M5 World
Paragraph. The E34 M5 was produced from 1989 to 1995, although sales in North America started in 1991 and ended in 1993. It was produced at BMW M GmbH in Garching, Germany, and, like the previous M5, was entirely hand-built. It utilised the 535i chassis which was produced at BMW's Dingolfing plant. Assembly was done either by a single M employee, or a team of M employees, and generally took about two weeks. It is rumoured that the test drivers of the E34 M5 could determine who or what team made each specific M5, due to characteristic quirks of the hand built nature of the E34 M5. The Engines were also built by hand by BMW M technicians. All of the E34 M5 Petrol Engineswere built to a tolerance of within 5% of advertised output.
The early E34 M5 used an evolution of the 24-valve Straight-6 found in the E28 M5 and E24 M635CSi/M6. The engine was designated S38/B36, with a bore of 93.4 mm (3.677 in) and stroke of 86 mm (3.386 in) for a total capacity of 3,535 cc (215.7 cu in). The added stroke is due to a new forged steel Crankshaft, though the camshafts were also changed. Compression Ratio was up slightly (10:1 versus 9.8:1). Other adjustments made included an electronically controlled butterfly valve in the intake plenum, which provided better low rpm and mid-range power. The engine also featured an improved Flywheel, Bosch Motronic Fuel Injection, equal length stainless steel exhaust headers, and three way ceramic catalysts. Originally it had a Displacement of 3.5 litres, and produced 235 kW (320 PS; 315 BHP), and 361 N-M (266 Ft- lbf) at 4750 RPM. Cars sold in North America and Switzerland, due to a different Catylitic Converter, produced 229 kW (311 PS; 307 bhp).
In second half of 1991, the engine displacement was increased to 3.8 litres with the S38B38, except in North America and South Africa, which continued with the 3.5 litre engine. Power was now increased to 250 kW (340 PS; 335 bhp). Also in 1992, a five-door Touring version (Estate/Wagon) was introduced in LHD form, with 891 cars made.
The M5 came with an unusual roadwheel design. From 1989-1992 the M5 featured the M-System wheels. These wheels were 17x8J, but came with a bolted-on wheel cover. Under the cover was a black 5-spoke alloy wheel. The press was critical of the design, often claiming it gave the M5 the appearance of having "white-wall" Tyres. In 1992, BMW changed the design and a new cover was produced — the M-System II. The original intent of the M-System cover was to direct more air to the Brake assembly to increase cooling. The cover actually integrated a fin assembly behind the cover. The M-System II covers, known as the "throwing stars" did not have as much capability to direct air to the brake assemblies. In May 1994, the M5 came with M Parallel wheels that did away with the cover.
Specification
The early E34 M5 used an evolution of the 24-valve Straight-6 found in the E28 M5 and E24 M635CSi/M6. The engine was designated S38/B36, with a bore of 93.4 mm (3.677 in) and stroke of 86 mm (3.386 in) for a total capacity of 3,535 cc (215.7 cu in). The added stroke is due to a new forged steel Crankshaft, though the camshafts were also changed. Compression Ratio was up slightly (10:1 versus 9.8:1). Other adjustments made included an electronically controlled butterfly valve in the intake plenum, which provided better low rpm and mid-range power. The engine also featured an improved Flywheel, Bosch Motronic Fuel Injection, equal length stainless steel exhaust headers, and three way ceramic catalysts. Originally it had a Displacement of 3.5 litres, and produced 235 kW (320 PS; 315 BHP), and 361 N-M (266 Ft- lbf) at 4750 RPM. Cars sold in North America and Switzerland, due to a different Catylitic Converter, produced 229 kW (311 PS; 307 bhp).
In second half of 1991, the engine displacement was increased to 3.8 litres with the S38B38, except in North America and South Africa, which continued with the 3.5 litre engine. Power was now increased to 250 kW (340 PS; 335 bhp). Also in 1992, a five-door Touring version (Estate/Wagon) was introduced in LHD form, with 891 cars made.
The M5 came with an unusual roadwheel design. From 1989-1992 the M5 featured the M-System wheels. These wheels were 17x8J, but came with a bolted-on wheel cover. Under the cover was a black 5-spoke alloy wheel. The press was critical of the design, often claiming it gave the M5 the appearance of having "white-wall" Tyres. In 1992, BMW changed the design and a new cover was produced — the M-System II. The original intent of the M-System cover was to direct more air to the Brake assembly to increase cooling. The cover actually integrated a fin assembly behind the cover. The M-System II covers, known as the "throwing stars" did not have as much capability to direct air to the brake assemblies. In May 1994, the M5 came with M Parallel wheels that did away with the cover.
Specification
- HD91 (89-92 LHD Euro) l6-24v 3.6 litre - 232 kW (315 PS; 311 bhp) (only available with 5-speed manual transmission)
- HD92 (89-91 RHD Euro) I6-24v 3.6 litre - 232 kW (315 PS; 311 bhp) (only available with 5-speed manual transmission)
- HD93 (89-93 LHD US) I6-24v 3.6 litre - 232 kW (315 PS; 311 bhp) (only available with 5-speed manual transmission)
- HD98 (90-93 RHD SA) I6-24v 3.6 litre - 232 kW (315 PS; 311 bhp) (only available with 5-speed manual transmission) made in South Africa from CKD kit supplied from Germany.
- HC91 (91-94 LHD Euro) I6-24v 3.8 litre - 250 kW (340 PS; 335 bhp) (available with 5-speed or 6-speed manual transmission)
- HC92 (92-94 RHD Euro) I6-24v 3.8 litre - 250 kW (340 PS; 335 bhp) (available with 5-speed or 6-speed manual transmission)
- HJ91 (92-94 LHD Euro Touring) I6-24v 3.8 litre - 250 kW (340 PS; 335 bhp) (available with 5-speed or 6-speed manual transmission)
- 89-95 (ECE/GB/USA) - (no Automatic Transmission available)
- 89-92 (Euro) I6-24v 3.6 L - 232 kW (315 PS; 311 bhp) - 0-100 km/h (62 mph): 6.3 secs. Top speed: 250 km/h (155 mph) (electronically limited)
- 92-95 (Euro) I6-24v 3.8 L - 250 kW (340 PS; 335 bhp) - 0-100 km/h (62 mph): 5.9 secs. Top speed: 250 km/h (155 mph) (electronically limited), or 280 km/h (174 mph) - without electronic limiter.
- 91-93 (USA) I6-24v 3.6 L - 232 kW (315 PS; 311 bhp) - 0-60 mph: 6.4 secs. Top speed: 250 km/h (155 mph) (electronically limited)
- Cecotto Edition — A total of 22 Cecotto E34 M5s were produced with options of having either Lagoon Green metallic (266) and Mauritius Blue metallic paint (287).
- Winkelhock Edition — A total of 51 Winkelhock E34 M5s were produced with the options of having Jet Black (668) with contrasting lower body panels in Sterling Silver metallic paint (244), no fog lights and manual rear windows helped to lower the weight.
- 20 Jahre Motorsport Edition — To celebrate BMW Motorsport 20th anniversary, BMW had built 20 specially equipped Euro-spec M5s in late 1992.
- UK Limited Edition — To commemorate the end of right-hand drive E34 M5 production, 50 examples of the E34 M5 Limited Edition were assembled between March and June 1995.
- Elekta - 20 M5 Tourings were assembled for distribution in Italy. These were finished in either Sterling Silver over Marine Blue leather, or British Racing Green over Tobacco leather. All were made in 1995. It is debated as to whether or not these cars constitute a true special edition as they were ordered directly by a group of Italian BMW dealers.
- Source: BMW M Registry wwww.bmwmregistry.com
