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<\/h2>\n<\/h2>\nThe fourth generation of BMW’s 5 series was introduced in December 1995 as successor to the E34. The design was clearly a continuation of the E34, while introducing features introduced with the E36 3 series<\/a> (e.g. the glass-covered headlights), whereas the more rounded look and horizontal crease line would later be featured in the E46<\/a>, too. I really like how BMW managed to create a family look with the E38 7 series, E39 5 series, and E46 3 series, while giving each car an individual design that made the series identifiable at a glance – unlike e.g. the F10 5 series and F30 3 series, which look very similar.<\/p>\n No four-cylinder gasoline engines were available. The six-cylinder options (M52) were identical to the E36 – from the 2.0l 150hp 520i via the 2.5l 170hp 523i to the 2.8l 193hp 2.8l. Two V8s were available, too: 535i with 235hp and 540i with 286hp. Due to space constraints, the V8s (including the M5) have old-fashioned reciprocating ball steering, whereas the I6s come with rack and pinion steering.<\/p>\n The touring was introduced in March 1997. The engines were slightly revised in 1998, A bigger facelift was performed in the fall of 2000. Visually, the most noticeable difference is the introduction of the angle eyes<\/em> headlight rings – a feature that has not only become a BMW design staple (like the kidney, the Hofmeister<\/em> Knick, <\/em>and dual headlights), but has seen much imitation, too. The relatively minor changes kept the E39 fresh, and a facelifted E39 does not look dated to me even today. As part of the facelift, the six-cylinder engines were completely revised (as would be done with the E46 a couple of months later), with the introduction of the M54 family, ranging from the 2.2l 170hp 520i to the 3.0l 231hp 530i.<\/p>\n