1995 BMW 5 Series Photos, engines & full specs

In December 1995, BMW introduced the fourth generation of the 5 Series, also known as the E39, and it was a revolutionary model in the nameplate's history since it came with significant improvements in all areas.

The 5 Series was already a sought-after vehicle on the market. Unlike other premium sedans, it provided a sporty feeling. It was the regular sports sedan for executives, but it could also be a quiet and refined companion while doing school runs. Unlike its predecessors, the new model featured all-aluminum links for the suspension that reduced the car's overall weight. Furthermore, BMW introduced new, lightweight engines that made the 5 Series feel light on its feet, even though it was a large vehicle for those times' standards. However, unlike its predecessor, the E39 wasn't offered with an all-wheel drive system.

One of the most significant changes in the model's history was that it didn't have four headlights at the front anymore. It featured dual headlamps on each side but was covered under the same piece of glass and sported the turn signals on the outer area. The bumper was aerodynamically profiled, contributing to the 0.27 drag coefficient of the E39.

Unlike its predecessors, the E39 featured a rounded-shaped greenhouse. The car appeared during the height of the bio-design era. The Japanese designer Joji Nagashima penned it in 1992, and the flowing lines of the bodywork matched the market's trend. It was far ahead of its main competitors. Furthermore, the body-colored flush door handles and mirrors amplified the smooth overall look of the car. On the lower side, the E39 featured pulled-out side sills, thus protecting the rear wheels from wind current. Finally, at the back, the automaker installed an extended skirt under the bumper, and the exhausts peaked from underneath it.

The interior was another revolution in terms of space and features. Customers could get the vehicle with a multifunction steering wheel. BMW installed buttons that controlled the audio and other functions of the car. The bolstered front seats provided adequate side support for high-speed cornering. Fronting the driver was a rounded-shaped instrument cluster filled with the usual four-dial system introduced by the automaker on the first generation of the 5 Series. Furthermore, an LCD placed at the bottom of the instrument panel showed additional data from the onboard computer. On the center stack, the automaker installed an integrated stereo. Wood trims and leather upholstery were part of a premium package that made the customers feel pampered. In the back, the bench seat could accommodate up to three passengers, although the legroom for the middle-seated one was limited due to the tall transmission tunnel.

Under the hood, the E39 offered only 100 hp+ engines, with four or six cylinders. Besides the mighty M5, there were also other two V8 options. Power went to the rear wheels only via either a five-speed manual or a four- or five-speed automatic, depending on the engine version. BMW also introduced a wider range of turbodiesel powerplants.