Out of the six generations of past M5s assembled for the launch of the 7th gen, we dive-bomb the B-roads in the very first M5 –the E28
Munich, Germany - Thoroughbred brands like BMW with a pedigreed history and comprehensively curated classic car collection like to pull them out whenever there’s a major model launch.
This was no exception at the recent launch of the new G90 M5 and G99 M5 Touring, which is the 7th generation to wear the “M5” nameplate.
This will sound like a familiar trope, but it’s often said that we can only appreciate the present when we take a long hard look at the past, especially as we delve into the origin of the (M5) species with the E28.
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And playing hard with the past is exactly what we did with the E28 M5.
I'm pretty lucky to have already driven the E39 M5, E60 M5, E61 M5 Touring and the 3.6-litre E34 M5 sedan.
See also: BMW G90 M5 Drive Review : Purple Reign
Thus, it wasn’t difficult to hone-in on the very first M5 (the E28) (and the very first M5 Touring – the E34) to complete my personal checklist.
It’s one of those “pinch-me” moments with a delectable, all-you-can-eat M5 buffet arrayed before us in all its pristine glory at the BMW facility in Garching.
They aren’t just there to sit pretty either, because thanks to BMW Group Classic, they’re in perfect running order for us to drive and as close to original factory condition as any 30/40-year old car has any right to be!
It’s difficult not to be drawn to the classic “shark-nose” front of the E28 M5 from 1986, especially since the 80s/90s was the era of cars I grew up with.
True to familiar M fashion and in keeping with the performance trends of the 1980s, the E28 M5 represents peak stealth performance, with only the barest concessions to sporty aesthetics over and above the regular 5 Series.
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Unlike today’s ‘hype-fuelled’ culture, the E28 M5 doesn’t wear a garish or OTT body-kit, and the front and rear ‘M5’ emblems can be debadged for even stealthier performance.
Apart from the front air-dam and boot-lid low-spoiler, it gets ribbed lower skirting all around the car and sits on a set of smart, forged alloy-rims wrapped in metric-sized tyres (220/55VR390 in case you’re wondering).
Hand-assembled by the good people at BMW Motorsport, it is the definitive #iykyk executive sports sedan that pretty much kick-started the trend for high-performance Q-cars in the mainstream market, as opposed to the bespoke low-volume creations for VIP clients.
The E28 M5 made it cool to be down-low – and it is happy to tread softly even though it carries a big stick.
The owners of these cars were part of an inner circle of cognoscenti that acknowledged each other’s sartorial taste with subtle nods and nudge-winks, as opposed to dramatic rah-rahs.
On our 45mins with the E28 M5, we're happy to report we received no fewer than five thumbs-ups in what's a relatively quiet industrial area!
Inspired by Q-Ships (ordinary merchant vessels that were heavily armed with concealed weaponry during WW I), Q-cars were designed to lull more overt performance machines into thinking they were easy pickings on the winding roads, only to be shown a clean pair of heels when they delivered the smackdown.
It’s no uncompromising sports machine either, because the four-seater boasts all the (then) mod-cons, which include an oversized glass roof, powered front seats (and windows), on-board computer and hi-fi system.
The exterior is in great nick, while the cabin features a rich patina that has clearly seen use but not abuse.
The sports seats offer snug support and from the driver’s position, there’s great visibility out and confident steering communication so you can precisely place the car in the corners.
The cabin is a fabulous throwback to a simpler time, with a fantastic tactile feel and an organic warmth to all the controls – a welcome change from the sterile touchscreen interface of modern cars.
Apart from the intoxicating musky whiff of Eau de Classic, there’s equally discreet ‘M’ badging inside, which can be seen on the gear-knob, seat and steering wheel inserts, as well as the rev-counter.
Unsurprisingly, it starts on the first crank before settling into a quiet idle.
At its heart is the non-catalysed M88 in-line six-cylinder derived from the M1’s 3.5-litre, but tuned to 286hp and 340Nm in the M5 (just like in the M635CSi) – just enough power to have fun, but not so much as to get you into serious trouble!
The "cleaner" catalysed S38 engine had lower compression, less aggressive cams and produced 260hp and 329Nm.
This is nothing to sniff at, because back in the day, the M5’s figures eclipsed those of its Ferrari contemporary, the 328 GTS, which weighed-in at just 270hp and 304Nm.
Transmission duties are served by a Getrag 5-speed manual (with LSD), which delivers a wonderfully positive, albeit long-throw shift action.
Also, in contrast to the E30 M3's "dog-leg" gearbox, the E28 M5 features a more conventional "H-pattern".
Trundling around at under 3500rpm, it’s every bit as composed as you’d expect given the E28’s executive sedan credentials, but there’s a thrilling rizz to the M5 that rears its head once you razz its engine beyond 4000rpm.
Don’t forget, this executive express was engineered to be both fun-to-drive, as well as able to serve smooth and swift motorway mile-munching duties.
Sure, the E28 M5’s 240km/h top speed and 6secs 0-100km/h sprint time aren’t exactly blistering in today’s performance car context.
However, there’s a playful lightness to the 1.4-tonne car that makes it a real joy to pilot as you thread it from one corner to the next, especially to the aural accompaniment of the unadulterated mechanical soundtrack.
In some ways, the E28 M5's ability to mix mosey with mayhem reminded me of my old Mercedes-Benz W201 190 E 2.3-16, another automotive icon of the 1980s.
On the move, the E28 is delightfully agile and surprisingly keen to carve up corners, with a powerful set of brakes that hauls it down from speed when needed.
With no complicated physics-defying electronics and nanny-aids, this is the sort of car you need to contemplate to drive, and we should qualify there's only one way to enjoy it – wrung hard!
Compared to new sportscars, there’s a lot more movement to its body and chassis, but you consequently enjoy a lot more of the feels when you’re hustling it briskly along the winding roads.
Fair-weathered enthusiasts like to think that every petrolhead’s bucket list has to involve exotic supercars and the like, but the truth is a lot of us hanker after the unlikeliest heroes.
My list includes a diverse menagerie of the eclectic and the exotic, which spans Isetta 300, Lotus Carlton, as well as 90s hot-hatchbacks, AMG and M models.
Thanks to BMW Group Classic, I've managed to cross-off another two of them this trip.
BMW M5 (E28)
Engine 3453cc, inline6, nat-asp
Power 286hp at 6500rpm
Torque 340Nm at 4500rpm
0-100km/h 6.2secs
Top Speed >240km/h
Transmission 5spd manual
