BMW 5 Series (E12)
| BMW 5-Series (E12) | |
|---|---|
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|
| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | BMW |
| Production | 1972–1981 699,094 built |
| Assembly |
West Germany South Africa |
| Designer |
Gruppo Bertone (concept) Paul Bracq (final design) Claus Luthe (facelift) |
| Body and chassis | |
| Class | Executive car |
| Body style | 4-door sedan |
| Layout | FR layout |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | 1.8-2.0 L M10 4-cyl 2.0-2.5 L M20 6-cyl 2.5-3.4 L M30 6-cyl |
| Transmission | 4-speed manual 5-speed manual 3-speed automatic |
| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase | 2,636 mm (103.8 in) |
| Length | 4,620 mm (181.9 in) 4,826 mm (190 in) (US bumpers) |
| Width | 1,690 mm (66.5 in) |
| Height | 1,425 mm (56.1 in) |
| Curb weight |
518: 1,240 kg (2,730 lb) 518: 1,250 kg (2,760 lb) (auto) 520: 1,310 kg (2,890 lb) 520: 1,330 kg (2,930 lb) (auto) 525: 1,350 kg (2,980 lb) 525: 1,370 kg (3,020 lb) (auto) 528: 1,385 kg (3,053 lb) 528: 1,405 kg (3,097 lb) (auto) 518i: 1,350 kg (2,980 lb) 520i: 1,350 kg (2,980 lb) 528i: 1,410 kg (3,110 lb) 528i: 1,430 kg (3,150 lb) (auto) 528i: 1,470 kg (3,240 lb) (US) 528i: 1,490 kg (3,280 lb) (US; auto) M535i: 1,430 kg (3,150 lb) |
| Chronology | |
| Predecessor | New Class sedans |
| Successor | BMW E28 |
The BMW E12 is an automobile which was produced by BMW from 1972 to 1981. It was the first generation of the BMW 5 Series mid-size sedans. The E12 was released as the 520 and 520i 4-cylinder models, to replace the New Class sedans. A year later, the 525 with a straight-six engine was released and this was followed by 528, 530, 533 and 535 models.
The E12 M535i is considered to be the predecessor to the BMW M5.
The E12 was replaced by the E28 in 1981, although E12 production continued until 1984 in South Africa.
The 1970 BMW 2200ti Garmisch show car designed by the Bertone Design Centre set the style for the E12 5-series, with the final design created by BMW designer Paul Bracq.
BMW had previously located turn signal stalks on the right hand side of the steering wheels, and the E12 was their first model to have the stalk on the left side.
The following models were produced in this series:
With the introduction of the E23 7 Series, the E12 received facelift in September 1976. The rear-mounted gasoline filler door was relocated to the side of the car and the taillights were widened. The hood was redesigned to a give a 'power bulge' which accentuated the BMW kidney grille, and the dashboard ventilation was repositioned to improve air distribution.
Initially, the E12 used the 1.8 L and 2.0 L M10 four-cylinder engines (from the previous New Class sedans) were used for the 518 and 520 models. The 525, 528, 530, 530i and 533i models were fitted with M30 six-cylinder engines, as used on the large E3 sedans and E9 coupes.
With the exception of the 520i, four-cylinder and 2.0 L six-cylinder engines were fitted with Solex carburetors (although in the UK the four-cylinder 520 was fitted with twin Stromberg 175CDET carburettors). The 520i used the Kugelfischer mechanical fuel injection system from the BMW 2000tii and BMW 2002tii. Six-cylinder versions were available with dual Zenith two-barrel carburetors or Bosch L-jetronic fuel injection. Fuel-injected models carry the letter i at the end of their model designation.
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