5 Series (E12) All about the BMW 5-Series E12
- Thread starter Rainer271
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- 535i bmw 5 series e28 m535i
The first generation of BMW 5 Series, the E12 was manufactured for model years 1972–1981. It replaced the New Class sedans and was produced in sedan body style. The initial models were powered by four-cylinder engines, with a six-cylinder engine introduced a year later. There was no M5 model for the E12, however the E12 M535i is considered the predecessor to the M5.
Mick Briesgau
Tire Trailblazer
Great Vid! First BMW I've ever driven was a BMW 520 (E12) in 1982 in darkgreen metallic.
Rainer271
Kraftwagen König
That's the first generation 5-series (e12) and not the second (e28), even if the latter have been available in M535i too
Damn, you are right. E12 and E28 were very similar to each other.
Thanks a lot for the hint. The title is changed.
This E12 BMW 5-series was an iconic car in South Africa in the late 1970's and early 1980's. We had some unique racing inspired models such as the Special Edition M530 (introduced in 1976) and can be considered the direct predecessor of the legendary M535i (shown in the video). Would you believe this is actually the first BMW M car produced.
Here is some history of this unique car:
An earlier "Motorsport Special Edition" E12 530 was produced as a homologation special by BMW South Africa in 1976, and this model can be considered a direct predecessor to the M535i. It is also worth noting that the M535i lived on in South Africa until 1984 as part of the updated E12 range that was assembled for the local market as an interim series until production of the E28 began there in 1985. These "4709" models incorporate some of the later E28 features.
What distinguishes the South African-built E12 530 Motorsport Limited Edition?
The Motorsport Limited Edition E12 530 was jointly developed by BMW of South Africa and BMW Motorsport GmbH in order to homologate the 3.0-liter 5 Series sedan for competition in the South African Modified Production class. The production of at least 100 road cars was required under the homologation rules, though it is thought that around 216 street-legal examples of the Motorsport Limited Edition 530 were ultimately produced, all in 1976.
At the time, the largest engine available in a standard production E12 5 Series was the 2.8-liter inline-six. However, the Motorsport Special Edition 530 was equipped with a larger 3.0-liter M30 motor based on the unit from the E3 sedan and E9 coupe but fitted with twin Zenith carburetors, a special camshaft, lightened flywheel and an engine oil cooler. It was rated at 197 hp (DIN) at 6,000 rpm and 204 lb/ft of torque at 4,300 rpm. This was mated to the close-ratio Getrag five-speed manual gearbox featuring a "dogleg" shift pattern and a Borg-Warner limited slip differential. The chassis was upgraded with Bilstein shocks, stiffer springs and thicker anti-roll bars similar to those fitted to the special German-built E12 530 models offered by BMW Motorsport starting in 1974. In addition, the cars were equipped with four-wheel disc brakes and 195/70VR14 tires on BBS/Mahle cross-spoke alloy wheels.
The Motorsport Limited Edition 530 was offered in three paint colors: Ice White, Platinum metallic or Sapphire Blue metallic, all paired with tri-color Motorsport stripes. The body featured fender lip extensions as well as fiberglass front and rear spoilers. In order to reduce weight, several body panels were made of aluminum or thinner steel, the pedals and trunk hinges were drilled for further savings, plus thinner glass was used for all windows except the front windshield. Inside, these special 530s were fitted with Scheel sport seats covered in blue velour and equipped with a three-spoke sport steering wheel. Finally, the rear bench seat was mounted to a foam base in order to reduce weight even further.
NOTE: This model should not be confused with the later E12 530 Motorsport Edition of 1977-80, which was a standard production model for the South African market that did include the 3.0-liter M30 motor, limited slip differential, Bilstein shocks, Mahle magnesium wheels, Scheel sport seats and blacked-out exterior trim.
The actual racing car as well:
Here is some history of this unique car:
An earlier "Motorsport Special Edition" E12 530 was produced as a homologation special by BMW South Africa in 1976, and this model can be considered a direct predecessor to the M535i. It is also worth noting that the M535i lived on in South Africa until 1984 as part of the updated E12 range that was assembled for the local market as an interim series until production of the E28 began there in 1985. These "4709" models incorporate some of the later E28 features.
What distinguishes the South African-built E12 530 Motorsport Limited Edition?
The Motorsport Limited Edition E12 530 was jointly developed by BMW of South Africa and BMW Motorsport GmbH in order to homologate the 3.0-liter 5 Series sedan for competition in the South African Modified Production class. The production of at least 100 road cars was required under the homologation rules, though it is thought that around 216 street-legal examples of the Motorsport Limited Edition 530 were ultimately produced, all in 1976.
At the time, the largest engine available in a standard production E12 5 Series was the 2.8-liter inline-six. However, the Motorsport Special Edition 530 was equipped with a larger 3.0-liter M30 motor based on the unit from the E3 sedan and E9 coupe but fitted with twin Zenith carburetors, a special camshaft, lightened flywheel and an engine oil cooler. It was rated at 197 hp (DIN) at 6,000 rpm and 204 lb/ft of torque at 4,300 rpm. This was mated to the close-ratio Getrag five-speed manual gearbox featuring a "dogleg" shift pattern and a Borg-Warner limited slip differential. The chassis was upgraded with Bilstein shocks, stiffer springs and thicker anti-roll bars similar to those fitted to the special German-built E12 530 models offered by BMW Motorsport starting in 1974. In addition, the cars were equipped with four-wheel disc brakes and 195/70VR14 tires on BBS/Mahle cross-spoke alloy wheels.
The Motorsport Limited Edition 530 was offered in three paint colors: Ice White, Platinum metallic or Sapphire Blue metallic, all paired with tri-color Motorsport stripes. The body featured fender lip extensions as well as fiberglass front and rear spoilers. In order to reduce weight, several body panels were made of aluminum or thinner steel, the pedals and trunk hinges were drilled for further savings, plus thinner glass was used for all windows except the front windshield. Inside, these special 530s were fitted with Scheel sport seats covered in blue velour and equipped with a three-spoke sport steering wheel. Finally, the rear bench seat was mounted to a foam base in order to reduce weight even further.
NOTE: This model should not be confused with the later E12 530 Motorsport Edition of 1977-80, which was a standard production model for the South African market that did include the 3.0-liter M30 motor, limited slip differential, Bilstein shocks, Mahle magnesium wheels, Scheel sport seats and blacked-out exterior trim.
The actual racing car as well:
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BMW
Bayerische Motoren Werke AG, abbreviated as BMW is a German multinational
manufacturer of luxury vehicles and motorcycles headquartered in Munich, Bavaria, Germany.
The company was founded in 1916 as a manufacturer of aircraft engines, which it produced
from 1917 to 1918 and again from 1933 to 1945.
Official website: BMW (Global), BMW (USA)
Official website: BMW (Global), BMW (USA)
