The BMW E34 M5 holds a revered place in automotive history, celebrated for its blend of performance and luxury. With its powerful engine, precise handling, and timeless design, understanding how many were ever built reveals the scale of its legacy.
Between 1986 and 1993, BMW manufactured approximately 1,700 units of the E34 M5. This limited production run underscores its exclusivity, with over 1,500 vehicles completing the final model year—many sought after by collectors for their rarity and engineering excellence.
The E34 M5’s production was spread across three model years: 1986 (420 units), 1987–1990 (1,150 units), and 1991–1993 (230 units). Each year featured subtle refinements, but output remained tightly controlled to preserve the model’s prestige and performance pedigree.
Although not mass-produced, the E34 M5’s limited numbers have elevated its status in the classic car world. Enthusiasts and collectors prize surviving examples, especially original examples from the peak years, where scarcity enhances both value and desirability.
With just over 1,700 E34 M5 sedans ever built, this iconic model stands as a symbol of precision and exclusivity. For collectors and automotive historians, its production numbers tell a story of deliberate craftsmanship—making every M5 a rare treasure in the global car market.
The BMW E34 is the third generation of the BMW 5 Series, which was produced from 2 November 1987, until 1996. Initially launched as a saloon in January 1988, the E34 also saw a "Touring" station wagon (estate) body style added in September 1992, a first for the 5 Series. How many BMW E34 Touring were made? In total, 11,989 units of the BMW M5 E34 were produced.
Of them, only 891 of them were BMW M5 Touring models. The BMW 5 Series E34 sedan was produced from 1987 to 1996. It offered a range of engines, from four- cylinder to V8, with power outputs starting around 113 hp and going up to about 335 hp in the M5 version.
It was known for solid German quality. The BMW E34 M5 Touring, the first-ever high-performance estate from BMW M, is a rare classic with only 891 units made. Featuring a 340 hp S38 engine and hand-built craftsmanship, it blends.
BMW made 12,254 examples of the E34 M5 from 1988 to 1995, and it sent 1,678 of those to North America between the 1991 and 1993 model years. To add context, production of the original M5 stopped after BMW manufactured 2,241 units. 1,340 cars were shipped across the Atlantic.
In that year only 120 3.8 M5 models were produced, because the production started in late 1991. Have anyone ideas how to find out how many 3.6 and 3.8 sedans and 3.8 tourings have survived? How many examples of the North American E34 M5 were produced for each model year? Of the 1,678 examples of the E34 M5 produced for North America (1,485 for the USA and 193 for Canada), the following are the production totals for each of the three model years.
The first BMW M5, based on the E28 5 Series, was manufactured from October 1984 to June 1988. [8] It made its debut at the Amsterdam Motor Show in February 1985. [9] It was based on the 535i chassis with various mechanical changes, most notably the M88/3 engine (shared with the E24 M635CSi grand tourer coupé) which was an updated version of the engine used in the M1 sports car.
[8] At its. Having always asked how many ZA build e34 M5 there are, or how many 540's. The below should give insight as to how many were build.
The M5 has a build number of 265 plus 9 units in 1993 making the production a total of 274 cars. Where the last 9 units built in 1993 sold? The 540 saw 1380. All chassis were equipped with disc brakes (front - also ventilated) with ABS system.
These are the characteristics of the BMW M5 E34. Difference between restyling and prerestyling BMW restyling lasted for 3 years. More precisely, in the period 1990.
Complete timeline of BMW M5 (E34) Sedan models and generations, with photos, specs reference and production years.