Brand Perception:
Luxury, performance, engineering excellence
Key Competitors:
Mercedes-Benz E-Class, Audi A6, Lexus GS, Jaguar S-Type
Driving Dynamics:
Renowned BMW handling, balanced chassis, responsive steering
Engine Options:
Range of smooth and powerful inline-six and V8 engines
Build Quality:
High-quality materials, robust construction, attention to detail
Technology Integration:
Sophisticated electronics for its era, including iDrive in later models
Powertrain:
Engine operation, cooling system, fuel system, exhaust system, basic lubrication information
Chassis:
Suspension system, steering system, braking system, wheels and tires
Electrical:
Lighting system, dashboard indicators and warnings, basic electrical component identification, fuses and relays
Comfort And Convenience:
Climate control, infotainment system (radio, CD player), power accessories (windows, mirrors, seats), interior features, locking systems
Safety Systems:
Airbag system operation, seat belt usage, child restraint systems, ABS, traction control (ASC+T/DSC)
Operation:
Starting and driving the vehicle, proper gear selection, parking brake usage, vehicle security operation
Maintenance:
Checking and topping up fluids (oil, coolant, brake fluid, windshield washer fluid), tire pressure checks, wiper blade replacement, bulb replacement
Troubleshooting:
Understanding dashboard warning lights, basic problem diagnosis (e.g., flat tire), emergency procedures
Emergency:
Jacking points, changing a flat tire, jump starting procedure, towing information
Depth:
Owner-level maintenance and operation; not a comprehensive repair or service manual, but provides essential information for daily use and basic checks.
Searchable Text:
Yes (typically for OCR'd PDFs)
Digital Quality:
High resolution, suitable for digital viewing and printing individual pages.
Original Binding:
Perfect bound (original printed manual)
Original Paper:
High-quality, glossy paper (original printed manual)
Engine Family:
M52/M54 (inline-6), M62 (V8)
Displacement Range:
2.5L to 4.4L
Power Output Range:
170 hp to 300 hp (depending on engine and market)
Torque Output Range:
245 Nm to 440 Nm (depending on engine and market)
0 60 Mph Range:
5.5 to 8.5 seconds (depending on engine and transmission)
Injection Type:
Sequential Multi-Point Fuel Injection (SFI)
Fuel Type:
Unleaded Gasoline
Recommended Octane:
91 or higher (premium unleaded)
Transmission Type Standard:
5-speed Manual (e.g., GS5-39DZ)
Transmission Type Optional:
5-speed Automatic (e.g., GM 5L40-E, ZF 5HP19/24/30)
Automatic Features:
Steptronic (manual shifting mode)
Manual Gear Ratios:
Varies by specific transmission and engine, typically 3.0-4.2:1 for 1st gear
Length:
Approx. 4,821 mm (189.8 in)
Width:
Approx. 1,764 mm (69.4 in)
Height:
Approx. 1,441 mm (56.7 in)
Wheelbase:
Approx. 2,830 mm (111.4 in)
Trunk Volume:
Approx. 520 liters (18.4 cu ft)
Curb Weight Range:
Approx. 1,550 kg to 1,800 kg (3,417 lbs to 3,968 lbs)
NHTSA Rating Year:
1999-2003 models
NHTSA Frontal Driver Side:
5 Stars (most models)
NHTSA Frontal Passenger Side:
5 Stars (most models)
IIHS Ratings:
Good in frontal offset tests for most years.
Traction Control:
ASC+T (Automatic Stability Control + Traction) or DSC (Dynamic Stability Control)
Braking System:
Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) standard, ventilated discs front and rear
Headlights:
Halogen projector beams standard, Xenon HID optional (with auto-leveling)
Airbags:
Frontal airbags (driver and passenger), optional side-impact airbags, optional head protection airbags
Seatbelts:
3-point inertia-reel seat belts with pretensioners and force limiters
Audio System:
BMW Professional RDS radio with CD player, optional Harman Kardon sound system.
Navigation:
Optional BMW Professional Navigation system with MK-II, MK-III, or MK-IV CD/DVD-ROM based systems.
Climate Control:
Automatic climate control with dual-zone temperature settings.
Parking Sensors:
Optional Park Distance Control (PDC) front and rear.
Cruise Control:
Standard cruise control system.
Phone Integration:
Optional Bluetooth hands-free system.
Infotainment Interface:
Basic button-based interface, evolving to iDrive controller in later models (post-2001/2002 facelift).
Oil Change Interval:
Variable based on Condition Based Service (CBS) system, typically every 10,000-15,000 miles or 1 year.
Spark Plug Replacement:
Around 60,000-100,000 miles, depending on plug type (standard vs. long-life iridium).
Coolant Replacement:
Initial service at 3 years/36,000 miles, then every 2 years/24,000 miles thereafter (BMW Blue Antifreeze).
Engine Oil Type:
BMW Longlife-01 (LL-01) or Longlife-98 (LL-98) approved synthetic oil, e.g., 5W-30 or 5W-40.
Engine Oil Capacity:
6.5 to 8.0 liters (depending on engine variant)
Coolant Specification:
BMW Blue Antifreeze/Coolant (G48 ethylene glycol based)
Brake Fluid Specification:
DOT 4
Automatic Transmission Fluid:
Specified BMW ATF fluid (e.g., LT-3, LT-5) – lifetime fluid is often claimed, but fluid changes are recommended by many specialists.
Cooling System:
Plastic coolant expansion tanks can become brittle and crack; water pump and thermostat failures are common.
Vanos:
Variable valve timing (VANOS) unit seals can degrade, leading to rough idle and loss of low-end torque.
Suspension:
Front control arm bushings (bushings), ball joints, and sway bar links can wear out, affecting handling and ride quality.
Oil Leaks:
Valve cover gaskets, oil pan gaskets, and oil filter housing gaskets are prone to leaking over time.
Electrical:
ABS/DSC wheel speed sensors, alternator, and battery issues are relatively common.
Brand Focus:
BMW has a long-standing reputation for engineering, performance, and luxury vehicles.
Predecessor:
BMW 5 Series E34
Successor:
BMW 5 Series F10
Production Years:
1995-2003 (International), 1997-2003 (North America)
Assembly Locations:
Dingolfing, Germany; Spartanburg, South Carolina, USA (for certain markets)
Car And Driver 10 Best:
Named to Car and Driver's 10Best list multiple times during its production run.
Automotive Journalism Accolades:
Widely praised by automotive critics for its blend of luxury, performance, and technology.