Registration - D731 RWK

Chassis No. - WBADK520209348865

M.O.T. - No M.O.T.

Odometer - 123,057

‘D731 EWK’ has been in its current ownership for five years, during which time it has been dry stored. It is a manual gearbox example that currently displays 123,057 miles courtesy of five owners, the current one of whom grades the engine and transmission as ‘good’, the bodywork and grey cloth interior trim as ‘average’, and the matching grey paintwork as below average. In an honest personal appraisal he volunteers that there are ‘some areas of peeling lacquer, and a dent and degree of corrosion in the rear bumper, but that the Beemer starts and drives and has tyres of minimal wear’.

It is hard to credit that the now mighty BMW was close to insolvency in the 1960s. The company’s meteoric rise to a position of considerable strength arguably took a mere 10 years and was achieved, not by startling innovation, but sound engineering and skilful evolution. The inaugural 5 Series (E12) range was very much a product of the company’s unique reincarnation and, now in its seventh generation, has done a great deal to keep furthering that success.

Launched in 1972, the E12 followed BMW’s formula of the time - a spacious, airy body powered by an efficient SOHC engine and mounted on MacPherson struts at the front and semi-trailing arms at the rear.

The second generation range (E28) was introduced in 1981. Once more, evolution rather than revolution was at work – subtle changes to the styling and mechanicals helping to ensure the 5 Series stayed ahead of the opposition. The 520i option was powered by a 2.0-litre version of the excellent M20 12-valve straight-six engine.

In summary:

• An apparently straight example that should have plenty of life left in it
• Comes with tail spoiler, alloy wheels and audio system
• Being sold at No Reserve