Performance Review: BMW 5 Series M535i E12 - [1980]

Figures & Specs Summary:

BMW 5 Series Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the BMW 5 Series M535i E12 is the 5 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 1980. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 1980 Lotus Esprit S2.2 Turbo and the 1981 Porsche 924 Carrera GTS 937.This particular BMW 5 Series has a 3453cc Naturally Aspirated Petrol powerplant with 6 cylinders in a St formation.

Alternative Petrol St6's includes the 1965 Aston-Martin DB6 1965

The 5 Series shares its Petrol St6 engine configuration with the likes of the 1965 Aston-Martin DB6 1965 and the . If you're looking for other fast cars which share the 5 Series's Rear Wheel Drive, Saloon combination then how about the 1982 Fiat X1/9 1.5 8V or the 1965 Aston-Martin DB6 1965.

Power and Weight:

Weighing in at 1391 kgs (3066 lbs) this makes the BMW 5 Series M535i E12 in the same weight category as the 2022 Lamborghini Huracan Tecnica 5.2 V10 or the give or take 50kg.

The BMW 5 Series shares the same bhp with the 2022 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works Cabrio 2.0 Turbo (228 bhp)

In terms of power the 3453cc 12V St6 engine produces 215 bhp (160 kW) @ 5200 rpm similar to the 2022 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works Cabrio 2.0 Turbo (228 bhp) or the 2020 Audi TT S Turbo 50 TFSI (225 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated St6 throws out 224 lb-ft (303.7 Nm) @ 4000 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2022 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works Cabrio 2.0 Turbo (236 lb-ft) or the 2020 McLaren Sabre 4.0 V8 Twin Turbo (206 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If one combines the weight with power or torque performance for the BMW 5 Series you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 2009 Dodge Ram Sport RT (179.5 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the BMW 5 Series.

The BMW 5 Series has a Power to weight ratio of 154.5 bhp per ton and 161.0 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1980 5 Series competing with the 2009 Dodge Ram Sport RT (179.5 bhp per ton) or the 2008 Audi A3 S3 2.0T (179.3 bhp per ton).

Power to Weight(cont.):

If you agree with the late great Carroll Shelby then arguably an even better indicator of potential performance, Torque. Use weight as well and you end up with - Torque per ton, with the BMW 5 Series generating around 161.0 lb-ft per ton. If you're curious as to what other cars have as much torque to weight then look no further than the 2016 Audi A3 S3 2.0 Turbo Sportback (186.0 lb-ft per ton) or the 2006 Subaru Forester STi 2.5L Turbo (186.0 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 6.90 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 7.1 secs, this made the BMW 5 Series M535i E12 as fast as the 2015 Audi TT 1.8 TFSI Coupe (6.90 secs) the 2013 Land-Rover Range Rover Sport 3.0 V6 Supercharged (6.90 secs) the 2012 Ford Fiesta ST 1.6 Turbo (6.90 secs) the or the 2009 Ford Fiesta ST185 (6.90 secs). This BMW 5 Series M535i E12 is also faster than the 2020 Alfa-Romeo Giulia 2.2 16v Turbo Diesel (7.00 secs) the 2015 Mazda MX5 2.0i Roadster Coupe (7.00 secs) the 2013 Seat Leon SC 1.8 FR Start-Stop DSG (7.00 secs) the and the 2012 Volkswagen-VW Golf GTi Cabriolet DSG (7.00 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the 5 Series and the 2001 Renault Clio 3.0 V6 255

When talking about the performance of the BMW 5 Series on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 15.25 secs @ 89.7 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 2001 Renault Clio 3.0 V6 255 (15.19 secs), the 1957 Mercedes 300 SL II Roadster W198 (15.19 secs), and the 2005 Volkswagen-VW Golf R32 (15.19 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1980 version of the BMW 5 Series M535i E12 has a maximum speed of 142mph.

Top Speed of the 1980 5 Series equals the 2014 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works 2.0 Turbo (153 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 1980 BMW 5 Series M535i E12 then how about the 2014 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works 2.0 Turbo (153 mph), the 2004 BMW X5 4.8is V8 (153 mph), or the 2002 Volkswagen-VW Golf R32 (153 mph).

Related Links:

1980 5 Series Rivals List.

A Brief History of BMW

Car Comparison