BMW 530i Executive 1000km Road Test

The 2002 Australia's Best Cars titleholder in the Luxury Car over $56,000 class, BMW's 530i Executive sedan features a sporty character, loads of high tech and a very sharp price.

Value for money

Pricing

The 530i Executive sedan is priced at $99,800. Its Mercedes-Benz equivalent, the E320 Elegance, is $127,790.

Warranty

Two years/unlimited kilometres. Three years is average.

Standard features

The 530's options list, like all BMWs, is long - however, leather upholstery, a six-CD stacker in the boot and 10-speaker audio, power everything, park distance control, trip computer, cruise control and 16-inch alloys with 225/55 Dunlop tyres are standard.

Retained value

The previous model 528i retains 62 per cent of its purchase price after three years, which is comparable with a Benz E320 (63 per cent.)

Design and function

Ergonomics

The dash is simple and elegant, with uncluttered, legible instruments and precise, soft touch wands and switches. Like many automatic airconditioning systems, the BMW's chills the air to many degrees colder than the actual indicated temperature. Oddment storage nooks and crannies are few.

Innovation

BMW's 3.0 litre six is one of the world's most technically advanced engines. In other areas of design and engineering, the 5 Series also features many examples of new technology introduced by BMW.

Safety

The 530i scored four stars out of five in European NCAP crash tests. It features 10 airbags, skid sensing and correcting technology, and many other active and passive safety features.

Security

A comprehensive security system includes remote central locking, with automatic door locking when you move off to prevent car jacking, and an engine immobiliser. An alarm is optional.

Comfort

The driver's seat is typically German firm, with adequate bolstering, good lumbar support and electric adjustment with long travel. Three memory positions also set the wheel height and reach.

Space and practicality

The back seat has a long, generously padded cushion, properly contoured backrest and easy access. Deep cutouts in the front seat backs help provide reasonable legroom and headroom is fine. Three head restraints and lap/sash belts are fitted. The boot is deep, relatively narrow and cannot be extended.

Build and finish quality

From the bank-vault gauge doors to the impeccably trimmed leather upholstery, quality is outstanding throughout.

On the road

 

Fuel efficiency

A knock-sensor allows the 3.0 litre to run on unleaded, but premium is recommended if you want peak performance. It is a very economical engine, using 8.4 litres/100 km on the open road and 13.7 litres/100 km in town.

Performance

The 3.0 litre 24 valve all-alloy six is now equipped with variable valve timing - VANOS in BMW speak - on the inlet and exhaust cams; the 2.8 had this feature on the inlet only. The accelerator-throttle butterfly connection is electronic and both manifolds have been massaged for the smoothest possible gas flow.

The 3.0 litre displacement was achieved by fitting a long stroke crankshaft to the 2.8. Power is a hefty 170 kW, while peak torque is to 300 Nm, 90 per cent of it available at only 1500 rpm.

It is a superb piece of machinery, with a deep well of effortless torque at the bottom end, a linear, sparkling midrange and real clout up top.

The Steptronic auto can be left in Drive most of the time, delivering crisp, seamless changes. Flick the lever left for Sport mode, where the top end becomes involved, or shift it yourself. A tendency to change down unnecessarily when you lift off the accelerator can be annoying.

Ride

The 530's ride comfort is fine on the highway - firm but compliant in typical BMW style. Around town though the suspension lacks initial compliance and fails to adequately blunt both little jiggles and larger thumps.

Handling and steering
The Executive has the softer suspension package - the Sport gets firm, short travel M hardware with 17 inch alloys and lower profile tyres - but the base model is still a taut, confident drive on the open road. It is a touch underdamped, taking a moment to settle after being kicked by a large bump, but the car never threatens to become unstable.

The 530 is more agile and athletic than the E320 Benz, especially in tight corners where it maintains a flatter attitude. Traction control is standard. The steering is pin-sharp, but perhaps to cater to American one finger wheel-twirlers is a bit over-assisted at highway speeds. The wheel rim may be a bit thin for some tastes; there is also a bit of wheel deflection on choppy surfaces.

Braking

The anti-lock brakes are brilliant, with exceptional progression, pedal feel and power.

Smoothness and quietness

The silken responsiveness of the 3.0 six has to be experienced to be believed, but the effect is spoiled somewhat by a wheezy note at middling revs. Road noise is minimal.