What can I really say about the driving experience of the BMW 530i? It’s been said before. And, rightly, BMW saw fit not to change the essence of the 5 Series. Bavarian sheer driving pleasure is direct-injected with the right amount of pressure. There’s a thick, wholesome steering wheel that feels glorious to hold on to. The weight and feedback are brilliant and that makes it easier and more intuitive to manoeuvre. The suspension set-up — double wishbone front and multi-link rear — plants those wheels, with thicc mixed rubber, down well. It’s positively soft in Eco Pro, pliant in Comfort, and just the right amount of firm in Sport. The 1.6-tonne body weight feels inconsequential; more so in the sprint from zero to 100 km/h over the course of six-and-a-half seconds. It’s a quick car. The hefty 350 Nm of torque kicks in early, so the build-up of power feels substantial. Lag? Only if I hammer my foot down all of a sudden — not a wise move with petrol over Rs 100 per litre. Of course, if that’s how you want to drive drive, you simply save up and wait for the M5.
This BMW 530i is a proper executive family saloon and it’s best driven in a relaxed manner mostly because of the sumptuous interior — perforated tan leather and very cosseting seating and support. Of course, with the rear-wheel-drive transmission tunnel bisecting the cabin, it’s ideal as a 2+2 seater, more than a fiver. Plus, it has the kit to keep all sorts of occupants happy. The updated multimedia interface, premium audio system, advanced connectivity together with voice and gesture controls, and the BMW Assistant are all welcome bits of kit. I just wish it had ventilated seats; what, with the perforated upholstery.
There’s another thing about the 5, too. There are xDrive all-wheel-drive model options overseas — for all-weather and all-road application — and the 5 does not shy away from the rough stuff, either. Yes, it has just about 144 mm of ride height; it didn’t make contact, but it did make me pay attention. The unruliest of speed-humps had me criss-crossing, but the lumpy monsoon no-road conditions — with perfectly mistimed, as usual — road works in some places had me placing the 5 over mud and mounds of dirt that the compact wannabe-SUV brigade were avoiding.
The BMW 530i proves it’s the real deal as a proper sport-luxury sedan or executive saloon or business car, call it what you will. It will handle mile-munching duties, city runabouts, business meetings, family outings, and weekend getaways with ease. It swallows luggage with its apt 530-litre boot and holds a tempa-spare underneath. It rides beautifully, ignores undulations, and feels well-built and extremely safe. There are few alternatives to the 5er, although its main rivals all pack four-cylinder turbo-petrols: the Audi A6 and Mercedes-Benz E-Class, primarily. At Rs 62.90 lakh (ex-showroom) in this M Sport guise, it’s Rs 1.4 lakh more than its predecessor. I’d say good value, but that term has lost its meaning over time. A good car? Surely.
Need to Know – BMW 530i M Sport
Price: Rs 62.90 lakh (ex-showroom)
Engine: 1,998 cc, in-line four, turbo-petrol
Max Power: 252 hp @ 5,200-6,500 rpm
Max Torque: 350 Nm @ 1,450-4,800 rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed, automatic, rear-wheel drive
Suspension: Double-wishbone front, five-link rear
Weight: 1,615 kg
