But things were a bit different in 1985. In those days, brands like Ferrari, Maserati or Porsche dominated the fast lane – that is, until BMW suddenly unveiled a seriously souped up version of its executive car: the first M5.
A 3.5-litre engine and 286hp at a weight just over 1.4 tons offered performance that took testers’ breath away: 6.1 seconds for a sprint from 0 to 100kph was unthinkable for a saloon at the time.
Decades later, BMW has halved that sprint time in the new 2020 edition of the M5, which can reach 100kph from a standstill in just 3.3 seconds.
But even back in 1985, the M5 could already hold its own against many speedsters with a top speed of 245kph. And where sports car drivers had to squeeze into tight coupes that rumbled over bumps on the highway, BMW’s muscular saloon offered plenty of space and luxury.
The sports seats for driver and front passenger were comfortably shaped and upholstered, while the doors, floor and boot were covered fine velour.
But the prestige came at a price: at 80,750 Deutschmarks, the BMW M5 cost more than twice as much as a BMW 528i, putting it firmly at the top of the German manufacturer’s price list. Even a Porsche 911 would cost less.
Even so, this didn’t seem to affect the M5’s success, says Bernhard Santer, spokesman for the BMW’s M branch. Just two years after M began production, it produced its 1,000th vehicle. And by 1987, with the last M5 of the first-generation basis of the E28, over 2,200 had been produced.
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To this day, the original M5 is a highly sought-after model, not least because of its understated appearance. Whereas the current model’s design conjures images of a bodybuilder flexing his muscles, the classic edition did without spoilers on the outside or bucket seats and carbon accents on the inside.
Despite the great appreciation for its restrained design, many fans and collectors still consider the model to be a bargain that often trades below value, and which is significantly cheaper than the more common M3.
On the usual online platforms, an M5 in good shape from the first few years of production can hardly be found under US$60,000 (RM257,000) – meaning it has long since exceeded its original factory price.
The current M5.
