It may sound crazy, but there was actually a point in time when items like “automatic” and “fuel injection” were enough of a headline grabber to mount badges to the outside of your car. It was a sign that you had arrived, that you were driving a luxury automobile. Yet take a look at this BMW; most of the accoutrements we’re used to seeing in the cars from Bavaria are notably absent. Automatic seats? Not likely here. Automatic mirrors? No, you’ll need to adjust before you leave – especially on a cool day. Speaking of those cool days, take a look at the doors – notice anything odd? How about manual crank windows! As an enthusiast and having owned older cars, I find these things particularly exciting, if for no other reason than there’s less to go wrong. Check out this excellent condition E12:
CLICK FOR DETAILS: 1976 BMW 530i on eBay
Year: 1976
Model: 530i
Engine: 3.0 liter inline-6
Transmission: 3-speed automatic
Mileage: 53,420 mi
Price: $10,995 Buy It Now
YOU ARE LOOKING AT A VERY RARE 1976 BMW 530I WITH 53K MILES ,THIS CAR IS VERY NICE AND DRIVES LIKE A DREAM ,STARTS RIGHT UP WITHOUT ANY SMOKE OF ANY KIND ,NO LEAK OF ANY KIND EVERYTHING IS ORIGINAL AND IN WORKING CONDITION,TIRES ARE ALMOST NEW ,ALL WHEELS ARE IN GREAT CONDITION , ,AIR WORKS COLD ,DASH IS CLEAN WITH A SMALL CRACK IN THE CENTER ,SEATS ARE GREAT CONDITION ,PAINT IS NICE WITHOUT ANY MAJOR SCRATCHES OR DENTS ,ALL CHROMES ARE IN GOOD CONDITION ,I HAVE SERVICE HISTORY THAT WILL BLOW YOUR MIND ,ENGINE WAS REBUILD ,TRANSMISSION WAS REBUILD ,PLEASE LOOK AT ALL BIG PICTURES AND ASK QUESTIONS ,I HAVE A COPY OF THE ORIGINAL WINDOW STICKER ,I AM SELLING THE CAR AS IS WHERE IS ,PLEASE COME AND SEE THE CAR YOURSELF OR IF YOU ARE OUT OF STATE HIRE A 3RD PARTY TO DO THE INSPECTION FOR YOU ,I DEMAND A NONE REFUNDABLE DEPOSIT VIA PAYPAL RIGHT AFTER THE AUCTION IS OVER AND($500.00) THE REST IN 4 WORKING DAYS VIA BANK TRANSFER OR CASH IN PERSON PLEASE ASK QUESTIONS BEFORE YOU PLACE A BID ,I CAN ASSIST IN TRANSPORTATION IF YOU NEED TO ,THANK YOU ALL AND GOOD LUCK .
I don’t recall seeing an E12 with earlier E9 alloys previously, but I think the look is really great. Condition appears to be pretty close to top notch for a model like this; a model we rarely get to see anymore. These E12s can be plenty of fun on the road although few would call them the “ultimate driving machine”. Still, for a car with plenty of style and character, this car strikes me as a nice opportunity to get into a classic BMW for reasonable money. The automatic is a bit of a let down for driving fans, but if you’d like an occasional car to take to a show with the family this seems like an excellent option.
-Carter
How can the car be all original with the engine and transmission rebuild?
What about the “conversion” of the bumpers? I don’t mind the US bumpers when it comes
to total originality. If you want small Euro bumpers, buy a Euro car.
Audifan, I don’t think mechanical work counts against originality. I also don’t think the bumpers were converted; I think this is originally a Euro car. U.S. spec cars had a large front signal market on the fender which this car is missing. I’d guess it’s likely a grey-market car.
If you’re looking for one – this is the one.
Wow.
530i was a US Market E 12 only.
Single tailpipe, US Speedometer in mph ONLY. All gauges in English.
Rear sidemarkers.
ID Plate: BMW 530 USA ( see ebay ad)
It’s a US car with “converted” bumpers and missing front sidemarkers. I would not call this an original car. Sorry.
audifan, good catch. Thanks for the info. Personally, the conversion to U.S. bumpers doesn’t bother me at all, but you’re right – at that point you can’t call the car all original if you’ve changed the front fenders and bumpers. I don’t think that the mechanical freshening really changes that status though.
Almost a 4 years ago to the day, this car appears to have had Ohio plates and 10k less miles.
https://germancarsforsaleblog.com/1976-bmw-533i-43k-original-miles/
Great spot Richard, you’re right – looks exactly like the same car!