The second generation of BMW 5 Series was introduced in 1982 as the BMW E28. The bimmer e28 replaced its predecessor, the bimmer e12. The BMW e28 was the first generation of bimmer 5 series to offer the M5. The American market went crazy with the arrival of the first e28 M5’s. Finally a full size daily driver, with exotic car horsepower, was available to the U.S. market.
   The U.S. version of the M5 was packing 256 hp, while the European models had 286 hp. Many people got around the HP difference by taking of the catalytic converter. Six models of the BMW e28 were sold in the United States, including the BMW M5. Europe offered 10 different models of the BMW e28 5 series, and produced more horsepower compared to the U.S. BMW e28 models. Some of the European models not sold in the United States included the BMW 518/518i, BMW 520i, and the BMW 528e.