Performance Review: BMW 5 Series M5 E28 - [1985]

Figures & Specs Summary:

BMW 5 Series Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the BMW 5 Series M5 E28 is the 5 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 1985. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 1985 Lamborghini Countach LP5000S QV and the 1985 TVR 390 SE 3.9l V8.This particular BMW 5 Series has a 3453cc Naturally Aspirated Petrol powerplant with 6 cylinders in a St formation.

Alternative Petrol St6's includes the 1965 Aston-Martin DB6 1965

The 5 Series shares its Petrol St6 engine configuration with the likes of the 1965 Aston-Martin DB6 1965 and the . If you're looking for other fast cars which share the 5 Series's Rear Wheel Drive, Saloon combination then how about the 1982 Fiat X1/9 1.5 8V or the 1965 Aston-Martin DB6 1965.

Power and Weight:

Weighing in at 1431 kgs (3154 lbs) this makes the BMW 5 Series M5 E28 in the same weight category as the 2023 Lotus Emira First Edition i4 2.0 Turbo or the give or take 50kg.

The BMW 5 Series shares the same bhp with the 2023 Porsche Cayenne Coupe E-Hybrid 3.0 V6 Turbo (300 bhp)

In terms of power the 3453cc 24V St6 engine produces 286 bhp (213 kW) @ 6500 rpm similar to the 2023 Porsche Cayenne Coupe E-Hybrid 3.0 V6 Turbo (300 bhp) or the 2023 Porsche Cayenne E-Hybrid 3.0 V6 Turbo (300 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated St6 throws out 250 lb-ft (338.9 Nm) @ 4500 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2023 Toyota Corolla GR Circuit Edition 1.6 Turbo (273 lb-ft) or the 2022 Toyota Corolla GR 1.6 Turbo (273 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If one combines the weight with power or torque performance for the BMW 5 Series you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 2004 Mercedes C Class 55 AMG (224.4 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the BMW 5 Series.

The BMW 5 Series has a Power to weight ratio of 199.8 bhp per ton and 174.7 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1985 5 Series competing with the 2004 Mercedes C Class 55 AMG (224.4 bhp per ton) or the 2007 Vauxhall-Opel VXR8 6.0 V8 (224.4 bhp per ton).

Power to Weight(cont.):

If you agree with the late great Carroll Shelby then arguably an even better indicator of potential performance, Torque. Use weight as well and you end up with - Torque per ton, with the BMW 5 Series generating around 174.7 lb-ft per ton. If you're curious as to what other cars have as much torque to weight then look no further than the 1962 Lincoln Continental 7.0L V8 (199.7 lb-ft per ton) or the 2006 Volkswagen-VW Golf GT TDi 170 (199.5 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 6.20 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 6.4 secs, this made the BMW 5 Series M5 E28 as fast as the 2019 Toyota Supra SZ 2.0 Turbo (6.20 secs) the 2019 Toyota Supra SZ-R 2.0 Turbo (6.20 secs) the 2017 Volkswagen-VW Arteon 2.0 TDi SCR 4Motion (6.20 secs) the or the 2014 Peugeot 208 Gti 1.6 Turbo 30th (6.20 secs). This BMW 5 Series M5 E28 is also faster than the 2024 Mazda CX-90 S 3.3 Turbo (6.30 secs) the 2020 Audi A1 Sportback 40 TFSI S tronic S line (6.30 secs) the 2018 Ford Fiesta ST 1.5 Turbo 5 door (6.30 secs) the and the 2018 Ford Fiesta ST 1.5 Turbo (6.30 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the 5 Series and the 1999 Porsche Boxster 3.2 S 260

When talking about the performance of the BMW 5 Series on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 13.98 secs @ 97.8 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 1999 Porsche Boxster 3.2 S 260 (13.92 secs), the 2022 Hyundai i30 N Performance 2.0 Turbo (13.93 secs), and the 2022 Mini Cooper Countryman John Cooper Works 2.0 Turbo (13.93 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1985 version of the BMW 5 Series M5 E28 has a maximum speed of 151mph.

Top Speed of the 1985 5 Series equals the 2022 Lamborghini Huracan Sterrato (162 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 1985 BMW 5 Series M5 E28 then how about the 2022 Lamborghini Huracan Sterrato (162 mph), the 2021 Porsche Taycan Turbo (162 mph), or the 2019 Porsche Taycan Turbo S (162 mph).

Related Links:

1985 5 Series Rivals List.

A Brief History of BMW

Car Comparison