Monday 30th January 2017

BMW M5: Market Watch

With BMW's next M5 due soon, PH takes a closer look at the five previous models. Which one would you buy?

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For over 30 years BMW's M5 has claimed the title of the definitive super saloon. Originally derived from the M535i, it has evolved through five incarnations into a 600hp monster that currently sits at the very top of the performance saloon tree.

The family tree!

BMW's 1979 E12 M535i - the forerunner to the first M5 - packed a 3.5-litre straight-six engine with 218hp on tap. Based on the standard six-cylinder 535i saloon, a close-ratio gearbox and upgraded brakes were added, along with Recaro sports seats, a limited-slip diff and other BMW Motorsport goodies. And this formed the basic blueprint for subsequent M5s, with the first official E28 M5 arriving in 1985.

Engine configurations have of course evolved over the last three decades, with the E28 and E34 M5s using straight sixes, the E39 a naturally aspirated V8, the E60/61 a mental V10 and the outgoing F10 a twin-turbo V8 - a format that's likely to be carried over into the imminent sixth-generation M5 too.

But what which M5 is currently the best generation to buy? Which is the best to drive? Which incarnation delivers the best all-round value for money? And, dare the question even be posed, which M5 is destined to become a classic?

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Introduction
BMW M5 (E28, 1985-1988)
BMW M5 (E34, 1989-1995)
BMW M5 (E39, 1999-2003)
BMW M5 (E60, 2005-2010)
BMW M5 (F10, 2011-2016)

Many thanks to Redish Motorsport, the BMW Car Club of Great Britain, Glass's Guide and BimmerForums for their help with this feature.

[MDMA .]

E28, then E34. Don't care much for the others.

[MDMA .]

PGNSagaris said:

Driven any of the iterations ?

E34 and E60. Gearbox was horrible in the E60, but fast and noisy. If i wanted to go really quick, i'd just get another bike. I think the E34 looks just about perfect. It's a great shape. A friend had one in his workshop recently -




HTH.

[MDMA .]

turbobungle said:

I love them all, though I've only driven E28 and E39, but it has to be either E28 or E34 for me, though I lean towards the E28, possibly as I am biased.... Here's mine (as Sutts said, any excuse!) which was featured in Evo magazine a few years back and given 5 Stars by Henry Catchpole.

looks great.