Few cars have elicited as much praise and fawning over the years as BMW's midsize 5 Series. With striking good looks, performance to match and an interior that exudes quality craftsmanship and understated elegance, the constant adulation has been well deserved. As good as it is, however, six years is a long time in the car business, and although the current 5 Series has certainly aged gracefully over the years, the competition is beginning to nip at its heels.
In an effort to fend off the wolves until the redesigned 2004 model arrives, BMW made some notable changes to the 5 Series lineup in 2001. The standard 528i was replaced with two new models while the entire lineup received minor interior revisions and new exterior colors. The base 525i model is now powered by a 2.5-liter straight six, while a new midrange model is badged as the 530i thanks to a slightly larger 3.0-liter version of the base model's six. The eight-cylinder 540i and M5 models are unchanged under the hood.
Our 530i test car was decked out with the sport suspension package, xenon headlights and a few other optional goodies that bumped the price tag up to nearly $44K. This placed it right in the heart of the midsize luxury sedan category occupied by the likes of Mercedes' E-Class, Audi's A6 and Jaguar's S-Type. Each competitor offers its own unique take on the category but none espouses the mantra of performance more so than BMW.
So does the reinvigorated 530i measure up?
Well, we considered it one of the best sedans on the planet when it had just 190 horsepower, so it should come as no surprise that we find it equally as impressive with an extra 35 ponies underfoot. Rated at 225 horsepower and 214 pound-feet of torque, the three-liter mill uses BMW's advanced double VANOS variable valve timing system along with electronic throttle control and reconfigured intake manifold runners to achieve maximum performance flexibility. There's still considerably less power on tap than many of its rivals but, like so many BMW sedans before it, the 530i manages to feel more fleet of foot than its specifications would suggest.
Low-end thrust isn't overwhelming, but once underway, the silky six churns out more than enough power and torque to keep things entertaining. Run it right up against the redline and the engine never flinches, singing an unruffled tune that'll make you believe it could stay there all day without a hiccup — it undoubtedly could. A 0-to-60-mph time of just 6.5 seconds confirmed our suspicions that the car is quicker than the horsepower number would imply.
Moving through the gears, the car builds speed effortlessly and without the slightest hint of strain, masking the speedometer's warning that legal speed limits are quickly approaching. The shifter in our test car was a typical BMW unit, supple through the gates but positive in its stops. There are better gearboxes out there — but not by much. Also typical was the feathery clutch that felt ill-equipped to handle even a modest load of torque, not to mention a tricky uptake that can make even the most experienced heel-and-toer look clumsy through the gears.
More BMW goodness comes through in the handling department as the 530's suspension delivers a near perfect combination of everyday drivability and backcountry capability. Drive it on nothing but interstates and clogged city streets and you'll rarely find fault with its tuning or isolation. This held true despite our test car's optional sport suspension that added stiffer springs and shocks, a lower ride height and thicker antiroll bars. Larger 17-inch sport wheels and tires were included with the package, yet the ride remained comfortably firm with barely a hint of harshness.
Although it almost goes without saying, the steering is nearly perfect in both its weighting and ability to transmit the inner workings of the suspension to your brain. You couldn't get better road feel if you opened the door and dragged your hand on the pavement. The brakes, now upgraded in front on the 530i, are equally adept at providing a solid, connected feel that gives you the confidence to push the car hard and fast into the turns. Taken together with the unflappable suspension and 50/50 weight-distribution, this car could out-maneuver numerous cars half its size (okay, 4/5ths its size).
All that and you still get one of the most comfortable, elegant interiors in the business. The standard 10-way power-adjustable seats are stiff but comfortable for long hauls, while the tilt and telescoping steering wheel allows you to maintain a relaxed position behind the wheel. The instrument panel and center stack layout remain relatively unchanged from years past, with large analog dials for vital engine information and clean, but occasionally confusing, climate and radio controls. A standard single-disc CD player shows that BMW has now officially joined the 21st century. Now if it can just figure out how to turn this slot into a six-disc changer, it'll really look sophisticated.
Rear-passenger room is a little short, with less legroom than most of its competitors but about equal shoulder width. Two adults will fit fine, but three of anybody will push the limits of comfort. The trunk is also on the small side, but lo and behold, the company does provide a handy sticker that shows how three bags of golf clubs can fit if stowed properly — apparently BMW is well aware of who buys its cars.
European luxury cars have always been at the forefront when it comes to safety and the 5 Series is no exception. The standard dual front airbags are of the two-stage variety for varying degrees of impact while BMW's Differentiated Deployment System detects the presence of a front passenger and whether he is belted in to determine deployment rate. Door-mounted side-impact airbags are also standard along with a head protection system for the front passengers. Side-impact and head curtain airbags are available as options for the rear passengers, as well. Tests conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) resulted in a "Good" rating, its best, as well as a "Best Pick" designation for overall passenger protection performance.
It's not too difficult to see why the 5 Series has been at the top of its category for so many years now. It may not always be the fastest or the most luxurious, but its ability to inspire confidence behind the wheel is second to none. The 530i represents the best compromise between the all-out performance of the eight-cylinder models and the efficiency of the smaller six. It won't snap your neck with its power but it rarely leaves you wishing for more. Factor in the near perfect steering, nimble handling, powerful brakes and comfortable, stylish interior and you have yourself a sedan that deserves every bit of the adulation it gets.
In an effort to fend off the wolves until the redesigned 2004 model arrives, BMW made some notable changes to the 5 Series lineup in 2001. The standard 528i was replaced with two new models while the entire lineup received minor interior revisions and new exterior colors. The base 525i model is now powered by a 2.5-liter straight six, while a new midrange model is badged as the 530i thanks to a slightly larger 3.0-liter version of the base model's six. The eight-cylinder 540i and M5 models are unchanged under the hood.
Our 530i test car was decked out with the sport suspension package, xenon headlights and a few other optional goodies that bumped the price tag up to nearly $44K. This placed it right in the heart of the midsize luxury sedan category occupied by the likes of Mercedes' E-Class, Audi's A6 and Jaguar's S-Type. Each competitor offers its own unique take on the category but none espouses the mantra of performance more so than BMW.
So does the reinvigorated 530i measure up?
Well, we considered it one of the best sedans on the planet when it had just 190 horsepower, so it should come as no surprise that we find it equally as impressive with an extra 35 ponies underfoot. Rated at 225 horsepower and 214 pound-feet of torque, the three-liter mill uses BMW's advanced double VANOS variable valve timing system along with electronic throttle control and reconfigured intake manifold runners to achieve maximum performance flexibility. There's still considerably less power on tap than many of its rivals but, like so many BMW sedans before it, the 530i manages to feel more fleet of foot than its specifications would suggest.
Low-end thrust isn't overwhelming, but once underway, the silky six churns out more than enough power and torque to keep things entertaining. Run it right up against the redline and the engine never flinches, singing an unruffled tune that'll make you believe it could stay there all day without a hiccup — it undoubtedly could. A 0-to-60-mph time of just 6.5 seconds confirmed our suspicions that the car is quicker than the horsepower number would imply.
Moving through the gears, the car builds speed effortlessly and without the slightest hint of strain, masking the speedometer's warning that legal speed limits are quickly approaching. The shifter in our test car was a typical BMW unit, supple through the gates but positive in its stops. There are better gearboxes out there — but not by much. Also typical was the feathery clutch that felt ill-equipped to handle even a modest load of torque, not to mention a tricky uptake that can make even the most experienced heel-and-toer look clumsy through the gears.
More BMW goodness comes through in the handling department as the 530's suspension delivers a near perfect combination of everyday drivability and backcountry capability. Drive it on nothing but interstates and clogged city streets and you'll rarely find fault with its tuning or isolation. This held true despite our test car's optional sport suspension that added stiffer springs and shocks, a lower ride height and thicker antiroll bars. Larger 17-inch sport wheels and tires were included with the package, yet the ride remained comfortably firm with barely a hint of harshness.
Although it almost goes without saying, the steering is nearly perfect in both its weighting and ability to transmit the inner workings of the suspension to your brain. You couldn't get better road feel if you opened the door and dragged your hand on the pavement. The brakes, now upgraded in front on the 530i, are equally adept at providing a solid, connected feel that gives you the confidence to push the car hard and fast into the turns. Taken together with the unflappable suspension and 50/50 weight-distribution, this car could out-maneuver numerous cars half its size (okay, 4/5ths its size).
All that and you still get one of the most comfortable, elegant interiors in the business. The standard 10-way power-adjustable seats are stiff but comfortable for long hauls, while the tilt and telescoping steering wheel allows you to maintain a relaxed position behind the wheel. The instrument panel and center stack layout remain relatively unchanged from years past, with large analog dials for vital engine information and clean, but occasionally confusing, climate and radio controls. A standard single-disc CD player shows that BMW has now officially joined the 21st century. Now if it can just figure out how to turn this slot into a six-disc changer, it'll really look sophisticated.
Rear-passenger room is a little short, with less legroom than most of its competitors but about equal shoulder width. Two adults will fit fine, but three of anybody will push the limits of comfort. The trunk is also on the small side, but lo and behold, the company does provide a handy sticker that shows how three bags of golf clubs can fit if stowed properly — apparently BMW is well aware of who buys its cars.
European luxury cars have always been at the forefront when it comes to safety and the 5 Series is no exception. The standard dual front airbags are of the two-stage variety for varying degrees of impact while BMW's Differentiated Deployment System detects the presence of a front passenger and whether he is belted in to determine deployment rate. Door-mounted side-impact airbags are also standard along with a head protection system for the front passengers. Side-impact and head curtain airbags are available as options for the rear passengers, as well. Tests conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) resulted in a "Good" rating, its best, as well as a "Best Pick" designation for overall passenger protection performance.
It's not too difficult to see why the 5 Series has been at the top of its category for so many years now. It may not always be the fastest or the most luxurious, but its ability to inspire confidence behind the wheel is second to none. The 530i represents the best compromise between the all-out performance of the eight-cylinder models and the efficiency of the smaller six. It won't snap your neck with its power but it rarely leaves you wishing for more. Factor in the near perfect steering, nimble handling, powerful brakes and comfortable, stylish interior and you have yourself a sedan that deserves every bit of the adulation it gets.
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