BMW 5 Series (E28)

Models

At launch, the model range consisted of the base-model 4-cylinder 518 and 518i, the mid-range 6-cylinder 525i, and the top specification 6-cylinder 528i.

Over the course of the E28 model, the following models were added: the 524d and 524td using diesel engines, the 520i with a small capacity 6-cylinder engine, the 525e/528e as fuel-economy models, and the upper-specification 533i, 535i, M535i and M5 models.

518: Sold only in some European markets, the 518 was the lowest specification model which used a 4-cylinder engine with a carburettor.

518i: The base model in Japan and some European countries, the 518i used a fuel-injected 4-cylinder engine.

520i: A mid-range model with the smallest of the available 6-cylinder engines.

524d: A non-turbo diesel model sold in Europe only. It was released in 1986, four years after the introduction of the more powerful 524td model.

524td: This turbodiesel model was the first diesel car produced by BMW.

525e / 528e: The 525e (called 528e in North America and Japan) uses a 2.7-litre 6-cylinder petrol engine which is low-revving tuned for economy rather than performance.

525i: This mid-range model is powered by a 2.5-litre 6-cylinder engine. The 525i was only sold in Europe.

528i: Initially the highest specification available, the 6-cylinder 528i became a mid-range model following the release of the 533i and 535i models.

533i: Only sold in Japan and North America, the 6-cylinder 533i was the highest specification model during its production years of 1983-1984. It was replaced by the 535i.

535i: Released in 1984, the 535i uses the same 6-cylinder drivetrain as the M535i and sat near the top of the model range.

M535i: The top of the regular production model range, the M535i uses the drivetrain from the 535i plus M-Technic suspension, wheels and body panels not found on the standard 535i. The M535i was assembled on the standard E28 assembly lines in Dingolfing and Rosslyn.

M5 version

The E28 was the first M5 model produced, and is powered by the S38B35 and the M88/3 straight-six engines.

North American market models

The North American line-up consisted of the 528e (1982-1988, known as the 525e in Europe), 533i (1983-1984), 535i (1985-1988), 524td (1985-1986), M5 (1986-1987) and 535is (1987-1988).

The launch model was the 528e in 1982, followed by the 533i. The optional automatic transmission was initially a 3-speed (a 4-speed automatic was available in Europe at the time), with a 4-speed automatic transmission becoming optional in 1983. The 524td was only imported with an automatic transmission, and the M5 was only imported with a manual transmission. From 1985, all North American models had ABS Brakes as standard. Electric front seats became a standard feature in 1986. North American specification cars were comprehensively equipped, with standard features including power windows, central locking, air conditioning, power sunroof, cruise control, alloy wheels and fog lights.

Instead of importing the M535i, BMW of North America created the 535is. This model is based on a 535i, plus front and rear spoilers, sport suspension and sport seats.

Production of North American market M5 models began in late 1986 (two years after M5 production began for European markets), and it was only produced for twelve months as 1988 model year car. North American M5 models use the S38 engine instead of the M88/3. All North American M5 cars were painted Jet Black and most interiors were Natur (Light Saddle) leather. A very small number of US-spec M5s were built with black interiors. Canadian-spec M5s were available with the option of a black leather interior.

Petrol engines

The 4-cylinder M10 is used in 518 and 518i models.

The "baby six" M20 is used in the 520i and 525e/528e models. The 2.7-litre version used in the 525e/528e is optimised for fuel efficiency and low-rpm torque, instead of power at high rpm. This is very unusual for a BMW petrol engine, as is the correspondingly low 4,800 rpm redline.

The "big six" M30 is used in the 525i, 528i, 533i, 535i, 535is and M535i models.

The European-spec M5 uses the M88/3 motorsport-derived engine, which was unique for its DOHC valvetrain and was optimised for high rpm performance. The North American-spec M5 uses the S38 engine, which is a slightly less powerful development of the M88/3 that uses Jetronic fuel-injection.

Diesel engines

The E28 received the first BMW diesel engine ever, the M21, in the 524td. This turbo-diesel model entered production in late 1982, when 100 pre-series cars were built.

At the 1986 Geneva Motor Show, the naturally-aspirated (non-turbo) 524d model was introduced. The 524d was only sold in some markets.

Manual transmissions

The 4-speed manual transmissions are:

The 5-speed manual transmissions are:

Automatic transmissions

The 3-speed automatic transmissions are:

The 4-speed automatic transmissions are:

Suspension

Front suspension consists of MacPherson struts and rear suspension consists of semi-trailing arms.

Production

E28 production started in July 1981 and ended in December 1987.

The E28 was still sold in North America as a 1988 Model Year car while Europe received the E34 in early 1988. A limited edition model was also sold in South Africa from mid-1987 to the end of 1988.