BMW M5

The BMW M5 is the high-performance version of the BMW 5-Series automobile made by BMW Motorsport. M5 versions of the E28, E34, E39 and E60 5-Series have been made.

E28 M5 (1984-1987)

Main article: BMW M5 (E28)

The first M5, based on the E28 5-Series, made its debut at the 1984 Amsterdam Motor Show. It was the product of demand for an automobile with the carrying capacity of a saloon (sedan), but the overall performance of a sports car. It utilized the 535i chassis and an evolution of the engine from the BMW M1. The M5 was handbuilt by Motorsport technicians and at its launch was the fastest production saloon (sedan) in the world.

The M5 was offered in four different versions. The first version was the Left Hand Drive (LHD) Euro Spec M5. The second version was the Right Hand Drive (RHD) Spec M5. The third version was the North American Spec (NA or so-called 1988) M5. The fourth version was the South African (ZA) Spec M5.

The LHD, RHD Euro Spec M5s and the ZA spec M5s had the M88/3 powerplant which delivered 286 bhp DIN (210 kW) whereas the North American 1988 M5 was equipped with a catalytic converter, which reduced the power output to 256 bhp DIN (191 kW).

Specification

• (Euro) - 286 bhp
• (USA) - 256 bhp

Performance

At the time of sale, BMW quoted the following (relatively poor) 0-60 times to give the impression that the E28 M5 did not outperform the more expensive, heavier and top-of-the-range E24 M635csi.

• (Euro) - 286 bhp 0-60 mph - 6.2 s. Top Speed: 153 mph
• (USA) - 256 bhp 0-60 mph - 6.5 s. Top Speed: 148 mph

Special versions

• Whilst BMW Motorsport did not built any special versions of the E28 M5, the German tuner Hartge produced the Hartge H35S-24, a 330PS (325hp/243kW) version of the E28 M5. Main modifications over and above the standard E28 M5 were revised cams, a modified exhaust, modified Motronic ECU programming and a revised (and lowered) suspension setup.
• Alpina limited their tuning efforts to the older M30 engine powered models.