• The 528i E12 was available as a 2-door sedan and a 4-door sedan.
• It had a M49 engine which produced 136 horsepower at 5,500 rpm and 143 lb-ft of torque at 3,700 rpm.
• The transmission options were the 4-speed manual or the 3-speed automatic.
• The vehicle was available with a range of trim levels including base, Sportline, and Highline.
• In 1979, the E12 528i had a slightly larger fuel tank holding 17.5 gallons.
• A limited slip differential was standard on all E12 models from 1978 onwards.
• Power steering was an option for the first year but became standard from 1978.
• Rear air conditioning and a rear window wiper were also optional.
• The vehicle had MacPherson strut front suspension with coil springs.
• In 1979, BMW replaced the 18-inch diameter steel wheels with 16-inch alloy wheels as standard equipment on all models.
• The E12 was the last generation of BMW's 5 Series to have a live rear axle.
• The car had vented disc brakes at the front and solid disc brakes at the back.
• In 1980, the M49 engine was replaced by the M102 in some markets but remained the same in others until 1981.
• Some models had an oil pressure warning light instead of a gauge.
• A sunroof became available as an option from 1979 onwards.
• The E12 had a maximum speed governor to prevent it from exceeding the national speed limit, which varied by country.
