Performance Review: BMW 5 Series M5 E34 - [1992]

Figures & Specs Summary:

BMW 5 Series Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the BMW 5 Series M5 E34 is the 5 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 1992. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 1993 Jaguar XJ 220 S 3.5 V6 Turbo and the 1992 Bugatti EB110 SuperSport.This particular BMW 5 Series has a 3795cc Naturally Aspirated Petrol powerplant with 6 cylinders in a St formation.

Alternative Petrol St6's includes the 1965 Aston-Martin DB6 1965

The 5 Series shares its Petrol St6 engine configuration with the likes of the 1965 Aston-Martin DB6 1965 and the . If you're looking for other fast cars which share the 5 Series's Rear Wheel Drive, Saloon combination then how about the 1982 Fiat X1/9 1.5 8V or the 1965 Aston-Martin DB6 1965.

Power and Weight:

Weighing in at 1725 kgs (3802 lbs) this makes the BMW 5 Series M5 E34 in the same weight category as the 2022 BMW 4 Series M4 CSL 3.0 Twin Turbo G82 or the give or take 50kg.

The BMW 5 Series shares the same bhp with the 2024 Mazda CX-90 S 3.3 Turbo (340 bhp)

In terms of power the 3795cc 24V St6 engine produces 335 bhp (249 kW) @ 6900 rpm similar to the 2024 Mazda CX-90 S 3.3 Turbo (340 bhp) or the 2023 Porsche Cayenne Coupe 3.0 V6 Turbo (348 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated St6 throws out 295 lb-ft (399.9 Nm) @ 4750 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2023 Toyota Corolla GR Morizo Edition 1.6 Turbo (295 lb-ft) or the 2023 Porsche Cayenne Coupe E-Hybrid 3.0 V6 Turbo (310 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If one combines the weight with power or torque performance for the BMW 5 Series you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 2008 Dodge Charger 6.1 SRT8 (219.2 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the BMW 5 Series.

The BMW 5 Series has a Power to weight ratio of 194.2 bhp per ton and 171.0 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1992 5 Series competing with the 2008 Dodge Charger 6.1 SRT8 (219.2 bhp per ton) or the 1993 Mercedes E Class 60 AMG 6.0 V8 W124 (219.2 bhp per ton).

Power to Weight(cont.):

If you agree with the late great Carroll Shelby then arguably an even better indicator of potential performance, Torque. Use weight as well and you end up with - Torque per ton, with the BMW 5 Series generating around 171.0 lb-ft per ton. If you're curious as to what other cars have as much torque to weight then look no further than the 2017 Volkswagen-VW Golf R 4Motion DSG 2.0 Turbo (196.0 lb-ft per ton) or the 2014 BMW 2 Series M235i Cabriolet Auto F23 (195.8 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 5.90 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 6.1 secs, this made the BMW 5 Series M5 E34 as fast as the 2019 Ford Focus ST 2.3 EcoBoost Automatic Wagon (5.90 secs) the 2019 Ford Focus ST 2.3 EcoBoost Automatic (5.90 secs) the 2017 Hyundai i30 N Performance 2.0 Turbo (5.90 secs) the or the 2015 Seat Leon ST Cupra 280 (5.90 secs). This BMW 5 Series M5 E34 is also faster than the 2019 Land-Rover Defender 110 3.0 Turbo (6.00 secs) the 2017 Dodge Challenger GT 3.6 V6 AWD (6.00 secs) the 2017 Toyota Century 5.0 V8 (6.00 secs) the and the 2015 Seat Leon ST Cupra 265 DSG (6.00 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the 5 Series and the 2007 BMW 1 Series 135i 2d Coupe M-Sport

When talking about the performance of the BMW 5 Series on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 14.08 secs @ 97.2 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 2007 BMW 1 Series 135i 2d Coupe M-Sport (14.05 secs), the 1968 Jensen Interceptor FF 6.3L V8 (14.05 secs), and the 1969 Bristol 411 6.3 V8 (14.05 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1992 version of the BMW 5 Series M5 E34 has a maximum speed of 155mph.

Top Speed of the 1992 5 Series equals the 2024 Ford Mustang Dark Horse 5.0 V8 (166 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 1992 BMW 5 Series M5 E34 then how about the 2024 Ford Mustang Dark Horse 5.0 V8 (166 mph), the 2022 Ford Mustang GT 5.0 V8 (166 mph), or the 2021 Ford Mustang Mach 1 5.0 V8 (166 mph).

Related Links:

1992 5 Series Rivals List.

A Brief History of BMW

Car Comparison