Rare 1975 BMW 530i E12 the first year 5 series imported to USA

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 530i E12, a USA only model, was the very first of the 5 series cars sold in the USA from 1975 - 1978 and to meet US Safetystandards came equipped with large bumpers unlike European models. Surprisingly it was only offered in the USA with an automatic transmission bythe factory.BMW made some changes for the 1977-1978 530i models that included a different hood design, wider rear tail lights and relocation ofthe gas filler door from the rear to the side.
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 mostdifficult to find. Older BMWs are increasing in value and this car should be no exception.
Hagerty Insurance average valuation for early BMW 5 series cars is $5400For valuations on these cars please see Hagerty Insurance valuation tools link below.https://www.hagerty.com/apps/valuationtools/1975-BMW-530i
Below is a link to the last 1975 BMW 530i sold that I know of, which was over 6 years ago.I enjoyed reading the comments about the car on the Bring A Trailer website. www.bringatrailer.com/2012/02/03/70k-mile-1975-bmw-530i/
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 causing cylinder head failures due to BMW's choice to use thermactor exhaust manifolds for pollution control rather than catalytic converters.This resulted in a lawsuit for BMW with a lot of bad publicity for the early 5 series cars.Unfortunately many of these early 530i series cars were retired early.
This particular California car had a BMW factory replacement engine installed. DOT-R label on engine.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 usingEO# (Executive Order) parts certified by California Air Resources Board which are few. Not sure of how other states handle smog checksbut 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 LSdrivetrain (see site link below), but you have lots of options including a more powerful BMW motor of your choice with this 1975 530i.www.superstreetonline.com/features/eurp-0802-1975-bmw-530i-chevy-v8-engine-swap/Here's a later year 5 series BMW with a LS-1 motor installed that recently was sold on Bring A Trailer.https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1987-bmw-528e-4/?blm=4

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 which this engine has.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: 243,053
(The previous owner did not know the mileage when the current engine was installed.)

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 several partsremoved 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.
No Smog test required for California as it is a 1975 which is exempt.
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
See Note at bottom of listing for spare parts.
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 suspensionsloppiness- 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- gas tank - no visible interior or exterior rust- no electrical issues

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 hazard 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 original horse-hair stuffing that is deteriorating and needs replacement- vinyl covered sun visors in good functional condition - no discoloration, no splits or 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- door and trunk lock mechanisms all functional using same key as well as locking gas cap- doors, windows, hood, and 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 mouldings 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
Contact me for morepics and ask questions for any concerns.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.
NOTE:If a buyer uses Buy It Now option, the car comes with the following brand new spare parts & manuals:(These parts are NOT included otherwise. Winning bidder may purchase these.)
QtyManufacturerPart Number Part Description1URO Parts51311822185 Front Windshield Rubber Seal1URO Parts51311820485 Rear Glass Rubber Seal1BMW51-16-1-822-076Passenger Side Ext Mirror Flag Style1BMW51-23-1-883-187Hood Roller1BMW61-31-1-363-647Turn Signal Switch Assy HL Dip-Dim Control1BMW64-11-1-359-613Heater Temperature Switch1BMW12-11-1-362-631Distributor Vacuum Regulator1ITM 09-32310 Valve Cover Gasket1Laso10200108 Water Pump (equiv to BMW pn 11.51.1.707.414)1Gates31518 Lev-R-Vent Radiator Cap1Stant13558 180 degree Thermostat1Gates33613 Thermostat Housing Water Outlet Seal1Gates20686 Upper Radiator Hose1URO Parts 11-53-1-266-462Lower Radiator Hose1URO Parts11-53-1-259-832Cooling System Hose1URO Parts11-53-1-266-137Cooling System Hose1URO Parts11611261816 Cooling System Hose1Goodyear13271Fan & Smog Pump V-Belt1Goodyear15361Power Steering V-Belt1Goodyear17315A/C Compressor V-Belt1Goodyear17425Fan & Alternator V-Belt4Bosal255-338 Exhaust Hanger Insulator1Bosal255-766 Exhaust Hanger Insulator1Hella2JA.003.388-001Interior Dome Lamp2WagnerH5006 Headlamp2GE P21W Reverse/Backup Lamp Bulb2GE 1003 Trunk Light Bulb2GE DE7576 Interior Dome Light Bulb2Centric143.34002 Brake Front Caliper Rebuild Kit2Centric143.34003 Brake Rear Caliper Rebuild Kit4Centric150.34001 Brake Hydraulic Hose Front Caliper2Centric150.33321 Brake Hydraulic Hose Rear Caliper4Brakes Pro Braided Stainless Steel Brake Hose Front Caliper2Brakes Pro Braided Stainless Steel Brake Hose Rear Caliper1Beck Arnley 103-2219 Driveshaft Rubber Universal Joint Guibo1MotoRadMGC-782Locking Fuel Cap2PentiusPFB67221Inline Fuel Filter2Wix 51732 Oil Filter2Goodyear Wiper Blade1Ceramic Fuse Assortment Kit
Manuals1BMW01-51-9-699-001Factory Repair Manual for 530i & 528i1Chilton19089 Repair & Tune-Up Guide BMW 1970-821Chilton(8789) 18300 BMW Coupes And Sedans 1970-88 Repair Manual1Haynes632 BMW 528i & 530i 1975 thru 1980 Owners Workshop Manual

• Make: BMW
• Model: 5-Series
• SubModel: 530i E12
• Type: Sedan (aka Saloon)
• Year: 1975
• Mileage: 243,053
• VIN: 5030508
• Color: Sahara
• 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!