1997 BMW 5 Series Touring Photos, engines & full specs

Two years after the introduction of the fourth generation of the 5 Series, BMW also introduced the station wagon, also known as the Touring, in the carmaker’s naming system.

When BMW launched the E39 5 Series in December 1995, it was a big shock for its customers, but in a pleasant way. Even though it sported an unusual-looking front fascia compared to its predecessors, the car ended up being appreciated for what it offered. There was only one thing the vehicle didn’t provide: enough room for the luggage area. Unlike its predecessor, the E34, which was available with a long-roof version, the E39 was not. That problem was solved in 1997 when the automaker finally revealed the second generation of the 5 Series Touring.

At the front, the E39 differed a lot from its predecessors. Unlike them, it featured dual headlamps on each side covered by the same piece of glass and corner-mounted turn signals. The bumper also integrated an aerodynamically profiled apron, which could integrate a set of fog lamps. Furthermore, the well-known kidney grille was integrated into the hood and filled the area between the headlights.

From its profile, the long-roof version of the E39 kept the same body panels as its sedan sibling up to the B-pillars. BMW didn’t want to take shortcuts and provide the car with the same rear doors, so it designed new ones despite being a costlier solution. But just like its brother, it featured pulled-out side sills that protected the rear wheels from air current, thus helping lower the drag. Behind the rear doors, the automaker installed a third row of windows next to the trunk area, while at the back, a raked-forward tailgate emphasized the car’s sporty character. Like the previous generation of the 5 Series Touring, the E39’s rear window could be opened independently from the tailgate, easing the loading and unloading of smaller items.

Inside, BMW created a dashboard that followed the bio-design trends. It featured rounded corners and flowing lines. Fronting the driver was an arched visor above the instrument panel. The fuel level and the temperature gauges flanked the large tachometer and speedometer that were installed in the middle. Below them, on a narrow LCD, customers could see data from the onboard computer. The front bucket seats with bolstered areas were divided by a center console that housed the gear stick and an armrest. As an option, the E39 was available with a mobile phone. In the back, a split-folding bench seat could accommodate up to three passengers. It also allowed customers to expand the trunk space from 410 liters (23 cu-ft) to an impressive 1,652 liters (58.3 cu-ft).

Under the hood, BMW installed a new generation of all-aluminum engines that lowered the car’s overall weight. Furthermore, the E39 was the first production model made by the automaker with fully aluminum suspension elements. Customers could get the E39 5 Series Touring with either gasoline or turbodiesel engines paired with five-speed manual transmissions. A four- or five-speed automatic was also available, depending on the engine version.