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The BMW E28 is the second generation of BMW 5 Series executive cars, which was produced from 1981 to 1988 and replaced the E12 5 Series. Pre-series production began in April 1981 and the car was introduced in the autumn that year.
The E28 was initially produced with straight-four and straight-six petrol engines until 1983, when the 524td model became the first BMW car to be powered by a diesel engine. It was also the first 5 Series with the center console angled towards the driver and to be available with anti-lock brakes (ABS).
The first BMW M5 was produced during the E28 generation. It was powered by the M88/3 and S38 straight-six engines. The E24 6 Series coupés were built on the E28 platform from 1982 to 1989.
The E28 was replaced by the E34 5 Series in 1988.
Body
Interior
Engines
Drivetrain
Suspension
Brakes
M5
Production
Drivetrain
BMW offered the E28 with both manual and automatic gearboxes. The torque is transmitted from the engine with a single-disc dry clutch with a torsional damper in the models with a manual gearbox, the automatic models have a torque converter with built in lockup-clutch.<ref name="BMW-E28-Betriebsanleitung" />
- Manual transmissions
The 5-speed manual transmissions are:<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
- Getrag 242 (for M10 and M20 engine models)
- Getrag 262 (M30 engines)
The 5-speed manual transmissions are:
- Getrag 240 (M10 and M21 engines)
- Getrag 245 (M10 engines)
- Getrag 260 (M20, M21 and M30 engines)
- Getrag 265 (M30 engines and 525e/528e)
- Getrag 280 (M88/3 and S38 engines)
- ZF S5-16 (M20 engines)
- Automatic transmissions
The 3-speed automatic transmissions are:
- ZF 3HP22 (M20 and M30 engines, US market only)
The 4-speed automatic transmissions are:
Suspension
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" />
Brakes
The brakes use a hydraulic dual-circuit brake system with power assistance. The front wheels have disc brakes, that are – except for the 518i – internally ventilated. All models with 2.5 L or more displacement have rear disc brakes (non-vented), while the lesser powered models have rear drum brakes. To prevent the wheels from locking, BMW equipped the E28 after 1984 with an anti-lock braking system, although it was an option in some markets.<ref name="BMW-E28-Betriebsanleitung" />
M5 model
Template:Main The E28 was the first M5 model produced, and is powered by the M88/3 and S38 straight-six engines. Template:Clear right
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.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> 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. From 1985, all North American models had ABS Brakes as standard.
The North American E28 models had larger bumpers (designed to withstand a Template:Convert collision without body damage), which increased the overall length by Template:Convert.Template:Citation needed
The 528i, 533i and 535i were sold with a catalytic converter in the United States.
Instead of importing the M535i, BMW of North America created the 535is.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> 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.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> North American M5 models use the S38 engine instead of the M88/3.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>Template:Refpage All North American M5 cars were painted Jet Black and most interiors were tan ("Natur") coloured leather.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Production
E28 production started in July 1981 and ended in December 1987.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> A total of 722,328 cars were built.<ref name=DeAutos45bis90Oswald>Template:Cite book</ref>
The E28 was still sold in North America as a 1988 Model Year car after its E34 successor had been released in Europe in early 1988. A limited edition model was also sold in South Africa from mid-1987 to the end of 1988.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
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