BMW 5 Series generations

Explore the evolution of the BMW 5 Series generations and discover key design changes, performance upgrades and tech innovations

By Craig Hale

Last updated: 20 May 2025

The BMW 5 Series generations now span more than half a century, charting a course from analogue to digital.

Each one tells a different story, because every single generation of the BMW 5 Series has its own unique traits and model firsts.

Whether you're a fan of classic straight-six engines or you like the latest in electric torque, there's a BMW 5 Series generation for every driver.

And if you need a touch more practicality with your premium experience, we've also covered some noteworthy BMW 5 Series Touring generations.

Full list of BMW 5 Series generations

First-generation BMW 5 Series (E12; 1972)

A brown BMW 5 Series E12 parked on a cobblestone street, with a modern glass building in the background.

Back in the era of flared trousers and big hair, BMW wanted to do something that proved it could do grown-up saloons, so the 5 Series was born.

A successor to the Neue Klasse saloons like the 1800 and 2000 and co-designed by Marcello Gandini (the man behind the Lamborghini Countach), it was launched as an executive saloon model for the emerging wealth.

It launched with a range of four- and six-cylinder engines, including a 218hp 3.5-litre straight-six in the M535i.

Second-generation BMW 5 Series (E28; 1981)

A white BMW 5 Series E28 parked by a waterfront, with a scenic city and hills in the background.

Visually, the E28 doesn't look to dissimilar to the E12. Instead, this 5 Series had a bit more polish and more features, refining the original saloon.

It got some considerable efficiency additions, including a 525e/528e petrol engine option designed to deliver more torque without the need to rev so hard, and for the first time ever, a diesel engine – a 2.4-litre straight-six, with or without a turbocharger.

Crucially, this generation saw the birth of the M5 performance model, with a 286hp 3.5-litre straight-six derived from a mechanically similar engine used in the iconic BMW M1 sports car.

Third-generation BMW 5 Series (E34; 1988)

Black BMW 5 Series E34 parked in front of a modern building with large glass doors and windows.

By this point, the 5 Series had properly hit its stride, and you can still see this redesigned model on the roads today.

With a choice of four- and six-cylinder engines, and for the first time a selection of V8s, the E34 was proper Autobahn material, but interestingly, the M5 model used the middling six-cylinder engine to produce its peak output of 340hp.

Although this generation only has one name code, it was the first 5 Series to get an estate variant, badged Touring. This came four years after launch, in 1992.

Fourth-generation BMW 5 Series (E39; 1995)

Silver BMW 5 Series E39 driving on a desert road with rocky hills in the background under a clear sky.

E39 models are also popular purchases on the used car market, balancing old-school engineering with just the right amount of modern tech. We're talking handling-friendly hydraulic steering, near-perfect weight distribution and that classic German quality of engineering.

Owing to the success of the previous Touring model, BMW decided to reintroduce a Touring estate version one year after the E39 went on sale as a saloon.

With the exception of the entry-level diesel, most engines are silky smooth straight-sizes or powerful V8s, including that of the M5, which used a 400hp 5.0-litre V8.

Fifth-generation BMW 5 Series (E60/E61; 2003)

Silver BMW 5 Series E60 parked on a rooftop with a modern glass building in the background.

This model is where modern-day tech starts to creep in more evidently – BMW introduced the iDrive infotainment system, which later went on to become the best in the business thanks to regular updates resulting in the one we know and love today.

Depending on model, it also has active steering and adaptive damping, adaptive cruise control and a head-up display. However, it's the looks that turned most heads, with many drivers unsure of the design, to put it politely.

Knowing that Touring estates were here to stay, BMW added a new model code (E61) to denote the longer and more practical edition. The M5's 5.0-litre engine remained, but this time with two extra cylinders. The bonkers V10 pumped out 507hp.

Sixth-generation BMW 5 Series (F10/F11/F07; 2010)

Silver BMW 5 Series F10 parked on a paved area, with a modern building featuring horizontal lines in the background.

After its polarising predecessor, the F10 played it safe with elegant and refined looks, but just enough sharpness to give it that sporty feel. Well, the F07 Gran Turismo model might just be the exception to this generation – an awkward blend of saloon and SUV.

This is a luxurious motorway cruiser and mile-muncher, and is an executive saloon driven by hundreds if not thousands of taxi drivers up and down the UK to this day. Some 5 Series firsts include a hybrid powertrain, active rear-wheel steering and a smoother dual-clutch automatic gearbox.

You could spec up a sixth-generation 5 Series virtually exactly as you wanted it, with diesel engines ranging from 143hp all the way up to 381hp in the M550d, a range of four-, six- and eight-cylinder petrol engines including the 560hp M5, and the 340hp ActiveHybrid 5.

Seventh-generation BMW 5 Series (G30/G31; 2017)

a grey bmw 5 series m sport driving on a twisty mountain road

With this model, BMW fully embraced the tech age without losing its roots as the ultimate manufacturer of driving machines. Being built on a similar platform to the flagship 7 Series, you also see a noticeable step up in cabin and ride refinement.

You wouldn't know it unless you were actively searching, but many engines use mild hybrid assistance to improve efficiency, while plug-in hybrid models saw electric-only ranges climb to around 30 miles.

M550d models are good for 0-62mph in 4.4 seconds yet you might still be able to squeeze 40mpg out of them with a careful right foot, but if it's sheer performance you want, the M5 and M5 Competition have up to 617hp for 0-62mph in 3.1 seconds.

Eighth-generation BMW 5 Series (G60/G61; 2024)

BMW 5 Series front three quarters

Enthusiasts might complain that the 5 Series has lost its sense of direction, becoming an ultra-minimalist, tech-laden car, but having driven one recently, we still think this BMW has what it takes. It's just that BMW doesn't need to shout about the performance or handling – it's built into it, like second nature.

It's significantly larger than any of its predecessors, and followed in Mercedes' footsteps with the E-Class (and EQE) by introducing a brand-new electric option to the BMW family in the form of the BMW i5.

At 2.4 tonnes, the eighth-generation BMW M5 is not just the heaviest to date, but one of the heaviest non-SUVs on the roads. The twin-turbocharged V8 gets electric support from a plug-in hybrid system, which means there's 727hp on tap, but because of its weight, it's slower to 62mph than its predecessor, at 3.5 seconds. There's also the 601hp i5 M60, which gets there in 3.8 seconds.

What’s the best BMW 5 Series generation?

In a room of 100 BMW enthusiasts, you'd probably be pointed in the direction of any of the eight generations at least five times, but we think one comes out on top.

If you like something a little bit more up-to-date and reliable, the seventh-generation model introduced in 2017 is a real highlight. It has just the right amount of old-school feel without sacrificing comfort and modern driver aids.

The eighth-generation BMW 5 Series is also a highlight in the range – it's the first to get a fully electric powertrain, so if you want to cut your running costs, then it could be the perfect electric saloon.

Explore the latest BMW 5 Series cars for sale

From classic saloons to futuristic electric estates, there are BMW 5 Series generations to suit all drivers. You'll only find the latest models for sale on cinch, but if you want to save yourself some cash compared with buying new, check out our used BMW 5 Series models for sale.