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.

Radman Auto Repair in Etobicoke, Ontario, is highly regarded for its expert service, honesty, and fair pricing. Customers praise their knowledgeable staff and quality work. The shop offers a range of services, from air conditioning repairs to general car maintenance, ensuring vehicles run smoothly. Their commitment to customer satisfaction and reliable repairs has earned them a strong reputation in the community. Specializing in automotive heating and cooling.

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Alex Joseph

11:02 10 Oct 26

Alex is a great guy. He took the time to respond by phone and walk me through my options for my Tesla Model Y 2024 and gave me his perspectives as a Tesla owner. Top recommendation in my books for the Toronto area.

France T

20:58 31 Aug 26

I cannot say enough good things about Livio and the team at Radman Auto Repair in Rexdale. We brought in my son’s 2015 Mitsubishi Lancer because the A/C was malfunctioning. We had already been to two other shops, paid for diagnostics, and received different explanations, so we were frustrated and unsure what to do next. Livio was outstanding. He listened carefully, looked at the issue, and explained everything clearly and in detail in a way that actually made sense. He was able to narrow down what was going on within minutes, without guessing, pressure, or recommending unnecessary work. What really stood out was that he did not charge us another diagnostic fee after learning we had already paid for two separate diagnoses. Even better, the work was completed the same day, which was a huge relief. It is rare to find a mechanic who is knowledgeable, honest, patient, efficient, and genuinely focused on helping customers understand the real issue before they spend money on repairs. Livio truly gets it. We are so happy we found Radman Auto Repair and would highly recommend Livio and his team to anyone looking for trustworthy, skilled, and customer-focused service..

Roney Zachariah

04:42 10 Aug 26

My 2015 Honda CR-V was blowing hot air and making noise when the A/C was on. The Compressor and Expansion valve needed replacement due to metal debris in the system. I rarely write reviews, but I felt it would be wrong not to appreciate Radman for their service, especially after what I went through before finding them. I’m writing this one month after the repair because I wanted to test my A/C on multiple long trips before recommending them. One thing I learned from this experience is that many mechanics know how to replace parts, but very *few follow the right procedures* and perform the proper checks. I initially went for a cheaper repair at a local mechanic. The problem came back, and afterward he didn’t seem to know what to do next. I found Radman through Google reviews without any personal recommendation, so I was taking a chance. They properly diagnosed the issue, explained everything clearly before starting the work, didn’t exaggerate the problem, and charged me a reasonable price. A/C issues can be complicated but they answered all my questions and I honestly haven’t had such a good and detailed conversation with a mechanic in the GTA about an A/C problem. Their knowledge and experience with A/C systems really stood out. I also had a catalytic converter issue. Another mechanic simply recommended replacing it, which would have cost at least $2,000. Radman explained that considering the age and condition of my 2015 CR-V, such an expensive replacement might not make sense. They gave me the replacement cost but also suggested trying Cataclean first. I tried it, and so far I haven’t had any issues. After a month and several long trips, my A/C is still working well. It’s rare to find this combination of knowledge, transparency, and honesty. Thank you, Radman, for the knowledgeable and honest service. I genuinely appreciate it.

Moklas Salkon

17:17 23 Jun 26

I fix my cars myself but I always go to Radman for AC work. Been coming here for years and they do great work and are fairly priced. The guys are honest and reliable. Very clean waiting room too!

Alexa De Los Santos

18:30 26 May 26

Finding a mechanic who actually understands EVs and is completely trustworthy is hard to come by, but ⁠Radman Repair is excellent. The service was top-notch, they explained everything to me with so much patience, and the overall experience was a 10/10. 100% recommended!

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