BMW E12 5 Series details for all models and generations. Read about sales, hp, torque, and performance specs. Get a good parking spot for winter storage.

BMW E12 5 series

BMW E12 5 Series

The BMW E12 5 Series was introduced in 1972.

Brought to you by the Radman

Radman Auto Repairs
4.8
Based on 87 reviews
powered by Google
Marc MassonMarc Masson
16:31 17 Nov 24
The mechanics at Radman are professional, courteous, efficient and provide topnotch service at a fair price. They go above and beyond and provide exceptional value with every interaction. I will be recommending them to everyone who is in search of a knowledgeable and reliable mechanic.
Anthony SalduttoAnthony Saldutto
21:27 15 Nov 24
Experience, knowledge, reliability and excellent customer service. Livio is one of the most knowledgeable mechanics I have met.
Tate CherniakTate Cherniak
19:23 14 Nov 24
I was told a heater core flush was my last resort before getting the heater core replacement. The drive from Mississauga was well worth it, these guys are specialized and know their stuff.
Dan PatersonDan Paterson
20:12 28 Oct 24
Great, honest group of guys who do great work.
John C.John C.
15:48 17 Oct 24
Best shop I’ve found!!Livio is honest and reliable, and does exactly what he says. Will definitely be using them from now on! Thank you Radman!!
Murad SabbahMurad Sabbah
02:17 01 Oct 24
Livio is the best and most experienced mechanic I ever seen. Nice and professional service with very reasonable prices.I highly recommend Radman Radtech Auto Repair.
Ravinder SawhneyRavinder Sawhney
18:50 20 Sep 24
Guys are the best.
Nadia BNadia B
15:00 10 Sep 24
Best mechanic in my 50 yrs of driving and caring for my car. I could not do that without the service of Livio and his team at Radtech. Best experts/ knowledge, and kind people. I trust my safety at the hands of Radtech Auto Repair. Nadia Browning
shubham singhshubham singh
18:41 06 Aug 24
Great staff, Very knowledgeable and professional. Great experience
ETG Toys ETGETG Toys ETG
12:49 13 Jun 24
I recently had the pleasure of entrusting my Volvo XC60 to this remarkable shop, and I must say, it was an experience beyond compare. From start to finish, every aspect of their service exuded excellence, leaving me thoroughly impressed and immensely satisfied.First and foremost, the attention to detail and commitment to perfection displayed by the team is truly unparalleled. It's evident that they approach each job with a meticulous eye, ensuring that every task is completed to the highest standard. Whether it's a minor repair or a major overhaul, you can rest assured that your vehicle is in capable hands.Moreover, what truly sets this shop apart is their dedication to fairness when it comes to pricing. In a world where inflated costs and hidden fees are all too common, encountering a business that prioritizes honesty and transparency is a rare gem indeed. With this shop, you can trust that you'll receive exceptional service without breaking the bank.In an era where mediocrity often reigns supreme, this shop stands out as a beacon of excellence. They have mastered the art of delivering top-notch service with a personal touch, making each customer feel valued and appreciated. It's a true testament to their commitment to customer satisfaction.In conclusion, I can't recommend this shop highly enough. If you're in need of automotive services that are second to none, look no further. Thank you to the entire team for their outstanding work on my Volvo XC60. You've earned every bit of this glowing review.Warm regards,Uros
Emir KavurmaciogluEmir Kavurmacioglu
21:15 19 May 24
Samantha MorganSamantha Morgan
12:02 09 May 24
My family and I have been coming here for years! I live in Oakville and still make the travel, because I trust them with my cars. Great service, gets the job done and helps me with preventative options before a problem arises.
gaetano giornofelicegaetano giornofelice
15:21 26 Apr 24
This shop is efficient, professional and friendly. Been coming here over 25 years. Tell them the Limo Guy sent you.
Jana AppleJana Apple
14:51 15 Apr 24
Radman Repair shop has been my trusted go-to for years, and I couldn't be happier with the service. Their team of skilled technicians consistently delivers top-notch repairs and maintenance, keeping my car running smoothly. From minor fixes to major overhauls, they handle it all with professionalism and expertise. With their friendly staff and reliable service, Radman Repair has earned my loyalty and trust. Highly recommend to anyone seeking quality automotive care.
Amit GreenAmit Green
17:00 22 Mar 24
It was odd that the dealership referred me to an independent mechanic for no heat. I’m sold now, these guys are not only helpful and friendly, but they saved me A LOT of money. Highly recommended.
Rob KureRob Kure
21:42 15 Mar 24
I cannot say enough good things about this shop. They go out of their way to make sure you are well informed and are very honest. I recently had an issue with brakes which could have cost several hundreds of dollars. They troubleshot and found that it only was a small problem. They even charged me only for the parts and brake fluid actually used, other shops always charge full bottle and would have suggested unneeded additional parts/services.When I picked up the vehicle, they gave me a complete run down of what happened and why and then identified potential future issues and recommendations for the vehicle.The most professional repair shop I have ever been to. Would not hesitate to recommend this shop to family and friends!
Wayne BaileyWayne Bailey
21:12 06 Mar 24
Greate people very honest have been coming here for over 20 years
Mike ManieriMike Manieri
16:02 06 Mar 24
These guys are great. I’ve been coming here for years. Always excellent service and advice. I highly recommend!
Vincent D'UrbanoVincent D'Urbano
15:27 28 Feb 24
I tell all my family and friends that there is no better place to go. Quality work done at great prices.
Andrew MorganAndrew Morgan
14:07 28 Feb 24
My whole family goes to Radman auto repairs. Its are go to shop for over a decade. Fair prices , amazing staff and excellent service.
Leon WalkerLeon Walker
20:19 27 Feb 24
Very experienced and highly qualified mechanics they fixed my driveshaft problem I had on going for a long time . They were very pleasant and I’m happy with the service
mohamed ghazalmohamed ghazal
18:59 27 Feb 24
Fast, reliable and honest.I always feel like I’m in good hands and never taken advantage of. My go-to place for any maintenance
Danny MDanny M
18:04 26 Feb 24
Honest, reasonably priced, been very pleased with Radman. Would definitely recommend them
Ljiljana LabrovicLjiljana Labrovic
14:17 26 Feb 24
I have been coming to this shop for over 30 years. I have always had professional service from the entire staff. They don’t fix anything but what needs fixing. A rare find these days. Well worth the visit.😊
I Want FramesI Want Frames
00:57 15 Feb 24
These guys are very helpful and honest. Will be back
John PanchyshynJohn Panchyshyn
18:21 18 Jan 24
I've been coming here for years great shop,they're honest and they treat you fair, highly recommended!!
Lisa AitchisonLisa Aitchison
15:31 10 Jan 24
Jason SangerJason Sanger
22:36 09 Nov 23
2010 Toyota TacomaFront brakes done fast and done rightOutstanding service quality!
Krzysztof SlawinskiKrzysztof Slawinski
22:58 07 Oct 23
Honest and knowledgeable! Highly recommend.
Jorge PerezJorge Perez
20:56 22 Aug 23
Great Mechanic and Service. Ask for Livio!!Highly recommend this mecánic. To bad I didn't find his place before but never late than never.
minesh kotechaminesh kotecha
19:11 01 Aug 23
Jaspreet DhillonJaspreet Dhillon
14:35 25 May 23
Very Honest. My sister took her Civic a which had no ac working. Inspected and informed her that there is a likely recall with Honda for the AC Condensor and will be fully covered by them for repair.
Mark HynesMark Hynes
17:59 27 Nov 20
After owning numerous vehicles in over 30 years and taking those vehicles to a lot of different repair shops including the dealer, I finally was fortunate to get referred by a friend to these guys. WOW, they are amazing! First of all, they are by far the most honest shop I have ever taken my vehicle to in my entire life. The work was spot on and the price was fair. I had some other things I needed to do the car that were not urgent and they were kind enough to recommend waiting until spring time to do it (which would save me money), Wow, most shops try to milk every penny out of you any time they see you, not these guys. Honest and great work, Highly recommend.
js_loader

Get Directions to The Radman

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.