1976 — 1981 · 26 modifications
| Modification | Power | 0–100 km/h | Drive | Gearbox |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 518 1.8 AT | 90 hp | 17.3 s | tdr-rear | trans-automatic |
| 518 1.8 AT | 100 hp | — | tdr-rear | trans-automatic |
| 518 1.8 MT | 90 hp | 14.8 s | tdr-rear | trans-manual |
| 518 1.8 MT | 90 hp | 13.9 s | tdr-rear | trans-manual |
| 518 1.8 MT | 102 hp | 14.2 s | tdr-rear | trans-manual |
| 518 2.0 MT | 109 hp | — | tdr-rear | trans-manual |
| 520 2.0 AT | 115 hp | — | tdr-rear | trans-automatic |
| 520 2.0 AT | 122 hp | 15.7 s | tdr-rear | trans-automatic |
| 520 2.0 MT | 115 hp | 12.3 s | tdr-rear | trans-manual |
| 520 2.0 MT | 122 hp | 12.4 s | tdr-rear | trans-manual |
| 520i 2.0 AT | 125 hp | — | tdr-rear | trans-automatic |
| 520i 2.0 MT | 125 hp | 11.3 s | tdr-rear | trans-manual |
| 520i 2.0 MT | 125 hp | 11.3 s | tdr-rear | trans-manual |
| 525 2.5 AT | 150 hp | 13.1 s | tdr-rear | trans-automatic |
| 525 2.5 MT | 150 hp | 10.1 s | tdr-rear | trans-manual |
| 528 2.8 AT | 170 hp | — | tdr-rear | trans-automatic |
| 528 2.8 MT | 165 hp | 9.5 s | tdr-rear | trans-manual |
| 528 2.8 MT | 170 hp | 9.5 s | tdr-rear | trans-manual |
| 528i 2.8 AT | 177 hp | 11.7 s | tdr-rear | trans-automatic |
| 528i 2.8 AT | 184 hp | 11.7 s | tdr-rear | trans-automatic |
| 528i 2.8 MT | 177 hp | 9.3 s | tdr-rear | trans-manual |
| 528i 2.8 MT | 184 hp | — | tdr-rear | trans-manual |
| 530i 3.0 AT | 175 hp | — | tdr-rear | trans-automatic |
| 530i 3.0 AT | 178 hp | — | tdr-rear | trans-automatic |
| 530i 3.0 MT | 178 hp | 9.3 s | tdr-rear | trans-manual |
| M 535i 3.5 MT | 218 hp | 7.2 s | tdr-rear | trans-manual |