LU8

11 hours ago, Greydog said:

Morning Trey

They are out there old Alpina's and the like

If you are the type who loves working on your car you can achieve amazing things. I have seen an E91 530d with 400hp and 950nm torque mid range acceleration that makes M5 owners weep plus 30mpg. What gets missed is the money and hours invested an M5 would have cost less 😁 How ever what the owner has is unique and it's his, who knows one day it will turn up as a barn find

 

That is true, I suppose it depends what you are starting with. If you have a very solid bodyshell lacking engine and gearbox, then it might be worth going the modification route. If you have an existing car in great shape, getting rid of the engine and gearbox for something better might be wasteful.

More power and torque than an e28 M5.😲

Concerning e12 history, originally 200 M535is were earmarked for the UK, but it was so popular they brought in 450 during 1980-81! 1980 was the first year BMW took over the sale and distribution of BMWs in the UK. :)

BMW5-er

Either they didn't get the credit they deserved, or have become forgotten since
their heyday. I think the e12 M535i falls into that category. As fast as an
original Jag XKE, or Ferrari Dino 246 GTS (7 secs 0-60 mph, 140 mph) Similarly, there were the blown Y block Fords, that had the HP Mustangs had 10 years earlier. Which other cars would you add?

BMW
5-er

Ford
Fairlane Skyliner

The 1980 Aston Bulldog styled by William Towns

In the early '90s the great LJK Setright of CAR magazine said the Porsche 928 GT was worryingly becoming a musclecar. The 928's designer Tony Lapine said they drew inspiration from the AMC Pacer when it came to the rear end styling. :D

Hi Trey.

Very.... VERY.... VERY nice. You must be very proud.

Daz

Thanks mate! Just wish there were a few more on th road. Many people like it when they see it, but don't know it's a BMW. I used to have a yellow e21 316 when they were popular, and a 1984 520i auto too!

Its so good to see one of these still on the road, and in such great condition.

Thank you, I noticed this thread on the boards concerning a 1976 520i. I hope the owner is still here.

e12 520i

Hard to believe but a 4 cyl e12 weighs the same as a 4 cyl 1 series! The manual only 1972-77 4 cyl 520i was probably the most popular 5 series in Britain in its era.

Post anything e12 related. Maybe this could be an interesting sticky thread for anyone wanting to know about these cars? This my modified 1976 528. It has the same engine and gearbox as a 1980 635CSi. The car has factory a/c and electric mirrors, also came with a blue cushion first aid kit. 100,000 miles. Bought the 3,453cc engine block from BMW when they were still available. The ZF 3HP automatic, I had a 2nd hand casing, and fitted new internals back in 1996. Car has the original 3.64 final drive ratio. Have upgraded the a/c with parallel flow condenser, and Sanden SD 508 compressor, refrig capacity is now 1.2 kg.

With the world increasingly turning to diesel and hybrid, which are your best liked petrol dipsomaniacs from the past and present? :D