This BMW E12 5-Series got away, but there are more like it here.

Modified Euro 1979 BMW 520i 3.9L 5-Speed

A Alumni

Bid to $29,520 on 7/10/22

91Comments

View Result

Modified Euro 1979 BMW 520i 3.9L 5-Speed

This 1979 BMW 520i is a European-market example that reportedly resided in Germany prior to its importation to the US. The car underwent a subsequent custom refurbishment under prior ownership that included an interior color change and replacement of the powertrain as well as updates to the brakes and suspension components. The car is finished in Sierra Beige, and power is provided by a Dinan-built 3.9-liter M30 inline-six mated to a five-speed manual transmission. Additional modifications and equipment include a limited-slip differential, a Dinan-branded airbox, an aftermarket camshaft, triple Weber carburetors, Ireland Engineering exhaust components, US-model 528i subframes, four-wheel disc brakes, 17″ BBS wheels, Suspension Techniques sway bars, and Ireland Engineering coilovers with Bilstein shocks as well as Scheel front bucket seats and a Sony CD stereo. The car was previously listed on BaT in August 2021 before it was acquired by the seller in December 2021, and work performed in 2022 is said to have included a transmission reseal, carburetor tuning, valve and timing adjustments, fluid services, and replacement of the valve cover gaskets, ignition components, and tires. This modified E12 is now offered with a clean Illinois title in the seller’s name.

The Paul Bracq-styled body is finished in Sierra Beige and features European-market bumpers, yellow high-beam headlight lenses, and chrome side mirrors. Detailed photos of the finish and trim can be viewed in the gallery below.

Silver 17″ BBS RZ wheels wear 225/40 Continental tires mounted in preparation for the sale. US-model 528i front and rear subframes are said to have been installed during the build along with four-wheel disc brakes, Ireland Engineering coilovers with Bilstein shocks, and Suspension Techniques sway bars.

The interior was previously trimmed in green, and a color change to black was conducted by a prior owner along with the installation of black carpeting and bolstered Scheel front seats. The front and rear seats have been reupholstered with CSL-style cloth, and Coco mats are fitted in the front and rear footwells. Additional equipment includes a heater, E23-sourced rear headrests, and a Sony CD stereo.

Replacement VDO instrumentation is fronted by a leather-clad M535i steering wheel and consists of a 140-mph speedometer, an 8k-rpm tachometer, and auxiliary gauges. The six-digit odometer shows 89k miles, approximately 500 of which have been added by the seller since 2022. True mileage is unknown.

The M30 inline-six is said to have been sourced from an E9 3.0 CSL race car and rebuilt by Dinan to displace 3.9 liters. The engine is equipped with triple Weber 45DCOE carburetors, a Dinan-branded air box, an aftermarket camshaft, Ireland Engineering exhaust headers, and an Ireland Engineering stainless-steel exhaust system with VSR catalytic converters. The carburetors, valves, and throttle linkages were adjusted in February 2022 by Taormina Imports in San Carlos, California, and additional work at that time is said to have included changing the oil, flushing the coolant and brake fluid, servicing the transmission and differential, and replacing the valve cover gasket, distributor cap and rotor, and spark plugs.

Power is sent to the rear wheels through a Getrag 265 dogleg five-speed manual transmission sourced from an E24 BMW and re-sealed in preparation for the sale. A 3.25:1 limited-slip differential and an aftermarket differential support bracket have also been installed. Additional images of the underside are provided in the gallery below.

Photo Gallery

Auction Result

High Bid	USD $29,520 (Reserve Not Met)
Auction Ended	July 10, 2022 at 11:33AM PT
Bids	17

13,048 views

512 watchers

You are not connected to real-time updates. Attempting to connect.

Your real-time updates could not be connected. Missed updates will be sent once your connection has been reestablished.

Reconnected! Checking for missed updates…