Sweet Spot - Bavarian Four Pot
We see the G30 5 Series as BMW’s most important car launched in a while, and we can’t get enough of it. Recently, we tested their 540i M Sport Sedan. A 6-cylindered 3.0 litre bruiser which could hit the 100Km/h mark in just 5.1 seconds. That’s sports car territory. And then on the flip side, BMW also offers a milder oil burner 2.0, the 520d, delivering a massive 400Nm of torque, while sipping on fuel to deliver a combined 20.8Km/l.
It does take about a full second more to hit the 100km/h mark, at 6.1 seconds, versus its higher-powered sibling, but this is after all a turbocharged 2.0 straight 4 under the hood. Maximum torque is 350Nm, 100Nm less than what the 3.0 straight 6 in the 540i delivers, being delivered at a low 1,450rpm, the 530i accelerates very easily off the line, with little turbo lag. Cabin noise is minimal, with just some very slight intrusion at about 3,500-4,000rpm.
Two less cylinders mean less weight up in front, and it does seem to make the front end of the 530i a little quicker when reacting to directional changes, with seemingly less frontal plough when entering tight corners. Even with almost 100bhp less than the 540i, the 530i does feel almost as quick.
We loved how the seats cradle you, and at the same time provide very good lateral support when taking to the bends.
The 8-speed automatic delivers gear changes in three modes, Sport, Comfort and Eco-Pro. What is missing from the car is the Adaptive transmission mode which cleverly utilises the GPS to help plan your gear changes, in accordance to the road ahead. Not that it would matter too much in a place like Singapore.
The M Sport suspension, unlike the 540i, is a standard steel setup, but it really is well developed, and keeps the 5 Series well behaved. How well behaved? Punch the car down a lesser maintained road, and you will have a feel of how well it responds to the different surfaces.
Other spoils include the Parking Assistance Plus, which makes parking of the car easier, especially in tight parking situations.
There are however some features which have been omitted in the 530i, like the Lane Keep Assist, which helps to keep the 530i within the lane markings. One of the bigger features which can also be added as a cost option, is the fancy car remote, which allows you to park or forward your car out of a tight lot, which we like a lot, but truthfully, isn’t necessary.
BMW has made an excellent attempt to cover every market sub-segment in this case. The 530i M Sport can prove to be of a sweet value proposition, to those who may want a 540i, but are not willing to shell out the extra moolah.
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