BMW 530i
Believe it or not, there are still those who remain unconvinced by BMWs latest 5 Series. If you still remain to be swayed by the merits of the Five, take a test drive in the latest 530i. Those who would rather to cling onto their preconceptions may prefer not to.
The Five has matured into an incredibly self-assured proposition, especially since the introduction of Valvetronic technology and the latest facelift. The latest BMW 530i is the most powerful car of its kind in class with 272bhp and maximum torque of 320Nm. The 2,996cc powerplant has the same specification as the one in the 630i CoupƩ and Convertible and is also used in the latest BMW 3-Series. The engine produces a flat torque curve and abundant power low down for instantaneous response and smooth acceleration. In reality, this equates to a zero to 62mph time of 6.5 seconds, a limited top speed of 155mph and a combined fuel consumption figure of 35.
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This advanced safety system includes features like: Brake Standby, Rain Brake Support, Hill Start Assist, Fading Compensation and Soft Stop. The 530i has long represented the sort of attainable performance 5 Series that many aspire to, leaving the more powerful eight-cylinder variants to fulfil the role of niche offerings. Although its market share will no doubt still be eroded by the excellence of its sibling, the diesel 530d, theres now a satisfying punchiness to the 3.0-litre petrol engine.
With power marshalled by that six-speed gearbox, the 530i is good enough to make diesel converts rethink their priorities.
"The 530i is now good enough to make diesel converts rethink their priorities"
Theres so much about this Five that betrays deep understanding of how we interface with our cars. A personal bugbear of mine are seatbelt warning chimes that spring into life as soon as you enter the ignition key into position. The 530i features soft chimes that wait a few seconds after youve fired up the engine before reminding you to belt up. One car that shall remain nameless assaulted me with chimes whilst I was parked merely listening to the radio, the chimes growing ever more persistent until I was forced to sit in a stationary car with a seat belt on.
No such idiocy from BMW. The dashboard is a triumph of minimal design, the Munich company having built up a reputation for ergonomic excellence. The only possible gripe would be the inconveniently situated electric window switches but these are illuminated at night along with the mirror adjusters making them easy to locate. The iDrive system is a little easier to use than that first trialed on the 7 Series, but its nevertheless an interface that rewards a little learning.
Customers on a typical hour long test drive should remember this but at least the latest models have programmable favourites buttons to make key features more accessible. Priced from £34,610, the 530i is offered in the well-appointed SE trim level or in M Sport form. Its doubtful if youll find the SE wanting in terms of standard equipment provision but if you want those M5 looks, it has to be the M Sport. The sports suspension fitted here is very similar to that found on the M5 and then its the usual drill.
Wider air intakes, deeper bumpers, bigger wheels, flared side sills and an optional boot spoiler give the Five a much more aggressive stance. Inside the 530i M Sport, there are partially electric sports seats, aluminium inserts and an M Sports steering wheel. The once radical shape of the 5 Series has now matured nicely into a discreet but smart piece of design. In a bid to keep things fresh, BMW has made a few small changes to the latest car.
At the front, the headlights and indicators are now clear glass while the kidney grille sits flush with the bumper. The air duct in the rear valance has been revised while the side sill gets an additional contour line and horizontal LEDs are used in the rear light cluster. Inside, the door panels and window switches have been redesigned and theres now eight freely programmable favourites buttons on the dashboard so that drivers dont have to use the infernal iDrive control system quite so much. Theres also an optional Lane Departure warning system offered.
The 5 Series remains a big but not bulky car. The saloon gets decent space up front with slightly below average rear leg room and a 520-litre boot. Measuring 4.48m in length, the Touring estate features a 535-litre load capacity with the 60/40 split folding rear seats in place and a hefty 1,650 litres with the seats folded down.
Theres also a split bootlid with the rear window opening separately for the easy loading of small items. Customers can also opt for a fully-automatic tailgate operation with a press on the key fob opening the hatch and simultaneously retracting the boot load cover. Dynamic Drive, BMWs active suspension system is available as an option, and Active Cruise Control, a system that automatically controls distances to the car in front, is also available to order. BMW hasnt left too many safety features out of the 5 Series.
Brake Force Display is an interesting concept, enlarging the brake light area when the driver really anchors on. Another first for BMW is Adaptive Headlights a feature many will associate more with Citroen. This system, sadly still an option, swivels the headlights by up to 15 degrees left and right to illuminate more of the road through a bend. Unlike Citroens rudimentary old mechanical system, this calculates speed, yaw rate and steering angle before steering the beams.
Another technology borrowed from another manufacturer in this case Chevrolet is a Head-Up Display that projects information onto the windscreen. Lovers of the old generation 530i have said that this latest model isnt as immediately accessible as the old version, a true plug and play executive car Well now thats changed. Try one and you wont be disappointed.
FACTS AT A GLANCE
CAR: BMW 530i range
PRICES: £34,610 - £39,810 - on the road
INSURANCE GROUP: 18
PERFORMANCE: 0-60mph 6.3s / Max Speed 155mph
FUEL CONSUMPTION: (combined) 35.8mpg
STANDARD SAFETY FEATURES: Twin front, side and window airbags / ABS / DSC+
WILL IT FIT IN YOUR GARAGE?: Length/Width/Height 4841/2035/1468mm
