| 8 version of the engine | 12 | | Typ | E28 M5 | E34 M5 3.6 | E34 M5 3.8 | E39 M5 | E60 M5 |
| Engine | benzynowy | benzynowy | benzynowy | benzynowy | benzynowy |
| Type of injection | pośredni MPI | pośredni MPI | pośredni MPI | pośredni MPI | pośredni MPI |
| Engine Code | M88/3 (S38B35) | S38B36 | S38B38 | S62B50 | S85B50 |
| Years of mounting | 1985-1987 | 1989-1992 | 1992-1995 | 1998-2003 | 2005-2010 |
| Cylinders/valves | R6/24 | R6/24 | R6/24 | V8 90°/32 | V10 90°/40 |
| Displacement [cm³] | 3453 | 3535 | 3795 | 4941 | 4999 |
| Power [kW/PS/RPM] | 210/286/6500 | 232/315/6900 | 250/340/6900 | 294/400/6600 | 373/507/7750 |
| Torque [Nm/RPM] | 340/4500 | 360/4750 | 400/4750 | 500/3800 | 520/6100 |
| Timing gear | łańcuch | łańcuch | łańcuch | łańcuch | łańcuch |
| Particle filter | - | - | - | - | - |
| Gearbox | manualna 5b | manualna 5b | manualna 5,6b | manualna 6b | sekw. SMG lll 7b |
| Drivetrain | tylny | tylny | tylny | tylny | tylny |
| Brakes, front/rear | tarcz. went./tarcz. | tarcz. went./t. went. | tarcz. went./t. went. | tarcz. went./t. went. | tarcz. went./t. went. |
| Front suspension | kol. MacPhersona | kol. MacPhersona | kol. MacPhersona | kol. MacPhersona | wielowahaczowe |
| Rear suspension | wielowahaczowe | wielowahaczowe | wielowahaczowe | wielowahaczowe | wielowahaczowe |
| Curb weight [kg] | 1430 | 1670 | 1650 | 1720 | 1780 |
| Body dimensions [mm] | 4620/1700/1400 | 4720/1751/1392 | 4720/1751/1392 | 4784/1800/1432 | 4855/1846/1469 |
| Luggage capacity [l] | 460 | 460 | 460 | 460 | 520 |
| Acceleration 0-100km/h (0-62mph) [s] | 6,5 | 6,3 | 5,9 | 5,3 | 4,7 |
| Top speed [km/h] | 245 | 250 | 250 | 250 | 250 |
| Fuel cons. (city/h-way/comb.) [l/100km] | 16,5/7,8/11,3 | 18,1/8,2/11,9 | 18,1/8,2/11,9 | 21,1/9,8/14,0 | 21,7/10,2/14,4 |
| Fuel tank capacity [l] | 70 | 90 | 90 | 70 | 70 |
| Ratio kg/PS | 5 | 5.3 | 4.85 | 4.3 | 3.51 |