BMW 518/BMW 520/BMW 520i/BMW 520/6/BMW 525/BMW 528/BMW 528i/BMW 530/BMW 530i/BMW 533i/BMW M535i (E12). 1972–85 (prod. 699,094). 4-door saloon. F/R, 1766, 1990 cm³ (I4 OHC), 1990, 2494, 2788, 2895, 3210, 3453 cm³ (I6 OHC). Fifth car in revived BMW range, hence the name, launched 1973. Italianate styling by Paul Bracq of BMW and Marcello Gandini of Bertone; previewed on 2002 Garmisch show car by Bertone some years before. Competent sporting saloon range with good balance between practicality and performance, and set the template for the mid-range at BMW, topped by M535i of 1980–1. German production ceased 1981. South African production to 1985: between 1982 and 1985, the South African models had E28 interiors. Alpina developed turbocharged versions.

Manufacturing location: Dingolfing, Germany; Rosslyn, South Africa

Marque: BMW | Model: BMW 5er-Reihe | Predecessors: BMW 1500, 1600, 1800, 2000, BMW 1804, 2004 | Successor: BMW 5er-Reihe (E28)