Bonhams July Motoring (2020)

1978 BMW 520i Sports Saloon

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1975 BMW 520i 4-Speed

BMW 520i - E12

Bayerische Motoren Werke (Bavarian Motor Works) was founded in 1916. Commonly known as BMW, the company began life as an airplane engine manufacturer that began building motorcycles in 1923. BMW eventually entered the automotive world in 1928, and has gone on to become one of the world&#39;s most recognized and respected automotive manufacturers. Legendary names such as <a href="https://www.classic.com/m/bmw/507/">507</a>, <a href="https://www.classic.com/m/bmw/new-six/e9/30-csl/">3.0 CSL</a>, <a href="https://www.classic.com/m/bmw/02-series/2002/turbo/">2002 Turbo</a>, <a href="https://www.classic.com/m/bmw/m1/">M1</a>, and <a href="https://www.classic.com/m/bmw/3-series/e30/m3/">M3</a>, are just a few in the company&#39;s history. The BMW <a href="https://www.classic.com/m/bmw/3-series/">3 Series</a>, <a href="https://www.classic.com/m/bmw/5-series/">5 Series</a>, and <a href="https://www.classic.com/m/bmw/7-series/">7 Series</a> are also regularly among the world&#39;s best in their respective categories. BMW is also well known for its &#39;M&#39; Motorsport division, as well as the high end <a href="https://www.classic.com/m/bmw/alpina/">Alpina</a> models.

Bayerische Motoren Werke (Bavarian Motor Works) was founded in 1916. Commonly known as BMW, the company began life as an airplane engine…

520i - E12

BMW 5 Series

BMW introduced the 5 Series in 1972. The successor to the <a href="https://www.classic.com/m/bmw/new-class/">New Class</a> sedans, the 5 Series is a range of luxury executive cars that have been built mostly as sedans, but also as wagons and fastbacks. The 5 Series has seen seven generations built: <a href="https://www.classic.com/m/bmw/5-series/e12/">E12 (1972-1981)</a>, <a href="https://www.classic.com/m/bmw/5-series/e28/">E28 (1981-1989)</a>, <a href="https://www.classic.com/m/bmw/5-series/e34/">E34 (1988-1996)</a>, <a href="https://www.classic.com/m/bmw/5-series/e39/">E39 (1995-2004)</a>, <a href="https://www.classic.com/m/bmw/5-series/e60/">E60 (2003-2010)</a>, <a href="https://www.classic.com/m/bmw/5-series/f10/">F10 (2010-2016)</a>, <a href="https://www.classic.com/m/bmw/5-series/g30/">G30 (2017-2021)</a>.

BMW introduced the 5 Series in 1972. The successor to the New Class sedans, the 5 Series is a range of luxury executive cars that have been…

5 Series

BMW 5 Series - E12

The first generation of <a href="https://www.classic.com/m/bmw/5-series/">BMW 5 Series</a> was introduced in 1972. Known as the E12, this first generation of 5 Series was available with either an inline 4 or inline 6 engine in various displacements. The most notable of first generation 5 Series variants was the <a href="https://www.classic.com/m/bmw/5-series/e12/m535i/">M535i</a>, which is considered the precursor to the later <a href="https://www.classic.com/m/bmw/5-series/e28/m5/">E28 BMW M5</a>. Other variants included the <a href="https://www.classic.com/m/bmw/5-series/e12/520i/">520i</a>, <a href="https://www.classic.com/m/bmw/5-series/e12/525/">525</a>, <a href="https://www.classic.com/m/bmw/5-series/e12/528/">528</a>, <a href="https://www.classic.com/m/bmw/5-series/e12/528i/">528i</a>, and <a href="https://www.classic.com/m/bmw/5-series/e12/530i/">530i</a>. Built until 1981, the E12 was replaced by the <a href="https://www.classic.com/m/bmw/5-series/e28/">E28 5 Series</a> in 1981.

The first generation of BMW 5 Series was introduced in 1972. Known as the E12, this first generation of 5 Series was available with either…

5 Series - E12

BMW introduced the 520i variant of their <a href="https://www.classic.com/m/bmw/5-series/e12/">E12 5 Series</a> in 1972. The 520i was initially powered by the M15 version of BMW&#39;s famed M10 inline four engine, but in 1975, BMW fit the updated M64 version which had the same displacement and similar performance stats, but had a wider powerband. Both manual and automatic transmissions were offered for this series of rear wheel drive cars, which were only available in a sedan body style. Production of the E12 520i ended in 1977, but the 520i would continue life in the next generation of 5 Series, as the <a href="https://www.classic.com/m/bmw/5-series/e28/520i/">E28 520i</a>.

BMW introduced the 520i variant of their E12 5 Series in 1972. The 520i was initially powered by the M15 version of BMW's famed M10 inline…

520i

BMW 525 - E12

BMW introduced the 525 variant of their <a href="https://www.classic.com/m/bmw/5-series/e12/">E12 5 Series</a> in 1972. The 525 was fitted with BMW&#39;s M30B25V engine, which was a carbureted 2.5L inline six unit that used a single carburetor until 1975. This first evolution of the engine produced 143hp, but from 1976 onwards, the M30B25V received twin carburetors which boosted power to 148hp. This series of sedans were offered with a manual or automatic transmission sending power to the rear wheels. Production of the E12 525 ended in 1981, when the model series was discontinued.

BMW introduced the 525 variant of their E12 5 Series in 1972. The 525 was fitted with BMW's M30B25V engine, which was a carbureted 2.5L…

525 - E12

BMW 528 - E12

BMW introduced the 528 variant of their <a href="https://www.classic.com/m/bmw/5-series/e12/">E12 5 Series</a> in 1974. The 528 was fitted with BMW&#39;s M30B28V engine, with the &#39;V&#39; standing for Vergaser, which means carburetor in German. This 2.8L inline six engine was initially fitted with dual Zenith carburetors, which produced 162hp, but in 1976, BMW began using a single Solex carburetor which raised the engine&#39;s power rating to 168hp. This series of cars were only available as sedans, and were offered with a manual or automatic transmissions which sent power to the rear wheels. Production of the E12 528 ended in 1978, when the model series was discontinued.

BMW introduced the 528 variant of their E12 5 Series in 1974. The 528 was fitted with BMW's M30B28V engine, with the 'V' standing for…

528 - E12

BMW 530i - E12

BMW introduced the 530i variant of their <a href="https://www.classic.com/m/bmw/5-series/e12/">E12 5 Series</a> in 1975. The 530i was powered by BMW&#39;s M30B30 inline six engine which featured Bosch fuel injection and generated 176hp. This 3.0L inline six engine was mated to manual or automatic transmissions which sent power to the rear wheels. This family of cars were only available in North America and Japan, and only in a sedan body style. Production of the E12 530i lasted until 1978. The E12 530i would not see a direct replacement in the <a href="https://www.classic.com/m/bmw/5-series/e28/">BMW E28 5 Series</a>, but the 530i would reappear for the <a href="https://www.classic.com/m/bmw/5-series/e34/530i/">BMW E34 530i</a>.

BMW introduced the 530i variant of their E12 5 Series in 1975. The 530i was powered by BMW's M30B30 inline six engine which featured Bosch…

530i - E12

530i

BMW 528i - E12

BMW introduced the 528i variant of their <a href="https://www.classic.com/m/bmw/5-series/e12/">E12 5 Series</a> in 1974. The 528i was powered by BMW&#39;s M30B28 engine, which featured Bosch fuel injection, as opposed to the <a href="https://www.classic.com/m/bmw/5-series/e12/528/">528</a>&#39;s carbureted engine. The M30B28 engine was created to meet increasingly stringent emissions regulations around the world, and depending on its configuration, ranged in power from 169hp to 181hp. This 2.8L inline six engine was mated to manual or automatic transmissions which sent power to the rear wheels. This family of cars were only available as four door sedans and were produced until 1981. The E12 528i would be replaced by the <a href="https://www.classic.com/m/bmw/5-series/e28/528i/">BMW E28 528i</a>.

BMW introduced the 528i variant of their E12 5 Series in 1974. The 528i was powered by BMW's M30B28 engine, which featured Bosch fuel…

528i - E12

528i

BMW M535i - E12

BMW introduced the M535i in 1979. The first BMW Motorsport M-badged 5 Series car, the M535i featured various mechanical upgrades, such as an improved suspension and larger brakes. As well as the improvements to the drivetrain, the M535i was powered by BMW&#39;s M90 3.5L straight six engine, producing 215hp. Visually, the car was fitted with front and rear spoilers as well as a new steering wheel. Considered to be the precursor the <a href="https://www.classic.com/m/bmw/5-series/e28/m5/">E28 BMW M5</a>, the M535i was in production until 1981, with 1,650 examples built.

BMW introduced the M535i in 1979. The first BMW Motorsport M-badged 5 Series car, the M535i featured various mechanical upgrades, such as…

M535i - E12

M535i

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BMW introduced the 520i variant of their <a href="MKT:3805" old-href="https://www.classic.com/m/bmw/5-series/e12/">E12 5 Series</a> in 1972. The 520i was initially powered by the M15 version of BMW&#39;s famed M10 inline four engine, but in 1975, BMW fit the updated M64 version which had the same displacement and similar performance stats, but had a wider powerband. Both manual and automatic transmissions were offered for this series of rear wheel drive cars, which were only available in a sedan body style. Production of the E12 520i ended in 1977, but the 520i would continue life in the next generation of 5 Series, as the <a href="MKT:17576" old-href="https://www.classic.com/m/bmw/5-series/e28/520i/">E28 520i</a>.

	Vehicle	Price	Date
	1978 BMW 520i Sports Saloon Bonhams July Motoring (2020) Lot #87	£8,437 SOLD	Jul 25, 2020 9 months ago
	1975 BMW 520i 4-Speed Bring A Trailer Auction	$37,001 SOLD	May 19, 2020 a year ago

BMW 520i - E12 (1972 to 1977)

Model years for BMW 520i - E12 (1972 to 1977)

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