BMW M5 E28 1986 v1.0

The first BMW M5, based on the E28 5 Series, made its debut at the Amsterdam Motor Show in February 1985. It was the product of demand for an automobile with the carrying capacity of a saloon (sedan), but the overall appearance of a sports car. It utilized the 535i chassis with various mechanical changes. Most notably the M88/3 engine that was derived from the engine used in the M1. The cars sold in the United States were equipped with a more emissions friendly evolution of this engine known as the S38. At its launch, the E28 M5 was the fastest production sedan in the world.

The first generation M5 was hand-built in Preussenstrasse/Munich prior to the 1986 Motorsport factory summer vacation. Thereafter, the M5 production was moved to Daimlerstrasse in Garching where the remainder were built by hand. This continued production would eventually lead to a class action lawsuit that was settled with vouchers being given to car owners. Chicago Clearing Corporation served as a market maker for these $4,000 vouchers that were officially issued in 1993.

The M5 was produced in four different versions based on intended export locations. These were the left-hand drive (LHD) Euro spec, the right-hand drive (RHD) UK spec, the LHD North American (NA) spec for the United States and Canada, and the RHD South African (ZA) spec.

The European and South African M5s utilised the M88/3 engine which produced 213 kW (286 hp). North American 1988 models used the S38B35 engine which was equipped with a catalytic converter and produced 188 kW (252 hp).