BMW M5 - Then & Now

The original 'E28' M5 was hand built and used an evolution of the engine found in the M1 supercar

I often find it interesting comparing an original car through its lineage to the current model. Some examples have got progressively better through time whilst others have had their ups and downs.
The European performance saloon market has often been dominated by BMW's M division. The M3 and M5 are the bread and butter of the range as well as the most popular. Mercedes' AMG and Audi's Quattro Gmbh arms have for many years seen M as the division to beat, occasionally struggling to whole heartily trounce the Bavarian giant.
Anyway, the M5...
First launched in 1984 with sales kicking off the following year, the 'E28' M5 was the fastest production saloon in the world in its day. The engine was a 3.5 litre petrol that produced 282bhp and took the M5 to 60mph from rest in just 6.2secs and on to a top speed of 153mph. It was a very significant car, not just because it cemented the M5 as a first class car in its own right but also because it woke up BMW's rivals to the now ubiquitous German super saloon. Personally I think it's also one of the better looking M5s with a simple, understated but purposeful silhouette.
The 'E28' was dropped in 1988 and the following year the 'E34' M5 was launched which had a longer six year lifespan. This model was very successful selling far more vehicles than the 2,191 units the 'E28' shifted. The 'E34' was also the first M5 to be launched as a Touring derivative although this bodystyle was never officially sold in the UK market. Like its predecessor, the 'E34' was handbuilt at M's factory in Garching.
In 1998 the 'E39' M5 was released to critical acclaim and sold well. For this generation of M5, a Touring model was not produced and the saloon was built alongside more regular versions of the 5-Series at BMW's own plant in Dingolfing.
The most controversial iteration of M5 was launched in 2005 with the Chris Bangle designed 'E60'. Compared with the clean lines of the original, this M5 was for some, including myself, a difficult car to like aesthetically, however, it was no slouch with a V10 engine sitting proudly at the front; the first time this had been done on a production saloon car. Apart from the styling, a difficult to fathom iDrive interface and a rather jerky SMG transmission, this didn't stop the 'E60' becoming the most successful M5 to date. Production ceased in 2010.

The 2011 'F10' M5 drops the V10 engine of its predecessor and uses a 4.4 litre twin turbo V8

2011 saw the launch of the current 'F10' variant of the M5. Due to emissions and ever increasing environmental concerns, this M5 ditches the V10 and uses a V8 instead - the majority of manufacturers have downsized after all. It's still more powerful though at 560bhp compared to the V10's 500bhp. For me, this M5 is much more pleasing on the eye that its 'E60' predecessor. Styling is subjective though, but full life sales figures look set to show the continuing success of the M5, despite the rise of other BMW M models available.
The all-new 5-Series is due in 2017. And the next M5? Another autobahn and Nurburgring favourite I expect...
So which generation of M's executive saloon is your favourite?