Here’s Why The E28 BMW M5 Is A Legend

As far as car guys are concerned, the BMW M5 is one of the most important vehicles ever made. It provided lovers of fast cars the ability to have a sensible and spacious family vehicle that could turn into an absolute hooligan whenever they wanted to. Not to mention that it was far safer than any sports car of the time. The perfect recipe. Right? Now the first – and according to many – the most characterful M5 was the E28, a car that started a legacy that would last for many decades and would change the automotive world forever. So, let’s pay tribute to the Bavarian legend by remembering the outstanding features and abilities that made it one of the best vehicles of the 1980s.

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How Did The E28 M5 Come To Be?

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The magnificent stance of a lowered BMW E28 M5

The BMW M5 was mostly a result of BMW’s first-ever sports car efforts. In the 1980s, the company developed the BMW M1 which was meant to compete and beat Porsche in the 24 hours of Le Mans. Sadly, while in development, race rules changed and the M1 never fulfilled BMW’s goal. However, the company was left with a great vehicle that was sold in small numbers but had given the brand a performance engine and racecar knowledge. That racecar knowledge and engine were exactly what BMW used to build the E28 M5. A normal everyday sedan with the beating heart of a sports car. Back then, this was a big deal as no other brand was doing anything like this.

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It Boasts An Impressive Power-To-Weight Ratio

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The perfect propartions of the BMW E28 M5

When it was released, the BMW E28 M5 was the fastest sedan on the planet. Its 3.5-liter straight-six engine produced 286 horsepower and 251 pound-feet of torque. This was enough to propel the E28 from 0-62mph in 6.1 seconds. These numbers may not sound like much by today’s standards, but in the 1980s, they were unheard of. In fact, performance figures were even more impressive than what Ferrari had to offer in its 328 models. These, however, aren’t the most impressive facts about the E28. Our favorite part of this vehicle is that it only weighs 3,417 pounds (1,550 kg). To put this into perspective, a 2023 M5 weighs 4,226 pounds (1,971 kg). The low mass combined with the small size (by today’s standards, again) makes the E28 M5 feel more fun and communicative than most brand-new fast sedans. The lightweight didn’t mean the M5 wasn’t luxurious. The interior is covered in leather and the seats and even the headrests are electric. It was as luxurious as the 1980s technology allowed it to be.

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An Analog Experience Like No Other

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Shot of a 1988 BMW M5’s engine

As you would imagine, a performance car from the 1980s will be a bit softer and less responsive than we are used to these days. The E28 M5 rolls into the corners while controls like the steering, shifter, and pedals are long and slightly slow in response. However, this is what gives the car its fun character, an attribute that owners of these vehicles love. The slower controls did not make the M5 feel slow. Its magnificent 3.5-liter engine gives quick acceleration while singing its way up to its 6,500 rpm redline. Also, thanks to rear-wheel drive, if you want to get a bit sideways through the corners you can do so. Modern fast sedans have a few things to learn from the old-school analog experience the E28 has to offer.

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It Was Built Insanely Well

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The BMW E28 M5 is luxurious and insanely pretty inside 

We can all agree that older cars were built to last. The materials were of higher quality and the way everything was put together just seems more robust. This is partly because back then, manufacturers were not as concerned with weight and cost savings. Therefore, there was less compromise in quality. Granted, not all brands were like this, but the most expensive and well-engineered ones like Mercedes and BMW were. This is apparent when stepping into the E28. Even though these vehicles are well into their 30s, the seats, dashboards, and the interior in general remain in great condition. Furthermore, while driving, there are very few squeaks and rattles. As far as reliability goes, the 3.5-liter engine is very simple and due to the large displacement and relatively low power figures, it is also under-stressed. This means that the E28 can run for thousands of miles without issues. Newer cars and especially fast ones are filled with complicated electronics that tend to fail easily. This makes them unreliable and more expensive to run.

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Final Thoughts

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The BMW E28 M5 is equaly as pretty from the rear 

The E28 M5 might have been the first M division sedan but it remains one of the best. Aside from the analog driving experience, it manages to look better than most modern machines. The lack of safety laws meant that cars of this era could use thin A and B pillars, low doors, small headlights, and low hoods. This helped designers implement elements that made cars from this period unique and insanely pretty. These cars have gone up in value drastically during the past few years. They weren’t made in large numbers (especially in the U.S. and UK) and many of them have crashed or have rusted to pieces over the decades. If you can afford one, it is a car that is worth buying.