BMW E12 5 series
BMW E12 5 Series
The BMW E12 5 Series was introduced in 1972.
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520 (1972–1977)
The first BMW E12, the 520, rolled off the assembly line in 1972. Powered by a 2.0-liter M10 inline-four engine, it produced 115 hp and 124 lb-ft of torque. This entry-level model’s performance provided 0-60 mph in 11.5 seconds, a decent pace for its time.
520i (1975–1981)
The 520i was introduced in 1975, featuring a fuel-injected 2.0-liter M10 inline-four engine. It generated 125 hp and 127 lb-ft of torque, allowing the 520i to hit 0-60 mph in 11 seconds flat.
525 (1973–1981)
In 1973, BMW launched the BMW E12 525, equipped with a 2.5-liter M30 inline-six engine. It boasted 145 hp and 159 lb-ft of torque, enabling the 525 to accelerate from 0-60 mph in just 9.5 seconds.
BMW E12 528 (1977–1979)
The BMW E12 528, released in 1977, was powered by a 2.8-liter M30 inline-six engine. This powertrain generated 165 hp and 177 lb-ft of torque, reaching 0-60 mph in 9.1 seconds.
528i (1977–1981)
The 528i, launched concurrently with the 528, featured a fuel-injected 2.8-liter M30 inline-six engine. It produced 176 hp and 184 lb-ft of torque, allowing the 528i to sprint from 0-60 mph in 8.4 seconds.
530i (1975–1978)
The 530i, introduced in 1975, was the first E12 to feature a 3.0-liter M30 inline-six engine. It generated 176 hp and 185 lb-ft of torque, reaching 0-60 mph in 8.1 seconds.
530i (1978–1981)
The second generation 530i replaced the previous model in 1978, with a detuned 3.0-liter M30 inline-six engine to comply with emission regulations. It produced 167 hp and 177 lb-ft of torque, pushing the 530i from 0-60 mph in 8.8 seconds.
533i (1981)
The BMW 533i was introduced in 1981 as a high-performance variant of the E12, available exclusively in the United States. Powered by a 3.2-liter M30 inline-six engine, it delivered 181 hp and 195 lb-ft of torque, enabling the 533i to achieve a 0-60 mph time of 8.2 seconds.
M535i (1980–1981)
The BMW E12 M535i, produced from 1980 to 1981, provided the best performance yet. It was the sportiest E12 and the precursor to the first BMW M5. Equipped with a 3.5-liter M90 inline-six engine, it boasted 218 hp and 224 lb-ft of torque, propelling the M535i from 0-60 mph in a brisk 7.2 seconds.
BMW E12 Sales
- 520 :: approximately 84,248
- 520i ::approximately 119,982
- 525 :: approximately 152,437
- 528 :: approximately 49,161
- 528i :: approximately 72,078
- 530i ’75 :: primarily sold in the US and Europe. Approximately 30,858
- 530i ’78 :: approximately 45,558
- 533i :: approximately 4,169
- M535i :: approximately 1,650
Final Thoughts and the BMW E12
The BMW E12 series laid the foundation for the brand’s successful 5 Series lineage. With various engine options and performance-oriented models, the E12 garnered a loyal following among enthusiasts. In total, BMW sold an estimated 550,000 units of the E12 during its production run, which spanned from 1972 to 1981. Today, these iconic vehicles continue to be sought after by collectors and BMW aficionados alike, as they represent the genesis of BMW’s legendary sport sedan heritage.
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