E39 5-Series specifications questions

[willis 0]

Hi there, I'm considering buying an E39 528i and have been doing some reading-up on the specifications. I've found conflicting information regarding how many gears there are in the auto transmission - is it 4 or 5? Were they originally launched with a 4-speed box and later upgraded to a 5-speed, or were both available but for different markets (NZ vs. UK vs. Japan)? And where does the Tiptronic transmission fit into the picture? Also, was the engine equipped with VANOS from the outset or was that introduced at a later stage? Many thanks for replies.

[SKT174 1]

Didn't think the E39 series had ever made a 4-speed box, should have been either a 5 speed manual, 6 speed manual, 5 speed auto and 5 speed steptronic.

The E39 Guide

[willis 0]

Thanks SKT174, I thought the same but have a road test by Motor magazine (Aussie) from 1996 that states five speed auto in the text but the specifications panel has 4-speed listed (might be a typo), plus on trademe.co.nz a question on one of the 528i auctions regarding how many gears in the auto was answered by the owner as "4" (might be ignorance on their part). But it was enough to make me wonder.

Didn't think the E39 series had ever made a 4-speed box, should have been either a 5 speed manual, 6 speed manual, 5 speed auto and 5 speed steptronic.

The E39 Guide

[SKT174 1]

M52 Engine

[willis 0]

Nice one, SKT174, thanks again.

[Jazzbass 1]

as they are set up for cruising

Good call. Mine is certainly set-up that way. One very comfortable car.