BMW 1500: Which Version to Buy and Why
The BMW 1500 catalogue contains one generation and one version, so there is no engine, gearbox, body-style, or generation choice to compare. The sole option is the 1.5 MT, a Sedan produced from February 1962 through December 1964. It combines an 80 hp, 1499 cc Gasoline engine with a 4-speed Manual gearbox and RWD.
The BMW 1500 catalogue contains one generation and one version, so there is no engine, gearbox, body-style, or generation choice to compare. The sole option is the 1.5 MT, a Sedan produced from February 1962 through December 1964. It combines an 80 hp, 1499 cc Gasoline engine with a 4-speed Manual gearbox and RWD. Because no alternative version appears in the supplied data, choosing a BMW 1500 means deciding whether this exact specification suits your needs rather than selecting between competing trims.
BMW 1500 generations compared
The BMW 1500 has 1 generation in the catalogue. The 1 generation ran from February 1962 to December 1964 and was offered as a Sedan with 1 modification, the 1.5 MT. There is no later generation or restyled version in the data, so no evidence-based comparison can be made about changes in engine output, performance, transmission, body design, or running costs across generations.
This also means that searches comparing BMW 1500 versions lead to a simple conclusion: the catalogue provides only the 1.5 MT. Buyers cannot use the supplied specifications to choose a more powerful engine, a different gearbox, another drive system, or a different body type.
BMW 1500 engine and specs
The 1.5 MT uses a 1499 cc Gasoline engine producing 80 hp at 5700 rpm and 118 Nm at 3000 rpm. It has 4 cylinders in an Inline layout, with 2 valves per cylinder. The engine is mounted Front, longitudinal and uses a Carburetor. Boost is not measured.
| Version | Power | Torque | Displacement | Fuel | Cylinders | Layout | Boost | Gearbox | Drive |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.5 MT | 80 hp at 5700 rpm | 118 Nm at 3000 rpm | 1499 cc | Gasoline | 4 | Inline | not measured | 4-speed Manual | RWD |
The engine’s calculated specific output is approximately 53.4 hp per litre, based on 80 hp and 1499 cc. Calculated torque density is approximately 78.7 Nm per litre, based on 118 Nm and the same displacement. Since there is only one engine, these ratios describe the whole BMW 1500 range rather than distinguishing a basic version from a higher-output alternative.
Additional engine specifications for the 1.5 MT include an 8.8 compression ratio and an 82 x 71 cylinder bore and stroke. The listed fuel grade is 92. No diesel version appears in the data; the only listed BMW 1500 engine is Gasoline.
BMW 1500 performance and economy
The 1.5 MT accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 14 seconds and has a top speed of 150 km/h. With no second version available, there is no faster or slower BMW 1500 in the supplied catalogue data.
| Version | 0–100 km/h | Top speed | City consumption | Highway consumption | Combined consumption | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.5 MT | 14 seconds | 150 km/h | not measured | not measured | not measured | not measured |
Fuel consumption is not measured for city, highway, and combined driving. Consequently, an MPG figure cannot be established from the supplied data, and economy cannot be compared with another BMW 1500 version. CO₂ output and environmental class are also not measured.
The performance figures give the buyer a clear benchmark: every listed BMW 1500 has the same 80 hp output, 14-second 0–100 km/h time, and 150 km/h maximum speed. Claims about a higher-horsepower BMW 1500, an alternative engine, or different acceleration are not supported by this catalogue entry.
BMW 1500 dimensions, weight, tank, and wheels
The 1.5 MT has a kerb weight of 1320 kg and a gross weight of 1366 kg. The difference between those figures is 46 kg. Its fuel tank holds 55 litres.
| Version | Kerb weight | Gross weight | Kerb weight per hp | Gross-minus-kerb difference | Fuel tank | Ground clearance | Wheel sizes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.5 MT | 1320 kg | 1366 kg | 16.5 kg per hp | 46 kg | 55 litres | not measured | not measured |
Calculated from the supplied kerb weight and output, the 1.5 MT carries 16.5 kg per horsepower. Using gross weight instead gives approximately 17.1 kg per horsepower. These figures are useful for understanding the relationship between the car’s listed mass and engine output, but there is no lighter or more powerful factory version in the data against which to compare them.
Ground clearance and wheel sizes are not measured. Overall length, width, height, and wheelbase are likewise not measured in the supplied specifications, so they cannot be stated or used in a buying comparison.
BMW 1500 chassis and braking specs
The 1.5 MT has Independent, spring front suspension and Semi-independent, torsion rear suspension. Its braking specification combines Disc front brakes with Drum rear brakes.
These chassis details are common to the only listed version. There is no alternative suspension or braking package in the data, so buyers cannot choose a BMW 1500 variant with a different factory configuration in either area.
BMW 1500 problems and reliability
Problems and reliability are not measured in the supplied data. There are no figures for failure rates, maintenance intervals, repair frequency, component durability, or ownership costs. The specifications therefore cannot support a claim that the 1.5 MT is more or less reliable than another BMW 1500 version.
For the same reason, the data does not establish whether one production year is preferable to another. Although the version spans February 1962 through December 1964, no year-by-year mechanical changes or reliability differences are listed.
Which BMW 1500 version should you buy?
The answer is the 1.5 MT, because it is the only version in the catalogue. Choosing it provides an 80 hp, 118 Nm, 1499 cc Gasoline engine, a 4-speed Manual gearbox, RWD, Sedan bodywork, a 14-second 0–100 km/h time, and a 150 km/h top speed. There is no extra-output model, automatic transmission, alternative drive layout, or later generation to justify paying more for a different specification.
What the buyer gets is therefore fixed rather than tiered: approximately 53.4 hp per litre, 16.5 kg per horsepower at kerb weight, and a 55-litre fuel tank. What remains unknown is equally important when assessing a car: city, highway, and combined fuel consumption are not measured; ground clearance and wheel sizes are not measured; and reliability information is not measured.
For a catalogue-based decision, the 1.5 MT is suitable only if its single available configuration meets the requirement. Any choice between individual cars for sale would need condition, history, price, and inspection information, none of which is present in the supplied data.