I’ve always been a fan of BMW. They make the best consummate sports sedans in the world. Fun to drive, yet versatile and surprisingly practical. The 5er in fact is my favorite: the 3er is a tad too small for my style, and the 7er too big and stately. The 5er is the perfect size given my driving style and how I like to cruise long distances in speed, stability and safety with a good dose of driver involvement.
It helped my appreciation for the model because my Dad used to own a USDM E34 generation 525i which drove beautifully. The E39 that followed was a dream, and I had many chances to drive the V8-engined E39 M5 which was too good for words. A proper brute in a suite, analog driving at its very finest.
Sadly, BMW seemed to have lost their way afterwards. The E39 was peak BMW 5er, and the huge debacle that was the ‘Bangle butt’ E60 just looked plain horrid. The V10-engined E60 M5 truthfully felt gutless; the engine would have been better suited to a purpose-built sports car rather than a big, heavy executive express. But the SMG automated manual was its waterloo. Clunky, harsh, prone to overheating even in traffic and obscenely expensive to repair. You’ll see quite a number of them for sale all with the same comment or complaint: the SMG transmission is horrible.
Succeeding BMWs slowly found their way again, but the latest 7th generation LCI (life cycle impulse, BMW-speak for a facelift) G30 5er once again finds peak form. It looks good, drives really well, is roomy and comfortable, and seems to have improved massively in terms of overall build quality, fit and finish. And despite riding on huge 19-inch wheels that cover massive 4-piston front brakes, today’s G30 5er rides ever so smoothly. Gone are the days when every single BMW felt like it was built to set a record time on the Nurburgring. A firm suspension might be faster, but not always more enjoyable.
Power is perfect. The 2.0 liter twin power twin scroll turbocharged and direct injected engine B48 engine produces a hefty 248hp and 350 Newton-Meters of torque over a wide power band. It feels a lot better honestly, than BMW’s naturally aspirated silky inline sixes that only proves the modern wonders of turbocharging.
Power is then sent to the rear wheels via a sport-tuned ZF8HP automatic transmission which in EcoPro Mode is CVT smooth but in Sport Mode is as punchy as a DCT. Paddle shifters behind the steering wheel give an added measure of control and involvement. Other changes from the regular 5er are the aggressive front bumpers, the side vents on the front fenders and the larger rolling stock with high performance tires.
The steering is sublime, and the brakes perfectly progressive. You can steer the 530i M Sport with the throttle, adjusting its cornering attitude on a long wide sweeper with your right foot. Yet it feels refined and comfortable, perfectly suitable for a long journey while delivering the goods on a winding mountain road.
The inside is just as special. Sport seats adjust to envelope you, the handsome 3-spoke steering wheel moves for reach and rake adjustment, there’s a Harman Kardon hi-fi with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with wireless charging and Gesture Control, trippy but useful when adjusting settings on the iDrive, the infotainment system, and special BMW M tri-color trim subtly placed throughout the interior.
The 530i M-Sport is a true driver’s car that just happens to be supremely practical and versatile. It’s also fuel efficient, averaging a shade under 10km / liter when I had it, turns heads wherever I go and has oodles of space inside. Dare I say it, but for the price and overall package, the 530i M Sport is perfect.
