At the International Media Launch of the new BMW M5, the Bavarians have decided to give us a closer look at the entire generation of M5 models, starting with the E28 M5.
There are a few different versions of the how original M5 began, told by a few different people inside BMW, but the best version was told by Paul Rosche. According to him, the the CEO of BMW, during a time of tension between East and West Germany, needed bodyguard cars to keep up with his turbocharged 7 Series, so BMW’s M Division stuffed the famous 3.5 liter I6 under the hood of a 5 Series and the rest is history.
That 3.5 liter sported 282 horsepower, which was unheard of for the time in a sedan. The M5 could take on the Porsche 911 of the time which was blasphemous for a car that could seat five comfortably and had all of the modern (for the time) amenities of a luxury sedan.
The North American M5 was equipped with a variant of the M88/3 called the S38 B35. The updated engine equipped with a catalytic converter that reduced the power output to 256 hp.
The S38 also differed from the M88/3 in that it had a dual-row timing chain as compared to the M88/3’s single row timing chain. The S38 B35 was used in the NA-Spec E28 M5 and E24 M6. Initially 500 E28 M5s were planned for the U.S. market, but BMW later increased production to 1,370 units for the US and Canadian markets.
Excepting 96 units that were assembled in kit form at BMW’s Plant in Rosslyn, South Africa, all E28 M5s were assembled by hand at BMW Motorsport in Garching, Germany. Production of the M5 continued until November 1988, well after production of the E28 chassis ended in Germany in December 1987.
The E28 M5 spawned a new genre of vehicle, one that would be mimicked by nearly every other automaker since, with none ever being able to replicate the magic that the original M5 had, BMW included.
Here is a photo gallery of the E28 M5 from Estoril, Portugal:
The original Q-ship.
Nein. Q ship nautical wartime term, post-war applied to unmarked police cars & American, British hopped up production vehicles. Mercedes dropped their 6.3 Pullman limo V8 into their S Class sedan when BMW were still only making 4 cyls.
Yes, because pathetic bmw isn’t able to go for more cyls, you moron.
Speaking of moron, Bavarian MOTOR Works currently produce 3, 4, 6, 8, 12 cyl. engines. Also BEV, plug- in hybrids, diesel, motorcycle & scooter engines. Time to change your name to pathetic.
Oh really? The 12 cyl 760, which is easily gest ass kicked by the almighty E63 AMG. bmw gets lost every time they meet Mercedes-Benz. Hopeless losers. The whole world laughs at miserable bmw.
Guess that’s why McLaren and Rolls Royce both turned to BMW for V12s. Also why BMW outsold Mercedes most of this century. Try not to leave a trail as you slug off, troll. By AMG, do you mean the once independent tuner M-B had to buy to secure performance engines?
Most of this century? What about last century, idiot? Also, why does it matter whether Mercedes bought an independent tuner? It belongs to Mercedes, and it is AMG, just like the pathetic m belongs to even more pathetic bmw. So stop talking shit, you empty head. Mercedes-Benz owns bmw’s stupid ass in every way. Just live with it.
Since you love Mercedes, why are you on BMWblog? Banned? Troll? Pathetic stupid ass idiot?
AMG=pathetic bmw killer!!!!! Watch and enjoy, useless bmw fans.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_JB9Ki9YWXU
AMG=pathetic
Replaying someone else’s video is also pathetic
U r dull like Mercedes
We r done
Ok guys, stop
Delete
Delete obscene name-calling Mercedes hater trolls.
Until then, I’m done.
OMG, that AMG is fantastic, and BMW is dumb ass, as usual.
I’m here to teach you a lesson, you stupid dickhead. Read this and remember: as long as there is Mercedes-Benz, pathetic bmw will never have any sense.
Talk with your administrator.
It’s so entertaining when the kids join the adult discussions and try to sound capable. Thank you for the amusement Doctor Auto – best you go back to class or risk getting detention during break.
You again?
Hey bro. This is a BMW forum. What are you doing here?
“Oh really? The 12 cyl 760, which is easily gest ass kicked by the almighty E63 AMG.”
Wrong comparison, you stupid?
“bmw gets lost every time they meet Mercedes-Benz. Hopeless losers.”
More fairytales and childish respond from an immature Mercedes Fanboy.
Another nail in your stupid ass!
You are s foolish,
Photoshoot with the pathetic m5. M5 – the favourite and easy breakfast for the king E63 AMG.
E28
not
ESL
Which wouldn’t exist for decades. Mercedes had NOTHING to compete with this. Why they were forced to buy AMG. You don’t know anything about either marque.
The only thing I know is that, the miserable “m” doesn’t stand a single chance against the king AMG. And the truth is: AMG belongs to Mercedes-Benz, and M belongs to BMW. Full stop, loser!
Gotta love the classics. What a great sleeper
It is just ridiculous how some idiots dare to call the dumb ass M5 iconic. It’s nothing but a mediocre car in its segment. When I say iconic, there’s only one car in that segment that comes to mind: E63 AMG. Just press the gas pedal a bit, and the dumb ass M5 will be left far behind with its VW-like motor.
Well, I don’t think that there is a BMW, that can be called iconic, since BMW is just a mediocre brand. I mean they haven’t ever produced a model that set any standard. Just look how many iconic models Mercedes-Benz has produced, and you’ll understand why Mercedes-Benz is considered the best car maker in the world. The best car in the world? Of course it’s the S-Class!
Agreed. There are 2 types of cars in the world: 1. Mercedes-Benz; 2. The rest (including useless BMW).
Beaty
Beauty
[…] receive its so painstakingly awaited brand new BMW M5 Edition 35 Jahre, a tribute car to the iconic M5 high-performance sedan of the E28 series which celebrated its debut back in […]