BMW 5er-Reihe (E12)

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 (4 cyl. OHC), 1990, 2494, 2788, 2895, 3210, 3453 cm³ (6 cyl. OHC). Fifth car in revived BMW range, hence the name, launched 1973. Italianate styling by Paul Bracq of BMW or Marcello Gandini of Bertone (depending on source); 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. Alpina developed turbocharged versions.

Manufacturing location: Dingolfing, Germany; Rosslyn, South Africa

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