I’ve always bemoaned entry-level BMWs when I see them on the road. Not because I think less of people who can only afford the entry-level version of a BMW but because you can just tell when someone bought one just for the badge and couldn’t care less about driving enjoyment. The equipment spec, the wheels and the lowly badge on the back can all be indicators of someone who just leased whatever BMW they could just to try and one-up their neighbor. However, the BMW 530i might be able to change that.
A few months back, I had a BMW 530i M Sport for a week. It wore Alpine White paint, had a stunning Mocha Nappa Leather interior with Multi-Contour seats, the M Sport package and just about every other possible option. It looked like a million bucks. But it was just a 530i, the entry-level model in the 5 Series range. Yet, it neither looked nor felt like anything close to something entry-level.
Admittedly, that was one that was loaded with al the goodies. However, just a few options can make the standard 530i looks like a proper luxury sport sedan. Hell, just the M Sport package alone, which isn’t too pricey at $2,600, transforms the looks of the 530i. It adds much nicer wheels, black highlights and new exhausts, as well as the M Sport steering wheel which is fantastic.
The interior doesn’t even need much upgrading to feel superb. The Dakota leather seats that come with the M Sport package are great and the Multi-Contour seats, while lovely, aren’t necessary. And that’s really all you need to add to have a great 5er that won’t run you more than $55,000.
But the best part of the new 530i is the powertrain. The previous-gen F10 BMW 528i came with BMW’s N20 2.0 liter turbo-four. While that was a good engine in the 3 Series and X3, it felt a bit sluggish and un-premium in the 5 Series.It was relatively coarse and didn’t make a good noise. Unbecoming of a car in the 5 Series’ price range. You could feel that you opted for the cheaper model when you put your foot down. Not so in the new BMW 530i.
The B48 2.0 liter turbo-four engine in the 530i is a little fire-cracker of an engine. It’s far quicker than its 248 hp and 258 lb-ft would suggest and it’s buttery smooth. There’s no indication of a four-cylinder under the hood. Not only is it buttery smooth and properly quick but it is also incredibly quiet. If you didn’t know any better, you could easily be convinced it’s an I6.
Then, there’s the brilliant eight-speed gearbox, which is as good as it’s ever been in a modern BMW. It’s smooth, fast, precise and incredibly intelligent. BMW’s calibration of the ZF-eight-speed makes it probably the best automatic in the world.
After my week with the 530i, I felt that, despite my love for BMW’s I6 engines and how fast the 540i is, I didn’t need one. I could happily live with the BMW 530i everyday and never want for more. It’s a brilliantly capable luxury car with some decent sportiness injected into it. While it’s annoying to see the typical suburban zombie buying base-model BMWs to impress their equally-dull neighbors, the new BMW 530i might just make entry-level BMWs cool again.
No 520i in the US?
Anyway, I don’t believe that all entry level buyers just want the badge. Especially now that quite a few governments are cracking down on fossil fuel.
Depending on the model (i.e. weight) one could also argue that everything between 100-200 horsepower is more than enough enough for your daily commute. Hence I reckon that some people just want the luxury and quality of a premium brand without all the horsepower.
Pricewise the true badge buyer will probably lean more towards the 1, 2, 3 and X1.
They moving the lower models to the UKL platform for those that just want the badge, makes total sense that way.
Another factor (albeit not a big one) why some people buy an ‘underpowered’ BMW is chiptuning. Some engines achieve(d) massive gains after a simple ECU tuning. Just think about the old F20 114/116i for example.
Another factor (albeit not a big one) why some people might buy an ‘underpowered’ BMW is chiptuning. Some engines achieve(d) massive gains after a simple ECU tuning. Just think about the old F20 114/16i for example. (N13 ‘Prince’ engine)
not so much any more. The downsizing leads to squeezing every squeezable pony out of the engine already at the factory, not much left for the tuners. You can always increase pressure etc., but that will inevitably lead to shorter engine life, which is already pretty short from the factory, compared to engines 10-15 years ago…
No power? No way.
I’ve driven 520d. Fantastic car but engine sucks. No sound, no enough power, no feeling of solid premium car. I hope that B48 gasoline is different story. But I think that real BMW are 6 cylinders.
BTW You forgot to mention LED headlights. Car looks significantly better with them.
BMW came back in the ’60’s on 4 cylinders, their HQ is in tribute. Bavarian MOTOR Works does them all!
Oooof.. I probably should’ve waited until I was in a better mood before reading this article. I completely disagee with the entire first paragraph. No, you cannot just tell that someone bought a BMW just for the badge. I guess I could say that the only reason people like you would shower adulation all over the eight-speed gearbox is because you’re all too lazy to row on your own with a true manual, hence the imminent demise of said manuals as we know them. How do I know this? I can just tell. And before anyone points it out, I do know that this car isn’t available with an old fashioned stick in the U.S. Your comments attempt to cast a shadow over Bmw’s entry level models, most of which are hardly lacking in the fun-to-drive department. Smart enthusiasts realize that you do not need a car loaded to the gills with bells and whistles in order to enjoy their daily commute. The e30 318i and the 2002tii are perfect examples of BMWs that, when new, were priced far lower than their more powerful and posh siblings. Yet they’re both fun to drive and have seen increases in their asking prices on the used car market. There’s also the matter of taste. Some people are conservative. They don’t want larger wheels, spoilers, or aggressive looking front ends.
And you’re a moron. How do I know? I can just tell. BMW 218i coupe is definitely more fun to drive than E30 318i was. If something was fun to drive – until the engine jammed, which wouldn’t last long, was 318is. And that had the exact same horespower as nowadays 218i…
So, you agree with me? I should have mentioned that I was referring to the 318i with the m42 engine…