Independent front and rear suspension is used, with Macpherson struts at the front and a semi-trailing arm design for the rear.<ref name="BMW-E28-Betriebsanleitung">Template:Citation</ref>

The front suspension was upgraded to use dual links at the bottom of the strut, as first seen on the E23 7 Series. This increases steering offset while cornering, to improve steering feel.<ref name="noakes">Template:Cite book</ref>Template:Refpage Double-acting shock absorbers, coil springs and a front anti-roll bar are used.

The rear suspension is mounted on a delta beam that is connected to the body with three screws in rubber bearings, that have longitudinal play.Template:Citation needed Some models have a rear anti-roll bar.<ref name="BMW-E28-Betriebsanleitung" />

The steering on most models is a speed-dependent recirculating ball power steering system made by ZF Friedrichshafen. The 518i has a Gemmer steering system with a double enveloping worm gear, also made by ZF.<ref name="BMW-E28-Betriebsanleitung" />

Wheel sizes are 14-inch (16-inch for the M5 model) or 390 mm Michelin TRX.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>Template:Refpage<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> All rims have 22 mm positive rim offset.<ref name="BMW-E28-Betriebsanleitung" />