[3] As part of developing the air-conditioning system for the E28, several of the BMW engineers in charge of this program drove a previous generation E12 5 Series during the middle of summer in Texas.

[10] 518: Sold only in some European markets where it suited local tax categories, the 518 was the lowest specification model which used a four-cylinder engine with a carburetor.

Factory performance figures for the manual transmission cars are a top speed of 164 km/h (102 mph) and 0–100 km/h acceleration in 14.0 seconds.

Factory performance figures for the manual transmission cars are a top speed of 175 km/h (109 mph) and 0–100 km/h acceleration in 12.6 seconds.

Factory performance figures for the manual transmission cars are a top speed of 190 km/h (118 mph) and 0–100 km/h acceleration in 11.4 seconds.

BMW's corporate average fuel economy was at risk of not meeting requirements by 1984, primarily due to higher sales of their bigger, more expensive cars in the early 1980s.

Factory performance figures for the manual transmission cars without a catalytic converter are a top speed of 190 km/h (118 mph) and 0–100 km/h acceleration in 10.7 seconds.

With a catalytic converter, the figures are a top speed of 188 km/h (117 mph) and 0–100 km/h acceleration in 11.3 seconds[3] 525i: This mid-range model is powered by a 2.5-litre 6-cylinder engine.

Factory performance figures for the manual transmission cars are a top speed of 201 km/h (125 mph) and 0–100 km/h acceleration in 9.8 seconds.

Factory performance figures for the manual transmission cars are a top speed of 215 km/h (134 mph) and 0–100 km/h acceleration in 8.4 seconds.

Factory performance figures for the manual transmission cars without a catalytic converter are a top speed of 225 km/h (140 mph) and 0–100 km/h acceleration in 7.2 seconds.

Factory performance figures for the manual transmission cars without a catalytic converter are a top speed of 230 km/h (143 mph) and 0–100 km/h acceleration in 7.2 seconds.

[23] Factory performance figures for the manual transmission cars are a top speed of 180 km/h (112 mph) and 0–100 km/h acceleration in 12.9 seconds.

The rear suspension is mounted on a delta beam that is connected to the body with three screws in rubber bearings, that have longitudinal play.

To prevent the wheels from locking, BMW equipped the E28 after 1984 with an anti-lock braking system, although it was an option in some markets.

The North American E28 models had larger bumpers (designed to withstand a 5 mph (8.0 km/h) collision without body damage), which increased the overall length by 180 mm (7.1 in).

[32]: 37  All North American M5 cars were painted Jet Black and most interiors were tan ("Natur") coloured leather.

[35] The E28 was still sold in North America as a 1988 Model Year car after its E34 successor had been released in Europe in early 1988.