BMW E28 (1981–1988) — History, Engines, Weak Points, Fuel Consumption

The BMW E28 is the second generation of the 5 Series, produced from 1981 to 1988. It's the car that gave the world the original M5 in 1985 — a "wolf in sheep's clothing" sedan that defined what an M-badged executive car could be. For many enthusiasts, the E28 remains the benchmark for a simple, mechanically honest BMW with no electronic layer standing between driver and road.

History

The E28 replaced the E12 in 1981, keeping the first 5 Series' recognizable silhouette while updating the body, interior, and — on higher trims — introducing an onboard computer for the first time on the model. The rear suspension stayed on semi-trailing arms; the multi-link "Z-axle" wouldn't arrive until the E34.

In 1983, the lineup gained the 524td — BMW's first-ever production turbodiesel. In 1985, the sportier M535i arrived with the M30 engine and a firmer suspension, followed by the original M5: under the hood sat the naturally aspirated 3.5-liter S38 borrowed from the M1 and M635CSi, but on the outside the car looked like an ordinary 528i/535i, with no badge giving away the 286 horses beneath. The US market got the M5 later, in 1988, in a detuned, catalyst-equipped form.

E28 production ended in 1988 with the arrival of the E34, but this generation is still frequently called "the last real 5 Series" before electronic driver aids and more complex suspension systems took over.

Engines

Petrol — 4-cylinder:

• M10 — 1.8 L, fitted to the 518i, the simplest and most affordable engine in the range.

Petrol — inline-six:

• M20 — 2.0–2.7 L across the 520i/525i/528e (US); the eta version (528e) was tuned for low-rev torque and economy rather than outright power.
• M30 — 2.8–3.4 L across the 528i/533i/535i/M535i; a torquey, durable engine when maintained and something of the generation's signature unit.

Diesel:

• M21 — 2.4 L turbodiesel in the 524td, BMW's first production turbodiesel, introduced in 1983.

M5:

• S38 — naturally aspirated 3.5 L straight-six, 286 hp in European trim (1985) and 256 hp in the federalized US version (1988). The first-ever BMW M5 — essentially the M1's race-derived engine wrapped in an ordinary sedan body.

Weak Points

• Rust. A classic early-80s BMW ailment: wheel arches, sills, and subframe mounting points corrode aggressively on cars that never received rust-proofing and were driven through winters.
• M30 timing chain and guides. The plastic chain guides wear and crumble with age, producing the characteristic chain rattle and, in neglected cars, chain failure.
• Vacuum-operated central locking. Pre-facelift E28s used a vacuum pump to drive the central locking — a well-known failure point that leaves the doors locking out of sync.
• Cooling system. The radiator, expansion tank, and water pump are typical age-related weak spots worth inspecting at purchase.
• 524td fuel system and turbo. The early turbodiesel needs careful attention to its injection pump and turbocharger — parts are scarcer today than for the petrol variants.
• Aging wiring and electrics — window regulators, the instrument cluster, and onboard computer sensors can act up on cars that haven't been well cared for.

Fuel Consumption

Average combined-cycle figures — approximate, based on owner reports, since little official period data survives for this generation:

Engine	Model	Consumption, L/100km
M10	518i	~9–10
M20 (eta)	528e	~10–11
M20	525i	~10–11
M30	528i / 535i	~11–12
M21 (diesel)	524td	~7–8
S38	M5	~13–14

Owner Feedback

Recurring themes from reviews and enthusiast forums, without quoting specific owners:

The E28 is consistently described as one of the purest driver's BMWs ever built — minimal electronics, precise steering, and a chassis that communicates honestly about the road surface. The original M5 stands out on its own as a legend: an unassuming sedan capable of embarrassing far more prestigious sports cars of its day. The most common caveats are the need to inspect the body carefully for rust before buying and to budget for a cooling-system and timing-chain overhaul on M30-powered cars. Owners of the 524td note that finding a shop that genuinely understands this early turbodiesel is harder today than for petrol variants, but the engine itself holds up well with proper care.

Photos