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

New BMW iX4 to offer colossal 500-mile range and rakish looks
BMW iX4 - front 3/4 parked

New BMW iX4 to offer colossal 500-mile range and rakish looks

BMW’s SAV, or Sports Activity Vehicle, has been reborn for its Neue Klasse generation
News
12 Nov 2025
9 coolest SUVs coming soon: new models aiming to take the 4x4 market by storm
Coolest SUVs coming soon - September 2025 header image

9 coolest SUVs coming soon: new models aiming to take the 4x4 market by storm

Thought SUVs couldn't be cool? Here are some forthcoming contenders that should have the grunt – and the looks
Best cars & vans
24 Sep 2025
More power for BMW’s 4 Series, M340i and M240i: better efficiency and kit too
BMW M440i xDrive Convertible - front 3/4

More power for BMW’s 4 Series, M340i and M240i: better efficiency and kit too

BMW announces model revisions on selected 2, 3, 4 and 5 Series models, focusing on increased power and improved efficiency
News
24 Sep 2025
Best new cars coming soon: all the big new car launches due in 2025, 2026 and beyond
New cars coming soon header image

Best new cars coming soon: all the big new car launches due in 2025, 2026 and beyond

Here are the most important new cars from Audi, BMW, Dacia, Ferrari, Ford, Skoda and more that you need to know about
Best cars & vans
22 Sep 2025

Most Popular

New Nissan Juke to get wild design as it goes all-electric
Nissan Juke - front (exclusive image)

New Nissan Juke to get wild design as it goes all-electric

The new Nissan Juke is set to arrive in the UK in 2026, and our exclusive images preview how it could look
News
24 Nov 2025
Jaecoo and Omoda announce ‘tax rebate’ to counter pay-per-mile tax
Omoda E5 and Jaecoo E5

Jaecoo and Omoda announce ‘tax rebate’ to counter pay-per-mile tax

Not a fan of the Government’s 3p per mile road tax proposal for electric cars? Omoda and Jaecoo are already offering discounts they’re promoting as ‘t…
News
26 Nov 2025
New Dacia C-Neo preps for its big family car fight in 2026
Dacia C-Neo - front cornering

New Dacia C-Neo preps for its big family car fight in 2026

Romanian firm looks ready to take on a new sector with all-new petrol-powered family car
News
24 Nov 2025