1975 BMW 530i E12 USA MODEL - FIRST YEAR FOR THE USA BMW 5 SERIES CARS

1975 BMW 5-Series

This is a BMW body type E12 (Executive car) 4 door sedan, aka saloon, designed by Paul Bracq.It has the distinctive sloping angular front grille with 4 headlamps which many people find very appealing.The BMW E12 530i, a USA only model, was the very first of the 5 series cars sold in the USA from 1975 - 1978 and to meet US Safety standards came equipped with large bumpers unlike European models. It was only offered in the USA with an automatic transmission by the factory.BMW made some changes for the 1977-1978 530i models that included a different hood design, wider rear tail lights and relocation of the gas filler door.
This 1975 BMW 530i for sale, which originally sold in California, has spent most of its life in the San Francisco Bay area and Oregon.
FYI for those seeking an early BMW E12 530i car, the 1975 model year had the lowest production numbers so making it the most difficultto find.Below is a link to the last 1975 BMW 530i sold that I know of, which was over 5 years ago. I enjoyed reading the comments about thecar on the Bring A Trailer website. www bringatrailer com/2012/02/03/70k-mile-1975-bmw-530i/Note, add periods to the above where there is a blank space.
Noted below are the production numbers for all the USA 530i E12 models.
1975 BMW 530i model year production = 5,2021976 BMW 530i model year production = 7,3531977 BMW 530i model year production = 7,6481978 BMW 530i model year production = 5,667
There were frequent serious overheating issues due to BMW's choice to use thermactor exhaust manifolds for pollution control and cylinderhead failures. This resulted in a law suit for BMW plus a lot of bad publicity.Unfortunately many of these cars were retired early.
This particular California car had a BMW factory replacement engine installed.USA BMW 530i cars were not catalytic converter equipped. Later BMW model 5 series cars came with catalytic converters.IMPORTANT NOTE FOR PERFORMANCE ENTHUSIASTS
Since this is a 1975 model year, this car is EXEMPT from SMOG testing in California!1976 and later year cars are NOT SMOG exempt in California and cannot be legally modified and operated in California without using EO#(Executive Order)parts certified by California Air Resources Board which are few. Not sure of how other states handle smog checks but California is the strictest.
I'm not suggesting you do as Joe Cain did to install a Small Block Chevy engine and drivetrain (see site link below) or install a Chevy LS drivetrain, but you have lots of options includinga more powerful BMW motor of your choice with this 1975 530i.www superstreetonline com/features/eurp-0802-1975-bmw-530i-chevy-v8-engine-swap/Note, add periods to the above where there is a blank space.

Vehicle Specifications
Engine:BMW factory replacement model M30 3.0L inline 6 cyl with Bosch L-Jetronic fuel injection
Original thermactor equipped engine was factory replaced with later year engine same model M30 3.0L engine.Note there is a DOT-R label on the replacement engine. Later year M30 3.0L engines have a different oil filter housing with vertical top bolt.Smog air pump and thermactors are still present but have not been a problem. Note, if you choose to remove them it is said to provide some additional performance and help lower engine temp.
Transmission: 3 speed Automatic BW 65 (Borg Warner)
Rearend: 3.64 gear ratio
Brakes: factory 4 wheel power disc brakes and emergency hand brake
Steering: factory Rack & Pinion power steering
Suspension: independent Front & Rear, yellow Bilstein dampers at all corners
Wheels: BBS 14 inch alloy wheels (Alpina style)
Tires: Primewell PS850 All Season 195x70R14 in very good condition.
Odometer Reading: 243,021

Condition
This car is a blast to drive. It wakes up and likes to run on the freeway with the torquey big 6 cylinder providing good power. Good handling makes it exciting to drive around corners. This is a BMW!A former owner enjoyed doing rallies with this car and I received the car with rally stickers on the doors which I still have after removingthem.
With the exception of the Pertronix electronic ignition upgrade, this is an unmolested original as factory equipped car minus severalremoved parts by a previous owner. The AC compressor and condenser are not present so the AC is not functional.
The car has the factory original service stickers and comes with a well used owner's manual. Included are the factory original jack and deck lid mounted toolkit in the trunk.
Just completed California registration renewal in June 2017. No Smog test required.

Maintenance Info
- Battery replaced April 2016- Original points ignition upgraded to electronic ignition using a Pertronix ignition module installed in the distributor.
Service work performed in the last 500 miles include:- Spark plugs and cables replaced- Oil changed- Air and fuel filters replaced
Included with this car are new replacement rubber gaskets for the windshield and rear main window.
Note: Other spare parts are available for purchase separately however if the auction winning bid is $3500+ these parts will be included at no cost to winning bidder.

Mechanicals- engine starts right up and runs well - no leaks noted - recently serviced (see Maintenance)- cooling system has had some hoses replaced - others in good condition- exhaust system functional - some surface rust on exhaust manifolds- power rack & pinion steering system works well - no problems- all suspension towers are solid without rust- brake and suspension wear parts appear to be serviceable without need for replacement - no cracked rubber parts - no suspension sloppiness- metallic brake pads sometimes squeek when applying brakes- auto trans up and down shifts well without issues - trans fluid looks normal - no leaks- differential, half shafts and driveshaft all functional without any notable issues - such as no torn rubber boots or joint problems
Interior- dash has 2 minor (about 1 inch in length) cracks at center front near glass- all gauges & lamp instrumentation functional- turn signals work but are not self-cancelling- 4 way emergency flasher functional- horns are both functional- rear window defogger functional- original Blaupunkt radio provided but removed from car as it was not working- 4 speakers and non-power antenna are installed- glove box in good condition- height adjustable factory steering wheel in very good condition- all original seat belts in good working condition- front seats adjustment mechanisms & headrests functional- front seats come with used RamsHead #4835 sheepskin seat covers installed- F & R seats have no split seams or tears on seating areas or backs or headrests- seats have horse-hair stuffing that is deteriorating and needs replacement- vinyl covered sun visors in good functional condition - no discoloration or no splits/tears- white color vinyl headliner has no tears and fits well - there is some discoloration at edges- original carpet is not torn, frayed or badly discolored - 4 rubber floor mats are included- manual windup windows are all functional and are not very common as most cars had troublesome electric power windows- door panels all in good condition with minor exception of some scuffs on driver & pass panels and wood strip on driver panel has somesplitting which is repairable- front door panels have a foldout map pocket compartment- No sunroof so no worry about leaks

Exterior- no dents or accident damage- original paint job has experienced surface rust, some pitting and should be redone- window track fuzzy weatherstrip while usable for now should be replaced- all lighting is functional however LF turn signal lens is broken at top but still functional- door and trunk lock mechanisms all functional using same key as well as locking gas cap- doors, windows, hood, & trunk lid all functional and rubber weatherstrip is in functional condition- driver door has working original factory flag style external rear view mirror- passenger door also has an external rear view mirror but of different style/unknown origin(Note a new external factory flag style passenger side mirror, not included, is available in the spare parts bundle)- all side moldings are present- underside has no dents or serious rust issues - some surface rust noted - frame rails are solid
This car was just detailed inside and out for new owner.
Note "functional" is defined here as good used working condition
Car is sold "As Is" and from where located by a private party seller. No warranty or guarantee is implied or given.Seller will show the car by appointment to interested buyers.

Payment Terms:
$300 deposit (cashiers check or PayPal) due within 48 hoursBalance of Payment made by cashiers check due in 3 daysUnless arranged, buyer is responsible for pickup and shipping.Contact me for additional information and photos. Thank you for your interest in this car.
Tags: 2002, 524i, 528i, 535i, 320i, bavaria, e3, e9, e12, e24, e28, e34, coupe, German, 1976 BMW, 1977 BMW, 1978 BMW, 1979 BMW,5-series

• Make: BMW
• Model: 5-Series
• SubModel: 530i
• Type: Sedan
• Year: 1975
• Mileage: 243,021
• VIN: 5030508
• Color: Sahara 006
• Engine size: BMW M30 3.0L
• Number of cylinders: 6
• Fuel: Gasoline
• Transmission: Automatic
• Drive type: RWD
• Interior color: Beige - Tan
• Drive side: Left-hand drive
• Vehicle Title: Clear
Want to buy? Contact seller!