BMW 5 Series (E28)

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 . Most models have a fuel tank capacity of , 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. The styling was developed under BMW's chief designer Claus Luthe, with development of the E28 beginning in 1975. 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. File:1983 BMW 528i (E28) sedan (24955078763).jpg|Rear view File:525i innen.jpg|Interior File:BMW E28 520i Wien 25 July 2020 JM (11).jpg|Front/side view File:BMW E28 520i Wien 25 July 2020 JM (3).jpg|Rear/side view == Engines ==

The E28 was the first 5 Series produced with diesel engines (the 524d and 524td models) and with a petrol engined model specifically aimed at increased fuel economy (525e/528e model). The four models available at the launch of the E28 were the 518, 520i, 525i and 528i, with the 518 using a straight-four petrol engine and the other three models using a straight-six petrol engine. Over the course of the E28 model, the following models were added: the 524d and 524td using diesel engines, the 518i (a fuel-injected version of the 518), the 525e/528e as fuel-economy models, and the upper-specification 533i, 535i, M535i, and M5 models. A liquid petroleum gas (LPG) option was introduced for some petrol engines in 1984. Petrol 518: Sold only in some European markets where it suited local tax categories, the 518 was the lowest specification model which used a four-cylinder engine with a carburetor. Factory performance figures for the manual transmission cars are a top speed of and 0–100 km/h acceleration in 14.0 seconds. 518i: The base model in Japan and some European countries, the 518i used a fuel-injected four-cylinder engine. Factory performance figures for the manual transmission cars are a top speed of and 0–100 km/h acceleration in 12.6 seconds. The "e" stands for the Greek letter eta, for economy. According to BMW, the 525e is more fuel efficient than the 520i, which has the same rated power of 92 kW. Since many markets tax cars based on engine displacement, the eta's larger engine meant that it was not suitable everywhere. The model was expressly developed with the American market in mind. BMW's corporate average fuel economy was at risk of not meeting requirements by 1984, primarily due to higher sales of their bigger, more expensive cars in the early 1980s. In Austria, the 525e was detuned to . Factory performance figures for the manual transmission cars without a catalytic converter are a top speed of and 0–100 km/h acceleration in 10.7 seconds. With a catalytic converter, the figures are a top speed of and 0–100 km/h acceleration in 11.3 seconds the 6-cylinder 533i was the highest specification model during its production years of 1983–1984. It was replaced by the 535i. 535i/is: Released in 1984, the 535i replaced the 533i and uses the same 6-cylinder drivetrain as the M535i. In the US there was also a 535is model, which included sport seats and spoilers at the front and rear. Factory performance figures for the manual transmission cars without a catalytic converter are a top speed of and 0–100 km/h acceleration in 7.2 seconds. With a catalytic converter, the figures are a top speed of and 0–100 km/h acceleration in 7.9 seconds 4,239 examples were built; this was only sold in some markets. Factory performance figures for the manual transmission cars are a top speed of and 0–100 km/h acceleration in 12.9 seconds. == Drivetrain ==

BMW offered the E28 with both manual and automatic gearboxes. The torque is transmitted from the engine with a single-disc dry clutch with a torsional damper in the models with a manual gearbox, the automatic models have a torque converter with built in lockup-clutch. • Getrag 242 (for M10 and M20 engine models) • Getrag 262 (M30 engines) The 5-speed manual transmissions are: • Getrag 240 (M10 and M21 engines) • Getrag 245 (M10 engines) • Getrag 260 (M20, M21 and M30 engines) • Getrag 265 (M30 engines and 525e/528e) • Getrag 280 (M88/3 and S38 engines) • ZF S5-16 (M20 engines) ;Automatic transmissions The 3-speed automatic transmissions are: • ZF 3HP22 (M20 and M30 engines, US market only) The 4-speed automatic transmissions are: • ZF 4HP22 (M10, M20, M21) • ZF 4HP22 EH (M20, M30) == Suspension ==

Independent front and rear suspension is used, with Macpherson struts at the front and a semi-trailing arm design for the rear. The front suspension was upgraded to use dual links at the bottom of the strut, as first seen on the E23 7 Series. This increases steering offset while cornering, to improve steering feel. Double-acting shock absorbers, coil springs and a front anti-roll bar are used. The rear suspension is mounted on a delta beam that is connected to the body with three screws in rubber bearings, that have longitudinal play. Some models have a rear anti-roll bar. All rims have 22 mm positive rim offset. == Brakes ==

The brakes use a hydraulic dual-circuit brake system with power assistance. The front wheels have disc brakes, that are – except for the 518i – internally ventilated. All models with 2.5 L or more displacement have rear disc brakes (non-vented), while the lesser powered models have rear drum brakes. To prevent the wheels from locking, BMW equipped the E28 after 1984 with an anti-lock braking system, although it was an option in some markets. == M5 model ==

The E28 was the first M5 model produced, and is powered by the M88/3 and S38 straight-six engines. == North American market models ==

The North American line-up consisted of the 528e (1982–1988, known as the 525e in Europe), 533i (1983–1984), 535i (1985–1988), 524td (1985–1986), M5 (1986–1987) and 535is (1987–1988). The launch model was the 528e in 1982, followed by the 533i. The optional automatic transmission was initially a 3-speed (a 4-speed automatic was available in Europe at the time), with a 4-speed automatic transmission becoming optional in 1983. From 1985, all North American models had ABS Brakes as standard. The North American E28 models had larger bumpers (designed to withstand a collision without body damage), which increased the overall length by . The 528e, 533i and 535i were sold with a catalytic converter in the United States. Instead of importing the M535i, BMW of North America created the 535is. This model is based on a 535i, plus front and rear spoilers, sport suspension and sport seats. Production of North American market M5 models began in late 1986 (two years after M5 production began for European markets), and it was only produced for twelve months as 1988 model year car. North American M5 models use the S38 engine instead of the M88/3. All North American M5 cars were painted Jet Black and most interiors were tan ("Natur") coloured leather. == Production ==

E28 production started in July 1981 and ended in December 1987. A total of 722,328 cars were built. The E28 was still sold in North America as a 1988 Model Year car after its E34 successor had been released in Europe in early 1988. A limited-edition model was also sold in South Africa from mid-1987 to the end of 1988. == References ==