1988 BMW M5
1988 BMW M5
Brought BMW performance to a family sedan
Transformed BMW from economy car to performance focused
Driver focused sedan that still feels fast today
Today, the E28 generation M5 is the poster child for BMW fans everywhere, and the car that gave BMW a new lease on life. When the BMW M5 first launched in 1986, it was an absolute hot rod. The performance figures were staggering for the period; nearly 300 horsepower from a 3.5 liter inline-six paired to a motorsport derived a dogleg five-speed. It was not just the figures itself that were impressive though, it was the ‘wolf in sheep’s clothing’ aura the M5 carried, able to perform at such a high level in the form of a seemingly simple sedan. Today, the latest M5 rivals other blazing quick performance sedans from the likes of Mercedes, Cadillac, and others, though in the mid-1980s, the M5 is the car that introduced the luxury-performance sedan segment.
In 1980, BMW introduced the M535i sedan, the company’s first luxury sedan with a strict focus on performance. BMW wanted to tap into a growing market of enthusiasts who did not wish to give up driving pleasure in exchange for a more comfortable and luxurious ride. BMW was growing a formidable reputation on the track at this point, but their road cars did not seem to receive the same enthusiasm as BMW seemed to be struggling with their brand image. In the early eighties it was clear that the company needed a shot of adrenaline.
With the introduction of the first generation M5 in 1985, BMW had officially broken the mold of the sports sedan segment. Comfortable, calm – and crazy – were the adjectives to describe the car upon its release. A derivative from the M1 supercar, its 3.5 liter inline-six was produced 286 horsepower, making the M5 the fastest production sedan in the world at that point. Never had a German sedan offered such a significant amount of power, though it was just as usable everyday as it was flat out on the Autobahn. Electric seats, a big trunk and adequate space for the whole family put the M5 into a group of its own, though shortly after, other brands followed suit with their own high-performance sedans.
Just 2241 examples of the E28 M5 were hand built at the BMW Motorsport facility in Garching, Germany, making it one of the rarest M-cars BMW has produced. Even though there are now a handful of super sedans capable of 200+ MPH, the M5 has certainly not been diminished in value or enthusiasm over the last three decades and is still a poster car for BMW fans around the world.
Specifications:
Engine: 3.5 Liter Inline-Six
Horsepower: 286 @ 6500 RPM
Torque: 250 ft./lbs. @ 4500 RPM
Transmission: Five-Speed Manual, Dogleg Layout
0-60 MPH: 6.5 Seconds
Top Speed: 152 MPH
Weight: 3153 lbs.