01 · Overview
The last hand-built M5
The second M5 stayed true to the recipe: inline six-cylinder S38, unassuming sedan, hand-built at M GmbH in Garching. First as a 3.6-litre with 315 PS, from 1992 as a 3.8-litre with 340 PS — and from 1992 also for the first time as the M5 Touring, the first Touring in M history.
We cover all three stages on this page: the technology diverges at displacement, collectors diverge at the Touring — it remained a niche model with under 900 units.
02 · History
Einordnung
- 1988 Market launch with 315 PS — the fastest production sedan of its time.
- 1992 The 3.8-litre with 340 PS replaces the 3.6-litre (some sources cite late 1991 already); the M5 Touring debuts in parallel.
- 1995 End of production — the E39 M5 wouldn't follow until 1998.
03 · Body variants
Body variants
Sedan
The core form — nearly standard on the outside, typical the M-System wheels with fan covers.
Touring
The first M Touring: 891 units, left-hand drive only — today a collector's item.
04 · Engines
S38B36 / S38B38 verified
Four-valve engine with individual throttle bodies, a direct descendant of the M1's M88 engine.
Technische Daten anzeigen
| Hubraum | 3.535 cm³ / 3.795 cm³ |
| Leistung | 315 PS (232 kW) / 340 PS (250 kW) |
| Drehmoment | 360 Nm / 400 Nm |
Wikipedia DE/EN, BMW M5
05 · Engineering
Engineering
M-System-Räder
06 · Buying guide
Buying advice in brief
S38 maintenance is a specialist’s job (valve clearance, synchronising throttle bodies). History and originality matter more than mileage.
07 · The competition
The competition
Mercedes 500 E (W124)
The Porsche-built V8 rival — automatic versus manual.
08 · Sources