BMW’s original super saloon, the E28-generation M5, debuted in 1985 and was graced with the same inline six-cylinder engine with twin camshafts and 24 valves that was first seen on the iconic M1. Rather than being produced on the normal production line alongside other 5 Series BMWs, the M5 was hand assembled by M-division technicians, making for a truly special automobile.

To be built for one model year only in North America, the E28 M5 was hugely sought after and although BMW initially promised to limit U.S. production to 500 examples, 1,340 were built for the U.S. market. Each example was finished in Black with a Natur (beige) leather interior. Due to stricter emissions regulations, the U.S.- and Japanese-specification M5s boasted a slightly different engine than their European brethren. Dubbed the S38, this produced 256 bhp, which was still a big step up over the M535i. A sprint to 100 km/h from a standstill took just six seconds, leading to a top speed of 249 km/h.

According to the accompanying CARFAX report, this M5 appears to have been delivered new in Illinois. It passed between owners in South Carolina, Minnesota and Ohio before it was purchased by the current owner in late 2016 and exported to Switzerland in early 2017.

The fastest production sedan the world had ever seen at the time of its unveiling, the E28 M5 was an icon in its own time and still remains hugely desirable today. Having only just recently celebrated its 30th birthday, these earliest M5s still provide exciting performance, even by today’s standards, and are excellent automobiles for the individual looking for a fun, yet practical youngtimer that will only get better with age.