OLD-SCHOOL PETROL POWER
The BMW 530i offers a nice driving experience, but serious competition is out there
What’s new?
After driving the new BMW 520d on Thai roads for the first time last month, we now get behind the wheel of the 530i which supersedes the 528i in the previous generation model.
The 530i comes with a 2.0-litre petrolturbo engine producing 252hp — 38hp more than in the Thai-spec 528i, which had a detuned motor back then to cope with the now-defunct 220hp tax barrier.
To justify its higher position than the diesel-powered 520d, the 530i comes in M Sport trim costing 4.399 million baht. The closest rival to the 530i is the closely priced Lexus GS200t which comes with a 245hp 2.0-litre petrol-turbo and similarly numbered eight-speed automatic transmission driving the rear wheels.
Another nearby rival could be the Mercedes-Benz E350e which has a higher 286hp derived from a 2.0-litre petrol-turboelectric hybrid and priced at 4.09 million baht in AMG Dynamic trim. Of course, BMW’s direct riposte for the E350e is the 530e which, however, has not yet arrived in Thai showrooms.
What’s cool?
In the typical fashion of petrol-powered cars, the 530i offers nice driving performance thanks to a free-revving engine that feels responsive from already low engine speeds. And when driven flat out, the 530i feels like a proper 250hp saloon, unlike the GS200t that doesn’t feel as potent as it should be.
Because of its more potent power than the 520d (although this diesel is more splendid in outright low-rev grunt), the front brake calipers have been upgraded. And adding up to its sportier intentions are a chunkier three-spoke steering with paddle-shifters for the eight-speed automatic transmission and body-hugging front seats.
A distinctive driver-assist technology in the 530i is parking assistance which, unlike in several existing systems of other brands, don’t require the driver to steer, brake or accelerate. All’s needed is a continuous touch of a button on the centre console and voila.
What’s not?
There’s really not much to fault about this new executive saloon which, in many ways, is the new class-act. However, it would have been nice to see even more features in the 530i because the cheaper E350e and Volvo S90 have more toys to make the driving experience more relaxing.
Buy or bye?
One thing’s very clear about BMW’s twomodel availability in the new 5-series range. If diesel isn’t your cup of tea, then it’s the 530i, although there’s a price to pay for it over the 520d which is half-a-million baht cheaper.
And if you like a sportier 5-series, the 530i is the one — and considerably a better one than the GS200t.
The only sticking point is the E350e which has more power and all-electric driving ability. Which is why we’d recommend punters to wait for the 530e.