Fifty years ago at this time in Munich there was only one topic, the Olympic Games.

They began so happily and are forever overshadowed by the assassination attempt by Palestinian terrorists.

Recently, the failure of the German police and how to deal with the families of the eleven Israeli victims was again a topic of discussion.

Finally, an agreement was reached and compensation was paid.

At that time, all of Germany was paralyzed, although the games went on.

A new car from Munich wasn't really of interest at the time.

Boris Smith

Editor in the "Technology and Engine" department.

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But should the BMW 520 set a milestone, it is the forefather of the 5 Series, which is now in its seventh generation.

The 5-series classification, which was based on an idea by Bob Lutz, Marketing Director at the time, was then successively extended to the entire model portfolio.

Next for the 3 Series in 1975. This was the successor to the 02 Series.

In September 1972, the 520 inherited the BMW 2000, also known as "the new class", whose production ended in June.

The last price for the 4.50 meter long sedan with its 100 hp engine with a displacement of 1.9 liters was just under 14,000 DM.

For the 520, the engine, transmission and chassis remained basically the same, but were thoroughly revised.

The body, based on a design by Paul Bracq and the Bertone studio, came in a completely new form.

The four-door was above all more spacious and modern.

However, the driven rear wheels were still delayed with drum brakes.

With a size of 4.62 meters, the 520 was shorter than today's 3-series BMW, which measures 4.71 meters.

There was 115 hp with the carburetor engine, 130 in the 520i with mechanical fuel injection.

The prices were 14,490 and 15,670 DM.

At that time, the FAZ ran the headline on its engine pages "Mature technology, elegantly packaged" (September 13).

In December it was said in the big driving report that the 520 was the first BMW that you wouldn't insult to death with a defensive driving style.

Of course you can still drive fast.

In the test, the 520i consumed exactly 12 liters of Super per 100 kilometers.

Almost like a new car

The 520 was certainly a step up from the 2000, but customers were thirsting for more, and a year after its debut came the 525 with a 2.5-litre straight-six (carburetor), 145 hp and disc brakes all round.

And the first oil crisis.

In the fall of 1973, the sheikhs turned off the oil tap for a short time, the car industry panicked, economy models shot up like mushrooms, including the BMW 518, which launched in June 1974 with its 90 hp for DM 14,870.

Two years later, the program was expanded to include the 528 instead of a downward upward one.

That meant a lavish 2.8 liter displacement.

Back then, you could always deduce the engine capacity from the digits after the 5, but not for a long time now.

This engine was initially a carburettor engine, it remained in the range until 1977 and was replaced by the 528i.

The i stands for injection.

This is done electronically here by the Bosch L-Jetronic.

176 instead of 165 hp are then offered.

But even 165 hp can be a lot of fun.

BMW Classic provided us with a 1975 528 for an extensive, two-day test drive, which allows you to feel the "sheer driving pleasure" very well.

The advertising slogan is also fifty years old in this shortened form.

In 1964 it was made the official brand slogan "For the joy of driving".