BMW M5 E34

The sports car was presented in 1988 at the Frankfurt Motor Show. The same year was marked by the release of a sports sedan. Four years later, the concern offered to buyers BMW E34 M5 in station wagon body.

The car was assembled by hand. It took place at the concern’s enterprises in the town of Garching. The concern produced a total of 12,245 vehicles. 891 trucks were produced with a cargo-passenger body.

Appearance

The exterior of the sedan/station wagon is fully consistent with the concept of the manufacturer from Bavaria. This is evident from the photo of the BMW M5 E34. The classic exterior of the “five” is preserved. The flashy color palette is absent, the shape is aggressive, the appearance is severe. That is, all traditions are observed. However, the body shapes are more streamlined, the front bumper has been modernized, aerodynamic skirts are on the side, a similar diffuser is on the stern. Let’s add here light alloy wheels, which have an original design, wide tires, rounded exterior mirrors, split exhaust pipe, turn signals on the front fenders (for the North American market).

The manufacturer’s goal is practicality and maximum comfort for the consumer. However, the mirrors, having received excellent aerodynamics, do not give a good view to the rear, extending the dead zone.

Purely visually the car looks huge, but it is only 10% heavier than the M5 E28.

By its dimensions, the car belongs to the premium segment of the “E” class. The car, regardless of the body variant, is 4.72 meters long. Its width is 1.75 meters and height is 1.39 meters. The wheelbase is 2.76 meters. The mass of the sports sedan is 1.67 tons. The universal is heavier by more than 100 kg. Ground clearance of the three-compartment is 120 mm.

Interior

The interior trim of the BMW M5 E34 is made of alcantara/expensive leather. There are inserts of aluminum/carbon fiber. On the console you can notice blocks that allow you to control the route computer, audio system and climate control. The instrument panel does not have a refined design, but the information from the on-board computer screen is easy to read at any time of day.

The instrument panel is decorated with red-colored arrows, tachometer readout with speedometer, between which there is the “M” logo. Under the tachometer there is a gauge showing the engine oil temperature. The panel is black in color and has orange lighting.

There are no complaints about ergonomics. All controls of BMW M5 Touring E34 are close to the driver. There is a tunnel near the parking brake handle. On it you can see the keys that allow you to control the suspension modes.

The driver’s seat has a calibrated profile and side support rollers (they are widely spaced). The range of settings is wide (5 stages of adjustment), so the driver of any configuration can comfortably sit behind the wheel. To increase the comfort of landing, German designers have increased the space between the front panel and seats.

You can familiarize yourself with the interior of the BMW M5 E34 by watching the video.

Special versions and their equipment

Completion of the car assumed a lot of special versions. Let’s analyze them.

At the Group’s request, this version was developed by BMW riders, J. Cecotto and J. Winkelhock

1. Cecotto Edition

Only 22 cars with the S38 engine were produced. This happened in 1991. The body was made in green/blue metallic colors. The first version had Nappa leather interior trim, while the second version had a similar material, but in a lighter color. The cars in both versions were equipped with power steering, velour carpets, sunroof. They had heated seats, climate control with auto air recirculation. The cars had headlight washers, Bavaria branded radio, and walnut interior trim.

Optional extras were aft spoiler, alarm, side airbag, Shadowline trim on the exterior, tinted striping on the windshield, auto-dimming interior mirror, adjustable 2nd row headrests, cruise control, R17 wheels, rear row reading lamp.

2. Winkelhock Edition

If the first racer believed that the ideal sports car should be luxurious, the second – lightweight. Therefore, in this version the car became more productive, but lost a certain comfort. Fifty cars were produced for sale in Jet Black color palette and with S38 engine. They had Shadowline trim on the outside, velour mats and a sunroof. This is where the similarity to the first version ends.

Yes, there was a branded Bavaria radio system, but with Hi-Fi. The volume (80 liters) of the gas tank was reduced, soundproofing of the interior was worsened. Gone were the windows and headrests at the rear, as well as “fog lights”, washers of front optics/exterior mirrors. This reduced the weight of the car by 88 kg and improved the drift of the BMW M5 E34.

The Z R17 tires were wider, the steering wheel/transmission lever handle was covered in suede, the front seats were covered in Anthracite cloth + Nappa leather. The seat belts were red in color.

3. Jahre Edition

In honor of the 20th anniversary of BMW Motorsport, 20 cars of the 20 Jahre Edition with the S38B38 engine were produced. The body of the cars received a Mugello red color. It had moldings, Nürburgring package, driver’s airbag, sunroof, washers, air conditioning with auto recirculation, Bavaria III brand radio with Hi-Fi speakers.

4. Naghi Motors Edition

15 copies were produced in 1992 in Naghi Motors Edition. The vehicles were intended for use in Saudi Arabia. They have 318-horsepower engine S38 with a capacity of 3.8 liters. Body color options: Jet Black (5 sedans), Alpine White II (5 cars), Lagoon Green metallic (5 cars).

5. Elekta Editio

20 station wagons in Elekta Editio version were produced for the Italian car market. 10 cars were painted in silver metallic Sterling. The interior is finished with Nappa leather and blue carpeting. Another 10 cars have British Racing green color. The interior is Hazlenut Nappa leather plus Mexico Green carpeting.

Versatility trims can be optionally equipped with a three-spoke steering wheel with airbag, Shadowline exterior trim, roof rails, dual sunroof, memory driver’s seat, auto-dimming interior mirror, and more.

6. UK Limited Edition

In 1995. 50 right-hand drive models in the UK Limited Edition special edition were produced for the UK to honor the end of production of the M5 E34. The body of the BMW M5 E34 1995 received colors: metallic Rosso Red (15 cars), Orinoco (35 cars). All cars have Nappa leather interior trim, which is complemented by wooden elements.

Technical specifications

Now let’s see what are the specifications of the BMW M5 E34.

The first M5 E34 models were powered by a 315-horsepower, inline six-cylinder S38 engine with a displacement of 3.6 liters. The motor had a modified crankshaft layout and new forged steel was used in its manufacture. This has strengthened the engine. It is paired with a five-speed manual. For S. America/Switzerland, the powertrain was equipped with catalytic converters. This reduced emissions, but reduced the engine power of the BMW M5 E34 by 4 units.

Since 1992, after restyling, a more powerful unit, S38B38, has been installed on sedans/universals. This model of the engine BMW M5 E34 3.8 liters (for South Africa and S. America – 3.6 liters) and the power of 340 “horses”. The throttle has received electronic control. Therefore, the unit even at low speeds could produce mid-range power. The BMW E34 M5 motor received an increase in power thanks to the fuel injection system Bosch Matronix.

It combined already with a six-speed manual transmission.

The sports car BMW M5 E34 turbo could reach a hundred in 5.9 seconds. The top speed of the three-capacity car reached 250 km/h. Fuel consumption in the city/on the highway/mixed cycle is 18/8.3/12.2 liters. Depending on the modification, these data may vary slightly.

The size of the fuel tank is 90 liters.

The car was equipped with two suspensions: front independent (MacPherson) on double wishbones and aft multi-lever suspension. The steering wheel had power steering. All chassis were equipped with disc brakes (front – also ventilated) with ABS system.

These are the characteristics of the BMW M5 E34.

Difference between restyling and prerestyling

BMW restyling lasted for 3 years. More precisely, in the period 1990-1992 every year the concern changed something. The first update touched the interior. In “standard” the car received separated seats, auto climate control, new “baranka”, and leather received color palette Light Silvergrey.

In 1991, central locking, ZF servotronic and the color metallic red, Calypso, were added to all doors. To save fuel, German engineers changed the main gear ratio. It became 3.73:1, while before it was 3.91:1.

After the 3rd “restyling” buyers were offered Throwing Star rims, Shadowline package, Mugello red and metallic, Lagoon green/ Avus blue. Finally. A three-color thread embroidery of Motorsport GmbH colors can be seen on the steering wheel.

As you can see, restyling did not touch the technical units of the car. But they can be changed by tuning of BMW M5 E34.

Cost of the car

The car has long been out of production. Therefore, it is impossible to say exactly how much is the BMW M5 E34. It all depends on what condition it is in and how the buyer and seller will agree. There are spare parts for the BMW E34 M5. You can buy used and contract spare parts.

In 1995, the M5 E24 rolled off the assembly line. It was replaced by the M5 E39 model.

Generations and configurations

Station wagon 2nd generation – restyled

03.1994 – 08.1995

Sedan 2nd generation – restyled

03.1994 – 08.1995

Station wagon 2nd generation

10.1992 – 02.1994

Sedan 2nd generation

10.1988 – 02.1994