image courtesy of Rudolf Stricker, Wikimedia Commons
BMW 5 Series E28 (1981–1988) Price Guide
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typical price 7 October, 2026
BMW 5 Series E28 (1981–1988) Statistics
Colour Spread
Based on yourbestprice data on 3 October 2026
Listings by Year of Registration
Based on yourbestprice data on 3 October 2026
Engine Capacity
Based on yourbestprice data on 3 October 2026
Fuel Type
Based on yourbestprice data on 3 October 2026
Mileage Range
Based on yourbestprice data on 3 October 2026
The data above is based on information retrieved from actual, real-world BMW 5 Series sales listings. Our AI agents try to correct obvious mistakes sellers make, such as incorrect engine capacities, but some may still fall through.
The E28 5 Series, produced from 1981 to 1988, is the 5 Series for purists. It is a car of clean, elegant proportions, naturally aspirated straight-six engines, and a mechanical directness that turbocharged successors have never quite matched. The first proper M5 used the E28 body.
The Car
The E28 used the M20 and M30 straight-sixes from 518 through 535i. The 535i with its 3.5-litre M30 producing 218bhp was the performance saloon. The E28 was the last 5 Series without a touring estate option.
Buying
The 535i is the E28 to seek out. Rust attacks the same areas as other E-series BMWs. The BMW M30 straight-six rewards maintenance and responds well to it.
