The BMW M5 at 35: a picture history

If you want an innocuous saloon with a crazy amount of power you’re now spoiled for choice, but it wasn’t always like that.

Until the arrival of the first BMW M5 in 1984, if you wanted serious performance you had to buy a madly impractical sports car. The arrival of the M5 changed all that. 2019 marks the 35th anniversary of the arrival of this quintessential super-saloon, and BMW is marking the occasion with a special edition of the current generation.

The M5 founded a whole new segment of executive expresses and in time a raft of pretenders to the throne would appear - but many would say the original is still the best. As we celebrate this remarkable series of cars turning 35, let's have a look at its history:

BMW M535i (E12) - 1979

The original 5-series was codenamed E12. Launched in 1972, BMW’s Motorsport division built its first road car, the M1, in 1978. A year later came the M535i; 1,410 were made. Though not strictly speaking an M5, this is where the story starts.

BMW M535i (E12) - 1979

The M535i wasn’t hand-built by Motorsport like the M5 that would come a few years later; it was a production car made alongside more prosaic 5-series models, but with some Motorsport bits added to the mix.

BMW M5 (E28) - 1985

The second-generation 5-series, codenamed E28, was launched at the 1984 Paris motor show. Based on that car was the original M5, which made its debut at the 1985 Amsterdam motor show.

BMW M5 (E28) - 1985

Whereas the M535i had been fitted with BMW’s regular 3.5-litre M30 single-overhead cam ‘big six’, the E28 M5 featured a proper Motorsport engine: the 3453cc M88/3 twin-cam unit rated at 286bhp. Top speed was 152mph while the 0-62mph time was 6.5 seconds, making it the world’s fastest production saloon.

BMW M5 (E28) - 1985

Remove the badges and the M5 looked no less threatening than a 518i, which had a third of the power. This generation of M5 outlived the rest of the E28 range by 11 months; the last one was made in November 1988, with 2,191 made in all, of which 187 were sold in the UK.

BMW M5 (E34) - 1989

The E34 made its debut in 1989 and featured far more bespoke parts than its predecessor; the suspension, steering and brakes were all radically altered for a sportier drive.

BMW M5 (E34) - 1989

Initially the E34 M5 featured a 3,535cc version of the E28’s M88 straight-six (now known as the S38), pegged at 315bhp. From 1992 capacity was boosted to 3,795cc, power jumping to 335bhp in the process.

BMW M5 Touring (E34) - 1992

Early in 1992 BMW launched an M5 Touring for European markets. Offered only with left-hand drive and solely with the 3.8-litre engine, it didn’t prove to be much of a success with just 891 examples finding buyers. Survivors are much prized today.

BMW M5 (E34) - 1989

Part of the M5’s appeal lay in the fact that it was the ultimate Q car. With just twin exhaust pipes and no flared wheelarches or extra scoops, slats or spoilers, the M5 looked as sporty as a 5-series rep special.

BMW M5 (E39) - 1998

The E39 was the third-generation M5, which made its debut at the 1998 Geneva motor show. The first M5 to be built on the regular 5-series production line, the E39 came only as a four-door saloon. Poor sales of the E34 Touring ensured BMW didn’t build an E39 estate although a single prototype was made, along with a two-door convertible.

BMW M5 (E39) - 1998

The E39 was the first M5 to be fitted with a V8. It used BMW’s S62 unit, rated at 4,941cc and 395bhp. The 0-62mph time was now pegged at 5.3 seconds; a full second quicker than the E34.

BMW M5 (E39) - 1998

Once again the M5 featured bespoke running gear compared with regular 5-series models. The recirculating ball steering, multi-link suspension and ventilated disc brakes were all unique to the high-performance saloon.

BMW M5 (E39) - 1998

Quad tailpipes would become a Motorsport trademark and in the case of the M5 it was the E39 that was the first to get more than two pipes to hint of the potential. But there were still no flared wheelarches so the M5 remained discreet.

BMW M5 (Concept) - 2004

We got our first glimpse of the fourth-generation M5 with this concept, unveiled in 2004. BMW gave away plenty of technical information too, including engine and transmission details along with performance figures.

BMW M5 (E60) - 2005

A few months after the concept made its debut we got to see the production M5. Now codenamed E60, the M5 featured a wider track and unique body panels compared with regular 5-series models.

BMW M5 (E60) - 2005

In place of the previous V8 there was now a 4999cc V10 in the nose of the new M5, capable of generating a massive 500bhp and a rather more modest 383lb ft of torque. This S85 unit could catapult the M5 from 0-62mph in just 4.7 seconds.

BMW M5 (E60) - 2005

The V10 engine was mated to a seven-speed sequential manual gearbox (SMG), which disappointed thanks to its clumsy changes. North American buyers got a six-speed manual transmission from 2006, with the SMG unit offered as an option.

BMW M5 (E60) - 2005

As with previous generations of M5, the E60’s cabin wasn’t much different from the interior of cooking 5-series models.

BMW M5 (E61) - 2007

BMW may have enjoyed little success with the previous M5 Touring, but it still decided to come back for more with this generation. While the M5 saloon arrived in spring 2005, it would be another two years before the Touring was available.

BMW M5 (Concept) - 2011

With the fourth-generation M5 out of production, BMW gave us a glimpse of its successor at the 2011 Shanghai motor show, with another M5 concept. This time BMW played its cards a little closer to its chest, saying only that there was “a high-revving twin-turbo V8” fitted, mated to a seven-speed SMG transmission.

BMW M5 (F10) - 2011

BMW whisked the covers off the fifth-generation production-ready M5 at the 2011 Frankfurt motor show. Shown in saloon form only, there would be no M5 Touring for this edition, now codenamed F10.

BMW M5 (F10) - 2011

Predictably, the latest M5 was even more powerful than its predecessor. Maximum power for the twin-turbo 4,395cc V8 was now 553bhp while the torque peak was 502lb ft. Once again there was a seven-speed SMG transmission, but US buyers got a six-speed manual option.

BMW M5 (F10) - 2011

BMW was stung by criticism that the E60 M5 was rather portly, so it attempted to reduce the F10’s kerb weight by fitting more carbon fibre components. Despite this, the F10’s kerb weight was still 1,945kg (4279 lb) compared with the E60’s 1,855kg (4081 lb).

BMW M5 Performance Edition (F10) - 2012

In May 2012 BMW announced the M5 Performance Edition, a special edition just for the UK market. Only 30 cars were built, with £22,075-worth of extra kit as standard; buyers could choose from red, white or blue ‘frozen’ paint finishes. The cars were mechanically standard though.

BMW M5 M Competition Package (F10) - 2013

A minor facelift in 2013 coincided with the introduction of an M Competition Package, which saw the M5’s peak power rise to 575bhp. The chassis control systems were also recalibrated to reduce track times still further.

BMW M5 30 Jahre (F10) - 2014

To mark three decades of M5 production BMW unleashed a 30 Jahre edition in 2014. Power was boosted to 591bhp and the 0-62mph time was slashed to just 3.9 seconds. Just 30 examples came to the UK, representing 10 per cent of the total production figure.

BMW M5 Competition Edition (F10) - 2016

In July 2016 BMW announced yet another M5 special edition, the Competition Edition. Priced at £100,995 in the UK and restricted to 200 units worldwide, an M Competition Package was fitted as standard and there was a 591bhp power output. Buyers could choose either black or white paint schemes.

BMW M5 Pure Metal Silver (F10) - 2016

While America didn't get the Competition Edition, it did get a 600-hp special edition dubbed M5 Pure Metal Silver all to itself, which was mechanically almost identical, and cost $130,900. Only available in silver, 50 were built; the 0-62mph time was reduced from 4.2sec to 3.9sec.

BMW M5 (G30) - 2017

BMW unveiled the sixth-generation M5 at the 2017 Frankfurt motor show. For the first time ever, this M5 is fitted with xDrive four-wheel drive instead of rear-wheel drive.

BMW M5 (G30) - 2017

An eight-speed Steptronic transmission is fitted, power comes from an overhauled 4.4-litre twin-turbo V8.

BMW M5 Competition (G30) - 2018

Following the tradition from the previous generation, BMW created the M5 competition which flaunts of 616bhp which is 25bhp more than the standard. While the rest of the vehicle remains the same there is a slight improvement in the 0-62mph time by 0.1sec and a 0-124mph time by 0.3sec which is a subtle way of saying that the M5 Competition is quicker than the standard M5.

BMW M5 - 35 Years (2019)

BMW is celebrating 35 years of its M5 super saloon with a limited-run reworking of the 616bhp M5 Competition. The BMW M5 Edition 35 Years features the same tuned version of the 4.4-litre V8 twin turbo engine as the M5 Competition, which produces 553lb ft of torque and can achieve 0-62mph in 3.3 seconds on its way to a limited top speed of 155mph.

The all-wheel-drive model also features the lowered and stiffened suspension from the M5 Competition, along with ball-joined rear suspension mountings and upgraded front anti-roll bars. The 350 examples of the M5 Edition 35 Years that will be produced feature a number of design changes, including a new metallic grey paint, and new 20-inch alloy wheels. The brake calipers are finished in high-gloss black, while the calipers on the optional M carbon ceramic brakes are available in a golf finish.