E28 5-Series, Key Specifications
| Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Production Years | 1981-1988 |
| Manufacturer | Bayerische Motoren Werke AG |
| Assembly | Dingolfing, Germany |
| Body Styles | 4-door sedan |
| Layout | Front engine, rear-wheel drive |
| Platform | BMW E28 |
| Wheelbase | 2,624 mm |
| Overall Length | 4,620 mm |
| Overall Width | 1,699 mm |
| Overall Height | 1,415 mm |
| Front Track | 1,430 mm |
| Rear Track | 1,462 mm |
| Kerb Weight | 1,340-1,540 kg (varies by model) |
| Fuel Tank Capacity | 70 L |
| Boot Capacity | 460 L |
| Drag Coefficient | 0.37 |
| Total Production | ~722,328 units |
E28 Engine Specifications
M20B20, 520i (1981-1988)
| Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Configuration | Inline 6, SOHC, 12-valve |
| Displacement | 1,990 cc |
| Bore x Stroke | 80.0 mm x 66.0 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 9.0:1 |
| Power | 92 kW (125 hp) @ 6,000 rpm |
| Torque | 170 Nm (125 lb-ft) @ 4,000 rpm |
| Fuel System | Bosch L-Jetronic / Motronic |
| Redline | 6,500 rpm |
| Engine Oil Capacity | 5.0 L (with filter) |
M20B27, 525e (1983-1988)
| Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Configuration | Inline 6, SOHC, 12-valve |
| Displacement | 2,693 cc |
| Bore x Stroke | 84.0 mm x 81.0 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 9.0:1 |
| Power | 90 kW (122 hp) @ 4,250 rpm |
| Torque | 240 Nm (177 lb-ft) @ 3,250 rpm |
| Fuel System | Bosch Motronic 1.0 |
| Redline | 4,800 rpm |
| Engine Oil Capacity | 5.0 L (with filter) |
M30B28, 528i (1981-1987)
| Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Configuration | Inline 6, SOHC, 12-valve |
| Displacement | 2,788 cc |
| Bore x Stroke | 86.0 mm x 80.0 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 9.3:1 |
| Power | 135 kW (184 hp) @ 5,400 rpm |
| Torque | 253 Nm (187 lb-ft) @ 4,000 rpm |
| Fuel System | Bosch L-Jetronic / Motronic |
| Redline | 6,200 rpm |
| Engine Oil Capacity | 5.5 L (with filter) |
M30B34, 535i, M535i (1985-1988)
| Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Configuration | Inline 6, SOHC, 12-valve |
| Displacement | 3,430 cc |
| Bore x Stroke | 92.0 mm x 86.0 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 10.0:1 |
| Power | 160 kW (218 hp) @ 5,200 rpm |
| Torque | 310 Nm (229 lb-ft) @ 4,000 rpm |
| Fuel System | Bosch Motronic 1.0 / 1.3 |
| Redline | 6,200 rpm |
| Engine Oil Capacity | 5.5 L (with filter) |
M88/3, M5 (1985-1988)
| Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Configuration | Inline 6, DOHC, 24-valve |
| Displacement | 3,453 cc |
| Bore x Stroke | 93.4 mm x 84.0 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 10.5:1 |
| Power | 210 kW (286 hp) @ 6,500 rpm |
| Torque | 340 Nm (251 lb-ft) @ 4,500 rpm |
| Fuel System | Bosch ML-Jetronic |
| Individual Throttle Bodies | 6 x individual butterflies |
| Redline | 6,900 rpm |
| Engine Oil Capacity | 6.0 L (with filter) |
E28 Performance
| Model | 0-100 km/h | Top Speed | Fuel (Combined) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 520i (manual) | 11.5 sec | 190 km/h | 10.0 L/100km |
| 525e (manual) | 11.8 sec | 195 km/h | 8.5 L/100km |
| 528i (manual) | 9.1 sec | 210 km/h | 11.5 L/100km |
| 535i (manual) | 7.5 sec | 225 km/h | 12.5 L/100km |
| 535i (auto) | 8.8 sec | 218 km/h | 13.5 L/100km |
| M5 | 6.5 sec | 245 km/h | 14.0 L/100km |
E34 5-Series, Key Specifications
| Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Production Years | 1988-1996 |
| Manufacturer | Bayerische Motoren Werke AG |
| Assembly | Dingolfing, Germany |
| Body Styles | 4-door sedan, 5-door Touring (from 1991) |
| Layout | Front engine, rear-wheel drive |
| Platform | BMW E34 |
| Wheelbase | 2,761 mm |
| Overall Length | 4,720 mm (sedan) / 4,720 mm (Touring) |
| Overall Width | 1,751 mm |
| Overall Height | 1,412 mm (sedan) / 1,432 mm (Touring) |
| Front Track | 1,484 mm |
| Rear Track | 1,494 mm |
| Kerb Weight | 1,430-1,720 kg (varies by model) |
| Fuel Tank Capacity | 80 L |
| Boot Capacity | 460 L (sedan) / 460-1,420 L (Touring) |
| Drag Coefficient | 0.30 (sedan) / 0.32 (Touring) |
| Total Production | ~1,333,412 units |
E34 Engine Specifications
M50B20, 520i (1990-1996)
| Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Configuration | Inline 6, DOHC, 24-valve |
| Displacement | 1,991 cc |
| Bore x Stroke | 80.0 mm x 66.0 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 10.5:1 |
| Power | 110 kW (150 hp) @ 6,000 rpm |
| Torque | 190 Nm (140 lb-ft) @ 4,700 rpm |
| Fuel System | Bosch Motronic 3.1 |
| Redline | 6,500 rpm |
| Engine Oil Capacity | 6.0 L (with filter) |
M50B25, 525i (1990-1996)
| Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Configuration | Inline 6, DOHC, 24-valve |
| Displacement | 2,494 cc |
| Bore x Stroke | 84.0 mm x 75.0 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 10.5:1 |
| Power | 141 kW (192 hp) @ 6,000 rpm |
| Torque | 245 Nm (181 lb-ft) @ 4,700 rpm |
| Fuel System | Bosch Motronic 3.1 / 3.3 (VANOS) |
| VANOS | Single VANOS on M50TU (from 1992) |
| Redline | 6,500 rpm |
| Engine Oil Capacity | 6.5 L (with filter) |
M30B34, 535i (1988-1993)
| Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Configuration | Inline 6, SOHC, 12-valve |
| Displacement | 3,430 cc |
| Bore x Stroke | 92.0 mm x 86.0 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 9.3:1 |
| Power | 155 kW (211 hp) @ 5,200 rpm |
| Torque | 305 Nm (225 lb-ft) @ 4,000 rpm |
| Fuel System | Bosch Motronic 1.3 |
| Redline | 6,200 rpm |
| Engine Oil Capacity | 5.5 L (with filter) |
M60B30, 530i (1992-1996)
| Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Configuration | V8, DOHC, 32-valve |
| Displacement | 2,997 cc |
| Bore x Stroke | 84.0 mm x 67.6 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 10.5:1 |
| Power | 160 kW (218 hp) @ 5,800 rpm |
| Torque | 290 Nm (214 lb-ft) @ 4,500 rpm |
| Fuel System | Bosch Motronic 3.3 |
| Cylinder Lining | Nikasil (early) / Alusil (late) |
| Redline | 6,500 rpm |
| Engine Oil Capacity | 7.5 L (with filter) |
M60B40, 540i (1992-1996)
| Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Configuration | V8, DOHC, 32-valve |
| Displacement | 3,982 cc |
| Bore x Stroke | 89.0 mm x 80.0 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 10.0:1 |
| Power | 210 kW (286 hp) @ 5,800 rpm |
| Torque | 400 Nm (295 lb-ft) @ 4,500 rpm |
| Fuel System | Bosch Motronic 3.3 |
| Cylinder Lining | Nikasil (early) / Alusil (late) |
| Redline | 6,500 rpm |
| Engine Oil Capacity | 7.5 L (with filter) |
S38B36, M5 3.6 (1988-1992)
| Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Configuration | Inline 6, DOHC, 24-valve |
| Displacement | 3,535 cc |
| Bore x Stroke | 93.4 mm x 86.0 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 10.0:1 |
| Power | 232 kW (315 hp) @ 6,900 rpm |
| Torque | 360 Nm (266 lb-ft) @ 4,750 rpm |
| Fuel System | Bosch Motronic 3.3 |
| Individual Throttle Bodies | 6 x individual butterflies |
| Redline | 7,200 rpm |
| Engine Oil Capacity | 6.5 L (with filter) |
S38B38, M5 3.8 (1992-1995)
| Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Configuration | Inline 6, DOHC, 24-valve |
| Displacement | 3,795 cc |
| Bore x Stroke | 94.6 mm x 90.0 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 10.0:1 |
| Power | 250 kW (340 hp) @ 6,900 rpm |
| Torque | 400 Nm (295 lb-ft) @ 4,750 rpm |
| Fuel System | Bosch Motronic 3.3 |
| VANOS | Single VANOS |
| Individual Throttle Bodies | 6 x individual butterflies |
| Redline | 7,200 rpm |
| Engine Oil Capacity | 6.5 L (with filter) |
E34 Performance
| Model | 0-100 km/h | Top Speed | Fuel (Combined) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 520i (manual) | 10.2 sec | 210 km/h | 9.5 L/100km |
| 525i (manual) | 8.0 sec | 228 km/h | 10.5 L/100km |
| 535i (manual) | 7.6 sec | 230 km/h | 12.0 L/100km |
| 530i (manual) | 8.2 sec | 225 km/h | 11.5 L/100km |
| 540i (manual) | 6.6 sec | 250 km/h (limited) | 13.0 L/100km |
| 540i (auto) | 7.4 sec | 244 km/h | 14.0 L/100km |
| M5 3.6 | 6.3 sec | 250 km/h (limited) | 14.5 L/100km |
| M5 3.8 | 5.9 sec | 250 km/h (limited) | 15.0 L/100km |
E28 Transmission Specifications
Getrag 265/5 (5-speed manual, 535i, M5)
| Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Type | 5-speed manual, synchromesh all gears |
| 1st Gear | 3.83:1 |
| 2nd Gear | 2.20:1 |
| 3rd Gear | 1.40:1 |
| 4th Gear | 1.00:1 |
| 5th Gear | 0.81:1 |
| Reverse | 4.23:1 |
| Oil Capacity | 1.2 L |
| Oil Type | MTF-1 or GL-4 75W-90 |
E34 Transmission Specifications
Getrag 260/6 (5-speed manual, 520i, 525i)
| Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Type | 5-speed manual, synchromesh all gears |
| 1st Gear | 4.23:1 |
| 2nd Gear | 2.52:1 |
| 3rd Gear | 1.67:1 |
| 4th Gear | 1.23:1 |
| 5th Gear | 1.00:1 |
| Reverse | 4.17:1 |
| Oil Capacity | 1.2 L |
| Oil Type | MTF-1 or GL-4 75W-90 |
Getrag 280/6 (6-speed manual, M5)
| Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Type | 6-speed manual, synchromesh all gears |
| 1st Gear | 4.20:1 |
| 2nd Gear | 2.49:1 |
| 3rd Gear | 1.67:1 |
| 4th Gear | 1.24:1 |
| 5th Gear | 1.00:1 |
| 6th Gear | 0.83:1 |
| Reverse | 4.10:1 |
| Oil Capacity | 1.4 L |
| Oil Type | MTF-1 or GL-4 75W-90 |
ZF 5HP24 (5-speed automatic, 540i)
| Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Type | 5-speed torque converter automatic |
| Fluid Type | Dexron III ATF |
| Fluid Capacity | 5.0 L (drain and fill) / 10.0 L (total) |
Suspension Specifications
E28
| Spec | Front | Rear |
|---|---|---|
| Type | MacPherson strut | Semi-trailing arm |
| Springs | Coil | Coil |
| Anti-roll Bar | 22 mm (standard) / 25 mm (M5) | 14 mm (standard) / 16 mm (M5) |
| Dampers | Twin-tube hydraulic | Twin-tube hydraulic |
E34
| Spec | Front | Rear |
|---|---|---|
| Type | MacPherson strut | Multi-link (Z-link) |
| Springs | Coil | Coil (self-levelling on some models) |
| Anti-roll Bar | 24 mm (standard) / 26 mm (M5) | 16 mm (standard) / 18 mm (M5) |
| Dampers | Twin-tube hydraulic | Twin-tube hydraulic |
Brake Specifications
E28
| Spec | Standard (535i) | M5 |
|---|---|---|
| Front | Ventilated disc, 284 x 22 mm | Ventilated disc, 300 x 28 mm |
| Rear | Solid disc, 272 x 10 mm | Ventilated disc, 280 x 20 mm |
| ABS | Optional (Bosch ABS 2) | Standard |
E34
| Spec | Standard (535i) | M5 |
|---|---|---|
| Front | Ventilated disc, 302 x 22 mm | Ventilated disc, 315 x 28 mm |
| Rear | Solid disc, 300 x 10 mm | Ventilated disc, 300 x 20 mm |
| ABS | Standard (Bosch ABS 5) | Standard (Bosch ABS 5) |
Wheels and Tyres
| Model | Standard Wheels | Standard Tyres |
|---|---|---|
| E28 520i | 14 x 6.0" steel | 185/70HR14 |
| E28 535i | 15 x 7.0" alloy | 205/65VR15 |
| E28 M535i | 16 x 7.0" BBS | 220/55VR390 (TRX) |
| E28 M5 | 16 x 7.5" alloy | 225/50VR16 |
| E34 520i | 15 x 7.0" alloy | 205/65R15 |
| E34 525i | 15 x 7.0" alloy | 205/65R15 |
| E34 535i | 15 x 7.0" alloy | 225/60R15 |
| E34 540i | 15 x 7.5" alloy | 225/60R15 |
| E34 M5 | 17 x 8.0" M-System | 235/45ZR17 |
Fluid Capacities Summary
| Fluid | E28 (M30) | E34 (M50) | E34 (M30) | E34 (M60) | E34 M5 (S38) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine Oil | 5.5 L | 6.0-6.5 L | 5.5 L | 7.5 L | 6.5 L |
| Coolant | 10.5 L | 11.0 L | 11.0 L | 12.0 L | 11.5 L |
| Manual Gearbox | 1.2 L | 1.2 L | 1.2 L | 1.4 L | 1.4 L |
| Differential | 1.2 L | 1.0 L | 1.2 L | 1.2 L | 1.2 L |
| Fuel Tank | 70 L | 80 L | 80 L | 80 L | 80 L |
E28 Production Numbers
| Model | Approximate Production |
|---|---|
| 518/518i | 147,917 |
| 520i | 125,959 |
| 524td | 53,292 |
| 525e | 88,519 |
| 528e/528i | 168,581 |
| 535i/M535i | 135,819 |
| M5 | 2,241 |
| Total | ~722,328 |
E34 Production Numbers
| Model | Approximate Production |
|---|---|
| 518i/518g | 172,508 |
| 520i | 295,029 |
| 524td/525td/525tds | 139,189 |
| 525i/525ix | 268,436 |
| 530i | 73,178 |
| 535i | 107,029 |
| 540i | 42,189 |
| M5 (sedan) | 11,363 |
| M5 (Touring) | 891 |
| Touring (all) | 117,600 |
| Total | ~1,333,412 |
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