Engines and Performance
A few enhancements to the body's cosmetics and functionality, as well as a slew of engine and transmission evolutions, have appeared throughout its years of production. Among those, BMW's VANOS variable valve timing technology made its first appearance in the M50 2.5 L engines built in September 1992 and later.
Both the E34 BMW 530i and 540i shared the M60 engine, which used Nikasil bore linings. In America and the United Kingdom this made both susceptible to premature engine wear, as high sulphur content in petrol in those markets resulted in deterioration of the linings. BMW then introduced an Alusil version of this engine, which solved the problem. In the USA and UK sulfur rich fuel is being phased out. Nikasil engines are unlikely to be a problem today, as cars with affected engines are off the road or have received replacement engines, and or were not affected.
Gasoline| Model | Displacement | Cyl. number | Valves | Max power | Max torque | Top speed | Model Years | Production figures | Engine code | Body version |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 518i | 1796 cc | I4 | 8 | 83 kW (113 PS) @ 5.500 rpm | 162 N·m (119 lb·ft) @ 4.250 rpm | 192 km/h (119 mph) | 1989–1994 | 53,254 (both engine versions) |
M40B18 | Sedan/Touring |
| 518i | 1796 cc | I4 | 8 | 85 kW (115 PS) @ 5.500 rpm | 168 N·m (124 lb·ft) @ 3.900 rpm | 198 km/h (123 mph) | 1994–1996 | M43B18 | Sedan/Touring | |
| 518g | 1796 cc | I4 | 8 | 77 kW (105 PS)/85 kW (115 PS) | 168 N·m (124 lb·ft) @ ? rpm | 190 km/h (118 mph) | 1995–1996 | 298 | M43B18 | Touring |
| 520i | 1991 cc | I6 | 12 | 95 kW (129 PS) @ 6.000 rpm | 164 N·m (121 lb·ft) @ 4.300 rpm | 204 km/h (127 mph) | 1988–1990 | 427,122 (all engine versions) |
M20B20 | Sedan |
| 520i | 1991 cc | I6 | 24 | 110 kW (150 PS) @ 6.000 rpm | 190 N·m (140 lb·ft) @ 4.700 rpm | 211 km/h (131 mph) | 1990–1992 | M50B20 | Sedan/Touring | |
| 520i | 1991 cc | I6 | 24 | 110 kW (150 PS) @ 5.900 rpm | 190 N·m (140 lb·ft) @ 4.200 rpm | 211 km/h (131 mph) | 1992–1996 | M50B20 (TÜ) | Sedan/Touring | |
| 525i | 2494 cc | I6 | 12 | 125 kW (170 PS) @ 5.800 rpm | 222 N·m (164 lb·ft) @ 4.300 rpm | 221 km/h (137 mph) | 1988–1990 | 434,567 (all engine versions) |
M20B25 | Sedan |
| 525i | 2494 cc | I6 | 24 | 141 kW (192 PS) @ 6.000 rpm | 245 N·m (181 lb·ft) @ 4.700 rpm | 230 km/h (143 mph) | 1990–1992 | M50B25 | Sedan/Touring | |
| 525ix | 2494 cc | I6 | 24 | 141 kW (192 PS) @ 6.000 rpm | 245 N·m (181 lb·ft) @ 4.700 rpm | 220 km/h (137 mph) | 1991–1992 | 9,366 (both engine versions) |
M50B25 | Sedan/Touring |
| 525i | 2494 cc | I6 | 24 | 141 kW (192 PS) @ 5.900 rpm | 245 N·m (181 lb·ft) 184 lb-ft with VANOS @ 4.200 rpm | 230 km/h (143 mph) | 1992–1996 | M50B25 (TÜ) | Sedan/Touring | |
| 525ix | 2494 cc | I6 | 24 | 141 kW (192 PS) @ 5.900 rpm | 245 N·m (181 lb·ft) 184 lb-ft with VANOS @ 4.200 rpm | 220 km/h (137 mph) | 1992–1996 | M50B25 (TÜ) | Sedan/Touring | |
| 530i | 2986 cc | I6 | 12 | 138 kW (188 PS) @ 5.800 rpm | 255 N·m (188 lb·ft) @ 4.000 rpm | 227 km/h (141 mph) | 1988–1990 | 20,279 | M30B30 | Sedan |
| 535i | 3430 cc | I6 | 12 | 155 kW (211 PS) @ 5.700 rpm | 305 N·m (225 lb·ft) @ 4.000 rpm | 235 km/h (146 mph) | 1987–1993 | 99,861 | M30B35 | Sedan |
| 530i | 2997 cc | V8 | 32 | 160 kW (218 PS) @ 5.800 rpm | 290 N·m (210 lb·ft) @ 4.500 rpm | 235 km/h (146 mph) | 1992–1996 | 37,292 | M60B30 | Sedan/Touring |
| 540i | 3982 cc | V8 | 32 | 210 kW (286 PS) @ 5.800 rpm | 400 N·m (300 lb·ft) @ 4.500 rpm | 240 km/h (149 mph) | 1992–1996 | 26,483 | M60B40 | Sedan/Touring |
| M5 | 3535 cc | I6 | 24 | 232 kW (315 PS) @ 6.900 rpm | 360 N·m (270 lb·ft) @ 4.750 rpm | 250 km/h (155 mph) | 1988–1993 | 12,254 (both engine versions) |
S38B36 | Sedan |
| M5 | 3795 cc | I6 | 24 | 250 kW (340 PS) @ 6.900 rpm | 400 N·m (300 lb·ft) @ 4.750 rpm | 250 km/h (155 mph) | 1991–1995 | S38B38 | Sedan/Touring |
| Model | Displacement | Cyl. number | Valves | Max power | Max torque | Top speed | Model Years | Production figures | Engine code | Body version |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 524td | 2443 cc | I6 | 12 | 85 kW (115 PS) @ 4.800 rpm | 220 N·m (160 lb·ft) @ 2.400 rpm | 192 km/h (119 mph) | 1988–1991 | 70,901 | M21D24 | Sedan |
| 525td | 2497 cc | I6 | 12 | 85 kW (115 PS) @ 4.800 rpm | 222 N·m (164 lb·ft) @ 1.900 rpm | 194 km/h (121 mph) | 1993–1996 | 19,334 | M51D25UL | Sedan/Touring |
| 525tds | 2497 cc | I6 | 12 | 105 kW (143 PS) @ 4.800 rpm | 260 N·m (190 lb·ft) @ 2.200 rpm | 207 km/h (129 mph) | 1991–1996 | 122,401 | M51D25OL | Sedan/Touring |
| Model | Displacement | Cyl. number | Max power | Max torque | Top speed | Model Years | Production figures |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| B10 3.0 Allrad | 2997 cc | I6 | 170 kW (231 PS) @ 5.800 rpm | 312 N·m (230 lb·ft) @ 4.200 rpm | ? km/h | 10/93-10/95 | 64 |
| B10 3.5/1 | 3430 cc | I6 | 187 kW (254 PS) @ 5.800 rpm | 325 N·m (240 lb·ft) @ 4.000 rpm | 252 km/h (157 mph) | 04/88-12/92 | 572 |
| B10 4.0 | 3982 cc | V8 | 232 kW (315 PS) | 410 N·m (300 lb·ft) | 265 km/h (165 mph) | 04/93-11/94 | 45 |
| B10 4.6 | 4619 cc | V8 | 250 kW (340 PS) @ 5.700 rpm | 480 N·m (350 lb·ft) @ 3.900 rpm | 275 km/h (171 mph) | 03/94-05/95 | 27 |
| B10 Biturbo | 3430 cc | I6 | 265 kW (360 PS) @ 6.000 rpm | 520 N·m (380 lb·ft) @ 4.000 rpm | 291 km/h (181 mph) | 08/89-03/94 | 507 |
Read more about this topic: BMW 5 Series (E34)
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