Bring a Trailer: 1988 E28 M5

[Paul-Bracq-BMW]

The car is in need of a major overhaul and restoration (which can be a scary proposition for most), but it is probably one of the most desirable M5's ever: the first and original E28 M5 that started the whole M legend (apart from the M1 of course)!

Current bid is less than $4,000 USD with 6 days to go!

According to Hagerty, the average value of the E28 M5 is about $40K...

Information here: http://bringatrailer.com/listing/1988-bmw-m5-15/

Description and photos from the website:

This 1988 BMW M5 is finished in Black with a black interior and was acquired from its second owner in 2008. The owner has added 20k miles since their purchase, including several 3,500 mile round trips from Texas to the East Coast for vintage BMW events. The car is powered by a 3.5L S38 inline-six paired with a Getrag G280 5-speed manual, and the odometer shows 200k miles. The last five years of maintenance have been personally conducted by the owner, including regular oil/filter changes with VR1 20w50 racing oil, diff fluid, coolant flush, new bushings, updated M30B35 starter, and E34 M5 brakes front and rear. The seller is representing the car for a friend, and it is offered with partial service records and a clean Texas title in the current owner’s name.


Black (086) was the only color for US E28 M5s. The passenger side front fender and door have been replaced, and the roof shows some spider cracks, according to the seller. Gallery photos also show a significant crease and some cracking filler on the side rear quarter panels and passenger door. A 1.5 inch area of paint burnt through during polishing is shown on the same door. There is also a small area of paint loss and corrosion visible at the driver side lower corner of the rear window.


This M5 currently rides on 17″ RC090 Style 5 wheels with Michelin Pilots tires, and can be sold with original 16″ Style 5 wheels if the buyer prefers. Exterior modifications include:

Euro bumpers and lights
Zender Mototsport front/rear kit
Zender side skirts, included but not installed
Brake light upgrade for added visibility
Glass sunroof
Tinted windows


Like most early US-bound M5s, this example was delivered with Natural Leather interior, since swapped to black. The seller notes that the console pieces are not leather covered. Power heated front seats were the only option on US-Spec cars. The electric windows and sunroof are reported to be working, and a Z3 short shifter and weighted ZHP shift knob have been added. The A/C system remains installed but needs work, and both central locking and radio are not functioning.


This 3.5L DOHC inline-six (S38) was rated at 256hp for North America. The engine has a Dinan chip, exhaust timing has been adjusted with S14 M3 (Evo) gear, and a Wizard Cooling all aluminum radiator has been added. Receipts for the following work and parts are shown in the gallery below:

Warranty work at 34k miles – 1989
Engine out service, new clutch and synchros at 96k miles – 1993
Paint and body work – 1993
Dinan chip, cam sprocket – 1995
Head-off service at 183k miles – 2002


Undercarriage photos show the passenger side rear floor has been repaired using an E28 floor section mounted with screws, and overlap seams sealed. The area was wiped clean for photos to show no rust present around this repair. The seller also notes a rust area around the floor access plate was removed and covered with metal. This M5 has been updated with:

Moosehead Engineering spherical control arm bushings
Rear poly subframe bushings
Ireland Engineering exhaust with track pipe and no catalytic converters
Aftermarket metal skidplate

BMW initially stated NA E28 M5 production would be limited to 500, but 1,300 cars were eventually delivered. A class action suit provided original buyers with this Certificate for a $4,000 discount toward the purchase of certain BMW models.

[buddalun]

Interesting. Looks like a lot of time, money and headache. Although once restored, it would be so sweet.

[Paul-Bracq-BMW]

Originally Posted by buddalun

Interesting. Looks like a lot of time, money and headache. Although once restored, it would be so sweet.

IMO would be a great resto project, if one has the time...