When the series was launched in 1987, the BMW 535i was the flagship model of the BMW 5 Series (E34). The high-performance sedan had a six-cylinder inline engine installed with two-valve technology and intake manifold injection (M30B35). The power plant delivered 211 hp and the BMW 535i also had significantly superior sporting performance and handling by comparison with the competition. In 1993, it was discontinued from the product range following the introduction of the new eight-cylinder models. The BMW 540i then became the new flagship model in the series. Over the production run of five years, the BMW 535i attracted more than 96,000 customers.