1981 — 1987 · 24 modifications
| Modification | Power | 0–100 km/h | Drive | Gearbox |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 518 1.8 MT | 90 hp | 14 s | tdr-rear | trans-manual |
| 518 1.8 MT | 102 hp | — | tdr-rear | trans-manual |
| 518i 1.8 MT | 105 hp | 12.6 s | tdr-rear | trans-manual |
| 520i 2.0 AT | 125 hp | — | tdr-rear | trans-automatic |
| 520i 2.0 AT | 129 hp | 13.3 s | tdr-rear | trans-automatic |
| 520i 2.0 MT | 125 hp | 11.8 s | tdr-rear | trans-manual |
| 520i 2.0 MT | 129 hp | 12.1 s | tdr-rear | trans-manual |
| 524d 2.4 MT | 86 hp | 18.1 s | tdr-rear | trans-manual |
| 524td 2.4 AT | 115 hp | — | tdr-rear | trans-automatic |
| 524td 2.4 MT | 115 hp | 12.9 s | tdr-rear | trans-manual |
| 525e 2.7 AT | 125 hp | — | tdr-rear | trans-automatic |
| 525e 2.7 MT | 122 hp | — | tdr-rear | trans-manual |
| 525e 2.7 MT | 125 hp | 10.7 s | tdr-rear | trans-manual |
| 525e 2.7 MT | 129 hp | 10.8 s | tdr-rear | trans-manual |
| 525i 2.5 AT | 150 hp | 11.4 s | tdr-rear | trans-automatic |
| 525i 2.5 MT | 150 hp | 9.9 s | tdr-rear | trans-manual |
| 528i 2.8 AT | 184 hp | 9.8 s | tdr-rear | trans-automatic |
| 528i 2.8 MT | 184 hp | 8.4 s | tdr-rear | trans-manual |
| 535i 3.4 AT | 185 hp | 9.1 s | tdr-rear | trans-automatic |
| 535i 3.4 AT | 192 hp | — | tdr-rear | trans-automatic |
| 535i 3.4 AT | 218 hp | 8 s | tdr-rear | trans-automatic |
| 535i 3.4 MT | 185 hp | 7.9 s | tdr-rear | trans-manual |
| 535i 3.4 MT | 192 hp | — | tdr-rear | trans-manual |
| 535i 3.4 MT | 218 hp | 7.2 s | tdr-rear | trans-manual |