Closing date June issue -> April 21
BMW 525. Aus der Reihe E12. In AMK 9-2025
By the 3s, BMW had already left the difficult period of the 1972s behind. The 5 Series quickly became a popular car in that decade. But three years before its arrival—in 5—the Bavarian manufacturer launched a trump card in the upper mid-size class, which also marked BMW's XNUMXs turnaround. The new XNUMX Series debuted with four-cylinder engines. Six-cylinder versions quickly followed. To this day, the XNUMX Series remains an indispensable part of the range. Auto Motor Klassiek produced a report featuring and about the BMW 525 from the E12 series. PUUR BMW from Marsum, Friesland, provided us with a 1977 example, which led to an extensive article in the magazine.
The protagonist of the story takes you back to the time when driving a BMW 525 was considered quite exclusive. Today, you understand why that was the case then, and why it remains so today for different reasons. With the six-cylinder versions in particular, BMW made a definitive entry into a world where Mercedes-Benz had been based for years. The Bavarians did this in their own unique way. Stuttgart, to put it mildly, stood for luxury and comfort. BMW increasingly shifted towards business-class sportiness and, in the upper mid-range segment, offered a contemporary (and more expensive) alternative with the 525 and later the 528, for example, compared to the higher-end Opel and Ford models.
We tell in Auto Motor Klassiek 9-2025, the E12 development story, shares a glimpse of BMW history, and takes you back to the start and evolution of this 5 Series generation, which was produced in Europe until 1981. The E28 succeeded this series; production in South Africa continued until 1985. And we'll tell you more, because in addition to the technical specifications of the report car, we also offer you the opportunity to join us for a drive. Naturally, this experience will provide a comprehensive impression of the green 525, which is in beautiful, original condition. Eight pages are devoted to and about this Bavarian classic.
In the meantime, the current edition of Auto Motor Klassiek Another must-see item for subscribers and on the sales shelves. And for good reason. The stories cover cars and motorcycles of varying stature. You'll read stories about cars that broadly encompass the classic car scene. From the Fiat 850 Sportcoupé to the Bentley Mulsanne. From the Trabant Kübel P601A to the Datsun Laurel. And from the restored Chevrolet 210 Townsman to... the BMW 525. The engine part is covered by the Triumph Trophy and Benelli 500 LS.
You'll find the short news, the classic car post, the regular columns, the extensive classic car offerings from our advertisers and private individuals, and everything else that makes the classic car world so wonderful again this month in AMK 9-2025. Naturally, you'll be intrigued. The preview of the 'September edition' will only increase this.
Too expensive, too rotten and too much bumper sticking
Beautiful, I've had many, the lovely whistle of the exhaust pipes, and the white-gray interior after a long drive.
Puffs of smoke when I let off the gas are a memory that stays with me when I think of older Bimmers on the Autobahn... especially the E12 with an M20 and M30 under the hood was a beautiful looking and sounding package. I think the M10 was simply too light for the already quite heavy car; it would have been perfectly at home in an E21 or E30, but that's it.
The model in the photo is the later version with a side fuel stop, large taillights and squarer kidney grilles at the front.
I had a 1974 518 model with a rear fuel filler cap in the 90s. The 90-liter fuel tank leaked at over 40 liters. New tanks were no longer available back then. I don't know how good those 6-cylinder engines were, but those 1800 4-cylinder engines were often worn out at 120.000 km (more than 2 liters of oil per 1000 km). They were incredibly prone to rust, but they drove well.