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BMW

BMW - 5 Series [Pre-89] (1981)

The 1981 BMW 5 Series—one of the first “L‑Series” mid‑size luxury sedans—captures the allure of German engineering with a distinctive, understated elegance. When you ask, “what is a 1981 BMW 5 Series [Pre‑89] worth?” or “BMW 5 Series [Pre‑89] 1981 price,” you’ll find that the vehicle’s valuation hinges on a handful of critical factors: original condition, mileage, documentation, and how it has been cared for over the years. Still, the benchmark “BMW 5 Series [Pre‑89] price” for a well‑maintained example often falls somewhere between the lower end of a classic‑car price range and the upper threshold for comparable market peers.

Key Specifications

  • Model: BMW 5 Series 318i / 530E (pre‑89 models)
  • Engine: 2.0‑litre inline‑4 (318i) or 3.0‑litre inline‑6 (530E) with 87 hp or 137 hp, respectively
  • Transmission: 4‑speed manual or optional 3‑speed automatic (BMW M41 / M42)
  • Fuel Type: Gasoline (regular petrol)
  • Drivetrain: Rear‑wheel drive (RWD) with a longitudinal engine layout
  • Dimensions: Length 4,460 mm (175 in), Width 1,729 mm (68 in), Height 1,487 mm (58 in)
  • Wheelbase: 2,520 mm (99 in)
  • Weight: Approx. 1,480 kg (3,260 lb) for 318i, 1,660 kg (3,660 lb) for 530E
  • Top Speed: 140 km/h (87 mph) for 318i; 160 km/h (100 mph) for 530E
  • Year‑to‑Year Power: 318i: 87 hp @ 5,500 rpm; 530E: 137 hp @ 5,400 rpm
  • Fuel Economy: Roughly 10 km/L (23 mpg) in city; 13 km/L (30 mpg) on highway (combined ~11‑12 km/L)
  • Interior: Seating for five, leather or cloth upholstery, integrated two‑tone trim
  • Braking: Front and rear disc brakes (front scattered), 200 mm rotors
  • Suspension: MacPherson strut front, multi‑link rear with independent coil springs
  • Safety: Basic frontal airbags, seat belt pretensioners, crumple zones typical for the era

The above specs illustrate why the 1981 BMW 5 Series remains an iconic pre‑89 model, blending performance, comfort, and a distinct design language. When you are browsing “used BMW 5 Series [Pre‑89] price” listings, keep these attributes in mind to gauge how each example compares within the market.

Depreciation Insight

Classic vehicles do not follow the same depreciation curve as contemporary cars. For a 1981 BMW 5 Series, the depreciation pattern typically looks like this: