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Body shell
Exterior and aerodynamics
Crash behavlor -frontal impact
-side impact
Body
-rear impact Structural body components -rigidity
-rollover -strength -vibrations -acoustics
Bumpers compartment lid -bendable Seets,.steerlng system .dents -vibrations bars -vibration patterns
Fenders -aerodvnamic
With its traditional styling features, such as the ltidney grille.
circular headlights behind a glass cover (for reasons of
streamlining), and the
"kiclt" in the rear most roof pillar (C-pil-
lar), the E39 can be immediately recognized as a BMW.
The BMW 5 Series chassis is a unibody design constructed of
high strength steel. Attaching parts, such as the front fenders,
rear quarter panels, doors,
trunk lid and hood are also con-
structed of
steel.
Computer aided design (CAD) techniques have been used in
refining the
E39 body to reduce vehicle weight while retaining
strength and increasing torsional rigidity. For good handling
purposes, the more rigid the structure the more precisely the
suspension can operate.
Wind resistance
Windows bonded flush to the body and the guided flow of
cooling air into the engine compartment provide the
carwith a
good coefficient of drag (Cd).
E39 cars have been designed
for balanced aerodynamics but not necessarily an extremely
low Cd. See table below.
Windshield wipers are designed for effectiveness at speeds
up to and beyond 200
ltph (124 mph).
Coefficient of aerodynamic drag (Cd)
6-cylinder sedan 0.30
V-8 sedan 0.31
6-cylinder Sport Wagon 0.31
V-8 Sport Wagon 0.33
Fenders
The exterior panels are corrosion-resistant zinc coated (gal-
vanized) steel. The front fenders are bolted on. For front fend-
er replacement information, see
410 Fenders, Engine
Hood.
