BMW 530i, © BMW AG

Starting with the model year 1977 BMW offered thei BMW 5 Series to Japan with the model BMW 530i. The BMW 530i JAP was mostly identical to the US model.

   
The big US bumpers weren't mounted, © BMW AG

But there are differences: At first the speed is displayed with the metric system (km/h). The speedarea starting with 100 km/h was marked with a red stripe. On the other hand Euro bumpers were mounted instead of the big US bumpers. The red reflectors at the rear fenders were missing. The automatic transmission was standard except manual transmission.

   
Air control unit, © BMW AG

Until the middle of 1978 797 units were prduced and in 1979 this model was discontinued. After that a BMW 518i and a BMW 528i were available to the Japanese market..


BMW 528i, © BMW AG

In the beginning the models BMW 518i and BMW 528i were delivered with the big US bumpers. They were also fitted with the red reflecors at the rear fenders. Below the rear bumper two additional reflectors were added.

 
View on the front and rear, © BMW AG

For the modelyear 1981 BMW turned back to the Euro bumpers and the reflectors of the rear fenders were omited again. Below the rear bumper the extra reflectors were still mounted. 1,492 cars of BMW 518i and 1,167 cars of BMW 528i were exported to Japan.


BMW 528i, © BMW AG

 
View on the front and rear, © BMW AG