15k: Dinan Upgraded: 1988 BMW M5 E28
The E28 M5 may have not been the first fast luxury sedan (the Mercedes-Benz 300 SEL 6.9 beat it to the market…among others) but it added a level of supercar thrill with day-to-day usability that was unmatched in its era. Scary engine repair costs and the 4-door setup kept prices low for years, but recent appreciation looks like the beginning of the end for affordable M5s. Find this 1988 BMW M5 E28 here on eBay
currently bidding for $15,100 reserve-not-met with 1 day to go.
The E28 M5 isn’t much cosmetically different from the standard 535i
sedan – just a small rear wing spoiler and an M5 badge distinguish it.
Just over 2000 E28 M5s were built for the US Market – all of them
Schwarz (black) exterior and Natur (tan) interior with just about every
option available; full leather interior, A/C, power windows, power
doors, etc.
The e28 M5 is equipped with the S38 B35 catalyst equipped 3.5 liter
inline 6 putting out 256 horsepower, but this one has been tuned up to make 306 horsepower. The S38 was a detuned version of the
BMW M1 supercar engine (mated to the 535’s 5-spd manual trans and
standard limited slip diff), and compared to everything else sold in
1988 it was very fast.
May be a very nice car but you don't get from the 256 factory HP to 306 with a chip, you need at least cam sprockets and exhaust plumbing.
I can't own an E28 M5 because I've promised myself I'll never own another black car, but a violet E34 M5 Touring is at least cheaper than the next best thing.
The 300sel was a 6.3 – the 6.9 came a bit later. I've been fortunate enough to have owned both cars. They were pretty cool, but the 6.3 was an absolute beast when it was running right!