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bmw / Spec Sheet / 24 Mar 2026

BMW E28/E34 5-Series, Full Specifications

Last updated 24 Mar 2026

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

// RELATED GUIDES

BMW E28/E34 5-Series, The Complete Buying Guide

BMW E28/E34 5-Series, Known Issues and Common Problems

Common Problems

BMW E28/E34 5-Series, Frequently Asked Questions

BMW E28/E34 5-Series, Complete History

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