This latest episode from Petrolicious features an E28 BMW M5 with over 400,000 miles on the odometer. In 1989, Randy Balingit-Hartmann bought the first BMW M5 brought to San Diego and has owned it ever since. As someone on the shy side, Randy wanted a car that fit his personality—one that was fast and powerful yet unassuming.
In all its unassuming four-door glory the E28 M5 is often overlooked, but this sedan packs the same amount of power as Ferrari 308 GT and if not respected will surprise you in the turns of your favorite road.
It’s packing a 3.5 liter I6, 5-speed manual, sportier suspension, bigger brakes and a limited-slip differential. All in a sedan originally built for comfort. That 3.5 liter sported 282 horsepower, which was unheard of for the time in a sedan. The M5 could take on the Porsche 911 of the time which was blasphemous for a car that could seat five comfortably and had all of the modern (for the time) amenities of a luxury sedan.
Randy has had this car through the ups and downs of life and has put over 400,000 miles on it with no major problems. Dedicated to the M5 for life, Randy will continue driving it the way it was meant to be driven with its detuned racing engine—like he stole it.
