A few weeks back, we had the opportunity to drive the brand-new G30-generation BMW 5 Series for a week. The specific car we drove was a 2017 BMW 530i M Sport sDrive and it proved to be a superb all-around car. To give you a closer look, we now provide you with this video review of it.
At first glance, it may look like BMW phoned this one in, in terms of design. Without taking a good look, it doesn’t look that much different from the car it replaces. However, look closer and you’ll notice that this car is far more muscular than the outgoing one.
Inside, though, the two cars are night and day. The interior of the new G30 5 Series looks and feels best-in-class. Especially with the Mocha Brown Multi-Contour Nappa Leather seats equipped on our test car. The seats are nothing short of fabulous, with the perfect balance of comfort and stability. This level of quality is mirrored throughout the cabin, where every material you can touch, and even those out of reach, feel of extremely high quality. This feels like a much more expensive interior that the 5 Series’ price would suggest.
BMW developed the 5 Series to be the Ultimate Driving Machine as well as a great luxury car. And this was really where the new 5 Series needed to improve the most, as the previous generation car’s biggest complaint is that it lacked the sort of driving dynamics typically associated with the Bavarian brand. While comfortable, smooth and luxurious and customers loved it, enthusiasts were less than excited about the way the previous F10-generation 5er drove. So this new G30-generation needed to be a big upgrade.
Thankfully, BMW delivered, as this is the best driving 5 Series since the E39-generation. That may sound a bit like hyperbole but it isn’t. Not since the E39 has the 5er been so nice to drive.
Funny. On 04:00 he’s taking a turn at a speed of about 20 kmh, the car understeers, and he calls it highly tossable? I could expect nothing else from an ignorant BMW fan. The E-Class takes turns at much higher speeds, let alone Audi A6. The new generation of 5 series proved once again, that BMW is the only outsider in the premium market. In addition, one must be drunk to call its interior the best in its class. It isn’t any different to a 1997 E39 interior with few exceptions, i.e. cold and miserable. The interior of the E-Class is head and shoulders above that of the new 5 series.
Sorry. I’m just a troll paid by Mercedes Benz. I’m ignorant when it comes to cars. This is the best in its class by a lot. BMW rules!!
Yes, admin. You’re a very funny guy indeed.
I LOLed.
Does sDrive mean it’s FWD?
Rwd only. Xdrive is awd
FWD means it’s VW.
NOT BMW.
Why are all press G30 cars equipped with VDC only? The reality is the stock G30 doesn’t come equipped with it. In the country I live in, customisation of G30 is near impossible; it’s an on-indent basis car if u customise and pricing will be vastly different – meaning ALOT more.
Can we have a review of a G30 on passive M Sport suspension for once, please?
Lastly, I’m surprised to hear that the built quality is extremely high (even those out of reach). The mini glove compartment (driver’s side) feels really cheap and out of place for a car at this price. The very least BMW could have done is to line the interior with felt (even my old E60 has it) and offer some damping for it’s opening.
I really like the new G30. I just hope BMW is not cutting corners anywhere else.
To answer all of your questions is order:
1. We really don’t have a say in how our test cars are equipped. Its just not possible to be able to pick and choose which options they come with.
2. If we get a 5er with the passive M Sport suspension, we’ll certainly talk about it in the review but as mentioned before, we can’t pick and choose.
3. Believe me, the G30 has a higher quality cabin than anything else in the class. I’ve been in everything, the G30 is top notch. No cheap materials to be found yet.
It’s nice to see a review by a BMW guy. We speak a particular language… mostly lost with general reviews. Keep it up!
Thanks! There will definitely be more.