∙Very rare South African spec
∙Retrimmed interior
∙Desirable Right-Hand Drive 

Although there are a number of other pretenders to the throne, it is now generally accepted that the E28 BMW M5 was the first real mass market super saloon, spawning as it did the increasingly successful line of successors from BMW and numerous imitators from competing brands. And yet at the time, although it conformed to the now-accepted norm of relatively unassuming appearance with a thumping great engine, it didn’t cause as much of a stir back then as its modern-day reputation may have you believe. This was probably something to do with the price which, in part dictated by the effort that went into its hand-built engine, was over 90% of that of a Ferrari 328 and sales were relatively modest. Mind you, the 278bhp 3.5 litre straight six, lightly tweaked from its appearance in the M1 supercar, was more powerful than the Ferrari and made the M5 the fastest saloon car in the world at the time.

In total, only 2,241 M5’s were built with the vast majority completing their assembly at the BMW Motorsport factory in Garching, Germany. Of those, just 187 were right hand drive which puts the RHD versions in a very small club. However, there were also 96 cars which were shipped to South Africa in kit form and assembled at BMW’s Rosslyn plant. These had more luxurious Nappa leather interiors and almost all the extras which were optional elsewhere, including the M-technic body kit, as standard. This example is a South African import which the VIN plate confirms was one of the 96 assembled locally, putting it in even more rarefied territory.

The South African specification included the full fat M88/3 engine (rather than the detuned, catalytic converter-equipped S38B35 version that the US version had to make do with) and the later Boge dampers, while the limited slip differential and stiffer anti roll bars that also distinguished the M5 from the M535i on which it was based were universal across all E28 M5 variants.

Since the mid-80’s, the M5 badge has gone on to become a recognised global brand. While the current offering with 4 wheel drive, turbo charged engine and considerably larger footprint is a world apart from the diminutive E28, there is a constant thread of BMW M DNA which can be traced all the way back to this niche model and so it remains an important part of performance car history.

This car was acquired from a South African collection and was imported last year. Following replacement of the jacking points and inner sills, it has an MOT and is fully UK registered. Little is known about its background abroad but it is clear that it has had some restoration work carried out in the past. A respray has not stood the test of time well, though an interior retrim has been well executed. The current owner does not have the time or space to undertake a broader restoration and so it is being offered for sale with no reserve so that someone can take on the cosmetic and mechanical refresh that this car so richly deserves.

The BMW manuals and one key accompany the car and the service book shows a few stamps but let’s be clear: this is far from a comprehensive history. The MOT and V5 provide evidence of its UK registration.

With the odometer showing 164,013 km (just over 100k miles), the interior has something of a lived-in feel but the re-trim in high quality leather means that it’s not showing its age as much as it could. True to South-African spec, the leather extends to the dashboard and the door cards, though it’s not clear just how much is original vs re-trimmed. The dashboard could teach some modern cars a thing or two about clear design and simplicity while the steering wheel is an Alpina four-spoke item and the gearknob is of a later BMW design.  There is a Pioneer face-off stereo with uprated Sony speakers in the rear and the carpets and headlining are in good condition. The area that shows the most wear is the switchgear: while the electrics (including the sunroof) operate as they should, many of the buttons and switches have faded markings and the cover for the BMW check control panel is missing. In the boot, the original toolkit and original full size steel spare wheel are present although the carpet has seen some spillages, one of which has removed the pile. In general though, the interior is unlikely to be the main focus of any restoration work.

From a distance the car’s appearance is very passable, helped by lights and wheels which are in good condition, tight panel gaps and straight coachwork. On closer inspection, however, it’s apparent that the respray in BMW Dolphin grey now has bubbles showing on a variety of panels and there is some chipping and cracking on the bumpers. In order to return it to its former glory, a full bodywork overhaul will be necessary.

The dashboard is currently showing an ‘inspection’ light which suggests that a minor service is needed but, given the car’s incomplete history and the specialised nature of the engine, a more thorough approach would be strongly recommended. The car starts with a beautiful straight six growl from the stainless steel replacement exhaust and does drive but it has not been fully road-tested and it is anticipated that a thorough mechanical refresh will be needed.

Given the limited production numbers and iconic status of the E28 M5, a large proportion of them are now locked up in long term ownership and opportunities to acquire one are increasingly rare and ever-more expensive. In house-buying terms, this one would certainly fall into the category of a ‘doer-upper’ but the rewards for a well-executed restoration could be substantial, with values of concours examples now topping £50k. And where better to start than a car with the full South African specification? The extended leather and all the options included means that the car has a luxury feel a little more in line with its price tag and, as a result, this is an example that could actually be used rather than stored away in a collection.

For this is what the M5 is really all about. The ‘super saloon’ lineage that it helped to create was based on the combination of performance and usability and we shouldn’t forget that the core of its appeal is as a fabulous driver’s car which can take the family along too. Given the pace of acceleration of values for these cars, perhaps it’s naïve to consider that they won’t all end up as museum pieces or investments but at the end of the day, in this case, that will be for the buyer to decide. In the meantime, there’s clearly work to do but it should pay back in spades on many levels: by helping to prolong the life of a true icon, having the opportunity to experience it from behind the wheel and, to be mercenary about it, making some money. For a product conceived in the decade of ‘Greed is Good’, maybe that’s appropriate but if you want to be part of the next stage of this car’s journey then don’t hold back on the bidding as there’s sure to be plenty of competition.

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