Bmw 520I

198 registered in New Zealand · 1973–2019 · 91% from Germany

The Bmw 520I is a recognisable name on New Zealand roads, with 198 registered across model years 1973 to 2019. It averages 8.4 L/100km in fuel consumption and produces an average of 131 kW. Most are petrol-powered saloons with a 2.2L engine.

Below you'll find a complete breakdown of fuel types, body styles, drivetrain options, regional distribution, and estimated running costs. Select a specific model year to see detailed specs, buyer insights, and variant-level data for that generation of the 520I.

Select Year

198 On NZ Roads
2.2L Engine
8.4 L/100km
131 kW

Fuel Types

Bmw 520I fuel type breakdown: PETROL 100%.

Fleet Age Profile

How many Bmw 520I vehicles from each manufacture year are still registered in NZ. Taller bars mean more of that year on the road — better parts availability and more mechanics who know it.

Bmw 520I fleet age profile: 2001: 14, 2002: 11, 2003: 13, 2004: 11, 2012: 22.

Drivetrain

Transmission

Bmw 520I transmissions: 8-GEAR AUTO 2%.

Engine Size

Bmw 520I engine sizes: 2.2L 29%, 2.0L 26%, 2.0L 19%, 2.0L 14%, 2.0L 4%.

Imported From

Bmw 520I imported from: Germany 91%, Not Known 8%, Singapore 1%, Japan 1%.

When They Arrived in NZ

When Bmw 520I vehicles were first registered in New Zealand — showing import waves and buying trends.

Bmw 520I NZ arrival timeline: 2021: 7, 2022: 5, 2024: 3, 2025: 4, 2026: 4.

Estimated Running Costs

Select a model year to estimate fuel costs for that specific Bmw 520I.

per week
per year
per km
km/year
1,000 km 50,000 km
Fuel price
Fuel economy
Fuel type
Prices updated

Colours

BLACK 41 (21%)
BLUE 33 (17%)
SILVER 29 (15%)
GREY 26 (13%)
GREEN 19 (10%)
RED 18 (9%)
WHITE 17 (9%)
BROWN 10 (5%)

Colours shown are approximate representations of NZTA basic colour categories, not exact manufacturer paint codes.

Where They Are in NZ

Bmw 520I regional distribution: AUCKLAND: 67, CHRISTCHURCH: 28, TAURANGA: 9, HASTINGS: 7, HAMILTON: 6.

Body Types

Similar Cars

1 Holden logo
Holden Commodore 49,259
1978–2022 11.1 L/100km
2 Ford logo
Ford Falcon 33,206
1960–2020 11.5 L/100km
3 Toyota logo
Toyota Camry 30,957
1980–2026 7.3 L/100km
4 Toyota logo
Toyota Corolla 24,532
1956–2023 5.8 L/100km
5 Honda logo
Honda Accord 20,130
1978–2020 7.9 L/100km

Frequently Asked Questions

How many Bmw 520I are there in New Zealand?

There are 198 Bmw 520I vehicles registered in New Zealand as of March 2026, making up 0% of the total passenger fleet. Model years range from 1973 to 2019.

How much does it cost to run a Bmw 520I?

Based on NZTA fuel economy data, the Bmw 520I averages 8.4 L/100km. At current fuel prices ($3.41/L), that works out to roughly $66 per week or $3,437 per year in fuel, assuming 12,000 km of annual driving. Actual costs vary by model year, driving conditions, and fuel type.

What body type is the Bmw 520I?

The Bmw 520I is primarily classified as a saloon in the NZTA fleet register. It is also available in other body configurations: station wagon. The most common fuel type is petrol.

Are Bmw 520I cars imported or NZ-new?

91% of Bmw 520I vehicles in New Zealand originated from Germany. The majority arrived as used imports, which is typical for this model. Check the import status and origin country for the specific year you're considering on the individual year pages.