1988 BMW M5 (E28) - Iconic or Overrated?

[@P.Galore]

I have owned more than 40 automobiles in my life. Bar none, the 1988 BMW M5 is the best car I ever owned. Handling, luxury, utility, comfortable for 4, ergonomic and stealth-like. Those who knew, knew.

[@AudrainMuseumNetwork]

Thank you for sharing!

[@melvinburwell8202]

This is back when I loved BMWs. This is a jewel. M powered. Good looking. Power. The 535 was my dream BMW. Still is. What the brand used to be. ❤🧡💙🍷👍😝😎

[@phillipkrall8853]

I think you have your model codes mixed up. The Bavaria was an E3. The E12 began the 5 series.

[@EightyFiveHundred]

As a sedan guy too, love the video. E28m5 was my dream car when I was in high school in 1988. Fast forward several years and owning every generation of m5, two generations remain in my garage. My e28m5, which I picked up about 20 years ago and rebuilt and refreshed her a couple years ago and my 6 speed v10 e60m5.

[@troynov1965]

My favorite BMW is the E9 3.0 CS/CSi.......just love the styling on those.

[@marcoluoma3770]

Thanks for taking us for another great drive. During this timeframe I needed a sedan and spent time at the BMW dealership. Ultimately I couldn’t swing the payments for a 3 series and ended up in an Accord sedan. Still, I remember sitting in the BMW and dreaming. Thanks again.

[@AudrainMuseumNetwork]

Thank you for enjoying our videos!

[@rparker2824]

I worked for 2 BMW dealers. And of all the cars I road tested, over the years, this is my favorite. I like it better than... Z8, M5s, M3s, all of them. To me, I felt like part of the car more than any of the others. It feels perfect.

[@joeseeking3572]

Back in the day I had the use of a 1983 533i - which at the time was stunningly fast for a US sedan - triple black and I could take pretty much anything in the HS parking lot - save for a few 60's muscle holdovers assuming they were running properly and given student budgets they often weren't. Learned about handling with the car (nimble enough to make it dance), learned about a twitchy rear end and low profile tires in the rain too. It just felt 'solid' - again comparing it to anything at the time. I will say, that, in comparison to what American expected of an expensive car at the time, it was rather Spartan but eminently functional. Years later my brother bought an actual E28 M5, which wasn't cheap - but this was before they shot up in price. Loved it, - rocketbrick - but it was a money pit pretty much everywhere and it had seen salt. At one point he had a spreadsheet of repairs that I think exceeded 3x the purchase price and by this time some of the rest had become structural so a buy was found who had big and likely unrealizable plans, but at least they got the engine.

[@OngoGablogian-ku8xn]

As a collector of classic BMWs it is nice to see Donald appreciating how wonderful they are

[@L3Trip]

That was certainly a very special and memorable time for BMWs especially this one. Thanks for sharing!

[@garynilsen2162]

Owning both a 87 M6 and a 88 M5. I enjoy the M5 so much more. It's always a joy to drive. At cars & coffee folks almost crawl over the M6 to get to the M5. It get so much love whenever I take it out (which is quite often)

[@1983dmd]

Interesting comment ! Can you elaborate more on your comparison between the M5 and M6. I have a 1985 M635CSi. Why do you love the M5 more?

[@thomaslemon3971]

It shows what BMW does best: sport sedans. The e28 m5 is pinnacle of that vibe. I’ve only had the pleasure of driving the non-M versions of the e28 and e24, but the sedan feels much better balanced than the coupe (less tail-happy). Feels lighter too, but not sure if that’s all in my head.

[@jtreut]

Love the video, Donald! Thank you. One item you may want to double check…around the 5 minute mark you reference an E12 but the photo appears to be an E28. Minor edit to what is one of my favorite YT videos!

[@e28forever30]

It was indeed an E28.

[@adamwilson2203]

Hey Donald, was a pleasure working with you and Scott on my E12 M535i appraisal. I know you mentioned your recent drive of the E28 M5 so it's great to see this video! As @jtreut said the cutaway to the E12 when you mention the E12 M535i appears to be a DC91 E28 m5 (the euro version, a pretty different and rare animal I highly recommend you drive to compare to the US spec E28 M5). So if I were critiquing, at that point of the video (thanks for paying homage to the E12 M535i) wish there could have been a photo of a real E12 M535i. Otherwise great to hear your opinions of a great car, the E28 M5. When are you going to come drive my E12 M535i and do a video!?

[@Zagato67]

@adamwilson2203 I'm glad you enjoyed the video and sorry for the incorrect insert... I am very much looking forward to the opportunity to drive your M535i! Happy New Year!

[@seanboyd928]

Would like to hear more about your E12 M535i... I have an E12 with quite a bit of Alpina kit on it that I relocated from California to NY, and would like to get a sense of potential value. . .

[@bdonphenomenon]

I had a 528e when I was 19. It was slow and the body had rusted from the rear strut tower. I loved that car and I hated to sell it. If I could have afforded an 535I or M5, I probably would still be driving it. I think this was the epitome of the BMW 5 Series with Its solid craftmanship and signature BMW design cues that made it unique. The elegantly simple but functional interior meant business. It's arguably the first mid-sized sports sedan that was promoted as such that I am aware of. I loved that car and I hated to sell it. If I could have afforded an 535I or M5, I probably would still be driving it today.

[@Thecarexchangepodcast]

The Alfa Romeo Milano was the car that got me to fall in love with the brand. My dad brought one home when I was 6 years old. And I’ve spent many hours in the back seat of that car listening to Toto Cutogno and Celentano

[@aimonecastellacci1618]

Buondì Signor Osborne!! Ottima review x sicuramente una delle migliori auto della BMW degli ultimi 30 anni! Guidai questa macchina nei primi anni ‘90 - era di un amico di mio padre ed io avevo circa 20 anni!! Ma me la ricordo sempre come una auto con ottima performance e tenuta di strada!! A quell’epoca era molto meglio della mia Mustang GT 5.0 che guidavo giornalmente in California!! Complimenti x il buon gusto sia nelle Auto, Immobili e Abbigkiamento! Un Saluto! Aimone Castellacci

[@mikehawkins4752]

I had a BMW 533i that lacked the power of the M5 but had more than the 528i and it was very quick and light on it's feet. Great manual transmission and steering feel. It is the best handling sedan I've ever driven and I've owned a 98 M3. I wish I could find another one as the M5s are out of my price range.

[@sirdigbyminge1639]

It would've been a great choice for The Cannonball Run back in the day. 👍

[@daves5716]

Back in 1972 my father decided we needed a new family car so I, being the car guy, tried to talk him into buying a Bavaria. He was having nothing to do with one and bought a Pontiac Grand Prix instead. 25 years later I needed a roomy sedan and bought the M5's little brother, a black on black 535is. It was one of the best cars I've ever owned and wish I still had it today.

[@AudrainMuseumNetwork]

Sounds like our friend Jay Leno's story of trying to sell his father on all the performance options for the family sedan. There's a high chance every car enthusiast has made a similar attempt at least once in their life.

[@steeldandansteely1027]

In I believe it was 1981 my father found a 3.0si with roughly the same sheet metal of the Bavaria depicted herein. It was sort of off white with the same color of leather seen in the M5 Donald reviewed today. It was a blast to drive with lovely steering and a nifty little wooden shifter. I think it had a detuned version of the same engine in the 3.0 csi. I have never seen another one. They must be out there. One of y'all out there know of one.

[@d33b33]

The genuine 80s M3 and M5 Munich built bare engine blocks were left outside in the cafeteria courtyard for many months after heat treatment. Male workers were allegedly encouraged to urinate on them. This lengthy stabilization time prior to milling and processing gave the metal the legendary inner strength that persists the legend to this day. I was told this by a retired ex-BMW employee when I visited the Munich plant on a factory tour in the early naughties, I have no other evidence that this is true.

[@davidsherrick898]

I loved my BMW's and my Alfa Romeo's! Still loving my 1988 Milano! But that M5 is awesome!

[@Jack96993]

I had a 1988 E28 black on black The paint was single stage When no one was looking 😅 I had it doing 150 mph It just hunkered down and said give me more! Oh I had the 528e 533 & 535i

[@scottrippon5039]

Aha! Donald, here I was thinking the Jaguar 3.8 MKII was the first sport saloon......😂

[@johndavey72]

Happy New Year Donald and to all at Audrain . I had the opportunity to drive one of these and was litterally drooling at the prospect . I so hope the car l drove was an odd ball , it was completely underwhelming . Thanks Donald

[@3ducs]

I had a 1987 535iSA, loved it though it brought out the more aggressive driver side of me. From that went into Audi 5000CS cars, heavier but still fast enough and very good in less than perfect conditions. Indeed, sedans can be surprisingly good at high performance while keeping a lower profile. I daily a 2016 Mazda MX-5, have a 2016 Jaguar F-type 3.0S manual transmission coupe for special occasions, but I'm strongly drawn these days to '86-'87 Jaguar XJ6's. I might have a small, or large, masochistic side.

[@jackprick9797]

As an owner of an E39 M5 and driven a couple of E28's, the E28 is special for the simple fact that it is light and has a decent amount of power. There is no substitute for lightness. Lotus has been preaching this from their beginning. By the way, have you ever driven a euro version of the 1977 Ford Granada? I saw this car in a James Bond film and was blown away by its clean lines. It looks nothing like the bloated American Granada.

[@TheDaneJohni]

Bavarian is the E3. Nice video

[@bigmountain7561]

Where is the Daystrom Engineering Decal!!! Great Video Thank You 🙏

[@rickolson-51]

BMW Bavaria has always been one of my favorites...

[@donaldwiller9238]

Great information 👍

[@1983dmd]

@ 6:45, you say all E28 M5 came to NA with Tan leather....This is incorrect. 101 cars were available with Black leather ( 71 for Canada and 30 for the USA ). The only 2 more interesting e28 models , apart from this NA e28 M5 , were the Euro e28 M5 with the M88/3 engine and the St Graal of all E28 was the Alpina B7 Turbo/1 with an incredible 300 HP( 320 HP Kat version ), with a production of only 278 units.

[@tedium37]

E28 and E34 M5 is as good as it gets IMHO. Plenty quick, agile, sized just right and comfortable. Sadly everybody knows it and they're now priced accordingly. I still have an E34 535i that I just can't let go.

[@Ganiscol]

The only thing I dont like about this car is the huge plastic bumpers. But its something that can be forgiven.

[@XXfea]

Desmo donald falls for the Bavarian Driving Machine...

[@Nikolayski1337]

Great review! What microphone are you using for recording? Thanks!

[@AudrainMuseumNetwork]

Thanks! We run a pretty robust setup with a couple microphones, but here are the work horses: www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1385596-REG/sennheiser_ew_112p_g4_g_ew_112p_g4_camera.html

[@Nikolayski1337]

@@AudrainMuseumNetwork appreciated!

[@Etswe]

My eyes hurt with those bumpers

[@jtreut]

Newer BMWs don’t have the build quality of the 80s. This E28 will easily cover 300k miles if you keep the oil changed.

[@dallas6847]

All the best from the UK😎😎😎😎👍👍👍👍

[@AudrainMuseumNetwork]

Thanks for watching our videos!

[@Bubblun1]

A museum curator spreading misinformation. Please do your homework. E3 chassis = Bavaria/3.0si models. This was the predecessor of the E23 7 Series and a larger sedan. E12 chassis = the first 5 Series. This is the predecessor of the E28 5 Series and a midsized sedan.

[@Zagato67]

@bubblun1, I'm terribly sorry to make that error, thanks for pointing it out and for watching our programs! As you saw, I loved my brother's Bavaria and the M5!

[@jackie15206]

you should have your brother on the show!

[@matthewadams4207]

I am a total sedan guy also

[@Kyfordman1989]

Donald never really been a BMW fan because they’re over engineered and hard to work on but I do love my jaguars I think jaguars made of the most beautiful cars in the world by 98XJ8 has plenty of power room interior excellent suspension cruise at 100 20, 30 miles an hour all day longwhat’s wrong with Jaguar?

[@jean-jacqueskaselorganreco6879]

seems the american version had 30 hp less than the european, that had 286 hp!

[@r.hagenau3541]

The versions / setups of European cars the U.S. got was considerably different than the original European versions / setups. Judging the U.S. versions is problematic.

[@jamesonpace726]

In 1988 I was a SF biker hippie & bmws were yuppy cars. I had no idea. Youth is wasted on the young....

[@jameswalley7234]

They certainly are not anything like this anymore.

[@Bod8998]

Lovely motor totally ruined with the joke bumpers the US love to ruin the look of a car much better in the UK

[@RobertSaunders100]

Until I sold my 2001 BMW E39 M5 in order to buy a Tesla Model S, the M5 was the best overall car I ever owned. Now the Tesla is king of the hill as, in my opinion, it is superb in all aspects compared to the BMW.

[@jackprick9797]

You don't know what you're talking about.

[@1983dmd]

Comparing apples and oranges....

[@Scalihoo]

I was waiting for you to goose it a bit. I love my 530i 4 door..yup can relate