Thursday 29th March 2012

Spotted: E28 BMW M5 with added Hartge

We don't always approve of tuned stuff; but this definitely gets a thumbs-up

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The automotive world is littered with examples of nastily modified cars, many of which are discussed on our forums on a regular basis.

But while attempts to 'improve' upon the products of a company that has spent millions of pounds on R&D are more than a little misguided, any serious petrolhead knows that a spot of well-judged modification can be truly sublime.

This, and the preponderance of 'Youngtimer' neo-classics at the recent Essen show, has drawn us inexorably to this rather delicious E28 BMW M5.

You might argue that such a perfect example of the art of the super-saloon as the needs no tweakery (and you may well have a point), but if you did decide to upgrade, you could surely do a lot worse than getting Hartge to do it.

Back in 1991, the owner of this then-four-year-old M5 was toying with chopping it in for a brand new E34 model. But they obviously couldn't bear to be parted from it. So instead it got treated to a list of juicy Hartge bits longer than Rapunzel's hair (unplaited). Of course, Hartge is better known for lobbing laughably oversized engines into its creations, but this car proves there's more to Hartge than just hilariously large motors.

Soooo.... in addition to an M-Tec body, Shadowline dechroming pack and black leather, this E-plate Lachs silver M5 gets (deep breath): A rebuilt engine with oversized pistons and a fully balanced bottom end, a new clutch, and a new flywheel. There's also new valves and guides, ports for the cylinder head and Hartge cams. Other goodies include A Hartge ECU, raising the the rev limit to 7,500rpm, A Hartge exhaust and a complete Hartge suspension package, this last including Hartge/Bilstein dampers, springs, strut brace, anti-roll bars and negative camber top mounts.

We're not finished, either; the cabin has a Hartge steering wheel, gear knob and foot rest and Hartge instruments to complete the interior.

We haven't even mentioned the more recent upgrades yet: E34 M5 brakes, new wiring for the period Nakamichi stereo, refurbished wheels and an Evo 3 short shift kit just a few of the juicier tweaks.

Honestly, We defy you to call this car anything other than sympathetically modified. We also defy you not to be salivating ever so slightly over this car's spec (although if you don't like BMWs we'll perhaps let you off...)

The only real question is this: is it worth £7k more than this un-fiddled with E28 M5, also for sale by the same dealer? That's a rather tougher call...

 

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BMW M5 (E28)
Engine: 3,453cc straight-six
Transmission: 5-speed manual, rear-wheel drive
Power (hp): 286hp@6,500rpm
Torque (lb ft): 251@4,500rpm
MPG: 29.1mpg at 56mph 
CO2: N/A
First registered: 1987
Recorded mileage: 62,000 (after Hartge tuning)
Price new: £34,850
Yours for: £20,995
NB: all figures are before tweaking

Check out the other M5s we have for sale on PH here

[JMF894]

How can any petrolhead not love that?

Exquisite in its subtlety.

Want.


Jimbo

[Dr G]

I don't care for BMWs but that's proper

[gsxrblue]

Lovely, though I'd rather have the standard M5 linked in the feature. oh and in black please.

[365daytonafan]

Standard one looks so much cooler without the bodykit, although the Hartge car has lovely wheels on it.

[El Shafto]

Gorgeous. That is all.

[falkster]

That was covered a while ago in the M power forum.

[moskvich427]

Much prefer the standard one.

That body-kit makes it look like an M535i. Nasty.

[Dave Hedgehog]

i love it

[ikarl]

that's just so nice.

and yeah, I think that is worth the extra £7k

[Luca Brasi]

Lovely stuff. Lose the Hartge dials though!

[dave stew]

Wow - that's just lovely. One of my favourite BMWs.

[Gruber]

A standard, sans body-kit, un-modded version for me, please.

[Big Six]

This a hugly significant car. I no the owner & have seen it close up. It's perfect.

This car is putting out 330bhp & near to 300Ibft & is fitted with a 60% LSD! It has the full Hartge exhaust as well. The engines max RPM is 7600rpm but is safe at 7500rpm. What this means is that beast can fly along at 165 to 170mph!

It is the BEST period correct tuned e28 M5 ever built in the UK & no doubt will end up in a private collection in Switzerland or Germany at some point.

If I hand not just spent close to 40K rebuilding & modifying my own e28 M5 I would have bought this already! On it's first outing at a Bimmer Flex it won an award! The owner had not even entered it either. That's how good it is. It has also been featured in a BMW specific magazine where it received a multi page feature.

The guy it belongs to also owns a GENUINE CSL light weight! We all no how expensive those are now!!!!

If your in the market for a perfect e28 M5 then this is the one to go for. It's a once in a liftime thing. It's that special!

[Devil2575]

Love it! A perfect 10.

[Mermaid]

Priced well.

[typezerora]

Amazing

[falkster]

I don't think style 5s suit the e28, I'd much prefer the proper M5 alloys (flat slotted ones) or the BBS cross spokes (still called style 5 but not split rims) 7 1/2 x 16 et 20 - rare as hens teeth!!
Happen to have a set in my garage!!

[soad]

How nice is that? So much want.

[Huntsman]

I've got two E28's, both lowly 520i with the M20 six banger, I adore them.

[allgonepetetong]

I love it, but not enough to cautgh 20k for it. You'd have to reaaalllly want it for that money.