E39

The BMW E39 is the internal chassis designation for BMW’s fourth generation 5 Series, produced from 1995 to 2004. It followed the E34 and was succeeded by the E60. The E39 is commonly praised for its combination of ride comfort, handling balance, and interior quality, and it marked a refinement of the traditional mid-size executive sedan formula.

The E39 was offered as a four-door sedan and as a five-door Touring (estate) in many markets. The lineup included a wide range of gasoline engines and, in Europe, diesel options. In the United States, typical models were the 525i, 528i, 530i, and 540i, with the high-performance M5 variant using a V8. Engine choices spanned inline-six units from around 2.5 to 3.0 liters (M52 and M54) and V8s such as the 4.4-liter M62 in the 540i, plus the 5.0-liter S62 V8 in the M5. Diesel variants (such as 525d and 530d in many markets) used the M57 engine. Transmission options included manual and automatic transmissions, with the M5 offering a six-speed manual.

Notable features across the range included advanced suspension tuning for the era, and optional stability control and, in some variants, adaptive suspension systems. The M5 variant is particularly well regarded for its performance, powered by the S62 V8 and tuned chassis.

Production of the E39 ended in 2004, making way for the E60 generation. The model remains remembered for its balanced dynamics, solid build quality, and the broad, versatile range of configurations it offered during its run. Common maintenance concerns with aging examples can include cooling system components, engine VANOS-related issues, suspension bushings, and electrical gremlins.