1997-2003 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.

1997-2003 BMW 5-Series Specs & Safety

Vehicle Dimensions

Specification	4-door sedan	4-door wagon

Wheelbase, in.	111.4	111.4

Overall Length, in.	188.0	188.0

Overall Width, in.	70.9	70.9

Overall Height, in.	56.5	56.5

Curb Weight, lbs.	3450	3692

Cargo Volume, cu. ft.	11.0	36.5-65.2

Standard Payload, lbs.	--	--

Fuel Capacity, gals.	18.5	18.5

Seating Capacity	5	5

Front Head Room, in.	37.4	37.4

Max. Front Leg Room, in.	41.7	41.7

Rear Head Room, in.	37.5	37.5

Max. Rear Leg Room, in.	34.2	34.2

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

Powertrain Options and Availability

A choice of two engines gives the 5-Series two different personalities. The 528i carries a dual-overhead-cam inline 6-cylinder engine, producing 190 horsepower. A 4.4-liter V8, also with overhead camshafts, sits beneath 540i hoods. Either model might have manual shift or automatic, but the 528i got a choice of 5-speed manual or 4-speed automatic, whereas the 540i could have either 6-speed manual or 5-speed automatic. For 2000, a 4.9-liter V8, making 394 horsepower, went beneath the hood of the revived M5 sedan, which came only with a 6-speed manual transmission. Added in 2001 were 525i and 525iT models with 2.5-liter I6 engines and a 530i with a 3.0-liter I6 in place of the 2.8-liter. The 540i V8 engine gained 8 horsepower, bringing it up to 290 for 2002.

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

dohc I6	2.8 / 170	190	207	5-speed manual: 19/28 4-speed automatic: 18/26	5-speed manual: 20.9 4-speed automatic: 18.8

dohc V8	4.4 / 268	282-290	310-324	6-speed manual: 15/24 5-speed automatic: 18/24	6-speed manual: -- 5-speed automatic: 15.8

dohc V8	4.9 / 303	394	368	6-speed manual: 15/23	6-speed manual: 13.8

dohc I6	2.5 / 152	184	175	5-speed manual: 20/29 5-speed automatic: 19/27	5-speed manual: -- 5-speed automatic: 17.4

dohc I6	3.0 / 182	225	214	5-speed manual: 21/30 5-speed automatic: 18/26	5-speed manual: 21 5-speed automatic: --

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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BMW 5-Series Specs & Safety

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BMW 5-Series Full Review