2024 BMW 530i Sedan
Written by Marco Carvajal
5 Series Sedan Eighth Generation
The BMW 5 Series sedan is a midsize car that brings luxury, high speed, and style for those who want an exquisite car that can be also used for fun and adventurous fast driving. The base pricing from $58K to $72K, on models like the 530i Sedan, 540i xDrive, BMW 550e xDrive, and fully electric i5 eDrive40, i5 xDrive40, and the i5 M60, makes it more affordable than other competitors but still is a premium product that most car buyers cannot afford.
BMW calls the 5 Series sedan “Executive Sport” because of the harmonious blending of an elegant executive style with a sport-fast powertrain that can take you to fast speeds in just a few seconds. It looks like a fine car ideal for any diplomat or those who want to drive a very fine car.
The new eighth-generation 5 Series sedan is impressive for its advanced technology, sporty and elegant design with precise performance. The new 5 Series sedans are a great product and are larger and more elegant than the 3 Series sedans, but also more dynamic and sporty than the BMW 7 Series.
The new 530i Sedan
I am test-driving the 4-cylinder engine new 5 series entry-level 530i German sedan, a spectacular luxury sedan that only a few can afford. Even if it is a luxury and very advanced driving machine, the price is still affordable within the range of a midsize luxury sedan. The 2025 BMW 5 Series Sedan blends the latest innovative tech, exquisite style, and finest BMW engineering. The new 530i includes 19-inch light alloy wheels standard.
German expertise design and engineering come together to produce this luxury executive 5 series sedan, blending the latest innovative technology, elegant and modern style, and finest engineering.
The new BMW 530i Sedan is not a cheap car, well it is a new car with the latest technology and style, competing with other luxury car players in the market, with a price range from $58K to $65K.
New Features Include:
- Highway Assistant allows attentive hands-free driving at up to 85 MPG.
- World-first Active Lane Change with eye activation
- Automatic Park Assistant including Backup Assistant as standard
- 48V Mild Hybrid System
- Harman/Kardon Premium Sound System Standard
- Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility
- Personal eSIM 5G
- Wireless device charging
Back from 1972
The BMW 5 Series started back in 1972, when the first generation of the sporty and elegant four-door sedan was presented.
As time goes, the popularity of the BMW 5 Series keeps increasing. With its combination of dynamic performance and high level of touring comfort, it is BMW’s favorite business sedan. Let’s call it the Diplomatic sedan.
Even in a time when sedans seem to be less popular, as SUV and Crossover vehicles take over, so far more than ten million BMW 5 Series have been produced worldwide.
All previous and new generations BMW 5 Series have been manufactured at Plant Dingolfing, BMW’s largest European plant located in Lower Bavaria, Germany. The BMW Group plant in Dingolfing is not only the lead plant for BMW’s luxury class vehicles but also the location of the company’s e-drive production competence center, in charge of producing electric motors and highvoltage batteries for the BMW i5.
Buying a New BMW 530i Versus a Preowned One
When car buyers ask me what car to buy, one of the questions that arise is if it is better to buy a new car or a used car, and this is a very personal point for each buyer depending on many personal factors, like your budget today, your budget long term, maintenance, long-term repairs, warranty, resale value, and more.
If you are planning to hold onto your car for the long term, buying a new car is probably the best way to go, as you know exactly how your car has been taken care of since the moment it went out of the cooking oven into your home.
Buying a used BMW car is also a good answer for those who have a lower budget and are ready to take the risk of unexpected expensive repairs and maintenance issues.
If you buy a used car my first advice is either to get an extended warranty if available, and also try to find a good, affordable mechanic who specializes in the car brand you are buying, as this can save you thousands of dollars in some in some future failure of your smart mobile machine.
One disadvantage when you buy a used BMW is that you won’t be able to have all the fascinating latest technology and features that you can get when getting into a brand new 2024 or 2025 BMW 530i Sedan.
BMW is One of the Luxury Brand Cars with a Reputation for Easy Long-Term Repairs
BMW has a reputation for building very good quality and long-lasting cars, especially if you follow all the recommended maintenance visits to your dealer. In my experience when talking to car buyers and mechanics, BMW’s mechanical components are a little bit less complex than other European cars, therefore repairs tend to be easier to solve and less expensive.
Brands like Mercedes Benz and Range Rover are amazing competitors and very advanced and beautiful machines but tend to be more complex when major mechanical damage appears. Due to the advanced complexity of these cars, then for some mechanics, it can be more difficult to find the key to a mechanical problem, and it can take a long time and more money to repair it. However, every car and model is different, and some car buyers have had the opposite experience, so the truth is that you don’t know what to expect in the long term with any car.
Leasing
For buyers who plan to change into a new car every few years, maybe leasing a car is a better answer to your finances, just understanding that there can be some limitations or extra charges about mileage use, insurance costs usually more expensive, and other limitations. BMW offers great incentives for leasing and at the end of the lease, there is always a good offer to buy out your leased car. The lease-end process is easy, as opposed to when you want to sell your used car.
There is always an opportunity to trade your leased car or used car directly with a dealership, which can make the process very easy and quick to get you into a new car.
530i Trim Models and Pricing
The three following sedan 5 series models are the most affordable cars in this series. The price difference is not too big between these three cars. The first entry-level model 530i is rear-wheel drive, and it gets upgraded to all-wheel drive with the BMW 530i xDrive model. Then the all-new model 540i xDrive gets all-wheel drive and a larger and more powerful engine to reach top speed faster than ever.
- 530i, 255 horsepower, 0-60 MPH in 5.9 seconds, Starting MSRP $58,200
- 530i xDrive, 255 horsepower, 0-60 MPH in 5.8 seconds, Starting MSRP $60,500
- 540i xDrive, 375 horsepower, 0-60 MPH in 4.4 sec, Starting MSRP $65,200
Looking at the three sedan 5 series models, my conclusion is that the 540i xDrive is the best choice, even though it is the most expensive model of these three, but you get much more for your money, with 375 horsepower compared to the 255 horsepower of the base 530i version, you can reach speeds from zero to 60 miles per hour in only 4.4 seconds compared to 5.9 of the 530i. Also, the 540i is xDrive which means all-wheel drive compared to the base 530i model being just 2-wheel drive
The price difference from each one of the three models 530i, 530i xDrive, and 540i xDrive is about an increase of $2,000 more for each higher trim. For me it makes sense to pay about $4K more to get the 540i xDrive.
Engine
The 540i xDrive comes with a powerful 3.0-liter BMW TwinPower Turbo inline 6-cylinder, while the 530i includes a less powerful 2.0-liter BMW TwinPower Turbo inline 4-cylinder.
Both models, 540i and 530i include an 8-speed Sport Automatic transmission with Sport and Manual shift modes, steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters, and Launch Control; the 540i transmission also includes Sport and Manual shift modes.
The reality is that going with the 2.0-liter or the 3.0-liter engine, your BMW sedan is going to have more speed and power than you probably can use on any road or highway, but the 3.0 engine will get you faster to high speeds and will bring more horsepower.
Both cars are very fast and will reach the same top speed of 130 miles per hour limited electronically.
For those who like to race, the same 2 sedans can reach up to 155 miles per hour when equipped with performance tires and an increased top-speed limiter.
M Sport package
The optional M Sport package for enhancements like M Sport suspension and the Aerodynamic Kit , takes the 5 series further.
The M Sport Professional Package goes to the top of the line, including M Sport Brakes with Red Calipers, extended Shadowline trim, M Shadowline lights, and an Illuminated Kidney Grille.
Luxury Smart Interior
The BMW 530i that I am test-driving looks super trendy and modern inside. The interior is a work of art and it is very smart.
The fully digital BMW Curved interior Display puts an accent on BMW’s typical orientation toward the driver, who becomes the center of the interior redesign.
BMW Interaction Bar with ambient lighting in the instrument panel and door area, is standard on i5 models, and optional on 530i and 530i xDrive. It provides an amazing colorful ambience of lights.
My Modes provides a customizable driving and interior experience, and the new gear selector switches on the center console control panel are very practical.
This is good news for those who love electronic games. Working together with the gaming platform AirConsole, BMW presents a new and unique form of in-car gaming in the new BMW 5 Series.
Driver and passengers can play electronic casual games while the vehicle is stationary, for example, to occupy waiting times while charging the high-voltage battery of the BMW i5.
BMW In-car gaming with AirConsole includes games like “Go Kart Go”, “Golazo”, “Music Guess” and “Overcooked”.
For more practicality on the space, the folding rear seat backrest is split 40:20:40. The three elements can be folded down individually or together to create additional space for long pieces of cargo as needed. The luggage compartment of the new BMW i5 offers 17.3 cubic feet of storage, while the 530i and 530i xDrive each provide a larger 18.4 cubic feet.
The new BMW 5 Series may be customized with a fully leather-free interior. Leather-like, perforated Veganza is used on the seats as well as the dashboard and door panels and, for the first time, also on the steering wheel. New Merino leather upholstery in several bicolor variants remains an option for your interior style.
Handsome Athletic Exterior
The new generation 5 Series sedan is larger and more athletic than the previous generation sedan with a Sporty silhouette and dynamically larger proportions, it is very attractive.
The new sedan looks stronger with larger proportions and exterior dimensions. The new 5 series model has grown in length by 3.4 inches to 199.2, in width by 1.3 inches to 74.8, and in height by 1.4 inches to 59.6.
The wheelbase of the 5 series sedan also has been increased by 0.8 inches to 117.9 with improved interior seating space.
The bright BMW signature twin headlights and BMW kidney grille look great on the exterior of the new sedan. The LED headlights show the traditional four-lamp face but with a modernized style. The two vertical LED lights located on the outside work as daytime running lights and also like turn signals.
The exterior sporty black side skirts provide a graphic contrast to the rest of the body of the 5 series. The door handles are flush with the surrounding surfaces. The Hofmeister kink is elegantly highlighted by a graphic element with the number ‘5’ embossed on the side window surround.
The BMW kidney grille produces a very attractive sporty appeal, inspired by the known “Sharknose” of early 5 Series generations, it is the visual center at the front.
All the attractive lines of the front apron and the long hood, connected directly to the kidney grille frame, are directed to the front fascia producing a strong impact and a beautiful long aerodynamic elegant look.
Finally, the flat rear lights represent BMW’s hallmark L-shaped lights with a luxury and modern look in the new 5 series sedan from the German manufacturer.
