BMW 5 Series (Car & Motorcycle Marque/Model) [Hardcover]

Marc Cranswick (Author)

Book Description

Series: Car & Motorcycle Marque/Model | Publication Date: October 21, 2002

Follow BMW's backbone, mid-range sport luxury sedan through four decades of change. The author has included historical events, design changes, and reasons behind its development. It includes 1500, e12, e28, e34, e39 series, and technological and economic strategies employed to access American markets. It also covers touring (station wagon) variants.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Review from Classic Car Weekly, February 2007 (UK magazine)

If Fords and Minis aren't your thing but BMWs push the right buttons, then Marc Cranswick's history of the legendary 5 Series is a must read. To some of you, the words 'five' and ‘series' may conjure images of a modern BMW, but in fact, the first one came out in 1972. Most of the early models are rare sights these days but it won't take long to source an Eighties M535i in the CCW classifieds – for a bargain price too.

Back in the Seventies BMW launched the 5 Series to challenge Daimler-Benz with its MB 25012805 and 280SL coupe. Since then, it has evolved and continues to be a sought-after saloon, with the bonkers M5 remaining an ultimate driver's car. Each model is covered in the 192 pages of 5 trivia, including the later E39 shape, which isn't regarded as a classic now, but no doubt the mind blowing M5 version will grace the pages of CCW in a few years.

The lack of sub headings can be challenging when you're trying to source specific pieces of text but on the other hand, Marc has been very thorough with the research, and his knowledge will turn you into a 5 buff in no time.

Classic Car Weekly, February 2007, UK Magazine

If Fords and Minis aren't your thing but BMWs push the right buttons, then Marc Cranswick's history of the legendary 5 Series is a must-read. To some of you, the words 'five' and ‘series' may conjure images of a modern BMW, but in fact, the first one came out in 1972. Most of the early models are rare sights these days but it won't take long to source an Eighties M535i in the Classic Car Weekly classifieds – for a bargain price too.

Back in the Seventies BMW launched the 5 Series to challenge Daimler-Benz with its MB 25012805 and 280SL coupe. Since then, it has evolved and continues to be a sought-after saloon, with the bonkers M5 remaining an ultimate driver's car. Each model is covered in the 192 pages of 5 trivia, including the later E39 shape, which isn't regarded as a classic now, but no doubt the mind blowing M5 version will grace the pages of Classic Car Weekly in a few years.

The lack of sub-headings can be challenging when you're trying to source specific pieces of text but on the other hand, Marc has been very thorough with the research, and his knowledge will turn you into a '5' buff in no time.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 192 pages
• Publisher: Veloce Publishing (October 21, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1903706181
• ISBN-13: 978-1903706183
• Product Dimensions: 10.2 x 8.4 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,575,474 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent detail, yet easy to read and great photos., October 3, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: BMW 5 Series (Car & Motorcycle Marque/Model) (Hardcover)

This excellent book provides a very detailed history of BMW's 5 Series from its initial design to the current model - the E39. 192 pages and around 200 photos - most of them in colour. The text is very complete, yet the author's style makes it a delight to read through. Particular attention has been paid to BMW's turbo-diesel engines, including the latest generation of common-rail engines and the magnificent 530d.
The author displays exceptional technical knowledge and highlights the salient points. I was very disappointed by James Taylor's "BMW 5 Series - the complete story", but Mr Cranswick's latest work is well worth getting, in spite of the fairly high purchase price.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Describing the ultimate driving machine, January 26, 2004

By 

Eddie (Lake Crystal, MN) - See all my reviews

This review is from: BMW 5 Series (Car & Motorcycle Marque/Model) (Hardcover)

I have been a long time 3 series fan, right back to the days of the e21, but after buying a 2002 530i I have started taking more interest in 5 series models. It was this move that caused me to buy this title. Echoing the views of the person from Denver the book would be better if it adhered to model chronology more closely. However, I found the coverage of my 530i, and the various 5 series versions in general to be good.
The book doesn't favor one model generation over another. In some books they tend to be pro younger models, but this title seems to give each its fair due. In addition there are some very nice e39 color pictures, including exotic Alpina e39s.
In conclusion a nice book which confirmed my belief that these cars are indeed the ultimate driving machines.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Cool book, June 12, 2004

By 

Alex Tracy (Barre VT) - See all my reviews

This review is from: BMW 5 Series (Car & Motorcycle Marque/Model) (Hardcover)

Has the best coverage of the eta 528e, an e28 I happen to own. Unlike the James Taylor book which is mostly b/w, this one is almost full color. There's an X5 shown with Stars & Stripes paint scheme, nice work.