When it was launched 35 years ago, the new BMW E28 5 Series looked like little more than a facelifted BMW E12 5 Series, a car that had been around since 1972. The E12 had earned itself a fine reputation as a well-made, mid-range saloon that ranged from the 518 to the hot-rodded 528i and M535i.
Launched in September 1981, the E28 5 series range started with the 518, powered by a 90bhp four-cylinder known by its M10 engine code. A 518 with optional five-speed gearbox and power steering was next up the chain, followed by six-cylinder cars, all with five speeds and PAS, with the 125bhp M20 520i and 150bhp M30 525i, plus the 184bhp M30 528i with standard alloy wheels and electric front windows. A three-speed ZF automatic box was optional on all six-cylinder cars as well.
The year 1981 was only one year before progressively designed cars like the Ford Sierra started to appear, so the E28 already looked slightly old-fashioned when it was launched. The BMW’s contemporary Mercedes W123 rival was similarly traditional, however.
The E28 had a distinct BMW identity and was nicely proportioned and detailed inside and out. While it looked like the E12, very little of the body was carried over – just the roof skin, doors (with modifications), plus front and rear screens.
Suspension and brakes were all completely revised with no carryover parts whilst the chassis and inner wings were all revised with different pick up points. The interior was also all-new, with a new ‘Service Indicator’ system that made its way onto other BMWs thereafter.
In late 1982 the 520i gained the new M20 engine from the E30 3 Series, with a revised cylinder-head and LE Jetronic; all M30 six-cylinders had a new Getrag 260 gearbox gradually phased in, except for the Sport ‘dogleg’ models that retained the old unit.
