Rare 1988 BMW E28 M5 For Sale With 59,000 Miles

The Original M5 Blueprint

The BMW E28 M5 stands as the original super sedan masterpiece. It’s the car that created the high-performance luxury sedan template and the aura of BMW M cars. Built from 1985-1988, only 1,239 examples reached American shores, making each survivor increasingly precious. In fact, BMW was meant to make only 500 initially, adding 739 units later because the first batch sold so well.

This particular 1988 BMW M5 on Bring a Trailer represents something special. It’s a well-maintained example and period-correct performance upgrades that should make it spicier to drive. What makes this E28 M5 particularly compelling is its clean presentation and documented history. The Carfax shows some mileage inconsistencies from 1993 and 2017, but at 59k miles, this black-over-Natur leather example displays the kind of condition you just don’t see often.

Period-Correct Modifications That Add Value 

The jewel of this package, the original M88 3.5-liter inline-six (borrowed from the legendary BMW M1 supercar), was rebuilt and enlarged to 3.6 liters in 1998 by respected specialists Korman Autoworks. North American M5s had power reduced to 256 hp from 286 hp, so this modification should return some oomph and deliver more torque. Recent maintenance includes a new water pump, ignition components, and other essentials, while the replaced Getrag five-speed manual and limited-slip differential should put the power down clean.

The E28’s equipment list reads like a greatest hits of 1980s luxury with heated power sport seats, cruise control, air conditioning, and iconic 16-inch basketweave BBS wheels. Bilstein shocks and H&R lowering springs provide modern handling dynamics while preserving the ’80s sedan’s sophisticated ride quality.

Classic M5 Values On The Rise 

When new, the E28 M5 commanded around $48,000, pretty serious money in 1988. Today’s market sees clean examples going for between $40,000-80,000, with exceptional cars pushing six figures. At the current $32,500 bid, this enhanced example offers compelling value for enthusiasts seeking BMW’s original M5 magic. However, there are still six days of the auction left.

The car was previously sold on BaT in April 2025 and recently acquired by the current California dealer, suggesting strong market confidence in its quality. After all, this is still the greatest M5 ever built, and the fastest sedan of its time. Almost half the weight of today’s 5,390-pound M5 and a third of the price is a recipe that’s hard to beat.