El BMW 5-serie (1988-1995) se ofreció con 28 configuraciones de motor distintas en toda su gama.
| Motor | Potencia | Par motor | Transmisión | Ruedas motrices | Velocidad máxima | 0-100 km/h | Consumo | Disponible en |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.8L Gasolina | 340 hp | 400 Nm | Manual | Rear Wheel Drive | 250 km/h | 5.9 s | 12.5 l/100km | 1 acabado |
| 3.5L Gasolina | 316 hp | 360 Nm | Manual | Rear Wheel Drive | 250 km/h | 6.3 s | 11.9 l/100km | 1 acabado |
| 4.0L Gasolina | 286 hp | 400 Nm | Automatic | Rear Wheel Drive | 240 km/h | 6.8 s | 11.5 l/100km | 2 acabados |
| 3.0L Gasolina | 218 hp | 290 Nm | Automatic | Rear Wheel Drive | 232 km/h | 8.8 s | 10.5 l/100km | 2 acabados |
| 3.0L Gasolina | 218 hp | 290 Nm | Manual | Rear Wheel Drive | 235 km/h | 7.7 s | 10.8 l/100km | 2 acabados |
| 3.4L Gasolina | 211 hp | 305 Nm | Automatic | Rear Wheel Drive | 231 km/h | 9.1 s | 11.5 l/100km | 1 acabado |
| 3.4L Gasolina | 211 hp | 305 Nm | Manual | Rear Wheel Drive | 235 km/h | 7.7 s | 11.3 l/100km | 1 acabado |
| 2.5L Gasolina | 192 hp | 250 Nm | Automatic | All Wheel Drive | 217 km/h | 10.3 s | 9.5 l/100km | 3 acabados |
| 2.5L Gasolina | 192 hp | 250 Nm | Manual | All Wheel Drive | 220 km/h | 9.5 s | 9.6 l/100km | 1 acabado |
| 2.5L Gasolina | 192 hp | 250 Nm | Automatic | Rear Wheel Drive | 225 km/h | 9.5 s | 8.8 l/100km | 2 acabados |
| 2.5L Gasolina | 192 hp | 250 Nm | Manual | Rear Wheel Drive | 230 km/h | 8.6 s | 9.0 l/100km | 2 acabados |
| 3.0L Gasolina | 188 hp | 260 Nm | Automatic | Rear Wheel Drive | 224 km/h | 10.8 s | 11.1 l/100km | 1 acabado |
| 3.0L Gasolina | 188 hp | 260 Nm | Manual | Rear Wheel Drive | 227 km/h | 8.6 s | 10.8 l/100km | 1 acabado |
| 2.5L Gasolina | 170 hp | 222 Nm | Automatic | Rear Wheel Drive | 217 km/h | 11.3 s | 9.8 l/100km | 1 acabado |
| 2.5L Gasolina | 170 hp | 222 Nm | Manual | Rear Wheel Drive | 221 km/h | 9.5 s | 9.5 l/100km | 1 acabado |
| 2.0L Gasolina | 150 hp | 190 Nm | Automatic | Rear Wheel Drive | 207 km/h | 11.7 s | 9.0 l/100km | 2 acabados |
| 2.0L Gasolina | 150 hp | 190 Nm | Manual | Rear Wheel Drive | 211 km/h | 10.6 s | 8.9 l/100km | 2 acabados |
| 2.5L Diésel | 143 hp | 260 Nm | Automatic | Rear Wheel Drive | 205 km/h | 11.6 s | 7.2 l/100km | 2 acabados |
| 2.5L Diésel | 143 hp | 260 Nm | Manual | Rear Wheel Drive | 207 km/h | 11.0 s | 7.0 l/100km | 2 acabados |
| 2.0L Gasolina | 129 hp | 162 Nm | Automatic | Rear Wheel Drive | 198 km/h | 13.9 s | 10.3 l/100km | 1 acabado |
| 2.0L Gasolina | 129 hp | 162 Nm | Manual | Rear Wheel Drive | 203 km/h | 11.9 s | 10.1 l/100km | 1 acabado |
| 2.5L Diésel | 116 hp | 222 Nm | Automatic | Rear Wheel Drive | 190 km/h | 13.9 s | 7.3 l/100km | 3 acabados |
| 2.5L Diésel | 116 hp | 222 Nm | Manual | Rear Wheel Drive | 194 km/h | 12.9 s | 7.1 l/100km | 3 acabados |
| 2.4L Diésel | 116 hp | 220 Nm | Automatic | Rear Wheel Drive | 190 km/h | 13.9 s | 7.3 l/100km | 1 acabado |
| 2.4L Diésel | 116 hp | 220 Nm | Manual | Rear Wheel Drive | 192 km/h | 12.9 s | 7.1 l/100km | 1 acabado |
| 1.8L Gasolina | 116 hp | 168 Nm | Automatic | Rear Wheel Drive | 192 km/h | 13.7 s | 8.6 l/100km | 3 acabados |
| 1.8L Gasolina | 116 hp | 168 Nm | Manual | Rear Wheel Drive | 198 km/h | 12.3 s | 8.1 l/100km | 3 acabados |
| 1.8L Gasolina | 113 hp | 162 Nm | Manual | Rear Wheel Drive | 194 km/h | 12.4 s | 8.6 l/100km | 1 acabado |
Cada fila es una configuración mecánica distinta — cilindrada, potencia, transmisión, tracción y tipo de combustible — deduplicada entre acabados que comparten el mismo motor. Las diferencias solo de acabado (interior, llantas, opciones) no crean una fila aparte.