1990-1996 BMW 5-Series Specs & Safety - Consumer Guide Automotive

Detailed safety information for this generation BMW 5-Series include detailed crash test scores from the NHTSA. Specs for this generation BMW 5-Seriesinclude everything from fuel mileage to seating capacity to options availability.

1990-1996 BMW 5-Series Specs & Safety

Vehicle Dimensions

Specification	4-door sedan	4-door wagon

Wheelbase, in.	108.7	108.7

Overall Length, in.	185.8	185.8

Overall Width, in.	68.9	68.9

Overall Height, in.	55.6	55.8

Curb Weight, lbs.	3484	3760

Cargo Volume, cu. ft.	16.2	51.2

Standard Payload, lbs.	--	--

Fuel Capacity, gals.	21.1	21.1

Seating Capacity	5	5

Front Head Room, in.	36.9	36.8

Max. Front Leg Room, in.	41.6	41.6

Rear Head Room, in.	36.4	37.7

Max. Rear Leg Room, in.	37.0	34.2

Specifications Key: NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist.

Powertrain Options and Availability

A 168-horsepower, 2.5-liter inline six, as in 3-Series models, went into the 525i at first. Horsepower got a boost for 1991, to 189. For more vigor, the 535i employed a 208-horsepower, 3.4-liter six. A 5-speed manual gearbox was standard; 4-speed automatic optional. The smallest engine gained variable valve timing for 1993, with no change in horsepower but 3 extra pound-feet of torque, peaking some 500 rpm sooner. For 1994, two V8 engines became available: 3.0-liter and 215 horsepower in the 530i, or 4.0-liter with 282 horsepower in the 540i. A 5-speed manual transmission was standard in the 530i, with 5-speed automatic optional. The automatic went into all 540i models that year.

Engines	Size liters / cu. in	Horse- power	Torque	Transmission: EPA city/hgwy	Consumer Guide Observed

ohc I6	2.5 / 152	168	164	5-speed manual: 18/25 4-speed automatic: 18/23	5-speed manual: -- 4-speed automatic: --

dohc I6	2.5 / 152	189	181-184	5-speed manual: 19/28 4-speed automatic: 18/25	5-speed manual: -- 4-speed automatic: --

ohc I6	3.4 / 209	208	225	5-speed manual: 15/23 4-speed automatic: 16/22	5-speed manual: -- 4-speed automatic: 17.2

dohc V8	3.0 / 183	215	214	5-speed manual: 16/24 5-speed automatic: 17/26	5-speed manual: -- 5-speed automatic: --

dohc V8	4.0 / 243	282	295	5-speed manual: 14/23 5-speed automatic: 17/25	5-speed manual: -- 5-speed automatic: 15.7

Specifications Key: NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist.

NHTSA Crash-Test Results

Vehicle crash test information not available at this time.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) tests a vehicle's worthiness in front- and side-impact collisions and rates its resistance to rollovers. Front-impact crash-test numbers indicate the chance of serious injury: 5 = 10% or less; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-35%; 2 = 35-45%; 1 = More than 45%. Side-impact crash-test numbers indicate: 5 = 5% or less; 4 = 6-10%; 3 = 11-20%; 2 = 21-25%; 1 = More than 26%. Rollover resistance numbers indicate the chance for rollover when the vehicle leaves the roadway: 5 = Less than 10%; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-30%; 2 = 30-40%; 1 = More than 40%.

Built In: Germany

Drive Wheels: longitudinal front-engine/rear-wheel drive

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