Speaking with a salesman, © BMW AG

For the first generation of BMW 5 Series a rich engine program was offered. Beginning with the small 1.8 litre engine that was already known from BMW 1800 up to the strong 3.5 litre machine of the successful racing car BMW M1. Both cars, the BMW 518 and BMW 520 were issued with four cylinder engines (M10). Starting from 1977 the BMW 520 was equipped with the new designed small 6 cylinder engine (M20/M60). The more powerful variants of the BMW 5 series were equipped with the large 6 cylinder engine M30. Diesel engines weren't offered for the BMW E12. The comparatively slow diesel engines of the 70's did not fit to the dynamic concept of BMW. Surprising: for the successor BMW E28 a diesel engine (M21) was offered.

BMW Deutschland
In the beginnin BMW E12 was built only in the main plant in Munich. After completion of the new production location in Dingolfing in the year 1973 the production was shifted gradually. In the year 1975 BMW completely moved the production of the BMW 5 series from Munich. Up to in the middle of 1981 the BMW E12 was manufactured in Germany.

BMW Motorsport GmbH
A privileged position took the BMW Motorsport GmbH. At the beginning BMW Munich converted standard BMW 525 and/or BMW 528 on special customer's request. The vehicles kept an increase in output by installation stronger engines of the E3 and later 7 series. Starting up from 1980 the Motorsport GmbH offered the BMW M535i in larger number.

BMW South Africa
Far away from Munich the assembly in South Africa began in the year 1973 the mounting of the BMW 5 series sedan. The main plants from Germany supplied CKD's (CKD = Completely Knocked down) to South Africa, which was assembled there. This was caused by the high import duties in South Africa. After attitude of production in Germany the work transferred the pressing tools from Germany to South Africa and manufactured from now on the successful BMW E12 up to the year 1985. Only the interior equipment of the new BMW E28 marks these latest BMWS E12's. The BMW E28 replaced 1989 also in South Africa the BMW E12.

CKD Assembling
Also in Uruguay (Southern America), Portugal (Europe) or in Thailand and Indonesia (Asia) there were CKD assemblings.

Country specifications
In this chapter you'll be informed about the different country specifications. There were a lot differences caused by each local laws. For example different headlights or special bumpers.