1981 - 1988 BMW E28 5-Series

The BMW E28 BMW 5-Series was made between 1981 and 1988. It replaced the BMW E12 in 1981 and was replaced by the BMW E34 in 1989.
E28 Production started in July 1981 and ended in December 1987. The E28 was still sold in North America as a 1988 Model Year car while Europe received the E34 towards the end of 1987.

European model range

• 518 M10B18 carbureted engine, produced through 9/84
• 518i M10B18 fuel-injected engine, 1984 to 1987
• 520i M20B20 early, fuel-injected engine, 1981–1985
• 520i M20B20 late, fuel-injected engine, 1985–1987
• 524d M21D24 diesel 2.4 L engine, 1983–1988
• 524td M21D24 turbocharged diesel 2.4 L engine, 1983–1987
• 525i M30B25 fuel-injected (Motronic) 2.5 L engine, 1981–1987
• 525e M20B27 fuel-injected (Motronic) 2.7 L high efficiency engine, 1983–1988
• 528i M30B28 fuel-injected (LE-Jetronic) 2.8 L engine, 1981–1987
• 535i M30B34 fuel-injected (Motronic) 3.4 L engine.
• M535i M30B34 fuel-injected (Motronic) 3.4 L engine, with M-Technic aerodynamic kit, sport seats and unique 390 mm alloy wheels, 1985–1988
• M5 S38 fuel injected 3.5 L engine, 1985–1988

The "baby six" engine found in the 520i, 525e and 528e models is known as the M20, a 12 valve SOHC inline six cylinder design. It had seven main bearings and seven cam shaft bearings, a rocker arm type valvetrain driven by a composite rubber timing belt. US market M20s came with cast aluminum acoustically tuned, common plenum intake manifolds and a single throttle body. This engine was first available in the European market for model year 1976 in a 2.0 L carbureted version. It later grew to 2.3 L in the E21 323i, then 2.5 L in the E30 325i and also 2.7 L in the 325e and 528e models. It is also very similar to the later 24 valve engines as in the E36 and E46 3 series models, with the same basic block dimensions.

The big six engine found in the 528i, 533i and 535i/is models is known as the M30. The M30 is also a 12 valve SOHC inline six cylinder design. It has seven main bearings, four camshaft bearings and a rocker arm type valvetrain. US M30's also came equipped with cast aluminum acoustically tuned common plenum intake manifolds and single throttle bodies. Unlike the M20 it has a chain-driven valvetrain. Its larger dimensions allow for a longer stroke and larger bore, which makes for almost 3.5 L displacement in later engines.

It should be noted that both 533i and 535i M30 intake manifold from 1982-1988 had a "3.2/3.5" casting. During the new intake manifold's development a 3.2 L version existed in Europe and the US, and a 3.5 L in Europe. When the 3.4 L versions came out a year later in Europe, the casting was not changed. The 3.4 L was introduced to the US in 1985. 1988, was the last year this manifold casting was used in the E28 535i and 535is. A new style intake manifold was designed for the new 3.4 L. The casting read "3.5", but it was still 3.4 L (3430 cc). For the US, the 735i and the 635 csi were the first to receive the new M30 in 1988.

The M535i was introduced as a sporty version of the regular 535i, although the M535i does not feature any unique BMW Motorsport-designed drivetrain components it is, however, equipped with an M-Technic suspension, wheels and body panels not found on the standard 535i. Combined, these items distinguish the M535i from the regular 535i. The E28 M535i was introduced at the 1984 Paris Auto Salon. Unlike the hand-built E28 M5, the E28 M535i was assembled on the standard E28 assembly line in Dingolfing, outside of Munich. An additional batch of cars was built at BMW's Rosslyn, South Africa factory using Complete Knock-Down kits supplied from Germany. BMW did not import the E28 M535i to North America for two reasons: 1) the M brand had not yet been established in North America at the time and thus held little equity with the consumer and 2) the cost of adapting the M-Technic body panels to fit the contours of the government-mandated bumpers was highly prohibitive. Instead, BMW of North America created the 535is, essentially a standard 535i equipped with front and rear spoilers, sport suspension and sport seats, which was sold exclusively in the U.S. and Canada. Total M535i production: 10335 cars.

The M5 came with a big six engine known as the S38. This engine is similar to the M30, but has a 24 valve cylinder head, duplex timing chain, dual overhead cam layout and shim and bucket style valvetrain. In addition to the top end revisions, the S38 also had six individual throttle bodies and intake trumpets fed by a cast aluminum intake plenum. This engine was designed for high power and durability at very high engine speeds. In the E28 chassis it was one of the fastest sedans in the world for its time, and it remains legendary among enthusiasts today.