BMW M5 E28

It is a sports car, the platform for which was the “five” E28. The concern presented it in Amsterdam, in late winter 1984. The sports sedan was classified as an “E” class car.

For three years, the BMW M5 E28 was assembled in Germany by hand. Therefore, only 2191 cars were produced until the end of 1987.  It should be noted that at the time of its release, the car was the world’s fastest sedan put into serial production.

Appearance

We will not describe the body of BMW M5 E28 1985, because it coincides with the standard model, and we have analyzed it in the article about E28. We will tell only about external differences. Sportversiya has other bumpers and on the trunk lid / radiator grille you can see M5 nameplates. And for the North American markets, the 1985 BMW M5 sedan is equipped with special bumpers. They are reinforced, so at speeds of up to 15 km/h they do not deform during impacts.

The dimensions of the car: it is 4.62 meters long, 1.7 meters wide and 1.4 meters high. The wheelbase is just over 2.62 meters. The total weight of the sports sedan is a little under 2 tons (1900 kg). The ground clearance of the three-compartment model is 140 mm.

Interior

Unlike the exterior, the interior of the BMW E28 is different from the interior of the standard E28.

The door sills of the sedans, which appeared on the market in March 1986, were decorated with M5 decals. The whole interior of the car was lined in the color of the seats. Even the luggage compartment was not left out. The “hold” of the sports car was upholstered with expensive plush.

The steering wheel, dashboard of the BMW E28 and the gearshift knob have the Motosport logo. The same department, together with Recaro, has developed seats for the interior of the M5, which have improved lateral support. They also feature the Motorsport tricolor.

The three-volume model had extensive optional extras. In the standard version the interior of M5 E28 had a combined (leather + fabric) trim and only leather. Types of leather were from 20! Nappa leather as standard was offered only for the South African market, and in Europe it was an option.

It was possible to equip the interior with a metal sunroof (drive – mechanic, automatic). The option also included the M-package, which included aerodynamic bumpers/side “skirts” and a small aft spoiler. The last detail was also available as a separate order.

The M-package was automatically fitted to all sedans produced for South Africa.

If the customer wanted the interior elements to have a black matte finish, they were offered the Shadowline option. The customer could also choose a steering wheel equipped with an airbag and/or covered with leather in two colors. It was possible to order wipers on the front optics: on all or only on the inner headlights.

The buyer could choose one of three BMW Bavaria audio system options: I/II Electronic or Mexico. The first two units accepted cassettes, had 4/6 speakers and 400/600 watts of power. The third was more advanced: a Hi-Fi system with a CD drive, 10 speakers, 1000 watts of power and a subwoofer.

Finally, the richest customers were offered BMW Individual. The consumer could order any color for body paint/ interior trim. In other words, to create an original M5 E28.

This car in the photo was often called “a wolf in sheep’s clothing”. The dimensions of BMW E28 and its appearance did not differ from the standard version, but the interior was radically different from the usual “five”.

Equipment

A little above we have already told a little about a complete set of BMW. Here we will say that the three-volume car was assembled in 4 variants, based on the export of the sports car. For Great Britain the cars were produced right-handed, for the rest of Europe – left-handed, respectively, RHD and LHD. ZA models with right-hand drive went to South Africa, and NA with left-hand drive – to the North American market.

Cars for Europe could have a glass sunroof. The interior trim could be made of buffalo leather. Cars for S. America were equipped with electrically heated front seats and could have “Jet black” color.

Options for all cars were:

• Air conditioning;
• Leather door panels/console;
• Cabin mats;
• Power windows;
• Onboard computer;
• Central locking;
• Cruise control.

Technical specifications

Let’s break down the technical specifications of the BMW M5 E28.

Under the hood of the M5 E28 (Europe / South Africa) was installed in-line, 286-horsepower, six-cylinder engine M88/3. Its displacement was 3.5 liters and it had distributed injection. The rear-wheel drive (RWD), five-seat, four-door, sport sedan was equipped with a six-speed manual and could accelerate to a hundred in 6.5 seconds. The top speed of the three-volume model reached 245 km/h. Fuel consumption in the city / on the highway / mixed cycle is 16.5/7.8/11.3 liters.

The size of the fuel tank is 70 liters.

Cars for S. America were equipped with a 256-horsepower S38B35 unit.

BMW E28 was equipped with two suspensions: front independent (MacPherson) on double wishbones and aft multi-lever suspension. The steering wheel had power steering. All chassis were equipped with disc brakes (front – also ventilated) with ABS system.

Strong shock absorbers were developed specially for M5 E28. The old stabilizers, providing the car transverse stability, were replaced, the struts with levers were strengthened. To control the sports sedan was pliable, the Germans mounted shortened helical springs with variable stiffness.

As a result, drifting (cornering) and skidding on such a car became controllable. Well, stance, which is one of the directions of tuning, will make the “Bavarian” better and more powerful. Its main elements are ground clearance with wheels in the arches.

In 1988, the M5 E28 rolled off the assembly line. It was replaced by the M5 E34 model.

Generations and configurations

1 generation

02.1985 – 12.1987