[{"id": 2175035, "authorName": "EuroE28M5", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/euroe28m5/", "bidAmount": 1200, "content": "$1,200 bid placed by EuroE28M5", "likes": 0, "timestamp": 1524770365, "type": "bat-bid"}, {"id": 2175231, "authorName": "lestonian", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/lestonian/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "Both rear doors look to have been replaced(from the same car).", "likes": 0, "timestamp": 1524772792, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 2175287, "authorName": "johnny_turbo", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/johnny_turbo/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "@lestonian Since paint work is mentioned, it's also possible that adjacent parts of the car were painted and not well-matched.", "likes": 1, "timestamp": 1524773476, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 2175327, "authorName": "Mr._White (The Seller)", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/mr._white/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "I can't say if the rear doors are original or not, but I certainly see what you're saying. They appear to be similar in \"patina\", if you will. \n\nI can say that the re-paint work was not done on the entire car, so it's possible the rear doors were just not repainted when other parts of the car was.", "likes": 1, "timestamp": 1524774045, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 2175321, "authorName": "Fastrack325", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/fastrack325/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "Quite rare to see an E12 Euro Stateside. This one has quite a bit of cancer just about all over. Its not terminal but will need lots of work arresting it! An idea would be to get this car, then get a clean '79 -'81 E12 US, and transfer the Euro stuffs.", "likes": 4, "timestamp": 1524774148, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 2175367, "authorName": "Mr._White (The Seller)", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/mr._white/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "@Fastrack325 - When I first came across the car I was so excited to see a euro e12 I was sure I had to have it. After seeing it in person I hesitated due to the paint and body work it would need, but ultimately decided it wasn't too far gone and I was going to restore it. \r\n\r\nAs you all well understand, life circumstances change (new baby and fed-up wife) and I can no longer indulge in my hobby car. Hopefully someone else will see the potential this e12 has and continue my work!", "likes": 11, "timestamp": 1524774466, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 2175890, "authorName": "ScottinNC", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/scottinnc/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "The issues with the power steering pump look familiar. I was driving my 81 E12 to work one morning when the groaning pump finally gave up. The pully broke off and bounced between the road and the bottom of the car. The steering got real heavy but was made easier by the school bus steering wheel. I pulled over and cut the belt and drove it for a couple of months until I bought a replacement. I was also able to recover the useless pully.\r\n\r\nThese are great cars and hope this one can be saved.", "likes": 2, "timestamp": 1524783206, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 2175985, "authorName": "SlowNRusty", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/slownrusty/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "Ever see a hot girl in the bar and a few minutes later her spanner boyfriend shows up? That's the same buzzkill as rust.", "likes": 9, "timestamp": 1524787816, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 2176025, "authorName": "Turn11", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/turn11/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "I can only think that all those new suspension components are going to stress their rusty ,questionable mounting points.. That is the rustiest rear end I have ever seen outside an old folks home ;-)", "likes": 7, "timestamp": 1524789635, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 2176169, "authorName": "Frank_Garcia", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/frank_garcia/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "Prime candidate for a rotisserie restoration.", "likes": 3, "timestamp": 1524796066, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 2176952, "authorName": "sodoffyoutosser", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/sodoffyoutosser/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "I've seen this on C/L, I think and am curious about the values of these (including U.S. models).", "likes": 0, "timestamp": 1524845963, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 2177318, "authorName": "Mr._White (The Seller)", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/mr._white/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "@sodoffyoutosser - The car was previously posted on Craigslist, so you may have come across it there. Truthfully, the market value of the e12 has not risen alongside its relatives (children? grandchildren? nephews?) the e30 and e28. Having owned some of each I can tell you that the e12 is my favorite, but not likely to increase in value like the other models are due to the improved driving dynamics of the newer models.", "likes": 0, "timestamp": 1524853698, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 2179574, "authorName": "extreme", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/extreme/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "Prime candidate to drive the wheels out of.", "likes": 0, "timestamp": 1524933127, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 2180586, "authorName": "cory58", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/cory58/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "@Fastrack325 - Why not transfer the euro bumpers to a pre-79 US market E12? I have a 77.\r\n\r\nCory", "likes": 0, "timestamp": 1525026884, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 2180774, "authorName": "Jbexpress", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/jbexpress/", "bidAmount": 1300, "content": "$1,300 bid placed by Jbexpress", "likes": 0, "timestamp": 1525040556, "type": "bat-bid"}, {"id": 2180967, "authorName": "devortex", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/devortex/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "@cory58 - it's not as straightforward as just swapping the bumpers. The US market E12 has large openings in the front and rear bodywork for the \"shock absorber\" mounts of the 5mph bumpers. These will show and look terrible unless you weld them up with some sheet metal and address the paint. After 40 years, the paint under the big bumpers will look very different from the rest of the car. Additionally, the front fenders are different with the signal lights at the upper corner on the US models instead of integral in the bumpers on the Euro model. Sadly, the fenders on this car are pretty rotten so some skilled welding will be necessary to save them. As the seller noted, the E12 hasn't garnered the interest level of the E28 or the E24. It's not unusual to see fairly clean E12s on CL for sub 5K and they don't sell. I have one of the first E12s that came stateside in 1975 and I absolutely love it.", "likes": 1, "timestamp": 1525056016, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 2181295, "authorName": "cory58", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/cory58/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "@devortex - Thanks for the response. I am aware of how involved the euro bumper swap is on an E12 (unfortunately!). My original question may not have been worded well. I was just wondering why @Fastrack325 specifically mentioned 79-81 models, as if the euro parts from this car could not be used on pre-79 US models.\r\n\r\nCory", "likes": 0, "timestamp": 1525098084, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 2181569, "authorName": "jbbush", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/jbbush/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "The 79-81 models were probably called out because those US-market 528i models run L-Jetronic with an oxygen sensor and catalytic converter, as opposed to the 1978 and earlier 530i models with thermal reactors and air pumps. The later cars run better and longer since they don't have two \"catalytics\" bolted to the cylinder head, causing all sorts of heat-related mayhem.\r\n\r\nTrivia: The VIN split for US-market E12s is 9/76. Earlier cars are more akin to the late (1974+) BMW E3 sedans, whereas the later cars are more akin to most any E12 extant but also the E28. (South African E12s with E28 interiors are a trip.)\r\n\r\nIn 9/76 there were many changes to the body (tail lights, nose and hood, doors and roof) and trim (much of the interior) that make up- and back-dating parts challenging.", "likes": 0, "timestamp": 1525107546, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 2181632, "authorName": "VonClaussen", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/vonclaussen/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "Think this car would have any problem making the two hour drive down here to Corpus Christi? Wonder how much the salty air here would accelerate the rust.", "likes": 0, "timestamp": 1525109210, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 2181638, "authorName": "jbbush", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/jbbush/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "And while we're on the topic:\r\n\r\nThink it would make it back to the Minneapolis Twin Cities? We are almost done with salt here for at least a couple months.", "likes": 0, "timestamp": 1525109323, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 2182054, "authorName": "PatinaBeforePolish", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/patinabeforepolish/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "These and the early 6 series are markedly transformed with the slimmer bumpers, more than any other BMW. The euro look, stance and wheels on this one make it oh so tempting, but that rust. The bumpers and no A/C save about 100 lbs. of weight at the extremes so it's a bit more nimble in the handling department. This could be a great project or enjoy as is. \r\n\r\nFrom someone who's actually done an e12 euro bumper conversion the only visible holes left are are on the rear fenders below the new bumper from where the US rubber bellows were attached. The tabs that held the bumper shocks in place front and rear must be cut off to fit the euro bumper brackets. However, if you want the car to be exactly euro spec, the front fenders must be replaced or patch the holes left by the turn signals. The rear valence is different only in that the bracket holes are slightly larger on the US version. Many leave the US turn signals in place as they're not a total assault to the eyes - look at a pre-74 Bavaria for example. They have a parking and turn signal lens on each fender. Awkward. \r\n\r\nAll e12s and early e24s share the M30 engine (excepting some euro versions), front and rear subframes and suspension and most interior and exterior trim pieces. Pre 76's are most readily identified by the fuel filler to the right of the license plate, later cars fill on the right rear fender. Doors, front and rear seats interchange with an e28. \r\n\r\nI've never seen or driven this car but if the owner was using it everyday, I bet it could be driven just about anywhere. These cars are stout.", "likes": 3, "timestamp": 1525114798, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 2182101, "authorName": "Mr._White (The Seller)", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/mr._white/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "@VonClaussen & @jbbush - With the weather being nice I've been driving the e12 more often. Although my commute is only about 15 miles each way, I've driven the car to work sometimes all week. It's not a lot of miles, but I would be perfectly comfortable driving it down to Corpus Christi. \r\n\r\nThe drive to Minneapolis is obviously quite a bit further. Mechanically speaking, I have no reason to believe you'd have a problem, but it is a 41 year old car, and based on my experience with old cars (I've had a few), there's always something that needs attention. If I were planning a trip like that I'd certainly bring a small tool bag, but other than the recent accelerator diaphragm (PN 13111264870) replacement, the car has been running and driving quite reliably.", "likes": 1, "timestamp": 1525115219, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 2183209, "authorName": "Richmeyer", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/richmeyer/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "@Mr._White just curious if you ever tried sourcing any other repair panels? Or will the patches need to be hand formed? Thanks", "likes": 0, "timestamp": 1525142290, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 2183665, "authorName": "Mr._White (The Seller)", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/mr._white/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "@Richmeyer - The one repair panel shown in the photo gallery came with the car when I bought it. I have not tried to source other repair panels.", "likes": 0, "timestamp": 1525183014, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 2185351, "authorName": "pch2021", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/pch2021/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "Amazing... The last BMW 528! If it wasn't for all these years in the Texas heat, it would probably need much more rust repair.", "likes": 0, "timestamp": 1525213423, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 2189072, "authorName": "cory58", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/cory58/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "At this price, it\u2019s killing me not to bid on this for bumper conversion on my 5/77 production E12. Very surprised that BAT accepted this car with a reserve.\r\n\r\nCory", "likes": 1, "timestamp": 1525353388, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 2189269, "authorName": "WildKarrde", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/wildkarrde/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "If it were closer I\u2019d definitely throw some money at this. Looks like a fun car, and at this price, would be a great candidate for a LEMONS, or Grassroot Motorsports $2018 challenge.", "likes": 0, "timestamp": 1525358183, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 2189417, "authorName": "carstruck", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/carstruck/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "Such a great looking design. As above, pity about the rust. Somewhere in the text the car is stated as \u2018solid\u2019 . Given the obvious and well disclosed rust, not sure what that is intended to mean. Isn\u2019t that a sales malarky pitch like \u2018it\u2019s been through the shop\u2019? @Mr._White Good luck. I suspect your wife is saving you a ton of money, but you\u2019ll remember this always i think.", "likes": 0, "timestamp": 1525361713, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 2189545, "authorName": "Greg203", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/greg203/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "What a cool E12. Unfortunately doing a restoration would be a labor of love as it would not make financial sense unless e12 values increased 10 fold. Even so it would be a fun car to drive around, or a good donor car with the coilovers, bumpers and wheels having some value. If I still had my 1980 528i I would be bidding at this price.", "likes": 0, "timestamp": 1525364799, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 2189697, "authorName": "devortex", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/devortex/", "bidAmount": 1400, "content": "$1,400 bid placed by devortex", "likes": 0, "timestamp": 1525368361, "type": "bat-bid"}, {"id": 2189802, "authorName": "jozinho", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/jozinho/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "does this pass Texas smog or are there any restrictions? Would the ride pass CA smog? (in general / not specific)", "likes": 0, "timestamp": 1525370445, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 2190092, "authorName": "rtjacobites", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/rtjacobites/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "As stated below, if this was closer I'd let the vocational school practice body work on it, slap some paint on, and commute with this party animal. If this goes sub 2k someone is getting a good value imho.", "likes": 1, "timestamp": 1525373383, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 2190197, "authorName": "Hodgepodgerama", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/hodgepodgerama/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "I had a '76 530i. Didn't all of these cars have fuel injection or was it only the US versions?", "likes": 0, "timestamp": 1525374592, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 2190215, "authorName": "Mr._White (The Seller)", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/mr._white/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "@jozinho - This car is fully road-legal in Texas, but it only has to pass safety here, not smog. I grew up in California, and I know they are stricter there. I believe all cars made after 1973 must pass smog, but I could be mistaken.", "likes": 0, "timestamp": 1525374790, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 2190223, "authorName": "Mr._White (The Seller)", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/mr._white/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "@Hodgepodgerama - You are correct, all U.S. e12's are fuel-injected, however this is a gray-market car imported from Germany in 2008. This car is a 528 (carburated), not a 528i (fuel-injected).", "likes": 0, "timestamp": 1525374917, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 2190224, "authorName": "SeanBaker", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/seanbaker/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "Model years 1975 and prior do not required smog inspections in California.", "likes": 0, "timestamp": 1525374926, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 2190248, "authorName": "devortex", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/devortex/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "Not smog legal in California.", "likes": 0, "timestamp": 1525375142, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 2190249, "authorName": "SeanBaker", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/seanbaker/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "Had a 1977 FJ40 that was only a few years away from being smog exempt due to the rolling 30-year exemption window. Then Schwarzenegger signed the law that cut it off at 1975. Sad day for me.", "likes": 1, "timestamp": 1525375146, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 2190291, "authorName": "82Zkartracer", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/82zkartracer/", "bidAmount": 1800, "content": "$1,800 bid placed by 82Zkartracer", "likes": 0, "timestamp": 1525375709, "type": "bat-bid"}, {"id": 2190296, "authorName": "devortex", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/devortex/", "bidAmount": 1925, "content": "$1,925 bid placed by devortex", "likes": 0, "timestamp": 1525375757, "type": "bat-bid"}, {"id": 2190297, "authorName": "82Zkartracer", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/82zkartracer/", "bidAmount": 2100, "content": "$2,100 bid placed by 82Zkartracer", "likes": 0, "timestamp": 1525375808, "type": "bat-bid"}, {"id": 2190307, "authorName": "Countrysquire", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/countrysquire/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "This one is cheap enough that you could do a flame job on it like Alan Arkin's in The In-Laws.", "likes": 2, "timestamp": 1525375899, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 2190309, "authorName": "kenscsi", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/kenscsi/", "bidAmount": 2200, "content": "$2,200 bid placed by kenscsi", "likes": 0, "timestamp": 1525375916, "type": "bat-bid"}, {"id": 2190310, "authorName": "CoopCity", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/coopcity/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "why stop there, make it a convertible.", "likes": 0, "timestamp": 1525375929, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 2190315, "authorName": "Rod_S", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/rod_s/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "Keep it registered in Texas, or register in Montana or something. Drive, enjoy and pray. At this price, CHP can impound it and you haven't really lost much.", "likes": 0, "timestamp": 1525375954, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 2190319, "authorName": "82Zkartracer", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/82zkartracer/", "bidAmount": 2300, "content": "$2,300 bid placed by 82Zkartracer", "likes": 0, "timestamp": 1525376011, "type": "bat-bid"}, {"id": 2190325, "authorName": "greg2002", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/greg2002/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "In California, it was actually a 25-year exemption window, till the year 2001. So, your '75 2002 is smog exempt but your '76 (final year) is not.", "likes": 0, "timestamp": 1525376076, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 2190329, "authorName": "Anonymous", "authorUrl": "", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "Reserve not met on 5/3/18 at $2,300", "likes": 0, "timestamp": 1525376131, "type": "bat-bid-reserve"}, {"id": 2190332, "authorName": "Hamburg911", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/hamburg911/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "Convertible indeed. :)", "likes": 0, "timestamp": 1525376155, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 2190345, "authorName": "Rod_S", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/rod_s/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "Thank goodness you didn't go no reserve @Mr._White Congrats on the baby and I hope you find a good buyer!", "likes": 0, "timestamp": 1525376256, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 2190348, "authorName": "Mr._White (The Seller)", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/mr._white/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "Well, thank you everyone for your support. I had what I thought to be a very low reserve price, but I guess it's worth more to me than anyone else. Not sure how this is going to work out when I tell the Mrs....", "likes": 1, "timestamp": 1525376290, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 2190354, "authorName": "82Zkartracer", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/82zkartracer/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "@Mr_White I'm curious as to what you had reserve at. Is there a way we can take this to a private message?", "likes": 0, "timestamp": 1525376360, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 2190377, "authorName": "Mr._White (The Seller)", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/mr._white/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "@82Zkartracer - Bat just sent me your contact info, as you were the high bidder. Look for an email.\r\n\r\nI'm not sure if BaT frowns on discussing the reserve, and I'd rather not get on their black list as I have another BMW (e39 Touring) that I need to sell in order to keep peace at home...", "likes": 0, "timestamp": 1525376745, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 2192022, "authorName": "mpower0254", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/mpower0254/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "Very cool car, shame about the rust-- those repairs to the rear quarter are not as easy or simple. I'm sure this is what scared some people off on what is otherwise a very cool car!", "likes": 0, "timestamp": 1525441061, "type": "comment"}]