BMW introduced the 524td as the first diesel-powered model in the brand’s 5 Series story, and one of the most important turning points in BMW history. The nameplate first appeared on the E28 generation in 1983, when BMW used a turbocharged six-cylinder diesel to show that diesel cars could still feel refined, capable, and distinctly BMW. It quickly became a milestone model for the company and helped establish BMW’s long-term diesel program.
The original E28 524td ran through the mid-1980s and became known for combining the 5 Series’ executive-sedan character with unexpected diesel pace and efficiency. It was followed later by a separate second production period on the E34 5 Series, launched as part of BMW’s third-generation 5 Series range. That version carried the 524td badge from 1988 to 1991, was sold only as a sedan, and used the same basic six-cylinder diesel concept with further refinement. BMW later replaced it with the 525tds as a new diesel generation arrived.
Because the 524td nameplate appeared in two distinct eras with a production gap in between, it should be treated as a multi-period model rather than one uninterrupted run. Enthusiasts remember it as the car that helped make BMW diesel engines credible, and as the starting point for the company’s modern reputation in sporty diesel sedans.