BMW 5 Series Touring 530i SE Auto 5dr Car Review - February 2012

The 530i 5-Series produces 272 bhp. It has a 0-62 mph time of 6.8seconds, which is among the top speeds in any car in its class. At full tank (70 litres) the car covers 551 miles. Coupled with a top speed of 155mph, you can tell you will have an enviable drive on the motorway. The 3.0-litre petrol engine will prove powerful and reliable. The 530i SE trim comes with a standard 8-spd auto gearbox, a high performance option that some of the other trims do not enjoy, except as a cost option.

If you are having a hard time choosing between the 530i and the Mercedes E-Class, go for the 530i; it gives a more superior ride than the E-Class. It is however not the best in its class, over-ruled in responsiveness and involvement by the Ford Mondeo Estate.

The 530i is superbly comfortable both on smooth and rough roads. Because the tyres run flat, it would have been very uncomfortable on bumpy roads. But this problem was anticipated and the designers averted it with a self-levelling, rear pneumatic system which gives enhanced suspension.

If you love quiet drives, the 5-Series delivers beyond expectation. Not even the whisper of the wind will penetrate into the cabin. It is impressively quiet in different revs.

Earlier 5-series trims were rather blunt in shape and design. The 530i is a different ball altogether. It has a curvier design and looks finely polished from every angle. It is one of the most stylish estates to drive and is a perfect fit for family rides.

The 5-door 5-seat car can comfortably sit five adults plus luggage. Even though it is smaller than the E-Class by 280 litres, it is still spacious and comfortable. Only the middle, rear passenger will be uncomfortable as they have to straddle a tunnel which cuts between the front and rear seats.

Standard equipment is generous. It includes leather seats, climate control, central locking, driver, passenger and front side airbags, power steering, electric door and front window mirrors, cruise control, metallic paint, alloy wheels, rear-parking sensors, immobilizer and alarm. The entertainment unit is comprehensive with Bluetooth, CD player and MP3 ports.

Sat Nav is available as a cost option, for £1,580, as are power seats for £920. Unless you are really fussy about your car’s features, you may want to avoid the cost options as they are quite expensive.

The 530i interior is well-designed. The pedals are perfectly spaced and the seats and steering wheel fully adjustable. The dashboard features a clever arrangement of functions. Operate the car’s systems with the iDrive knob, a new generation controller that is linked to the dashboard. Each function on the knob can be viewed on the dashboard widescreen.

There is enough storage space at the front and the glove compartment is large enough to accommodate multiple packets. Boot space is more than adequate, at 560 litres with the seats up and 1670 litres with the seats down. Rear seats split 40/20/40 and are fully foldable, in case you want to load huge luggage.

The car is fitted with plenty of modern safety features. Stability control, electronic traction control, regenerative brakes, pre-tensioners on front seat belts, intelligent airbags, headlight control systems, dusk sensors, front fog lights and hill holders are all meant to enhance safety.

BMW’s reputation for reliability is maintained, if not enhanced, in this car. The 530i scored a five-star rating in the overall Euro NCAP safety test.

Maintaining a BMW 530i is cheap. The combined 37.2mpg it returns is satisfactory for its class. The Efficient Dynamics fused in the engine and transmission system help in keeping it clean and fuel efficient, thus keeping running costs low. Audi and Mercedes models of equivalent specs are more expensive to run.

With CO2 emissions of 177g/km, it is not the worst pollutant, which mercifully earns it the low tax band I for a car of its dimensions, attracting £210 annually (£315 in the first year).

Because of its high desirability, the BMW 5-Series Touring 530i has unmatched resale values. Now that you know you stand to lose little by buying this car, go ahead and get yours for a whooping £39,195! The choice of a three-year service warranty and unlimited warranty on miles will lessen the financial burden.