BMW gets it right with 530d

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Friday, July 30, 2010

In recent years the BMW 5-Series has raised the bar in the executive car segment to such a level that Mercedes and Audi were in serious danger of being left wondering who nicked their laurels.

Even with its controversial and quirky Chris Bangle design, the car won so many hearts that it truly frightened the gizzard out if its primary German rivals.

The arrival of a new 5-Series then comes with a considerable frisson of expectation attached and while the two litre turbodiesel — which is only just filtering onto the Irish market about now — will certainly be the standard bearer in sales terms, a test in the 530d (the uprated 180 kW/245 bhp version) was not to be missed.

We have, of course, railed against some of BMW’s newest products in these columns lately — not least the mystifying 5-Series GT and the bizarre X6 — so it was with a very keen sense of anticipation that we climbed into a machine which is very much of the ‘meat and two veg’ variety for the Munich outfit.

Now I must caution that what follows — in terms of gushing praise — must be tempered by the knowledge that BMW has come in for considerable criticism with regard to the 5-Series, particularly so as some of its most clever features, such as adaptive ride and integral active steering, are not standard on all models and therefore the handling characteristics can vary accordingly.

It is my understanding that models not fitted with some of this fiendishly clever kit do not drive or ride as well as you might expect and it is therefore advised that potential owners take special care when they are specifying their car to make sure they have the package that makes this thing truly special. Otherwise life could be very disappointing for them.

The other side of this conundrum is that some of this fiendishly clever stuff is quite expensive to add to the car, so it would appear that criticism of BMW for having its cake and eating it, is well justified.

In any event, I have to say my time with the 530d was a period where the admiration tap was fully turned on throughout. I was actually one of those weirdos who liked Chris Bangle’s designs, seeing them as providing BMW with a fresh and unique face.

To be honest I never really understood what all the fuss was about — and particularly so when BMW sold so many of the damn things.

I mean, who was doing all the complaining in the first place?

A couple of self-obsessed British TV presenters, perhaps?

The new car is not quite as ‘stand-outish’ as its predecessor and BMW’s new design chiefs have slightly toned down some of Bangle’s more outlandish touches. In doing so they have come up with a car which is not as edgy as what ant went before, but is still easy enough on the eye — this one anyway.

And, being essentially a shorter version of the 7-Series, it is also a hugely roomy car which will not disappoint drivers or passengers.

The elements which grabbed me most, though, were the ones which you don’t see in action — only experience.
The three litre turbodiesel is a gem.

As we’ve already outlined, it outputs some 180 kW/245 bhp and this results in stonking performance. The 0-100 kph dash is achieved in just 6.3 seconds and top speed is limited to 250 kph. It is the manner in which it goes about its work, however, which is the most impressive thing.

Allied to an eight speed auto ‘box (which is not necessarily always a good thing, but in this instance is sensational), the engine seamlessly ripples with intent – and then delivers. The gearbox too adds greatly to the joy of this machine.

There is no unnecessary jumping from gear to gear, just a simple ability to find the right cog when you need it — in absolutely clinical and smooth fashion.

On the road it is terribly well sorted too and the poise and grip levels make it a very easy car to get to grips with — whatever mindset you’re in.

Sure this is not a cheap car and Mercedes, in particular, are fighting it gamely on the price front. The fact is, though, that if you have chosen wisely with what you want on the 5-Series, you will have a machine which will serve you incredibly well and will meet your motoring desires with no certain aplomb.

Good to see, then, despite its ventures into unfathomable niche markets, BMW can still get it right when it comes to the nuts and bolts end of things.