1988 BMW M5

The E28 M5 still gets me excited, whether I’m driving mine or just pass one on the road. Today I saw a well-used but sweet example with throwing stars, Euro bumpers, and a nice Dinan badge complementing the standard trunk emblem. While that owner clearly went down the deep rabbit hole of modification, today’s low-mileage example looks almost entirely stock on the outside other than a slightly lowered stance. Some work has been done under the hood though, with the reportedly-howling Euro headers and a chip ensuring this M5 lives up to the legend of hauling ass. It’s not perfect – a few blemishes in the interior and the commonly-scraped front spoiler – but the completeness is what catches my eye here. The full trunk carpeting, first aid kit, and fully-functioning electronics are all items worth paying a little more for. With low (for an E28 mileage), this is a good M5 that could easily be made great.

Click for details: 1988 BMW M5 on eBay

Year: 1988
Model: M5
Engine: 3.5 liter inline-6
Transmission: 5-speed manual
Mileage: 104,403 mi
Price: Reserve auction

1988 bmw m5 in great condition for being a 27 year old car. motor runs strong, no leaks and have all maintenance records from 2001. no accidents, clean car fax, original california car with 104,403 miles on the odometer. Been in California its whole life. Very hard to find a 88 M5 in this condition. Had work done at Fahey Motors in San Diego which consist of Test Pipe, Euro heders, Bilstein Shock set with some lowering springs. Im not too sure on what kind of springs they are but it does give the car a nice lowered look. Performance chip was also installed while at Faheys. AC blows cold and EVERYTHING is functional including OBC, Sunroof, and all gidgets and gadgets. Car drives very strong and tight. Has a lightweight flywheel as well. First Aid Kit is still in there and the toolkit as well.

I noticed some rust underneath the gasket around the trunk opening. I read up on this and apparently this is VERY common. Also there is a scratch on the spoiler on top of the trunk lid. Interior could have used some love from the previous owner (Gentleman I purchased the car from). Driver seat has a good tear on it but it doesn’t bother me at all. There are some cracks on the dash as well looking from outside of the car from the front windshield. You can’t really see any Cracks from inside the cabin when your seated. Other then that everything is fantastic in my eyes.

I have no doubt in my mind that whoever sees this car will absolutely fall in love.

Frank Fahey is a very well known name in the E28 community, and it’s a nice bonus that the recent work was performed at his eponymous shop. The one mod that I’ve heard is a misstep is the light flywheel – the M5 owners I know that have gone that route regret it, claiming it ends up descending revs a little too quickly for the overall character of the car and transmission. Even with a little seat tear and the beginnings of the near-ubiquitous dash cracks, it’s overall a very clean (if not totally original) example that is garnering a lot of bids. The lower miles could push it up towards the $20k mark, but I’m guessing the mods and exceptions will keep it around $16k.

-NR