BMW M5

Group	3
Engine	90° V8
Displacement	4941cc
Fuel feed and ignition	Bosch Motronic
Location	Front longitudinal
Transmission	6 speed manual RWD limited slip diff (25% locking)
Bore and stroke	94 x 89 mm ( x in.)
Compression ratio	11.0:1
Cylinder block	Aluminium alloyed with silicon (Alusil), wet sump
Cylinder head	Aluminium alloy, 2 DOHC, 4 valves per cylinder, Double VANOS
Redline rpm	7000
Bhp @ rpm	394 @ 6600
lb ft @ rpm	369 @ 3800
Kerb weight/kg	1720
bhp/ton	229
bhp/litre	81
Chassis	All steel monocoque with front steel subframe
Tyres	245/40 ZR 18" front, 275/35 ZR 18" rear, Michelin Pilot Sport
Wheels	8J x 18" front, 9.5J x 18" rear
Brakes	Ventilated, single piston calipers, ABS, 345mm front, 328mm rear
Steering	Recirculating ball, hydraulic assisted, Servotronic
Front suspension	Aluminium Independent MacPherson struts, double-joint tie-bar, anti-roll bar
Rear suspension	Aluminium Multi-link, coils/damper, anti-roll bar
Cabin	4 door; 5 seat
0-60/secs	4.9
0-100/secs	11.5
Max mph	186
Fuel tank	70 litres
Year	1999-2003
Country	Germany
Price when new	£60,000+
Number produced	2595 (EU RHD)

The BMW Motorsport division was founded in 1972 to help support private entrants after rule changes demanded that any special competition parts must be made available in specified quantities, which could only really be done by a manufacturer rather than a tuning company. BMW went racing with it's 3.0CSL in touring cars and in 1976 decided to compete with Porsche in group 4 and 5 of International sports car racing, and started to build the M1 supercar. It is the M1's specially developed race-bred 24-valve inline six engine that later found its way into the first high performance version of a regular road car, the BMW M535i in 1979.
 
The E39 is the third incarnation of the M5, and was first shown in 1998 at the Geneva motorshow after a break of 3 years and stayed in production until 2003. It was the first M car to be powered by a V8 engine and was the fastest saloon car in the world until its successor in 2005.
 
The E39 M5 has a specially developed, hand-built and highly tuned version of the 4.3 litre unit found in the 540i, displacement is increased to 4.9 litres and power is increased by 112bhp to 400bhp using racing technology. The engine employs a Double-VANOS variable valve timing system which acts on both intake and exhaust valves with continuous variable camshafts. Individual throttle butterflies are also used for each cylinder ensuring a much faster engine response from the drive-by-wire throttle.
 
Only one transmission choice was available: a 6 speed manual with a reinforced clutch. A rear LSD was also included with traction control and DSC which are both switchable. A sport mode also sharpens throttle response and firms up steering.
 
The chassis is from the standard E39 but has been heavily reworked by the M-division, with ride height lowered by about an inch, stiffer shocks and springs, thicker front and rear anti-roll bars and polyurethane auxiliary springs. The modifications give a stiffer ride but less body-roll in corners.
 
Stopping power is providing by large ventilated discs on all four corners, supplemented with ABS. Derestricted the car will do 186mph (~300km/h) which made it the fastest BMW ever produced and the fastest production saloon car until its successor the E60 M5 took over in 2005.
 
"Magnificent V8 engined supersaloon" ***** evo Magazine, THE KNOWLEDGE