The 500.000th BMW from BMW-Work in Dingolfing: BMW 520 (1979), © BMW AG
In the middle of 1972 the production started with the models BMW 520 and BMW 520i. In the year 1973 BMW added the BMW 525 to their model range. 1974 the BMW 518 was added and one year after in 1975 the BMW 528 became the top model of the range. In the following production years more than 80,000 BMW E12 were manufactured each year. In the 2nd half of 1981 the 2nd generation of BMW 5 Serie (BMW E28) was issued and the production of BMW E12 in Germany was discontinued.
Produktion sorted by year, © www.e12.de
Year
Vehicles
CKD's
Sum 1972
12.895
0
12.895
1973
47.653
754
48.407
1974
48.833
4.662
53.495
1975
76.636
4.140
80.776
1976
81.217
8.040
89.257
1977
79.692
6.612
86.304
1978
87.904
8.448
96.352
1979
97.837
8.484
106.321
1980
82.537
10.332
92.869
1981
24.967
7.692
32.659
640.171
59.164
699.335
The BMW 520 was the by far most bought BMW 5 Series. It represents the basic model of BMW 5 Series range. The variants of 1.8 and 2.5 respctively were approxemately similar often ordered. Both types together are as often as the BMW 520. Every tenth buyed decided to buy a BMW 528i, the top of range model.
Distribution of enginevariants to total production, © www.e12.de
The most of the CKD's weremade for South Africa. Totally 53,248 made their way to the far south. Also for the following countries CKD's were delivered: Indonesia, Portugal, Thailand and Uruguay. Because South Africa continued the BMW E12 production on their own, 23,100 units must be added to the total of 699,335. This is a sum of 722,435 units worldwide. For further details of the South African production (E12/8) check the chapter BMW South Africa.
Model
Vehicle
CKD's
Sum D
E12/8 (SA)
Sum D + SA 518
120.377
11.904
132.281
0
132.281
518i
3.015
0
3.015
10.788
13.803
520
243.529
34.000
277.529
0
277.529
520i
25.156
0
25.156
6.216
31.472
525
122.272
6.084
128.356
0
128.356
528
30.565
2.556
33.121
0
33.121
528i
65.736
4.380
70.116
4.680
74.796
530i
28.111
0
28.111
0
28.111
M535i
1.410
240
1.650
1.416
3.066
640.171
59.164
699.335
23.100
722.435