BMW 5 Series (E28)
Overview
Production1981–1988
Model years1982–1988
Assembly
DesignerClaus Luthe
Body and chassis
ClassExecutive car (E)
Body style4-door sedan
LayoutFR layout
RelatedBMW 6 Series (E24)
Powertrain
Engine
Dimensions
Wheelbase2,625 mm (103.3 in)
Length4,620 mm (181.9 in)
Width1,700 mm (66.9 in)
Height1,415 mm (55.7 in)
Chronology
PredecessorBMW 5 Series (E12)
SuccessorBMW 5 Series (E34)

The BMW E28 is the second generation of BMW 5 Series executive cars,[1] 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 centre console angled towards the driver and to be available with anti-lock brakes (ABS).[2]

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 and interior

The E28 has a self-supporting body that is welded to the body platform. The passenger cell is a safety passenger cell with deformation elements both in the front and rear of the vehicle. Unlike its E12 predecessor and E34 successor, the E28 has a rear-hinged bonnet. The boot has a volume of 460 L (122 US gal). Most models have a fuel tank capacity of 70 L (18 US gal),[3] with some models having a smaller tank of 63 litres (17 US gal). The kerb weight is 1,140–1,410 kg (2,513–3,109 lb).[4]

Cruise control, an on-board computer (to display trip information) and a "check control" panel (to alert the driver about fluid levels and lighting faults) were introduced to the 5 Series on the E28. The glazing is made of single-pane safety glass, the windscreen has laminated glass.[3] As part of developing the air-conditioning system for the E28, several of the BMW engineers in charge of this program drove a previous generation E12 5 Series during the middle of summer in Texas. The E12 528i was painted black with a black interior, and driven 500 mi (805 km) in one day.[5]

The styling was developed under BMW's chief designer Claus Luthe,[6] with development of the E28 beginning in 1975.[7] At the time that BMW was designing the E28, the company had only one computer, which was used for payroll management and spare parts logistics. Wolfgang Matschinsky and his team borrowed that computer to perform the calculations necessary to develop the new drivetrain and chassis. This was due to the fact that the addition of an ABS system necessitated a redesign from the previous model due to excessive vibrations under heavy braking.[8]

Engines

The E28 was the first 5 Series produced with diesel engines (the 524d and 524td models) and with a petrol engined model specifically aimed at increased fuel economy (525e/528e model).

The four models available at the launch of the E28 were the 518, 520i, 525i and 528i,[9] with the 518 using a straight-four petrol engine and the other three models using a straight-six petrol engine. Over the course of the E28 model, the following models were added: the 524d and 524td using diesel engines, the 518i (a fuel-injected version of the 518), the 525e/528e as fuel-economy models, and the upper-specification 533i, 535i, M535i, and M5 models.

A liquid petroleum gas (LPG) option was introduced for some petrol engines in 1984.[10]

Petrol

BMW M20 straight-six engine
BMW M88/3 straight-six engine
ModelEnginePowerTorqueFuel supplyYears
5181.8 L (1,766 cc)
M10B18 I4		66 kW (90 PS)
at 5500 rpm		140 N⋅m (103 lb⋅ft)
at 4000 rpm		Pierburg 2BE
carburettor		1981-1984
518i77 kW (105 PS)
at 5800 rpm		145 N⋅m (107 lb⋅ft)
at 4500 rpm		L-Jetronic1981–1987
520i2.0 L (1,991 cc)
M20B20 I6		92 kW (125 PS)
at 5800 rpm		165 N⋅m (122 lb⋅ft)
at 4500 rpm		K-Jetronic1981–1982
170 N⋅m (125 lb⋅ft)
at 4000 rpm		L-Jetronic1982-1987
95 kW (129 PS)
at 6000 rpm		174 N⋅m (128 lb⋅ft)
at 4000 rpm		LE-Jetronic1985-1988
164 N⋅m (121 lb⋅ft)
at 4300 rpm		Motronic1986-1988
525i2.5 L (2,494 cc)
M30B25 I6		110 kW (150 PS)
at 5500 rpm		215 N⋅m (159 lb⋅ft)
at 4000 rpm		L-Jetronic1981–1987
525e,
528e		2.7 L (2,693 cc)
M20B27 I6		92 kW (125 PS)
at 4250 rpm		240 N⋅m (177 lb⋅ft)
at 3250 rpm		Motronic1982–1987
90 kW (122 PS)
at 4250 rpm		230 N⋅m (170 lb⋅ft)
at 3250 rpm		L-Jetronic,
Motronic		1982–1987
95 kW (129 PS)
at 4250 rpm		240 N⋅m (177 lb⋅ft)
at 3250 rpm		Motronic1984–1988
88 kW (120 PS)
at 4250 rpm		240 N⋅m (177 lb⋅ft)
at 3250 rpm		Motronic1985–1987
528i2.8 L (2,788 cc)
M30 I6		135 kW (184 PS)
at 5800 rpm		240 N⋅m (177 lb⋅ft)
at 4200 rpm		L-Jetronic1981–1987
533i3.2 L (3,210 cc)
M30 I6		135 kW (184 PS)
at 6000 rpm[11]		265 N⋅m (195 lb⋅ft)
at 4000 rpm		Motronic1982–1984
535i,
M535i		3.4 L (3,430 cc)
M30 I6		160 kW (218 PS)
at 5500 rpm		310 N⋅m (229 lb⋅ft)
at 4000 rpm		Motronic1985–1988
136 kW (182 hp)
at 5400 rpm		290 N⋅m (214 lb⋅ft)
at 4000 rpm		Motronic1985–1988 (US)
M53.5 L (3,453 cc)
M88/3 I6		210 kW (286 PS)
at 6500 rpm[12][13]		340 N⋅m (251 lb⋅ft)
at 4500 rpm		Motronic1985–1988
3.5 L (3,453 cc)
S38 I6		191 kW (256 hp)
at 6500 rpm[14][15]		330 N⋅m (243 lb⋅ft)
at 4500 rpm		Motronic1986–1988 (US)

518: Sold only in some European markets where it suited local tax categories, the 518 was the lowest specification model which used a four-cylinder engine with a carburetor. Factory performance figures for the manual transmission cars are a top speed of 164 km/h (102 mph) and 0–100 km/h acceleration in 14.0 seconds.[16]

518i: The base model in Japan and some European countries, the 518i used a fuel-injected four-cylinder engine. Factory performance figures for the manual transmission cars are a top speed of 175 km/h (109 mph) and 0–100 km/h acceleration in 12.6 seconds.[3] This version was not sold in Germany until the 1984 facelift, when it replaced the carburetted 518.

520i: A mid-range model with the smallest of the available six-cylinder engines. Factory performance figures for the manual transmission cars are a top speed of 190 km/h (118 mph) and 0–100 km/h acceleration in 11.4 seconds.[3]

525e / 528e: The 525e (called 528e in North America and Japan) uses a longer stroke 2.7-litre version of the 6-cylinder M20 petrol engine, is optimised for fuel economy and torque at low engine speed rather than the traditional high revving characteristics of BMW straight-six engines.[17] The "e" stands for the Greek letter eta, for economy. According to BMW, the 525e is more fuel efficient than the 520i, which has the same rated power of 92 kW.[18] Since many markets tax cars based on engine displacement, the eta's larger engine meant that it was not suitable everywhere. The model was expressly developed with the American market in mind. BMW's corporate average fuel economy was at risk of not meeting requirements by 1984, primarily due to higher sales of their bigger, more expensive cars in the early 1980s.[19] In Austria, the 525e was detuned to 88 kW (118 hp).

Factory performance figures for the manual transmission cars without a catalytic converter are a top speed of 190 km/h (118 mph) and 0–100 km/h acceleration in 10.7 seconds. With a catalytic converter, the figures are a top speed of 188 km/h (117 mph) and 0–100 km/h acceleration in 11.3 seconds[3]

525i: This mid-range model is powered by a 2.5-litre 6-cylinder engine. The 525i was only sold in Europe. Factory performance figures for the manual transmission cars are a top speed of 201 km/h (125 mph) and 0–100 km/h acceleration in 9.8 seconds.[3]

528i: Initially the highest specification available, the 6-cylinder 528i became a mid-range model following the release of the 533i and 535i models. Factory performance figures for the manual transmission cars are a top speed of 215 km/h (134 mph) and 0–100 km/h acceleration in 8.4 seconds.[3]

533i: Only sold in Japan and North America,[20][21] the 6-cylinder 533i was the highest specification model during its production years of 1983–1984. It was replaced by the 535i.

535i/is: Released in 1984, the 535i replaced the 533i and uses the same 6-cylinder drivetrain as the M535i. In the US there was also a 535is model, which included sport seats and spoilers at the front and rear. Factory performance figures for the manual transmission cars without a catalytic converter are a top speed of 225 km/h (140 mph) and 0–100 km/h acceleration in 7.2 seconds. With a catalytic converter, the figures are a top speed of 212 km/h (132 mph) and 0–100 km/h acceleration in 7.9 seconds[3]

M535i

M535i: The top of the regular production model range, the M535i uses the drivetrain from the 535i plus M-Technic suspension, and wheels and body panels not found on any other E28. The M535i was assembled on the standard E28 assembly lines in Dingolfing and Rosslyn. Factory performance figures for the manual transmission cars without a catalytic converter are a top speed of 230 km/h (143 mph) and 0–100 km/h acceleration in 7.2 seconds. With a catalytic converter, the figures are a top speed of 217 km/h (135 mph) and 0–100 km/h acceleration in 7.9 seconds[3]

Diesel

BMW M21 straight-six engine
ModelEnginePowerTorqueAspirationYears
524d2.4 L M21
straight-6		63 kW (86 PS)
at 4600 rpm		152 N⋅m (112 lb⋅ft)
at 2500 rpm		naturally
aspirated		1985–1987
524td85 kW (115 PS)
at 4800 rpm		210 N⋅m (155 lb⋅ft)
at 2400 rpm		turbocharged1983–1988

524d: At the 1986 Geneva Motor Show, four years after the introduction of the more powerful 524td model, the naturally-aspirated 524d model was introduced.[22]: 188, 190  It was only sold in some markets.[22]: 191 

524td: This turbodiesel model was the first diesel car produced by BMW. It entered production in late 1982, when 100 pre-series cars were built.[23] Factory performance figures for the manual transmission cars are a top speed of 180 km/h (112 mph) and 0–100 km/h acceleration in 12.9 seconds.[3]

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.[3]

Manual transmissions

The 4-speed manual transmissions are:[24]

  • 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.[3]

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.[25]: 106  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. Some models have a rear anti-roll bar.[3]

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.[3]

Wheel sizes are 14-inch (16-inch for the M5 model) or 390 mm Michelin TRX.[26]: 44 [27][28] All rims have 22 mm positive rim offset.[3]

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.[3]

M5 model

M5 model

The E28 was the first M5 model produced, and is powered by the M88/3 and S38 straight-six engines.

North American market models

BMW 535is (North America)
North American M5 fitted with European market headlights

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.[29] 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 5 mph (8.0 km/h) collision without body damage), which increased the overall length by 180 mm (7.1 in).

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.[30] 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.[31] North American M5 models use the S38 engine instead of the M88/3.[32]: 37  All North American M5 cars were painted Jet Black and most interiors were tan ("Natur") coloured leather.[33]

Production

E28 production started in July 1981 and ended in December 1987.[34] A total of 722,328 cars were built.[35]

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.[36]

References

  1. ↑ "1982 BMW 528e specifications". www.automobile-catalog.com.
  2. ↑ "The BMW 5 Series History. The 2nd Generation (E28)". www.youtube.com/BMW. Retrieved 27 January 2017.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 Betriebsanleitung, Serviceheft 518, 520i, 525e, 525i, 528i, 535i, M535i, 524td (in German), BMW AG, 1985, retrieved 20 February 2017
  4. ↑ "BMW E28 5 Series 518i Specs". www.ultimatespecs.com. Retrieved 13 May 2017.
  5. ↑ Road & Track On BMW Cars 1979-1983, Greenwich, CT: CBS Publications, 1986, p. 56
  6. ↑ Caspers, Markus (2017). Designing Motion: Automotive Designers 1890 to 1990. Birkhäuser. p. 134. ISBN 9783035607840. Retrieved 18 June 2018.
  7. ↑ "BMW Classic - Recherche-Client". bmw-grouparchiv.de (in German). Retrieved 22 November 2019.
  8. ↑ The BMW 5 Series History. The 2nd Generation (E28), retrieved 5 February 2020
  9. ↑ BMW: 518 520i 525i 528i. February 1982
  10. ↑ "5er BMW mit Autogasanlage". bmw-grouparchiv.de (in German). Retrieved 22 November 2019.
  11. ↑ "528e, 533i brochure". www.bmw-grouparchiv.de. BMW USA. Retrieved 25 September 2021.
  12. ↑ BMW M88/3 Automobilmotor
  13. ↑ "1985 BMW M5 E28 specifications". www.carfolio.com. Retrieved 11 July 2021.
  14. ↑ BMW: S38B35 Automobilmotor
  15. ↑ "1985 BMW M5 E28 specifications". www.carfolio.com. Retrieved 11 July 2021.
  16. ↑ 518, 520i, 525i, 528i. Pages 6 and 50
  17. ↑ "Curbside Classic: 1984 BMW 528e – The Low Rev Modest Driving Machine". www.curbsideclassic.com. Retrieved 15 May 2017.
  18. ↑ BMW: 525e 525e Katalysator. 1985
  19. ↑ Heylen, Vic (28 April 1983). "BMW: Met de ETA op de zuinige tor" [BMW: With Eta on an economy run]. De AutoGids (in Dutch). Vol. 4, no. 94. Brussels, Belgium: Uitgeverij Auto-Magazine. p. 130.
  20. ↑ "BMW E28 5 Series 533i (US) Specs". www.ultimatespecs.com. Retrieved 2 July 2017.
  21. ↑ "1984 BMW 533i E28 specifications". www.carfolio.com. Retrieved 2 July 2017.
  22. 1 2 Büschi, Hans-Ulrich, ed. (5 March 1987). Automobil Revue 1987 (in German and French). Vol. 82. Berne, Switzerland: Hallwag AG. ISBN 3-444-00458-3.
  23. ↑ Heitz, Rudolf, ed. (1983). Auto Katalog 1984 (in German). Vol. 27. Stuttgart: Vereinigte Motor-Verlage GmbH & Co. KG. p. 242.
  24. ↑ "5' E28 model selection". www.realoem.com.
  25. ↑ Noakes, Andrew (2008). The Ultimate History of BMW.
  26. ↑ Taylor, James (2015). BMW M5- The Complete Story.
  27. ↑ "1981 BMW E28 5 Series 525i Specs". www.ultimatespecs.com. Retrieved 21 November 2017.
  28. ↑ "1984 BMW E28 5 Series 535i Specs". www.ultimatespecs.com. Retrieved 21 November 2017.
  29. ↑ "1984 BMW 533i E28 Specifications". www.carfolio.com. Retrieved 22 November 2017.
  30. ↑ "1985 BMW E28 5 Series 535is (US) Specs". www.ultimatespecs.com. Retrieved 22 November 2017.
  31. ↑ "1988 BMW M5 values". www.hagerty.com. Retrieved 24 October 2017.
  32. ↑ Taylor, James (2015). BMW M5 - The Complete Story. ISBN 978-1-78500-045-4.
  33. ↑ "FAQ E28 M5". www.bmwmregistry.com. Retrieved 24 October 2017.
  34. ↑ Taylor, James (February 2016). BMW M5: The Complete Story. Ramsbury, Marlborough Wiltshire: The Crowood Press UK. ISBN 978-1785000461. Retrieved 20 March 2017.
  35. ↑ Oswald, Werner (2001). Deutsche Autos 1945–1990, Band 4, 1. Auflage. Stuttgart: Motorbuch Verlag. ISBN 3-613-02131-5.
  36. ↑ "M5 E28". www.africanmusclecars.com. Retrieved 16 December 2013.
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