No 5 series in 1996?

[TheBestCow]

I just looked on the Unofficial E34/E39 homepages...

E34 ran from 88-95, and the E39 ran from 97-03...

Was there no 5 series in 1996? Interesting...

[CSBM5]

For the US models, that's true. The E39 was available starting in March of 96 as a 97 model. So "1997" models span a wide range of dates.

[kowached]

I beleive that this was due in part to the V-8 problems caused by the NikaSil cylinder liners being incompatible with the high Sulfur content in American fuel. I bet you've seen many 94-95 540i & 740i/L's that have engine replacements done in the classifieds. Not sure, just a hunch.