The BMW E28 is the second generation of BMW 5 Series executive cars,[1] which was

produced from 1981 to 1988 and replaced the E12 5 Series. Pre-series production began in
April 1981 and the car was introduced in the autumn that year.

The E28 was initially produced with straight-four and straight-six petrol engines until 1983,
when the 524td model became the first BMW car to be powered by a diesel engine. It was
also the first 5 Series with the centre console angled towards the driver and to be available
with anti-lock brakes (ABS).[2]

The first BMW M5 was produced during the E28 generation. It was powered by
the M88/3 and S38 straight-six engines. The E24 6 Series coupés were built on the E28
platform from 1982 to 1989.

The E28 was replaced by the E34 5 Series in 1988.

Body and interior[edit]

The E28 has a self-supporting body that is welded to the body platform. The passenger cell
is a safety passenger cell with deformation elements both in the front and rear of the vehicle.
Unlike its E12 predecessor and E34 successor, the E28 has a rear-hinged bonnet. The boot
has a volume of 460 L (122 US gal). Most models have a fuel tank capacity of 70 L
(18 US gal),[3] with some models having a smaller tank of 63 litres (17 US gal). The kerb
weight is 1,140–1,410 kg (2,513–3,109 lb).[4]

Cruise control, an on-board computer (to display trip information) and a "check control" panel
(to alert the driver about fluid levels and lighting faults) were introduced to the 5 Series on
the E28. The glazing is made of single-pane safety glass, the windscreen has laminated
glass.[3] As part of developing the air-conditioning system for the E28, several of the BMW
engineers in charge of this program drove a previous generation E12 5 Series during the
middle of summer in Texas. The E12 528i was painted black with a black interior, and driven
500 mi (805 km) in one day.[5]

The styling was developed under BMW's chief designer Claus Luthe,[6] with development of
the E28 beginning in 1975.[7] At the time that BMW was designing the E28, the company had
only one computer, which was used for payroll management and spare parts logistics.
Wolfgang Matschinsky and his team borrowed that computer to perform the calculations
necessary to develop the new drivetrain and chassis. This was due to the fact that the
addition of an ABS system necessitated a redesign from the previous model due to
excessive vibrations under heavy braking.[8]