5 Series (E12) BMW 5 Series E12


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.

Rainer271

Kraftwagen König
Here’s a 1980 5 Series You’ll Want to Own
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It’s quite amazing to see how much progress some cars recorded over the years. One such example is the 5 Series that basically started out with the E12 model back in the late 70s.

Those were the days when BMW was inventing itself, as hard as it may seem to believe. They were bringing a whole new range of cars to the market and wanted to impress the audience with their sporty cars, powerful and smooth inline 6-cylinder engines.

This particular car couldn’t be any different from the original recipe. It’s a 1980 528i, fitted with a 2.8-liter inline 6-cylinder engine making 170 HP and 230 Nm (170 lb-ft) of torque (US models only). Of course, rear-wheel-drive and a 5-speed manual gearbox are also a must.

The lucky man driving and owning it is called Warren and plans to keep it as stock and original as possible. Sure, an Euro bumper would be welcome and, if we can make a suggestion, he should also get rid of those ugly fog lights but other than that, why change it?

Furthermore, this model has the potential to become a collectible in the future and changing it too much would ruin it for a possible resale. Enough talk from us though, we’ll let him explain all about his car and the plans he has in the video below. Check it out!

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Here’s a 1980 5 Series You’ll Want to Own
 
Thanks for the nice write up and video of this car. It still is a great car and that particular model was well looked after, interior is in excellent condition. I would agree that he changes the bumpers to Euro spec and remove the foglights and those ugly side indicator lights from the front fenders!!!
 
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I never knew or saw the 5 series E12 in racing version, (although the videos from Goodwood are current) from what I see in these excellent footage, is that it was very successful especially in South Africa,... just see those skids



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BMW 530 MLE / Motorsport Limited Edition "first BMW M in history"

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Back in the mid-seventies the German manufacturer BMW wanted to participate in the championship of modified production cars of South Africa, and to approve the Series 5 E12 competition the firm had to launch a special edition called BMW 530 MLE.

This BMW 530 Motorsport Limited Edition was exclusive to the South African market and only 227 vehicles were manufactured between 1976 and 1977. The first year produced 110 specimens with Type 1 specifications and the following year the other 117 were manufactured, and Type 2.
For many this BMW 530 MLE is the authentic "first BMW M in history", developed by BMW Motorsport and manufactured two years before the BMW M1 of 1978, which was presented at the Paris Motor Show that year, is also a " special approval "launched so that the BMW M1 racing could compete and is officially the first production M that was put up for sale.
 
Nice story of a guy who owns a 1980 M535i Euro spec imported to the US. He has owned it for 17years already. Quite a beauty this car. One of the best cars in my memory as when I was a kid these models were very famous in South Africa for their racing history and pedigree

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The E28 was the first 5er to wear the M5 badge, but the genesis of the M5 started with the M535i E12. In fact, I could be wrong, but I think the E12 M535i was the first saloon (sedan) to have a supercar engine, since the M90 was derived from the M88 engine in the BMW M1.
I don't recall any Maserati, Alfa Romeo or Lancia of the time with an engine from a Ferrari.
 
A landmark car. A bold successor to the over 10 year old original "Neue Klasse" 1500/2000tii 4 door sedans and presented around the time of the official start of the 1972 Olympic Games in Munich. Soon followed by the horrific attack by Palastinian terrorists on Israeli Olympic team members. Times etched in the memories of those who were around at the time. Especially those who actually resided in Munich.
 

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)

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