E39 is very resistant to corrosion if there was no damage. Even the most high-quality restoration repair will no longer return the metal to its former resistance. And with the current regime of urban traffic, as well as taking into account the pace of movement of BMW owners, there are not many unbeaten copies left. But whoever seeks will find.

BMW 5 E39 engines

The engine is the heart of any car, and in the case of BMW, this expression becomes even more relevant. For a rather heavy E39, the optimal combination of power / cost, many consider a 2.8-liter engine (193 hp), after restyling it was replaced by a 3-liter (231 hp). If we take into account that the fuel consumption and the total cost of maintenance for all 6-cylinder engines are about the same, then there is simply no point in buying a 2-liter BMW 5 E39. In extreme cases, you can take a 2.5-liter engine if a well-groomed copy of the "five" is caught.

On the BMW 5 Series, in the back of the E39, the following gasoline engines were installed:

M52 - reliable in-line six-cylinder engines. Displacement: 2.0 (520i), 2.5 (523i), 2.8 (528i) liters. Since 1999, they have become maintainable, until that time the engines were produced with a nikasil coating of the cylinder walls. This coating is very sensitive to the sulfur content in gasoline (and this goodness is enough in our fuel). Sulfur destroys this coating, after which the engine cannot be restored and repaired. Since the end of 1998, modernization has been carried out, the M52 motor was equipped with cast-iron inserts (sleeves). Modified engines are designated M52TU.

M54- R6 engine, which began to be installed after restyling. Displacement: 2.2 (520i), 2.5 (525i), 3.0 (530i) liters. It differs from the M52 in more power (2.5 liter M54 192 hp, and 2.8 liter M52 - 193 hp), another intake manifold, electronic throttle and gas pedal, as well as another engine control unit.

M62- V-shaped eight-cylinder engine. Displacement: 3.5 (530i), 4.4 (540i) liters. In the production of M62, a nikasil coating was also used, but in parallel with it, an alusil coating was also used - a stronger and more reliable material that was not affected by sulfur. After March 1997, the Bavarian manufacturer began to use only alusil coating. The updated motor, marked M62TU, also received the Vanos variable valve timing system, which is discussed below.

In BMW 5 E39 engines, they began to use a revolutionary, at that time, camshaft adjustment system that controls the intake and exhaust valves. Thanks to this system, at low revs, the torque has greatly increased, and the car accelerates perfectly from the bottom. There is a “just vanos”, which regulates only the intake valves, such were installed on the M52 before restyling, as well as on the M62TU. As well as the “double vanos” (Double Vanos), which already controls the exhaust valves, which allows you to get even traction in almost the entire rev range. This was installed on the M52TU and M54.

The disadvantages of this system include only repair. The average service life, with proper maintenance - 250 thousand km, depends mainly on the quality of the oil. It will cost from $1,000 to change the complete system, although there are repair kits that are much cheaper ($40-60 without replacement work, for a “single-ended engine”). In some cases, a repair kit will no longer help, only a replacement. Signs of a "dying vanos": poor (sluggish) traction up to 3000 rpm, a rumble or knock in the front of the engine and increased fuel consumption.

On the BMW 5 Series, in the back of the E39, the following diesel engines were installed:

M51S and M51TUS - diesel engines with injection pump. Working volume - 2.5 liters (525tds). Pretty reliable (in good hands), the timing chain runs 200-250 thousand km, the same as the turbocharger. After 200,000 km, the injection pump will also need to be repaired (expensive). Often the engine control electronics are junk.

M57- more modern turbodiesels, already with direct fuel injection (Common Rail). Working volume - 2.5 liters (525d), 3.0 liters (530d). In general, the M57 is more reliable and more powerful than the M51, provided that high-quality diesel fuel is used (in our realities, this is a difficult condition). Engine hydraulic mounts are very complex and cost a lot of money. Of all the 530D diesel engines (184 hp - M57, 193 hp - M57TU) - the most preferred option, but necessary very thorough diagnosis before purchase.

M47- the only four-cylinder engine in the entire E39 series. Working volume - 2.0 liters (520d). With a turbine, intercooler and Common Rail system - develops 136 hp. Appeared after restyling, in fact a small M57.

Common problems for all engines that BMW E39 owners may encounter:

Weak cooling system, the oversight of which is fraught with the "death" of the engine. The main culprits are the auxiliary fan motor, thermostat, clogged radiators, and neglect to regularly change the coolant. It is highly recommended to clean the radiators (with disassembly) at least once a year (if the runs are short, then once every two years). On V8 engines, coolant expansion tanks often burst, and the average "life" of cooling fans is 5-6 years.

Another sore is the ignition coils, which really do not like non-original candles, and the original ones with our fuel are enough for 30-40 thousand mileage. But the cost of one coil is $60, and each cylinder relies on one separate coil. From the electronics, lambda probes (oxygen sensors, there are already 4 of them on the E39), an air flow meter and a crankshaft and camshaft position sensor can also disturb. Not necessarily all this “happiness” will fall on you, and right at the same time, but to prevent this from happening, do not spare money on diagnostics before buying an E39.

BMW E39 gearbox

Both mechanical and automatic gearboxes that were installed on the BMW 5 E39 are quite reliable, but the “human” factor is always present. Manual transmissions were installed mainly in 5-speed, with six steps only the M5 version and some 540i were produced. After 150,000 km of run, the plastic bushing of the shift lever often wears out (it starts to hang out), seals can also leak. The manual transmission maintenance schedule is 60,000 km, at the same time it is necessary to change the oil in the gearbox. Before buying oil, check the stickers on the box and gearbox, as they indicate the type of oil needed. It is highly not recommended to buy a car with a "killed" clutch, because when replacing the clutch, you most often have to change the dual-mass flywheel, which is expensive. With quiet operation, the clutch can “depart” even 200,000 km, but in reality, the average service life is about 100,000 km.

If the automatic transmission is carefully diagnosed before purchase (there should be no jerks, jerks, switching should be invisible), then there should be no problems in the future. In most automatic transmissions on the E39, the oil is filled for the entire life of the car, that is, there is no need to change it. And this is the subject of eternal debate in specialized BMW forums. One side believes that if everything works fine, then the oil does not need to be changed. The other side argues that the manufacturer's service life, on average, lays 250-300 thousand km. And if you do not change the oil every 80-100,000 km, the oil will lose its properties, and the filter will become clogged with dust from friction wear, which will lead to failure of the box. All service stations are on the side of regular oil changes.

Chassis and steering

The suspension of the BMW 5 E39 is clearly designed for German autobahns, in our harsh realities, the resource of both the front and rear suspension is not enough for a very long time. Some believe that this is due to the aluminum suspension, but the metal has nothing to do with it. Aluminum is used to reduce weight, and does not affect the life of the suspension, but the cost. Silent blocks, ball bearings, shock absorbers and stabilizer struts fail. Silent blocks change separately, but ball joints only with a lever together, but they “walk” about 100,000 km. The stabilizer struts are almost a consumable, you can safely take it in reserve, since you will have to change it every 20-30 thousand km. On the E39 with R6 and V8 engines, the front suspension has different levers, shock absorbers and steering knuckles, they are not interchangeable, and on versions with eight cylinders, the suspension is more enduring.

On versions with V8, steering is also an order of magnitude more reliable, paired with such heavy motors, reliable worm gears were installed. And on the R6 they put ordinary steering racks, which do not shine with special reliability. For some time, knocking can be removed by adjustment, then restoration or replacement. There are two types of fluid in the steering system, mixing leads to leakage and the “death” of the power steering.

You can't forget about the rear suspension either. You can start with the stabilizer struts, as in the front. In second place in terms of frequency of replacement are “floating” silent blocks, there are 4 of them with an average mileage of 50,000 km (Chinese-Polish no more than 20,000 km). The rear suspension arms are only assembled. Front wheel bearings, by the way, also change only with the hub.

When servicing the chassis of the BMW 5 E39, it is recommended not to delay the elimination of individual breakdowns or knocks, it is better to fix the problems gradually than to end up with a car with a completely “killed” suspension. One broken silent block can speed up the destruction of other suspension elements several times.

BMW S62 engine

S62B50 engine data

Production	Dingolfing Plant
Engine brand	S62
Release years	1998-2003
Block material	aluminum
Supply system	injector
A type	V-shaped
Number of cylinders	8
Valves per cylinder	4
Piston stroke, mm	89
Cylinder diameter, mm	94
Compression ratio	11.0
Engine volume, cc	4941
Engine power, hp / rpm	400/6600
Torque, Nm/rpm	500/3800
Fuel	95
Environmental regulations	Euro 2
Engine weight, kg	~158
Fuel consumption, l/100 km (for E39 M5) - town - track - mixed.	21.1 9.8 13.9
Oil consumption, g/1000 km	up to 1500
Engine oil	10W-60
How much oil is in the engine, l	6.5
Oil change is carried out, km	7000-10000
Operating temperature of the engine, hail.	~100
Engine resource, thousand km - according to the plant - on practice	— 250+
Tuning, HP — potential - no loss of resource	600+ n.a.
The engine was installed	BMW M5 E39 BMW Z8
Gearbox, 6MKPP	Getrag Type-D
Gear ratios, 6MKPP	1 — 4.23 2 — 2.53 3 — 1.67 4 — 1.23 5 — 1.00 6 — 0.83

Reliability, problems and repair of the BMW M5 E39 S62 engine

The new BMW M5 E39, which was released in 1998 and replaced the M5 E34, increased in size on all fronts and, to achieve high dynamic performance, the inline six was not enough, especially since the BMW S38 is seriously outdated. It was decided to use an engine with a V8 configuration and the aluminum M62B44 was taken as the basis for the next M-engine, from the existing BMW 540i E39.
The cylinder block was modified: the cylinder diameter was increased from 92 mm to 94 mm, a forged crankshaft was installed with a piston stroke of 89 mm (was 82.7 mm), a connecting rod length of 141.5 mm, modified pistons, for a compression ratio of 11.
Above, on three-layer cylinder head gaskets, are the S62B50 cylinder heads themselves (this is what the M5 E39 engine is called). They are a modified version of the M62B44. Relative to the M62, the S62 has enlarged intake and exhaust ports, uses new valve springs and lightweight valves: inlet 35 mm, exhaust 30.5 mm. The camshafts on the M5 E39 have the following characteristics: phase 252/248, lift 10.3 / 10.2 mm. The variable valve timing system VANOS has been replaced by Double-VANOS (intake and exhaust camshafts). The M5 E39 uses hydraulic lifters and the valves do not require adjustment. Unlike the M62, the S62 uses a double-row timing chain.
The entire intake system has been redesigned: a large intake reservoir has been used, and 8 throttles have been used, one throttle for each cylinder. The diameter of each is 48 mm. Nozzle performance - 257 cc. The exhaust system is modified, with two catalysts. Brains - Siemens MS S52.
All this made it possible to make almost 5 liters from a conventional 4.4 liter engine and increase power from 286 hp. up to 400 hp at 6600 rpm.
The BMW S62 engine was installed on the M5 E39 and on the rare Z8 roadster.
The release of the motor was discontinued in 2003, along with the end of production of the M5 in the back of the E39, but after 2 years the new M5 E60 appeared, with an even more powerful S85B50.

Problems and disadvantages of BMW S62 engines

The main diseases of the BMW M5 E39 engines are the same as those of the M62B44. The differences lie in the smaller resource of the S62B50, due to the maximum cylinder diameter (there is a burnout of the cylinder head gasket) and the active operation of the car. In addition, the M5 E39 consumes oil in decent quantities, do not save on it and change it more often than expected (7000-10000 km is optimal). Also keep an eye on the condition of the cooling system and pour in high-quality 98 gasoline, then your S62 will drive as smoothly as possible for an old car.

BMW M5 E39 engine tuning

S62 Atmo

You can increase the power of the BMW M5 E39 without using supercharging by buying a sports exhaust system without catalysts, with 4-2-1 manifolds, cold intake and making chip tuning. These small conversions will allow you to remove about 430 hp. You can improve the result with more efficient camshafts (272/272, lift 11.3/11.3), cylinder head porting with channel boring and valves increased by 1 mm. With the appropriate tuning of the brain, the power of the S62 will increase to 480+ hp. You can also install a 52 mm throttle, pistons for a compression ratio of 12.5 and the maximum possible camshafts, but you can forget about comfortable operation.

S62 Compressor

As an alternative to a revving aspirator, you can install a compressor and immediately get a lot of power. There are a lot of ready-made compressor kits for the BMW M5 E39, you need to buy one of them and put the motor on stock. The popular ESS VT1 compressor kit blows 0.4 bar and delivers 560 hp. and 625 Nm. There are also more powerful kits (0.7 bar), but their cost is 2 times higher than ESS.

"BMW M5 E39" was produced only in the sedan. The company chose not to engage in the production of the Touring version. Thanks to many Russian films, this model has found its fans in Russia, so much so that part of the production was moved to the Kaliningrad region.

Story

The history of the M-version of the E39 begins back in 1998. This version received a more powerful engine compared to previous generations (400 horsepower). Past generations of the M5 were assembled not on the assembly line, but by hand. The new generation "BMW M5 E39" is assembled in conventional production by "robotic hands".

Photo "BMW M5 E39" is presented below. By the headlights you can see that this version is restyled.

Specifications "BMW M5 E39"

In the table you will find the basic information.

Overview

"BMW M5 E39" is the fourth generation of the legendary M line. In 1998, he began his journey immediately after he was presented at the Geneva Motor Show. Over 4 years of production, more than 200 thousand copies of the BMW M5 E39 were produced. They were produced in three versions: right-hand drive European, left-hand drive European, and also American.

For a new generation - a new engine. A gasoline engine with a volume of 5000 cm 3 and a power of 400 horsepower was installed.

The transmission was a six-speed manual gearbox. The same box is present in the usual 540th "five". But not exactly the same. Since the engine has become more powerful, the transmission has been replenished with new parts.

Acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h is just under five seconds and top speed is 250 km/h. But with the use of chip tuning, this restriction can be removed, then the maximum speed will increase to almost 300 km / h.

As for the station wagon body, it was produced in only one copy of the BMW M5 E39 Touring, which was presented in 2010. For financial reasons, the company decided not to produce a station wagon version.

The suspension was almost entirely aluminum. It has been improved, compared with the usual versions of the "BMW" of the fifth series. Ground clearance has been reduced by 2 centimeters. Also, to increase the rigidity and reliability of the suspension, the levers were made thicker. This gives reliability when driving not on the smoothest roads.

The steering wheel has also changed compared to the fifth series. Manageability has been increased due to its modernization. You can also use one of the two modes of the steering wheel, which regulate its level of rigidity. They also added the "Sport" mode, which, after turning on the button, gave the car more power, and, accordingly, speed.

The diameter of the discs, like all sports cars, is different. It's bigger in front. Also, the owners of the BMW M5 E39 praise its functionality, namely the presence of an anti-lock braking system.

After three years, the company decided to redesign the car, after which the design of the headlights was changed, namely, the contouring of the headlights themselves was added. There are also front parking sensors. In the pre-styling model, they were installed only at the rear.

The central panel has also undergone changes. It had a built-in monitor with a navigation system. The car's audio system has also been updated: two subwoofers have been added, and the power of the output sound has also been increased.

After the removal of the 250 km / h limit, the BMW M5 E39 becomes the fastest production sedan of that time.

The lineup includes many modifications, such as:

• petrol: 520, 523, 525, 528, 530, 535, 540;
• diesel: 520, 525, 525td, 525tds, 530.

As with all BMWs, the interior is top notch. The difference between the pre-styling version and the restyled version is significant. In the old version, the monitor was slightly smaller and was located to the right of the center panel. In the new version, it is centered and has become a little larger.

M5 had two trim options - wood or aluminum inserts. The restyled version used aluminum inserts. The steering wheel has also undergone changes, the inside of which has become a little smaller and closer to the new versions of the BMW.

A distinctive feature of the M-versions is the presence of M5 emblems throughout the cabin. They are located on the thresholds, below the central spoke of the steering wheel, the gear lever. When loading the monitor, a large M logo appears with three multi-colored stripes and "BMW".

The seats are leather, of course. At the moment, it is almost impossible to find cars that have original seats in perfect condition.