5x5

5 Generations of BMW 5 Series Cars

With the recent introduction of the new E60 5 Series Sedan, the BMW family tree adds another branch.

The E12, the first 5 series model, was introduced in 1972, the year of the Olympic games in Munich, as a 4-cylinder European only model. The first models, the 520 and 520i's, were 4 door Sedans with carbureted and fuel injected four-cylinder engines. The 525 appeared in 1973 as the first six-cylinder model, with 145 hp. Its successor, the 528, had 164 hp.

Introduced in June 1981, the E28 was the successor to the E12 series. The E28 5 Series was lower than the E12, had more engine choices, and minor styling updates. The most notable E28 models were the M5 and the M535i. The US market featured the 2.7 liter "eta" engine, which was designed to use less fuel, while still offering good performance.

click for more information

The E34 appeared much more streamlined than the older E28, not overly round, with a front grill similar to the great E30 three series. Despite looking larger than the E28, the new E34 was only about 5% heavier and it had an even stiffer body, improving the car's handling. The E34 was available as a 4-door coupe, a touring, a 4-wheel drive (in some countries) and the Motorsport division's M5.

Produced from 1997-2003, the E39 5 Series is one of the most successful and lauded model series in BMW's history. The awards the E39 has won over its seven-year run include four AutoWeek "America's Best" awards, seven Edmunds.com "Most Wanted" awards, six Car and Driver 10Best awards, and a total of twelve Automobile Magazine All-Star awards. In its last full calendar year of sales, the 5 Series set an all-time sales record of nearly 41,000 units in the U.S.

You can find the answer to the Trivia Question here...