BMW E39
Годы выпуска: 1996–2004
Обзор
The BMW E39 is the fourth generation of the BMW 5 Series executive car, manufactured from 1995 to 2004. Widely regarded by enthusiasts as one of the finest sedans ever built, it perfectly balanced traditional analog driving dynamics with modern luxury and safety.
Key Specifications
- Body Styles: Available as a four-door Sedan (saloon) and a five-door Touring (wagon).
- Chassis Layout: Front-engine, rear-wheel drive (RWD) architecture.
- Suspension: Notable for using aluminum extensively in the front and rear suspension to reduce unsprung weight.
- Technology: Introduced advanced safety features like dynamic stability control and side curtain airbags.
Popular Engine Options
The E39 offered a broad lineup of petrol and diesel engines:
- Inline-6 (Petrol): M52/M54 engines power the popular 520i, 523i, 525i, 528i, and 530i models. Renowned for silky-smooth power delivery and bulletproof reliability (especially the 3.0L M54B30).
- V8 (Petrol): M62 engines power the 535i and 540i. Deliver massive torque but are more expensive to maintain due to timing chain guide wear.
- Inline-6 (Diesel): M57 engine powers the highly praised 530d, known for huge low-end torque and impressive fuel efficiency.
M5
- The performance flagship of this generation is the legendary BMW M5 E39, introduced in 1998.
- Powered by the 4.0L S62 V8 engine producing 400 horsepower.
- Offered exclusively with a 6-speed manual transmission.
- Frequently praised by automotive journalists as the best sport sedan ever made.
LCI
The mid-cycle refresh for the BMW E39—referred to in BMW terms as the LCI (Life Cycle Impulse) or facelift—rolled out in September 2000 for the 2001 model year. This update brought massive cosmetic, mechanical, and technological changes that finalized the iconic modern look of the car.
Exterior Design Changes
The facelift drastically modernized the E39's road presence with several key styling shifts:
- "Angel Eye" Headlights: The E39 became the first production car to feature halo rings around the high/low beams, completely revolutionizing automotive headlight design. The headlights also switched to a clean, transparent lens style.
- CELIS LED Tail Lights: The rear lights were swapped out for "wave-guide" LED running lights manufactured by Hella, dispensing with traditional bulbs for a sharper, immediate light pattern.
- Revised Bumpers: The front bumper was reshaped to include round fog lights rather than the blocky, rectangular ones used on early cars.
- Body-Colored Trim: The black plastic protective strips running along the bumpers and door panels were now painted to match the car's exterior paint color.M5 Kidney Grilles: The iconic front vertical "kidney" grilles were broadened on all standard models to copy the look of the wider-slat M5 grille.
Engine and Mechanical Overhauls
The facelift coincided with a complete replacement of the core engine lineup:
- The M54 Engine Family: The older single/technical-update M52 straight-six engines were replaced by the superior M54 engine family. This brought drive-by-wire electronic throttles and optimized emissions systems.
- Model Rebadging: Due to the new engines, the 523i and 528i trims were retired and replaced by the more powerful 525i and 530i variants.
- Diesel Power Bump: The 530d engine received a retuned turbo map, pushing output from 181 to 190 horsepower.
Interior and Technology Upgrades
BMW updated several interior components to keep the E39 competitive into the early 2000s:
- Widescreen Navigation: The outdated, square 4:3 infotainment system screen was replaced by a modern 16:9 widescreen display.
- New Steering Wheels: Models equipped with sport packages received a thicker, three-spoke steering wheel pulled directly from the E46 M3 performance car.
- Added Safety: Standard configuration expanded to include 10 airbags, introducing rear head-protection side-curtain airbags to the chassis.
- Component Redesigns: The interior doors traded their heavy metal pull handles for updated plastic components. Internal wiring for the power windows, climate modules, and solar tracking sensors was also completely revised.