First Registered: 11/8/86
Former Keepers: 7
Mileage:190000
VIN:1679008
MoT: 12 Months
RFL: 6 Months
Former BMW demo fleet car with green-tinted glass, power glass moonroof, rear sunshade, power front seats, rear headrests, headlight washer/wipers, air conditioning, M-Technic rear spoiler. Added Shadowline window/taillight trim, 17-inch M System alloy wheels (without outer covers) and AP Racing big brake kit. Interesting history. E28 M5
Price:- £7495 - to include UK delivery Tel:- 07762 725041 or bbeattie@m635.co.uk
The E28 M5 first appeared at the Amsterdam Motor Show in 1985. With the M635 CSi already finding enthusiastic, if wealthy, homes and the soon to be legendary E30 M3 not yet on its way, the M5 was only the second car boasting a Motorsport drivetrain to be imported officially to the UK. The E28 M5 was always a vey rare car and was to become the rarest of the M cars with only 187 right hand drive cars hand-assembled at the BMW Motorsport facility in Garching and this, the eighth, was originally registered to BMW as a press and demo car. I have had a few BMW Press and Demo cars through my hands and they all seem to be in better condition than one would expect. Coincidence? I doubt it.
This car is unrestored, in excellent condition and largely original. While the M5's performance was revered in the day, its braking capabilities - and those of its sister, the M635CSi with which it shares all its drivetrain components - were its Achilles heel. Stopping power was barely adequate and brake fade was a problem in continued high speed driving. This car has been sympathetically modified in period and fitted with a pair of AP Racing front calipers with large vented and grooved discs. This is the only modification which is visible to the untrained eye.
When I originally bought the car, it was my intention to return it to standard using a pair of discs and calipers that I have. However, the first time I drove it and stood on the middle pedal, that idea was consigned to the reject bin labelled, "seemed like a good idea at the time". The braking performance of this car is just superb. It has to be experienced to be appreciated. The wheels are standard E34 M5 wheels with the covers currently removed. I have a set of turbine covers which can be added to complete the "stealth" look of this car with its chrome bumpers and standard black door mirrors.
The E28 M5 is probably the first of the super saloons and is pretty much regarded as the best. Between paying for this car and collecting it, I started to have doubts about its purchase. Using exactly the same floorpan and drivetrain as the M635, I reasoned, would mean that it was too similar. I was completely wrong. The M5 is lighter, nimbler, and feels much, much smaller, tighter even - it feels like a slightly larger E30 M3, but with more torque; and faster; and quieter and more comfortable; with four doors; and a sensible gearbox; and the steering wheel in the right place; and, with back seats you can use.
In terms of performance, it's still a fast car today. 0-60 is about 6 seconds and it'll see 150 mph plus without any trouble. But you can use it every day to potter about town just as easily. It is a true dual purpose classic that you can take the kids to school in in the morning; nip off and do a track day or whatever in the afternoon; and, go to Tesco's at night.
It combines the handling and nimble drive of the E30 M3 with the M635's torque and pulling power to provide the ideal compromise between the two. It does what each of them does well, with neither of their failings. The E28 M5 is the perfect classic M car and in my view the E30 M3 is more desirable only because of the E28 M5's rarity. If more people had driven an E28 M5, there is no doubt in my mind that they would be more sought after than they currently are. You only need one classic car:- the E28 M5.
Bodywork
Is there a better BMW colour combo than Alpine White with chrome? Having just been clayed, mopped and polished, the car looks superb. The paintwork is flat and swirl free.
The shell is rust free and all the important areas are solid. It is in excellent structural order. There are a couple of areas where the paint is a little "thin" and the driver's door has a few bubbles at its base. There is a very slight crease on the passenger's door - a downside of using a classic car for the Tesco run (Morrison's actually) which could easily be removed by Dentmasters or the like, I expect.
The chrome and trim is in perfect condition and the front bumper is relatively new. The shadowline effect is an aftermarket addition (using proper shadowline trim) and I think it suits the car perfectly as do the black mirrors as opposed to the correct body colour ones which invariably look tatty.
The black and chrome on this car breaks up the great slabs of white on a more common body kitted car and I really like the "stealth" look of this car. Remove the "M5" badge from the grille and it looks like a 518i. It's what M cars used to be about - understated - not screaming its Motorsport heritage like the current cars.
There are a few minor imperfections but I am unable to find one area of broken paint and in my view there is no rust remedial work required now or in the near future, provided sensible maintenance precautions are taken. Please bear in mind that this is a 22 year old car and is not being advertised as concours. There are imperfections, but these are no more than are commensurate with its age, mileage and price.
Interior
The interior of this car is, again, a masterclass in restrained taste. The half leather, electric sports front seats are in the rare and sought after houndstooth fabric with the M flashes and the seats are in perfect order. The leather has been retrimmed. Carpets are excellent and there are genuine coconut overmats as opposed to the aftermarket items shown here. Parts of the interior have been fitted with extended leather trim. The standard fire extinguisher is still under the driver's seat and all electrical items function properly. The remote control for the stereo and the radar speed trap are no longer fitted and there are no holes in any trim caused by their removal.
A rare genuine "Bavaria" radio cassette is fitted along with a genuine Hirschmann electric aerial. The red rear seatbelts with the M covers are a bit "council" for my taste, but I haven't got round to changing them yet. I have a set of standard black rear belts and they will be fitted in the next few days.
The driver's seat bolster is undamaged having recently been retrimmed. The seats and trim have obviously been maintained well. The interior has recently been valeted and where appropriate has benefitted from a full "Liquid Leather" clean and feed treatment. Generally, the interior both looks and smells good. The carpets are unworn and the dashboard is not cracked. There is a full 13 button OBC fitted and operational.
The standard M-Tech1 wheel is in perfect condition and the gear knob is a slightly later genuine BMW M one. I have an M-tech 2 wheel which I will fit if the purchaser prefers it. I prefer the M-Tech 1 wheel - particularly this larger, fatter rimmed one.
Electrically everything works as it should including the very rare factory fitted electric glass "moonroof" type sunroof.
The standard toolkit is complete and the glovebox torch is in place and works.
Mechanical
Newly serviced with replacement oil, air and fuel filters along with new spark plugs, the car is ready to use immediately. These engines always sound a little busy at the top end to the unitiated and this one is no exception, but the idle is very steady, it picks up cleanly and smoothly and the engine performs flawlessly. The essential timing chain work has been done and does not require further consideration for another 30000 miles or so.
It is an absolute hoot to drive. You can pooter about town at 25 mph all day and then get to a bit of open road and redlining it in second and third sees 100 mph in a matter of a few seconds. The journey to that speed is accompanied by the most amazing visceral wail once it gets above 5000 rpm. It is one of the best sounding engines ever made.
Under the bonnet, there is a genuine "Hartge" strut brace fitted and all is clean and very presentable and while the under bonnet area is not quite to show standard, it could be made to be. There are no signs of any type of fluid loss. The gearbox is smooth and quiet, as is the final drive.
The steering is sharp and precise. The brakes are simply phenomenal, though the downside is that they are a little noisier than standard and require a little more maintenance, but it is really a small price to pay.
A genuine BMW rear strut brace is fitted.
The car displays none of the standard 55 mph "shimmy" of most E24 and E28s. The shocks and springs have been recently replaced and £700 was spent just a couple of weeks ago on general maintenance.
On the road, the car drives perfectly and that driving experience belies its mileage while justifying and proving the value of the substantial and significant service history. This car has always been maintained properly and without regard to expense and that maintenance is detailed in a large
folder of receipts, bills, and service records, along with details of its interesting life as a BMW press car and its time with Don Palmer
Racing.
All external lights, indicators, fog lamps etc. are in perfect order and quite simply, the car just drives as it should.
So, to recap, we have a very rare opportunity to purchase one of the rarest of the classic M cars, a 1986 E28 M5. In generally excellent order, with a number of desireable upgrades and improvements, I think that this is the ideal classic car. It is good, solid, reliable and a car that you would happily take on a European tour. It is sufficiently good that you can use it and derive tremendous enjoyment from it immediately, but not so good that using it spoils it.
There are probably no more than 100 of these cars left in the UK and while you do see the odd one for sale occasionally, they are few and far between. In view of the rarity, the condition and the keen price of this car (the classic car magazines have Condition One cars at £10000), I'm expecting a good bit of interest. It will be ready for delivery in a few days complete with 12 months MoT and 6 months tax, meaning a trouble and largely cost free year of classic motoring fun and enjoyment.
Again, with proper care and maintenance, the classic status of this car and its rarity means that it is highly unlikely that prices will fall. Where else can you get such superb engineering in a full four seater capable of this level of reliable performace for this sort of money? It qualifies for classic car insurance too and is the ideal classic for the man or woman who enjoys the occasional trackday.
I have many high resolution images available here or which can be e-mailed to prospective purchasers. I can also take photos of particular areas on request. Viewers are, obviously welcome, and can have a test drive, accompanied by me. You will not be disappointed. So confident am I of this car, that if you come to view it and feel that it has been overstated or is not as described, I shall refund your travelling expenses.
As always, recognising that Glasgow is some distance away for most potential purchasers, the stated price includes delivery anywhere in the UK. I'll happily meet viewers at Glasgow, Edinburgh or Prestwick airports
or at appropriate train stations.
I may consider a classic car or older BMW in part exchange.
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