That’s proper: the E28 BMW 5 Collection turns 45 years previous this 12 months. Its debut in 1981 made it the second era of the BMW 5 Collection, changing the E12. Whereas the M5 may steal most headlines — rightly so when you think about its parts-bin accomplice was the legendary BMW M1 — there’s nonetheless heaps to like about each E28 BMW 5 Collection, from the four-pot M10-powered fashions to the diesel fashions that adopted. At the moment, even the latest E28 is sort of 40 years previous. However there’s a purpose it stays wanted by collectors and fans alike.
E28 BMW 5 Collection Debuts
Whereas the primary E28 BMW 5 Collection arrived as a 1982 mannequin 12 months, manufacturing began in April 1981 forward of the automobile’s autumn debut. Importantly, it was one of many earliest BMW autos to be designed at the least partially with the assistance of a pc. The corporate solely had one pc on the time. So, engineers used it to run calculations when it wasn’t in any other case occupied with components and payroll duties. Tweaks from the automobile’s predecessor have been considerably minor and primarily centered on upgrading the cabin. Notably, the E28 inherited the “driver-oriented cabin” first established within the 3 Collection that got here earlier than it. Powertrain updates, extra superior electronics, anti-lock brakes, and suspension adjustments mixed to make the E28 BMW 5 Collection a marked enchancment during the last 5er.
4- and six-cylinder fashions have been obtainable on the E28’s launch. Nonetheless, a barely much less orthodox inclusion got here later: the diesel. The 524td, because it was badged, turned the quickest series-produced turbodiesel on the planet on the time of its launch in 1983. It was the first diesel BMW to return to market, too. In fact, there was one other massive first that makes the E28 just too vital to disregard right this moment: the M5.
The E28 M5: Father of the M Sedan
The E28 BMW M5 wasn’t the primary M-badged highway automobile. It even got here after the E30 M3. However its significance goes a lot deeper than merely being “first.” The E28 M5 was as shut as you possibly can get to being a four-door BMW M1. It too touted an M88 inline-six with almost 288 horsepower. It was additionally roughly pieced collectively by hand, just like the BMW M1. Delicate exterior design adjustments made the E28 M5 the last word wolf in sheep’s clothes. Those that knew, knew; everybody else would marvel. Regardless that U.S.-market automobiles bought toned down a bit because of catalytic converters, the ensuing 256 horsepower or so was nonetheless greater than sufficient to make the E28 M5 an attractive drive.
The place the E28 BMW 5 Collection is At the moment
BMW made someplace round 750,000 examples of the E28 BMW 5 Collection. So, unusual the E28 will not be. Nonetheless, discovering a great one — and one with a guide transmission — is hard 45 years later. Whereas there’s novelty to the diesel mannequin and the M5 is the best-performing of the bunch, the 535i and M535i fashions are arguably essentially the most attention-grabbing for fans that don’t have a ton of cash to drop on an M5. Loads of efficiency extras cropped up on the range-topping E28 5 Collection automobiles, together with a limited-slip differential and M-Technic suspension bits.
Within the U.S. a great E28 M5 instructions $35,000 and costs climb rapidly from there. It’s common to see very good automobiles eclipse $50,000 or extra. In the meantime, absolutely the nicest 535i fashions cap out round $40,000 with some exceptions. In fact, you possibly can nonetheless have a ton of enjoyable with almost any E28. The second era of the BMW 5 Collection will not be as ubiquitous as automobiles just like the 02 Collection and even its up to date, the E30 3 Collection. However its contributions to the M nameplate — and BMW’s diesel endeavors — are irrefutable.
