BMW E34: 5 сериясының үшінші буыны

Third generation of the 5 Series executive car

The BMW E34 is the third generation of the BMW 5 Series, which was produced from November 2, 1987, until 1996. Initially launched as a sedan in January 1988, the E34 also saw a "Touring" station wagon (estate) body style added in September 1992, a first for the 5 Series. BMW replaced the E34 with the E39 5 Series in December 1995, although E34 Touring models remained in production until June 1996. The E34 generation marked the first time all wheel drive was incorporated into the 5 Series with the 525iX, and the first V8 engine to be used in a 5 Series. The E34 also saw the introduction of stability control (ASC), traction control (ASC+T), a 6 speed manual transmission and adjustable damping (EDC) to the 5 Series range. There was an unusually large range of engines fitted over its lifetime as nine different engine families were used. These consisted of straight four, straight six and V8 engines. The E34 M5 is powered by the S38 straight six engine and was produced in sedan and wagon body styles.

Development ran from July 1981 to early 1987, with the initial design proposal penned by Ercole Spada in 1982. Under the guidance of chief designer Claus Luthe, BMW based much of the design on the E32 7 Series. Following Spada's departure from BMW and styling approval in 1983, J Mays finalized the design for production in mid 1985. Special attention was paid to aerodynamics, with the E34 basic sedan having a drag coefficient of 0.30. Series production began in November 1987. In December 1987, the E34 sedan was unveiled to global press.

Sedan models have a length of , a width of and a height of Wagon models have a length of and a height of All models have a wheelbase of .

Front suspension consists of double pivot MacPherson struts, with a replaceable shock absorber cartridge inside a steel strut housing. Control arms and thrust arms control front to back and side to side movement. Steering on most models is a recirculating ball design, however the all wheel drive 525iX uses a rack and pinion steering system (along with front suspension) similar to the E30 3 Series 325iX model. All front suspension components are steel, except that the lower control arms on some models are aluminum. Rear suspension consists of semi trailing arms with coil springs integrated in a strut assembly.

Introduced in September 1988 and produced until August 1995, the E34 M5 was produced in both sedan and station wagon ('Touring') body styles, the latter being the first M5 to be available as a wagon. The E34 M5 is powered by the BMW S38 inline six engine, originally with a displacement of and an output of , later upgraded to a engine rated at This 3.8 litre version of the M5 was first seen by the public at the 1991 Frankfurt Motor Show, where the E34 M5 Touring also saw its debut. The engine, also used by the 1995–2000 3 Series Compact 316g model, was a re tuned version of the BMW M43 four cylinder engine. When running on natural gas, the engine produced , compared with when running on petrol. It was only produced in 1995 and just 298 units were built. The batteries were a lead acid type and the electric motors used a rotating field AC electric drive. To assist the electric drivetrain, the 518iev also had a four cylinder petrol engine and a continuously variable transmission, a configuration similar to the first production hybrid cars produced by other manufacturers several years later. BMW built at least one fully functional E34 prototype, which was tested in the late 1990s by Deutsche Post and others.

Because the M5 was discontinued for non European markets in 1993, the 540i M Sport model was built in 1995 for the North American market. On top of the regular 540i features, additional features included sports suspension equipped with EDC, bolstered sport seats, servotronic steering, and US spec M5 brakes. 205 "M Sport" models were built, 139 of them with the 6 speed manual transmission. Only 32 of these cars were built, all with a manual transmission. The 540i LE included the interior from the M5, "throwing star" M System II wheels, EDC suspension with self leveling rear, Servotronic power steering, and front air dam. 70 of these 540i LE sedans were produced, all with a manual transmission, each individually numbered using an engraved metal plaque stuck onto the centre console beneath the handbrake lever. the first model to use the new twin cam straight six engine

All models equipped with wider grille and body colour lower body trim (US market). Interior materials revised: steering wheel slightly different design with colour emblem, door cards ruched/gathered leather and with different glue (more durable between panel and its vinyl/leather covering, less durable between panel and mounting clips). EWS drive away protection updated to EWS 2. 540i available with 6 speed manual transmission for the US market, all with Sport seats and suspension. 540i automatic and manual models equipped with 2.93 final drive, previously 2.81 (US market, at least).

Production of the E34 commenced on November 2, 1987, for the 535i, with 535i market launch being in January 1988 and other variants following a staggered launch. 520i and 530i production began in January 1988, for March 1988 market launch. Production of the 525i began in February 1988, being launched to market in April 1988, with the 524td entering production in March 1988 for May 1988 introduction. Touring production began in November 1990. Production ended for the sedan in December 1995 and Touring in June 1996. The production plants for the E34 were the Dingolfing plant in Germany and Rosslyn in South Africa. Total production was 1,333,412 units.