BMW M5 E34 3.8

BMW M5 E34 3.8

The BMW E34 M5, produced from 1988 to 1995, perfected the formula that the original E28 M5 had pioneered: insert the most powerful engine possible into the executive sedan body and refine the chassis to match. The result was a car that could transport five passengers and their luggage in comfort and silence at moderate speeds, yet transform into a formidable performance machine when the driver demanded it — the quintessential wolf in sheep's clothing.

The S38 engine was the star of the show. This hand-built inline-six, assembled individually by skilled technicians at BMW M's Garching facility, was a masterpiece of atmospheric engine design. Initially displacing 3.5 liters and producing 315 horsepower, it was enlarged to 3.8 liters for the 1993 model year, raising output to 340 horsepower. The engine used individual throttle bodies for each cylinder — a feature borrowed from BMW's Formula 1 program — ensuring instantaneous throttle response and an intoxicating howl as it approached its 7,000 rpm redline.

The S38 was unique in the BMW M portfolio in having a single overhead cam per bank — a design that dated back to the M88 engine in the original M1 supercar. This arrangement, while less modern than the dual-cam designs used in the M3, proved remarkably effective, producing power and torque curves that were both broad and linear. The engine pulled strongly from 2,000 rpm and built urgency through the mid-range before erupting into a crescendo above 5,000 rpm that was genuinely thrilling.

The 3.8-liter version added a six-speed Getrag manual gearbox — among the first six-speed transmissions in a production sedan — with closer ratios that kept the engine in its most potent power band. The shift action was precise and satisfying, with a mechanical quality that modern automated transmissions cannot replicate.

The E34 M5's chassis was comprehensively upgraded from the standard 5 Series. Thicker anti-roll bars, stiffer springs, recalibrated dampers, and larger brakes transformed the handling from comfortable to genuinely sporting while maintaining an acceptable ride quality for daily use. The Servotronic power steering provided excellent feedback at speed, tightening its weighting as velocity increased. The limited-slip differential ensured that the considerable torque was deployed effectively.

Visually, the E34 M5 was almost indistinguishable from a standard 535i — only the subtle M badge on the trunk, slightly wider wheel arches, unique mirror housings, and quad exhaust tips betrayed its identity. This discretion was part of the M5's appeal. It was a car for those who knew, not those who needed to show.

The E34 M5 also broke new ground with the introduction of a Touring (wagon) variant — the first M5 estate and, at the time, the fastest production wagon in the world. Only 891 Touring examples were produced, making them exceptionally rare and desirable today.

The E34 generation is widely considered the finest M5, representing the last expression of the naturally aspirated, hand-built inline-six formula before BMW moved to V8 (E39 M5) and V10 (E60 M5) configurations. Its combination of stealth, mechanical character, and everyday usability remains the benchmark against which all super sedans are judged.