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Story by David S. Wallens • Photos Courtesy BMW
Today’s market is littered with high-output sedans produced by nearly every manufacturer, from Hyundai and Lexus to the usual suspects from Germany and America. Go back to the …
A couple interesting things about the photo above - first, it's a eurospec M5, and in addition it has the M-technic body kit that was optional on an euro M5 but standard on an euro M535i (the M535i had the standard M30 single cam engine, although in european specification it had around 30hp more than the US version. I own an M535i so I notice these things. 
) The car in the picture is painted diamondschwarz / diamond metallic black; while in the US the M5 was only available in straight black, the euro cars could be had in any color. I see it also has the optional headlight washers, another thing not available on US spec cars.
Good eye!
The E28 was notable for being a bit of a break-away model from the mundane stuff that preceded it, but the real deal came later with the E34 and E39 which were the real deal - high output high rev normally aspirated engines, which, along with the versions in the E85/86 Z4M cars and the M3s - E36 and E46 (Canada got a relative handful of E36 Eurospec cars significantly better/faster than the US models) were the last naturally aspirated straight 6 M engines we'll probably ever see.
I had an 87 535iS with a Metric Mechanic 3500 HF Sport engine....similar output to the S38, lower revs, cheaper parts, valve adjustment....let's not talk about the fun shims on the S38.
Either way a great family car with fun for Dad as well.
My daughter's first car was a 528e....the gas version of a Mercedes 300D....solid, reliable, economical, fuel efficient; these were the goals of the eta ("efficiency") desisgn started in the face of the late 70s oil crisis. The eta engine met these goals admirably. The "i" engines were always there for those looking for more power; hence I'm not sure what the "rut" is referring to.
I still have both cars if anyone is looking for resto projects!
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