BMW E28 History

The BMW E28 BMW 5-Series was made between 1981 and 1988. It replaced the BMW E12 in 1981 and was replaced by the BMW E34 in 1989.

E28 Production started in July 1981 and ended in December 1987. The E28 was still sold in North America as a 1988 Model Year car while Europe received the E34 towards the end of 1987.

• 518 M10B18 carburetted engine, produced through 9/84
• 518i M10B18 fuel-injected engine, 1984 to 1987
• 520i M20B20 early, fuel-injected engine, 1981-1985
• 520i M20B20 late, fuel-injected engine, 1985-1987
• 524d M21D24 diesel 2.4 L engine, 1983-1988
• 524td M21D24 turbocharged diesel 2.4 L engine, 1983-1987
• 525i M30B25 fuel-injected (Motronic) 2.5 L engine, 1981-1987
• 525e M20B27 fuel-injected (Motronic) 2.7 L high efficiency engine, 1983-1988
• 528i M30B28 fuel-injected (LE-Jetronic) 2.8 L engine, 1981-1987
• 535i M30B34 fuel-injected (Motronic) 3.4 L engine.
• M535i M30B34 fuel-injected (Motronic) 3.4 L engine, with M-Technic aerodynamic kit, sport seats and unique 390 mm alloy wheels, 1985-1988
• M5 S38 fuel injected 3.5 L engine, 1985-1988

North American E28 range

All North-American specification E28s (`82-`88) were comprehensively equipped. Power windows, central locking, air conditioning, power sunroof, cruise control, alloy wheels and fog lights were standard. In addition the 533i, 535i, 535is and M5 came standard with leather upholstery and on-board trip computer.

BMW E28 (North America)

A 3-speed automatic was offered in the 528e in 1982-1983. It was also offered in the `83 533i. By 1984, the 4-speed version was introduced to both models. In 1986, the EH version was available in the 535i. It featured a 3-mode switch: E, S, 3-2-1.
Automatic transmission and limited-slip differential were optional on all models except the M5 and 524td. The 524td was only imported with an automatic transmission, and the M5 was only imported with a manual transmission.
Heated seats were optional in Canada and available in the USA only as an option on the M5. Consequently, few if any M5s were delivered without heated seats.
Leather upholstery and an on-board trip computer were optional on the 528e and 524td.
From 1985 All E28s sold in North America had ABS Brakes as standard. Some `85 535i's were equipped with power seats.
From 1986 All E28s sold in North America had power-adjustable front seats as standard as well as an upgraded stereo.

• 524td: M21 2.4 L Straight-6 Turbodiesel engine, 114 hp (85 kW). Imported from 1985-1986.

• 528e: Sold from 1982-1988. Equipped with a 2.7L "High Efficiency" M20 6-Cylinder engine that produced 121 hp (90 kW) but 171 lb·ft (232 N·m) of torque. The engine uses the small port "200" casting cylender head from the 2.0L m20 with a special low duration cam to improve low rpm power and maximize efficiency. This engine is known as the "ETA" engine. For the 1988 model year, the engine was revised to produce 127 hp (95 kW), by using the cylinder head casting from the "i" motor installed on the "e" engine block with special pistons. The revised ETA engine is now known as the "super eta".

• 533i: A North-American only model sold from 1983-1984 in limited quantities in response to customer complaints that the 528e had lower performance figures than the 1981 528i that it replaced. Equipped with a 181 hp (135 kW) 3.2L M30 6-cylinder engine as fitted to the larger 633csi and 733i, it produced 195 lb·ft (264 N·m). torque. The compression ratio was 8.8:1. Top Speed was 134 mph. (man.). The 533i was the fastest sedan sold in the USA in 1983.

• 535i: Replaced the 533i in 1985 and sold through 1988. The 535i featured a slightly larger 3.4L M30 6-Cylinder engine with 182 hp (136 kW) and greater torque. Compression was down to 8.0:1. Top speed also dropped to 131 mph. (man.).

• 535is: Straight-6 with a sport suspension and interior and exterior modifications - 182 hp (135 kW). The 535is was available from 1987-1988. It incorporated M5 styling cues: front air-dam, rear spoiler, and sport seats.

BMW M5 (North America)

• M5: A 1988 Model-Year only car equipped with a 24-Valve DOHC 256 hp (191 kW) 3.5L S38 engine. Limited in production the M5 was built from 11/86-11/87. The M5 was hand-assembled at BMW Motorsport in Garching, Germany. The M5 was available in America in Jet Black with Natur (Light Saddle) leather. A very small number of US spec M5s were built with black interiors. These are the most rare with a rumored 29 being built. The M5 also had leather door panels, lower dash and center console. Canadian-specification M5s were available with the option of a black leather interior. The M5 was equipped with its very own 7.5 x 16" BBS Wheels (not found on any other model).

Engines

The baby six engine found in the 520i, 525e and 528e models is known as the M20, a 12 valve SOHC inline six cylinder design. It had seven main bearings and seven cam shaft bearings, a rocker arm type valvetrain driven by a composite rubber timing belt. US market M20's came with cast aluminum acoustically tuned, common plenum intake manifolds and a single throttle body. This engine was first available in the European market for model year 1976 in a 2.0 L carbureted version. It later grew to 2.3 L in the E21 323i, then 2.5 L in the E30 325i and also 2.7 L in the 325e and 528e models. It is also very similar to the later 24 valve engines as in the E36 and E46 3 series models, with the same basic block dimensions.
The big six engine found in the 528i, 533i and 535i/is models is known as the M30. The M30 is also a 12 valve SOHC inline six cylinder design. It has seven main bearings, four camshaft bearings and a rocker arm type valvetrain. US M30's also came equipped with cast aluminum acoustically tuned common plenum intake manifolds and single throttle bodies. Unlike the M20 it has a chain-driven valvetrain. Its larger dimensions allow for a longer stroke and larger bore, which makes for almost 3.5 L displacement in later engines.
It should be noted that both 533i and 535i M30 intake manifold from 1982-1988 had a "3.2/3.5" casting. During the new intake manifold's development a 3.2 L version existed in Europe and the US, and a 3.5 L in Europe. When the 3.4 L versions came out a year later in Europe, the casting was not changed. The 3.4 L was introduced to the US in 1985. 1988, was the last year this manifold casting was used in the E28 535i and 535is. A new style intake manifold was designed for the new 3.4 L. The casting read "3.5", but it was still 3.4 L (3430 cc). For the US, the 735i and the 635 csi were the first to receive the new M30 in 1988.

S38 Engine

The M535i was introduced as an sporty version of the regular 535i, although the M535i does not feature any unique BMW Motorsport-designed drivetrain components it is, however, equipped with an M-Technic suspension, wheels and body panels not found on the standard 535i. Combined, these items distinguish the M535i from the regular 535i. The E28 M535i was introduced at the 1984 Paris Auto Salon. Unlike the hand-built E28 M5, the E28 M535i was assembled on the standard E28 assembly line in Dingolfing, outside of Munich. An additional batch of cars was built at BMW's Rosslyn, South Africa factory using Complete Knock-Down kits supplied from Germany. BMW did not import the E28 M535i to North America for two reasons: 1) the M brand had not yet been established in North America at the time and thus held little equity with the consumer and 2) the cost of adapting the M-Technic body panels to fit the contours of the government-mandated bumpers was highly prohibitive. Instead, BMW of North America created the 535is, essentially a standard 535i equipped with front and rear spoilers, sport suspension and sport seats, which was sold exclusively in the U.S. and Canada. Total M535i production: 10335 cars
The M5 came with a big six engine known as the S38. This engine is similar to the M30, but has a 24 valve cylinder head, duplex timing chain, dual overhead cam layout and shim and bucket style valvetrain. In addition to the top end revisions, the S38 also had six individual throttle bodies and intake trumpets fed by a cast aluminum intake plenum. This engine was designed for high power and durability at very high engine speeds. In the E28 chassis it was one of the fastest sedans in the world for its time, and it remains legendary among enthusiasts today.

BMW M30

BMW M30 engine

Manufacturer	BMW
Production	1968–1994
Successor	BMW M60 V8
Class	Straight-6
Engine(s)	2.5 L (2494 cc/152 in³) 2.8 L (2788 cc/170 in³) 3.0 L (2986 cc/182 in³) 3.2 L (3210 cc/195 in³) 3.4 L (3430 cc/209 in³)

The BMW M30 is an inline-6 cylinder engine built by BMW and was used in many different models since 1968. It was originally developed in the late 1960s as an extended 2.5 liter version of the robust inline four cylinder BMW M10 first used in the 'Neue Klasse' BMW 1500, with which it shares a number of design features, including a 30-degree cant to the right for a lower profile, a crossflow head design, and a chain-driven single overhead cam with rocker arm valve actuation. The 'Big Six,' also known as the 'Senior Six,' got its informal names after the introduction of a smaller BMW M20 belt-driven SOHC six cylinder in the late '70s.
The M30 powered a series of BMW 6-cylinder E9 and BMW E24 coupes to European Touring Car Championship (ETCC) throughout the '70s and into the middle 1980s, even though a more powerful DOHC 24-valve head had been developed for high performance motorsports and street use.
A production turbo variant of the M30 designated the M102B32 or M106B34 (depending on 3.2 or 3.4 liter displacement) was used in the BMW E23 Seven Series where it was designated "745i", based on a then-current projection that the horsepower produced was roughly equal to that of a 4.5 liter normally-aspirated engine. The 3.5 DOHC M5 and M6 engine was used in the South African 745i from 1984-1986.
Newer M30 engines featured Bosch L-Jetronic multipoint fuel injection and Motronic.
BMW's M30 straight six cylinder engines had the longest production run of any BMW engine, dating back to the 1968 E3 sedans and E9 coupes. The last use of the block was the 1994 E32 730i. Displacement ranged from 2.5 to 3.4 liters with a 100 mm bore spacing.
The M30 engine's bottom end is virtually 'bulletproof' and a true workhorse. The M30's timing chain is designed to last the life of the engine and it will, if the timing chain tensioner is maintained. Unfortunately, over time and use, the plastic parts in it can fail but they are easily replaced. The alloy head is prone to warping if the engine is overheated (especially around the somewhat restricted cooling system passages near the middle), but with regular cooling system maintenance, oil changes, and other routine maintenance, the M30 can routinely run well past 250,000 miles.

Known Problems

These problems may not necessarily apply to all versions of the M30 engine.

• An "oil spray bar" is mounted above the camshaft. This hollow metal tube has perforations on its underside that spray oil over the camshaft and rocker arms, but with time the two banjo bolts that hold the bar in place can loosen. As a result, oil passage through the spray bar will get restricted, and some of the camshaft and rocker arms may not get cooled and/or lubricated properly, leading to fatal wear.

• On some models, the return valve in the oil filter housing fails with time, thus making oil run out after stopping the engine, instead of keeping it in the housing. While not a critical problem, it results in the engine needing up to five seconds to build up proper oil pressure upon engine start. BMW replaced the oil filter housing with a more durable valve around 1991.

• While not a problem by design, the spacing between the valve rocker arms and the valves must be adjusted approximately every 30,000 km (20,000 miles). Failure to adjust might lead to poor running, increased fuel consumption, and engine wear.

• The engine fan is mounted with a viscous coupling that expands when heated. As the engine becomes warm, the coupling gets a better grip on the fan, thus leading to increased rotation of the fan, and more airflow. If this viscous coupling fails, the fan will only rotate relatively slowly (as driven by the engine by a V-belt), and will not provide sufficient cooling, leading to overheating. Overheating can extremely quickly lead to engine failure, such as a destroyed headgasket or a warped or partly melted cylinder head.

Models

Engine	Displacement	Power: kW (hp:BHP/PS) @ RPM	Torque	Redline	CR	Year
M30B25LE	2.5 L (2494 cc/152 in³)	110 kW (147/150) @ 5500	215 N·m (158 ft·lbf) @ 4000		9.6	1981
M30B28LE	2.8 L (2788 cc/170 in³)	132 kW (174/177) @ 5800	240 N·m (177 ft·lbf) @ 4000		9.3	1977
M30B28		135 kW (181/184) @ 5800	240 N·m (177 ft·lbf) @ 4200	6500	9.3	1979
M30B30	3.0 L (2986 cc/182 in³)	135 kW (181 hp) @ 5800	255 N·m (188 ft·lbf) @ 3500			1976
		140 kW (188 hp) @ 5800	260 N·m (191 ft·lbf) @ 4000	6200	9.0	1986
M30B32	3.2 L (3210 cc/195 in³)	145 kW (194 hp) @ 5500	285 N·m (210 ft·lbf) @ 4300			1979
M30B32LAE		185 kW (248 hp) @ 5200	380 N·m (280 ft·lbf) @ 2600			1980
M30B32LE		145 kW (194 hp) @ 5500	280 N·m (206 ft·lbf) @ 4300			1976
M30B34	3.4 L (3430 cc/209 in³)	155 kW (207/211hp) @ 5700	305 N·m (224 ft·lbf) @ 4000	6200	8.0	1986
M30B34M		136 kW (182/185) @ 5400	290 N·m (213 ft·lbf) @ 4000		8.0	1984
		160 kW (214/218) @ 5500	310 N·m (228 ft·lbf) @ 4000		10.0	1982
M30B34MAE		185 kW (248 hp) @ 4900	380 N·m (280 ft·lbf) @ 2200			1982
M30B35		155 kW (211PS) @ 5700	305 N·m (225 ft·lbf) @ 4000	6200	9.0	1988

M30B25V

Applications:

• 1973-1976 E12 525
• 1976-1981 E12 525

M30B25

Applications:

• 1981-1987 E28 525i

M30B28

2.8 L (2788 cc) Applications:

• 1979-1987 E24 628CSi
• 04/1981-12/1987 E28 528i

M30B30

Introduced in 1986 with the E32, the 3.0 L (2986 cc) M30B30 produced 185 hp. The engine continued in production until 1994.
Applications:

• 1986-1994 E32 7-Series
• 1988-1993 E34 5-Series

3.0 L (2986 cc) Applications:

• 1976-1979 E24 630CS

M30B32

3.2 L (3210 cc) Applications:

• 1976-1984 E24 633CSi

M30B34

3.4 L

• 8.0:1 compression ratio

Applications:

• 1985-1988 E28 5-Series
• 1985-1987 E24 6-Series
• 1985-1987 E23 7-Series

3.4 L (3430 cc) Applications:

• 1983-1993 Europe
• 1985-1993 US

M30B35

• 3.4 liter (3430 cc) SOHC inline-6 cylinder
• 9.0:1 compression ratio
• 208 hp @ 5700 rpm
• 225 ft·lbf torque @ 4000 rpm
• 87 AKI / 91 RON octane fuel or better recommended

Applications:

• 1988-1989 E24 635CSi
• 1988-1993 E34 535i
• 1988-1992 E32 735i

3.5 L M90 (3453 cc) Applications:

• 1978-1983 E24 635CSi
• 1980-1981 E12 M535i

 This is a description of the BMW E28 5 series from wikipedia. Also i copied m30 engine data just to make sure you have the basic info for my upcoming posts.