  the bmw 5-series is an executive/mid-size luxury car manufactured by german automaker bmw since 1972. the car, now in its sixth generation, is sold in sedan and touring body styles. it is bmw's second best-selling model after the 3-series and in 2010 produced about 50% of the bmw's profits. on january 29, 2008, the 5 millionth 5-series was manufactured, a 530d saloon in carbon black metallic. == history ==  the 5-series got its name by being the fifth of the "new series" cars after the v-8 and isetta era and was the replacement for the older four-door new class sedans. the current bmw naming convention was introduced with the e12 5-series.  == e12 (1972â1981) == {{infobox automobile |name=bmw 5-series (e12) |image=bmw e12 v sst.jpg |production=1972&ndash;1984 699,094 built |layout=fr layout |predecessor=bmw new class |engine = four-cylinder petrolsix-cylinder petrol |transmission=4-speed manual5-speed manual |assembly = dingolfing, west germanyrosslyn, south africatoluca, mexicohttp://www.bmwusfactory.com/uploadedfiles/factory/manufacturing/suppliers.pdfcairo, egypt shenyang, china jakarta, indonesia6th of october city,
1970s_automobiles 1980s_automobiles 1990s_automobiles 2000s_automobiles 2010s_automobiles All-wheel-drive_vehicles BMW_vehicle_series Executive_cars Mid-size_cars Rear-wheel-drive_vehicles Sedans Sports_sedans Station_wagons Vehicles_introduced_in_1972