Car names start with the number 5 (means series) and ends with two digits, indicating the volume of the engine in liters, if you put a comma between them. For example, the BMW 520 stands for 5 Series with a two-liter engine. Also add a letter at the end «i» if the engine is injection, for example 525i, or the letter «d», which means diesel engine.
First generation (E12; 1972–1981)
The first generation appeared in 1972 and this car replaced the outdated «New Class Sedans». At the 1970 Geneva Motor Show, BMW introduced the 2200ti Gamish concept car. And although he planned to replace «New Class» put into production E12 visually different. Lead designer was French automotive designer Paul Bracq.
The first 518, 520 and 520i models were equipped with in-line 4-cylinder engines of 1.8 and 2.0 liters with power from 89 to 129 hp. A year later, in-line 6-cylinder gasoline engines with a volume of 2.0 to 3.3 liters with a capacity of 123 to 197 hp appeared. Diesel engines have not yet been installed. Transmissions were 4-speed manual (Getrag 242 or ZF S4-18), 5 speed mechanical Getrag (235, 245 or 265) and 3-speed automatic ZF (3HP12, 3HP20 or 3HP22).
The E12 was restyled in September 1976. This mainly affected the external elements of the car.
Second generation (E28; 1981–1988)
The second generation was introduced in June 1981. The most conspicuous innovation is the center console, directed towards the driver, and diesels were used for the first time. Front engine with rear wheel drive. The body shape was only in the form of a 4-door sedan. It was the last model with a bevelled front (popularly called «shark»). In total, more than 700 thousand cars were produced.
The line of gasoline engines includes 16 modifications of 4- and 6-cylinder in-line engines with a volume of 1.8 to 3.5 liters and a power of 89 to 215 hp. Except for one, all engines are injection. There are two diesel engines with a volume of 2.4 liters and a power of 84 and 114 hp, one is atmospheric, the second is turbocharged. Manual transmissions: 4-speed Getrag (242, 262); 5 speed Getrag (240, 245, 260, 265 and 280) or ZF S5-16. Automatic transmissions: 3-speed ZF 3 HP 22; 4-speed ZF 4 HP 22.
Third generation (E34; 1988–1996)
Design development took place from July 1981 to the end of 1987 under the direction of chief designer Klaus Luth. Particular attention has been paid to aerodynamics - the E34 has a drag coefficient of 0.30. The third generation was launched in February 1988 and over 1.3 million vehicles were built. At first there was only a 4-door sedan body, and in 1990 a 5-door station wagon appeared «Touring».
The line of gasoline engines includes: two 4-cylinder 1.8-liter engines with a capacity of 111 and 114 hp, eight 6-cylinder in-line engines with a volume of 2.0 to 3.5 liters with a capacity of 127 to 208 hp, as well as two 8-cylinder V-shaped engines with a volume of 3.0 and 4.0 liters with a capacity of 215 and 282 hp. There are three diesel engines with a volume of 2.4 and 2.5 liters, all 6-cylinder in-line engines with a capacity of 114 and 141 hp.
Gearboxes were mechanical: 5-speed Getrag, 5-speed ZF and 6-speed Getrag 420G. Automatic transmissions: 4-speed ZF 4HP22, 4-speed GM 4L30-E, 5-speed ZF 5HP18 and 5-speed ZF 5HP30.
Fourth generation (E39; 1995–2003)
Fourth generation development began in early 1989, with the final design draft by Jouji Nagashima selected in June 1992. The first experimental production models were built in February 1995, and production began in September of the same year. The body was available in two versions - a 4-door sedan and a 5-door station wagon («Touring»). Front engine with rear wheel drive.
Gasoline four-cylinder engines are gone. There were 6-cylinder in-line engines with a volume of 2.0 to 3.0 liters with a capacity of 148 to 228 hp. and 8-cylinder V-shaped with a volume of 3.5 to 4.0 liters with a capacity of 232 to 282 hp. But for the first time, a diesel 4-cylinder in-line engine with a volume of 2.0 liters and 134 hp appeared. Other diesels 6-cylinder in-line engines with a volume of 2.5 to 3.0 liters and a power of 161 to 190 hp.
There is a very large choice of transmissions - five mechanical 5 or 6-speed (ZF, S5D, Getrag) and six automatic 4 or 5 speed (GM, ZF).
Fifth generation (E60, E61; 2003–2010)
The development program began in 1997 and ended in 2003. The final draft, written by David Arcangeli and directed by Chris Brownle, was approved in 2000. Two types of bodies were produced and each was assigned its own code - E60 for a 4-door sedan and E61 for a 5-door station wagon. The body of the car is made of aluminum for the front of the car and steel for the passenger compartment and rear. This resulted in a 50:50 weight distribution. For the entire period, about 1.3 million cars were produced.
The line of gasoline engines includes 15 modifications of 6-cylinder in-line and 8-cylinder V8s with a volume of 2.0 to 5.0 liters and a power of 168 to 362 hp. Diesel engines 10 modifications of 4- and 6-cylinder in-line engines with a volume of 2.0 to 3.5 liters and a power of 161 to 282 hp. Two 5-speed manual transmissions available (ZF S6-37, ZF S6-53) and two automatic 6-speed (ZF 6HP19, ZF 6HP26).
For all models of this generation, in addition to rear-wheel drive, an all-wheel drive option called xDrive was available.
Sixth generation (F10, F11, F07; 2010–2017)
This generation was unveiled to the public in November 2009 and production began in January 2010 and ran through March 2017. The exterior was designed by Jacek Frolich and the car has more of a traditional BMW style than the E60. External dimensions have become a little larger. The line of bodies has expanded - in addition to the 4-door sedan (F10) and 5-door station wagon (F11) 5-door hatchback appeared (F07), named «Gran Turismo». There is also an extended sedan (F18) for China, Mexico and the Middle East. Rear wheel drive or all wheel drive (xDrive).
A 2.0-liter 4-cylinder in-line engine with a capacity of 168 and 181 hp returned to the line of gasoline engines, but with a turbocharger. The rest of the engines are in-line 6-cylinders with a volume of 2.3 to 3.5 liters with a capacity of 201 to 302 hp. Also, two V8 engines with a volume of 5.0 liters with a capacity of 402 and 444 hp. Diesel engines 11 modifications of 4 and 6-cylinder in-line engines with a volume of 1.8 to 3.5 liters and a power of 141 to 308 hp, all turbocharged. There are two transmission options - 6-speed manual and 8-speed automatic ZF 8HP.
Seventh generation (G30, G31; 2017–present time)
Officially announced in October 2016 and sales began in February 2017. G30 is based on the same modular platform as Episode 7 (G11). Only 4-door sedan available at time of release (G30) and 5-door station wagon (G31). The body is made of multi-phase heavy-duty steel and aluminum. The weight of the car has been reduced by 100 kg compared to the previous generation. Front engine with rear wheel drive or all wheel drive (xDrive).
The front grille has louvers that open and close to optimize engine cooling and reduce aerodynamic drag. The Series 5 is equipped with BMW's sixth generation iDrive vehicle control system, which has four manual input options, including control via gesture recognition.
At first, only three gasoline engines are available - two 4-cylinders with a volume of 2.0 and 3.0 liters with a capacity of 184 and 252 hp. and one 6-cylinder in-line 4.0-liter with a capacity of 335 hp. There are four modifications of diesel engines - two 4-cylinders with a volume of 2.0 and 2.5 liters and a power of 190 and 231 hp. and two 6-cylinder in-line engines with a volume of 3.0 and 4.0 liters with a capacity of 261 and 315 hp. A hybrid vehicle configuration is also available. There are two transmissions to choose from - a 6-speed manual and an 8-speed Steptronic automatic.