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When it was born, many people thought the 5-series looked horrendous and that Chris Bangle, the designer responsible for the revolutionary changes on the BMW's traditional styling cues, ought to be shot in the head.
But since then, we have received from zee Germans the new 3-series, the drop-dead gorgeous Z4 and the muscular sex siren - the 6-series, amongst the other rather radical departures. That, thankfully, led to people reconsidering shooting Bangle, allowing him to continue until now and drawing up things like the new 530i.
The new 530i comes with a cleaner look up front; less clattered with random fin-like pillars and more of practical, yet welcoming look. It now has a wide gaping mouth across, allowing better air intake and also a horizontal trim bit which gives the impression of a wider, lower stance.
More noticeably though would probably be its rear lamps now which resemble talons or a set of long claws, reaching out, ready to grab its next prey.
But since then, we have received from zee Germans the new 3-series, the drop-dead gorgeous Z4 and the muscular sex siren - the 6-series, amongst the other rather radical departures. That, thankfully, led to people reconsidering shooting Bangle, allowing him to continue until now and drawing up things like the new 530i.
The new 530i comes with a cleaner look up front; less clattered with random fin-like pillars and more of practical, yet welcoming look. It now has a wide gaping mouth across, allowing better air intake and also a horizontal trim bit which gives the impression of a wider, lower stance.
More noticeably though would probably be its rear lamps now which resemble talons or a set of long claws, reaching out, ready to grab its next prey.
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Inside, the most prominent difference would probably be its gear selector lever, which looks so space-age that it almost sticks out like a sore thumb in its classy wood-trimmed cabin.
The updated iDrive controls mean users now have eight programmable buttons for things like GPS, audio, or telephony.
It has the Active Steering, Cruise control with a special brake function, Heads-Up Display, Adaptive Headlights, the Turning Lights function, High-Beam Assist, a navigation system, your best friend, the iDrive, the very good friend, Dynamic Stability Control (DSC), and, of most importance, the discipline master, Lane Change Warning.
Inside, the most prominent difference would probably be its gear selector lever, which looks so space-age that it almost sticks out like a sore thumb in its classy wood-trimmed cabin.
The updated iDrive controls mean users now have eight programmable buttons for things like GPS, audio, or telephony.
It has the Active Steering, Cruise control with a special brake function, Heads-Up Display, Adaptive Headlights, the Turning Lights function, High-Beam Assist, a navigation system, your best friend, the iDrive, the very good friend, Dynamic Stability Control (DSC), and, of most importance, the discipline master, Lane Change Warning.
The updated iDrive controls mean users now have eight programmable buttons for things like GPS, audio, or telephony.
It has the Active Steering, Cruise control with a special brake function, Heads-Up Display, Adaptive Headlights, the Turning Lights function, High-Beam Assist, a navigation system, your best friend, the iDrive, the very good friend, Dynamic Stability Control (DSC), and, of most importance, the discipline master, Lane Change Warning.
Inside, the most prominent difference would probably be its gear selector lever, which looks so space-age that it almost sticks out like a sore thumb in its classy wood-trimmed cabin.
The updated iDrive controls mean users now have eight programmable buttons for things like GPS, audio, or telephony.
It has the Active Steering, Cruise control with a special brake function, Heads-Up Display, Adaptive Headlights, the Turning Lights function, High-Beam Assist, a navigation system, your best friend, the iDrive, the very good friend, Dynamic Stability Control (DSC), and, of most importance, the discipline master, Lane Change Warning.
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Driving Impressions
As you barrel along with its 2996cc inline-six masterpiece of an engine, enjoying the 272 horsepower and 315 Nm of torque, the sensation from behind the wheel is heavy, not very nimble, but extremely well planted for a car having a kerb weight of 1615 kg.
Going around bends is effortless as the Active Steering does its job remarkably, while the Turning Lights illuminate the dark corners by the sides of your front, allowing you a much better view at night.
The suspension rides firmly with a little bit of body roll, but the seats do a commendable job of keeping you tautly in place. Going over bumps is, of course, not a problem, being a 5-series, and it still maintains a very comfortable level of feedback from the road surface, just about adequate to keep you subtly informed.
We clocked the century dash in at 7.8 seconds with a full load of petrol and 3 passengers, and it will take you all the way up to 250 km/h. However, should you see something, or rather, someone, unpleasant at some speed, fret not. The slightly resistant brake pedals will inform all four ventilated disc brakes to bring you back to earth. And it does it quite effortlessly too.
As you barrel along with its 2996cc inline-six masterpiece of an engine, enjoying the 272 horsepower and 315 Nm of torque, the sensation from behind the wheel is heavy, not very nimble, but extremely well planted for a car having a kerb weight of 1615 kg.
Going around bends is effortless as the Active Steering does its job remarkably, while the Turning Lights illuminate the dark corners by the sides of your front, allowing you a much better view at night.
The suspension rides firmly with a little bit of body roll, but the seats do a commendable job of keeping you tautly in place. Going over bumps is, of course, not a problem, being a 5-series, and it still maintains a very comfortable level of feedback from the road surface, just about adequate to keep you subtly informed.
We clocked the century dash in at 7.8 seconds with a full load of petrol and 3 passengers, and it will take you all the way up to 250 km/h. However, should you see something, or rather, someone, unpleasant at some speed, fret not. The slightly resistant brake pedals will inform all four ventilated disc brakes to bring you back to earth. And it does it quite effortlessly too.
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To sum it up...
BMWs are icons of success that you can turn up at business meetings with, and are cars that have you arrive feeling fresh and energetic after a long trip. The 530i is no exception, and it further exemplifies BMWs as a whole with it's "upgraded capabilities".
Additionally, buying one also means you can sleep in a little later because you can get to work faster.
BMWs are icons of success that you can turn up at business meetings with, and are cars that have you arrive feeling fresh and energetic after a long trip. The 530i is no exception, and it further exemplifies BMWs as a whole with it's "upgraded capabilities".
Additionally, buying one also means you can sleep in a little later because you can get to work faster.
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Specifications -
Price: $238,800
Engine: 3.0-litre straight 6, 24-valve
Power: 258Bhp @ 6600rpm ( 86.6bhp/litre)
Torque: 300Nm @ 2500rpm
Transmission: 6 -speed Auto
Length/width/height: 4841 / 1846 / 1468 mm
Wheelbase: 2888 mm
Kerb weight: 1565 kg
0-100km/h: 6.7 sec (manufacturer's claimed)
Price: $238,800
Engine: 3.0-litre straight 6, 24-valve
Power: 258Bhp @ 6600rpm ( 86.6bhp/litre)
Torque: 300Nm @ 2500rpm
Transmission: 6 -speed Auto
Length/width/height: 4841 / 1846 / 1468 mm
Wheelbase: 2888 mm
Kerb weight: 1565 kg
0-100km/h: 6.7 sec (manufacturer's claimed)
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