Skip advert
Advertisement

BMW M5 E28 - Best BMW M cars

The mighty BMW M5 E28 remains one of the finest performance saloons ever

The first of the M5 high-performance saloons, and for many BMW purists the best. When launched in 1985, the E28 M5 was the fastest four-door car on sale – which considering its top speed was 156mph seems somewhat surprising in our power-crazed era. But a Ferrari 328 from the same era had less power (and was only moderately more pricey), which puts the E28 M5 into perspective.

Advertisement - Article continues below

In spite of its understated styling the car was a thoroughbred under the skin, using a version of the 3.5-litre straight six developed from the engine in the M1 supercar.

The E34 M5 saloon followed on and kept the spicy recipe alive, and neither the E39 or F10 versions of the M5 that also make this list would have happened without the E28 M car.

  • Production: 2,191 (1985-1988)
  • Engine: 3.5-litre, six-cylinder
  • BHP: 282bhp
  • 0-62mph: 6.1 seconds
  • Max speed: 156mph
Skip advert
Advertisement
Continue Reading
Current affairs and features editor

Chris covers all aspects of motoring life for Auto Express. Over a long career he has contributed news and car reviews to brands such as Autocar, WhatCar?, PistonHeads, Goodwood and The Motor Trader.

Skip advert
Advertisement

Recommended

Best 60s cars: the 35 greatest cars of the 1960s
Best cars of the 60s - header

Best 60s cars: the 35 greatest cars of the 1960s

The swinging sixties brought a vast array of unforgettable cars that would establish the path of the industry for decades to come. We pick our top 35 …
Best cars & vans
21 Jun 2026
BMW employs humanoid robots to build EVs and hybrids
BMW robot

BMW employs humanoid robots to build EVs and hybrids

BMW has dubbed new bots, set to be piloted in Germany in summer, as the “future” of car production
News
29 May 2026
New BMW Alpina Vision concept sets out brand’s luxurious future path
BMW Alpina Vision concept - front action

New BMW Alpina Vision concept sets out brand’s luxurious future path

Alpina’s elevated future is outlined as the tuning firm is embraced as BMW’s first new brand since Rolls-Royce in 2003
News
15 May 2026
Petrol BMW M3 to thrive in the EV era with engine investment to cut emissions
BMW M3 CS Touring - front

Petrol BMW M3 to thrive in the EV era with engine investment to cut emissions

New combustion technology means BMW’s fan-favourite M models will live on
News
8 May 2026

Most Popular

Electric car charging costs review launched by government
Electric car charging mega test - charging overhead

Electric car charging costs review launched by government

Government report to address concerns over long-term cost of EV charging
News
10 Jun 2026
Best cars to own: Driver Power 2026 results
Driver Power 2026 header

Best cars to own: Driver Power 2026 results

The winners and losers in the UK's biggest automotive consumer survey. It’s the 2026 Driver Power results
News
10 Jun 2026
Car Deal of the Day: Big-battery Vauxhall Frontera for a low £135 a month
Vauxhall Frontera Electric UK - front cornering

Car Deal of the Day: Big-battery Vauxhall Frontera for a low £135 a month

The Vauxhall Frontera Electric is a lot of car for not much cash. It’s our Deal of the Day for 10 June.
News
10 Jun 2026