The BMW E34 is the third generation of the BMW 5 Series, which was produced from November 2, 1987 to June 1996. It was launched in a sedan body style, with an expanded range in 1990 to include the "Touring" wagon (estate) body style. E34 was replaced by E39 in December 1995, although the E34 Touring model remained in production until June 1996.
E34 is the first 5 Series available with a stylish body wagon, 525iX is the first 5 Series with all-wheel drive and V8 engine is also first available in Series 5 during the E34 generation. It also saw the introduction of stability control (ASC), traction control (ASC T) 6-speed manual transmission and adjustable attenuation (EDC) to the 5 Series range.
There are a large number of exceptional machines installed during its lifetime, as nine different engine families are used. It consists of a 4-cylinder, straight-six and a V8 engine.
The E34 M5 is powered by a straight-six S38 engine and is produced in the body style of the sedan and wagon.
Video BMW 5 Series (E34)
Development and production
The development lasted from July 1981 to early 1987, with an initial design proposal written by Ercole Spada in 1982. Under the guidance of principal designer Claus Luthe, BMW is based on the design of the E32 7 Series. Following Spada's departure from BMW and styling approval in 1983, J Mays completed the design for production in mid-1985. In December 1987, the E34 sedan was launched into the global press. Particular attention is given to aerodynamics, with E34 having a drag coefficient of 0.30.
E34 production began on November 2, 1987 to 535i, with the market launch of 535i in January 1988 and other variants following a staggered launch. Production of 520i and 530i began in January 1988, for the market launch of March 1988. Production of 525i began in February 1988, launched into the market in April 1988, with 524td entering production in March 1988 for introduction in May 1988. The production tour began in July 1992, presentation at IAA 1991. Production ended for the sedan in December 1995 and Touring in June 1996, totaling 1,333,412 units.
Maps BMW 5 Series (E34)
Body style
Models
518i
The basic model, available only in Europe. It uses a 4-cylinder engine: originally the M40, which was replaced by the M43 in 1994. 518i is available in a sedan or wagon body style, but the only transmission available is a 5-speed manual.
520i
The lowest 6-cylinder model and E34 base model in some countries. The initial production of 520i began in January 1988, using a single cam M20 engine. In 1990, the M20 was replaced by a twin-cam cam machine. Further revisions of the 520i machine occurred in September 1992, when the updated M50 engine (called "M50TU") introduced VANOS (variable valve timing). The M50 version of the 520i is the most popular variant sold in Europe and the 520i is the second most popular E34 model globally, with 436,108 units produced.
525i
The mid-range model uses a 6-cylinder engine. Like the 520i, the 525i was originally powered by an M20 engine, which was later updated to the M50 and M50TU engines. The 525i is the most popular E34 model globally, with 566,573 units produced.
525iX
The 525iX series is the first 5-wheel all-wheel drive series, and the only all-wheel drive model in the E34 range. It is powered by an M50 engine and is available in body style sedans and wagons. The differential center will typically divide 36% of torque to the front axle and 64% into the rear axle, but can adjust the ratio according to the driving conditions in the case of wheels one of the axles begins to slip. Only 9366 cars produced.
530i
There are two versions of the 530i, a 6-cylinder model manufactured from 1988 to 1990 and a V8 model manufactured from 1992 to 1995. The previous 6-cylinder model is powered by the M30 and is not sold in North America. The V8 version, which effectively replaces the 535i 6-cylinder in the line-up, is powered by the new M60 engine and is available in body-style sedans and wagons. The transmission options for the V8 version are 5-speed manual and 5 speed automatic. Initially, the V8 model was distinguished by a wide grill (until 1994, when the wide toaster became available on other models).
535i
During production from November 1987 to 1992, the 6-cylinder 535i was the top model in the regular E34 line-up. A total of 126,895 535i cars were produced, including 6,469 sold in North America. The 535i was replaced by a 530i and 540i V8 engined model.
Despite the appointment of 535i and casting '3.5' on the intake manifold, the 6-cylinder M30 engine found on E34 535i is actually 3.4 liters (207 à ° c).
540i
In 1992, the 540i model was added at the top of the E34 line-up, using the M60 V8 engine. It is available in body style sedans and wagons (the latter not in the US). The transmission option is a 6-speed manual transmission (offered from 1994 to 1995 in North America for MY 1995, and 1993-1996 in Europe) or 5-speed automatic. Only 3,203 units of 540i manuals are manufactured. Initially, the V8 model was distinguished by a wide grill (until 1994, when the wide toaster became available on other models).
North American model range
The E34 series was launched in October 1988 in North America with 525i and 535i 6-cylinder models for MY 1989. During the E34 generation, 525i Touring, 530i, 530i Touring, 540i and M5 models were sold in North America. Each model was released earlier in Europe than in North America.
M5 version
Introduced in September 1988 and produced until August 1995, the E34 M5 is produced in sedan and Touring body styles, the first for badges.
The E34 M5 is powered by a straight-6 S38 engine, initially with 3.6 L (220 cuÃ, in) displacement and 232 kW (311 hp) output, then upgraded to a 3.8 L (232 cuÃ, in) engine producing 250 kW ( 340 PS, 335 hp). The 3.8 liter M5 version was first seen by the public at the 1991 Frankfurt Motor Show, where the E34 M5 Touring also saw its debut.
In the final year of production, BMW uses the Getrag 420G 6-speed manual gearbox, which is also used in Series 8 and 540i, as well as the next E39 5er.
Custom models
518g
Models that can run on natural gas (also gasoline) and are only sold in Germany. The 518g is based on a 518i wagon and the only transmission available is a 5-speed manual. When running in natural gas, the engine produces 73 kW (98 hp), compared to 84 kW (113 hp) when running gasoline. It was only produced in 1995 and only 298 units were built.
518iev prototype
After launching the BMW E1 and E2 Electric Vehicles (EVs) in 1992, BMW started a project to demonstrate the possibility of making a full-sized electric car, something that some others would agree because of the heavy battery technology of the day. To make it possible even though the lead-based battery, 518iev, has a modified 4-cylinder drive line equipped with CVT, battery packs and ground-rotating-field AC power motors. This configuration is the precursor of the current EV Hybrids. BMW builds at least one fully functional E34 prototype; However, very little is being recorded about it that exists online. These extensive tests (and many others) in the late nineties were carried out with partners such as Deutsche Post, but the company did not use the battery technology upgrades in subsequent years to advance power technology in production until BMW announced the ActiveE prototype in 2010. (before the model BMW i3 and i8) and 'Efficient Dynamics'.
540i M-sport/M540i/540i LE
Because the M5 was discontinued for non-European markets in 1993, the M-Sport 540i model was built in 1995 for the North American market. On top of the usual 540i features, additional features include sports suspensions equipped with EDC, reinforced sports seats, servotronic steering, and M5 brakes. 205 "M-Sport" model was built, 139 of them with 6-speed manual transmission.
The M540i model is sold in Canada. It includes features from North American 540i M-sport, plus brake upgrades, 18-inch M-parallel wheels and various trim pieces. Only 32 cars were built, all with manual transmission.
The LE 540i (eg Limited Edition) sedan is sold in Australia and the UK. The LE 540i includes the interior of the M5, "throws a star" M-System II wheels, EDC suspension with self-rear leveling, Servotronic power steering, and front air dams. 70 of 540i LE sedans are manufactured, all with manual transmissions, each numbered and identified by an engraved metal plaque stuck to the center console under the handbrake lever.
Machine
The official performance figures are as follows.
Gasoline
Diesel
Calendar year changed
1988
- the M5 model was introduced
- 524 model introduced
- The 4-cylinder 518i model was introduced
- The 520i machine is updated to the M50, the first model to use the new twin-cam series
- The driver side airbag is introduced
1990
- 525i engine updated to M50
- The 525iX All-wheel drive model introduces
- The 525 dtk diesel model was introduced
1992
- The 520i and 525i engines are updated to the M50TU, which introduces variable time valve (VANOS)
- The V8 engine is introduced on the 530i and 540i models, which share the engine and transmission with the E32 Series 7 and E31 Series 8. The V8 models use a wider grille than other models.
- The M5 engine is enlarged from 3.6 liters to 3.8 liters
- Revised exterior mirrors and hubcaps
1993
- model 525td was introduced
- The 535i model was discontinued, marking the end of 24 years of production for the M30 machine
- 6-speed manual transmission is available for the 540i model - the first 6-speed manual is available in Series 5
1994
- 518i machine upgraded from M40 to M43
- The M5 model now uses 6-speed transmission
- ASC becomes available
- Larger grid (formerly used only for V8 models) is now available in other models
Drivetrain
Manual transmission
- 5-speed Getrag 250
- 5-speed ZF
- 6-acceleration Getrag 420G-540i and 1994-1996 M5 only
Automatic transmission
- ZF 4HP22 4-acceleration engine - M20 and M30
- 4-speed GM 4L30-E (A4S 310R) engine - M50 (US only)
- 5-speed machine ZF 5HP18 - M50 and M51 (except US) and 1992-1995 530i.
- 5-speed ZF 5HP30 - 540i
Suspension
The front suspension consists of a double MacPherson strut pivot, with a replaceable shock absorber cartridge inside a steel strut house. Control arm and push control arm from front to back and side to side movement. The steering wheel in most models is a recirculated ball design, but the 525iX all-wheel drive uses rack and pinion steering.
The rear suspension consists of a semi-trailing arm with an integrated coil spring in a strut assembly.
References
Source of the article : Wikipedia