Different releases of the 5 series

[dropot2]

Sorry but I've never been an expert about the BMW (in fact, I'm not an expert in any car, I just love them... :wink: ).I'd like to know when the different 5 series were released and what appereance had each car. A little pic of the car with the year of its release would be perfect. Thank you! :)

[Wutputt]

Overview pic:

http://i136.exs.cx/img136/8223/5series5xb.th.jpg (http://img136.exs.cx/my.php?loc=img136&image=5series5xb.jpg)



E12 (1972-1981)

http://e12.wz.cz/images/E12(4).jpg


E28 (1981-1988)

http://www.bmworg.ru/img/cars/e28-25i1.jpg


E34 (1988-1996)

http://www.bmworg.ru/img/cars/e34_11.jpg


E39 (1996-2003)

http://www.zeckhausen.com/images/Product_icons/M5.JPG


E60 (2003-present)

http://www.bavar.ru/models/img/e60_1.jpg


edit: pics added ;)

[dropot2]

Thank you very much wutputt! :D :wink: It's perfect :wink:

[astonmartinandy]

e39 still my favourite of all 5 series - and all M5s for that matter!

[Sir_GT]

What about the facelifted E60? Shouldn't that count as well?

[ZfrkS62]

Wuttputt, i don't mean to be a pain, but the E39 started as a 97 model year.

Thanks for the collection :D

[SilviaEvo]

^^also that is not a normal 5 Series its an M5 :wink:

[gobs3z]

Can anyone explain how they chose the random series names. Going from E12, E28, E34, E39 and to E60? Whats the story behind the series names?

[SilviaEvo]

^^i dont know but this should help

BMW MODELS DECODED
Like any hobby, the BMW enthusiast has a languagge all his own, the most common question is regarding product codes.
Froom time to time while surfing these links and others, you will see references to E33 or E65 etc...These are not referencing some obscure ot foreign model, but current and past models by their BMW product codes. The table below is meant to be a handy refenrence for the rest of us, not yet so well versed in BMW speak.

By Model Number By Development Code
3 Series E21 1977-1983
E30 1984-1991 (Includes M3)
E36 1992-1999 (Includes M3 and Z3
E46 1999-2002 (includes M3) E12 5 Series 1979-1981
E21 3 Series 1977-1983
E23 7 Series 1978-1988
E24 6 Series 1978-1988
E28 5 Series 1982-1988
E30 3 Series 1984-1991
E31 8 Series 1990-1999
E32 7 Series 1988-1994
E34 5 Series 1989-1996
E36 3 Series 1992-1999
E38 7 Series 1995-2001
E39 5 Series 1997-2003
E46 3 Series 1999-present
E53 X5 2000-present
E65 7 Series 2002-present
5 Series E12 1979-1981
E28 1982-1988(includes M5)
E34 1989-1996 (includes M5)
E39 1997-2002
6 Series E24 1978-1988 (includes M6 and L6)
7 Series E23 1978-1988
E32 1988-1994
E38 1995-2001
E65 2002-present
8 Series E31 1990-1999
X5 E53 2000-present

[ZfrkS62]

Can anyone explain how they chose the random series names. Going from E12, E28, E34, E39 and to E60? Whats the story behind the series names?

They are internal engineering designations. Baisically while the car is on the drawing board it is given a project number which is in series with the order the car was drawn up. The code sitcks with the car from inception to the end of the production run. I think they started doing this after the 2002.

so the E12 was the 12th project on paper, E21 3 series was the 21st on paper and so on. the numbers aren't sequential since obviously not every idea will make it to production

*edit* Dammit Silvia, quit editing your posts while i'm posting :lol:

anyway, just an expansion on your list Silvia:

E36/7 Z3 and M Roadster
E46/16 3 series all wheel drive (Xi)
E46/2 3 series coupe (Ci)

i=fuel injected
X=all wheel drive
C=coupe
c=Convertible
L=Long wheel base
M=Motorsport (as if you didn't know)
s=Sport

[chest3r]

What about the facelifted E60? Shouldn't that count as well?

What facelift !?!? :roll:


Thanks a lot ZfrkS62 for your explanation 8) . I'm a bimmer fan but I didn't know how they give those numbers to the models. :roll:

[gobs3z]

Thanks guys, the world makes so much more sence now. haha

[ZfrkS62]

X=all wheel drive


LOL yeah that would have been nice to bad it doesnt work....... :P :wink:

You've never taken a 4.8is X5 out in the mud :P :D :wink:


I'm a bimmer fan but I didn't know how they give those numbers to the models.


They make us learn this stuff in training :lol: pain in the ass to remember it all

[Sir_GT]

What about the facelifted E60? Shouldn't that count as well?

What facelift !?!? :roll:


Thanks a lot ZfrkS62 for your explanation 8) . I'm a bimmer fan but I didn't know how they give those numbers to the models. :roll:

The "sport" option they're selling now. With the revised front.

(yes, I know it's an option, but it does make the E60 look leagues better)

[ae86_16v]

What about the facelifted E60? Shouldn't that count as well?

The E60 has not been facelifted yet. And is not schedule for a facelift until after the 4th year of production. BMW models runs on a 7 year life span. So the facelifted one will appear as a 2007 Model Year, probably see it late summer/early autumn 2006.

[saadie]

nice topic .. and nice pics .. thx 8)
e39 still my favourite of all 5 series - and all M5s for that matter!
ditto

[Wutputt]

Wuttputt, i don't mean to be a pain, but the E39 started as a 97 model year.
That could defenitely be possible. I never was good at remembering years :D

[TransAm]

Nice topic, call me a boring person if you like, but I find this type of thing interesting!

[SilviaEvo]

^^i also like this its like learning how to read and write in 1337 :mrgreen:

Can anyone explain how they chose the random series names. Going from E12, E28, E34, E39 and to E60? Whats the story behind the series names?

They are internal engineering designations. Baisically while the car is on the drawing board it is given a project number which is in series with the order the car was drawn up. The code sitcks with the car from inception to the end of the production run. I think they started doing this after the 2002.

so the E12 was the 12th project on paper, E21 3 series was the 21st on paper and so on. the numbers aren't sequential since obviously not every idea will make it to production

*edit* Dammit Silvia, quit editing your posts while i'm posting :lol:

anyway, just an expansion on your list Silvia:

E36/7 Z3 and M Roadster
E46/16 3 series all wheel drive (Xi)
E46/2 3 series coupe (Ci)

i=fuel injected
X=all wheel drive
C=coupe
c=Convertible
L=Long wheel base
M=Motorsport (as if you didn't know)
s=Sport

i aim to please Z :wink: btw you can also call me the google master