Test drive BMW 530d: the fifth dimension
Content
For the sixth generation in a row, BMW's five generations strive to offer the best in the upper middle class. Our ongoing top test with the 530d will try to answer the question of whether the new fifth series will really put the new scale in its category.
This test started out with a rather odd coincidence. The head of the sports department in Mercedes, Norbert Haug, showed an enviable mood with the words: "Michael Schumacher will win the first round of Formula 1 in a year!" (Which never happened.) This statement did not reach us, but soon we settled into the cockpit of the BMW 530d.
Warm connection
The new Munich model not only promises to be a guarantee of enjoyable moments in itself - it is even capable of transmitting positive emotions in real time from many other places on the planet thanks to the online Connection Drive package offered as an option for a professional navigation system. An extremely useful system uses a main 10,2-inch display in the center of the dashboard, the information on which is unmistakable in any light.
The most necessary Internet data continues to be displayed even while traveling, while free surfing is logically possible only when the car is stopped. Working with the menu is very well thought out and does not distract from the most important thing in the car, namely driving. All in all, the controls of the updated i-Drive system are perhaps the most user-friendly solution of this type currently offered by the automotive industry.
Good genes
In the new fifth series, "The Joy of Driving" can be understood in many ways, including the pleasure of a peaceful journey. It is enough to take, for example, the impressive acoustic spectacle with which the optional Professional HiFi system fills the interior space. You don't have to be an avid car aficionado to admire the stylish ambience and superb workmanship of this car's interior. Even if the trial copy did not have options for a total of more than 60 leva, the fifth series, without a doubt, deserves the highest possible rating in terms of the device's ergonomics, as well as the quality of materials and workmanship. And no wonder - after all, the new generation of the model is closely connected with the flagship of the brand - "Week". About 000 percent of the components and manufacturing processes of the two models are identical.
In terms of design, the fifth and seventh series differ significantly. BMW stylists have sculptural forms that are more dynamic and harmonious than those of the previous “five”. Numerous curves, bulges and slits on the hood, side line and rear give the car an unusually distinctive look. An increase in the overall length of the body by five and a wheelbase by eight centimeters, in turn, promises more space in the cabin. In practice, the differences between this indicator and its predecessor are limited to small nuances - in front the driver and his passenger have a little more space in width, and second-row passengers have an idea of \u1,90b\uXNUMXba greater distance between the legs and the backs of the front seats. People up to about XNUMX meters tall can easily cover long distances unnoticed on the "five", enjoying enough air over their heads. Only the sloping roofline requires extra attention when going up and down through the rear doors.
Behind the counter
Everyone is free to think what they want, but the most suitable place under the sun in the fifth series is behind the wheel, where a simple, but nevertheless (or rather because of this) perfectly thought-out dashboard spread out before the driver’s eyes. . The center console is slightly turned towards the driver - a solution that we already know from the "week". It is from the warm museum of the Bavarians that a huge number of various auxiliary systems come, which buyers of the fifth series can order for an additional fee. In fact, the list of accessories is so long and interesting that by studying it, you can easily diversify a few boring evenings.
The rich “menu” includes such things as a lane departure warning system, an assistant that monitors the appearance of objects in the driver’s field of vision, as well as the latest generation brake assistant. For 1381 300 lv. Also available is a Surround View system with an optional front camera that allows the driver to see from a bird's eye view of what is happening directly in front of the car. Approximately 3451 lv. It will be cheaper to leave the car in the parking lot on your own. At least from our point of view, this is hardly the most natural thing to want from your BMW. However, the idea of "Joy to Drive" in most cases means taking matters into your own hands so that they are under your control. The investment in an integrated system of active steering and Adaptive Drive adaptive suspension seems to be much more worthwhile – for BGN 5917 and BGN XNUMX, respectively. For supporters of the “Gargoyle – shaggy” approach, we definitely recommend comfortable front seats with electric adjustment and thin leather upholstery.
Instead of an overture
In urban conditions, the 530d feels surprisingly good - with excellent visibility from the driver's seat, very good maneuverability and barely audible sound from the regular diesel "six" under the hood. From a small minus, only a few limited comfort can be noted when passing bumps at low speeds. Apart from this remark, the chassis perfectly withstands all other disciplines.
The six-cylinder engine pulls confidently at the lowest revs and is a textbook example of even and highly efficient power distribution. Our measuring equipment showed the acceleration time from 6,3 to 0 km / h in 100 seconds. What is even more impressive in this case is that our enviable performance does not at least negatively affect fuel consumption. In our standardized cycle for economical driving, the car delivered an incredible value of 6,2 liters of diesel fuel per 100 kilometers.
The overall average fuel consumption in tests was a reasonable 8,7 L / 100 km, which is certainly largely due to the talented eight-speed automatic transmission. A collaboration between Steptronic and an impressive 245 hp and 540 Nm passes under the sign of absolute harmony. A NOx catalyst can be added to all this at an additional cost. Thus, the BMW diesel engine in the Blue Performance version is capable of even meeting Euro 6 standards.
On the road
Enough theory, time to practice. The Steptronic transmission expertly selects the most suitable gear for every situation, and the shifting is completely seamless - sometimes it feels like the only way to know when the transmission is shifting from one gear to another is to constantly monitor the sound of the engine. And because of the excellent noise reduction, the latter is only possible with full overclocking ...
The Integrated Active Steering system also deserves respect for its technological maturity: the steering wheel is light and very straight at a slow pace, and as speed increases, it gradually becomes firmer and quieter. The freeway nervousness that was initially criticized in the company's previous models with such a system has long been history. The 530d follows its intended direction with unwavering calmness and, at times, surprising stability. Part of the credit for this, of course, belongs to the modern chassis with aluminum mounts. All kinds of bumps and waves on the asphalt are absorbed with perfect accuracy, so they have no chance to unbalance the vehicle or disturb the ride. Whether the driver chooses Comfort, Normal or Sport suspension mode, ride comfort remains the same.
At the end of
If one finds the latest offerings disturbing in terms of the brand's tradition of achieving the most sporty behavior on the road, then fears are unfounded - the 530d remains a true continuation of classic BMW values. As for the dynamic position on the road, the sixth edition of the "five" is transferred to an area that remains out of reach for almost all participants. Although the power steering takes a little longer than before to transmit the driver's commands to the front wheels, the rear-wheel drive sedan handles all road tests with remarkable results, and the helpful rear peek still further enhances the excitement of the sport and driving precision.
Thanks to the body roll reduction system, vehicle sway is kept to a minimum - even implementing a simulated emergency lane change at highway speed (the so-called ISO test) looks like child's play behind the wheel of the 530d. The Five handles corners so quickly and consistently that the driving experience is very close to that of a Series XNUMX. Of course, there is a certain distance between the two models, but this combination of genuine driving pleasure, maximum safety and excellent comfort is currently the only one of its kind in the upper middle class.
Unsurprisingly, a car with all the superlatives listed so far cannot be cheap. In our test, the "five" performed brilliantly, and in most disciplines even achieved maximum results. So we can responsibly confirm that the proud price of this car is fully justified, and its claims for class leadership are becoming more realistic.
text: Jochen Ubler, Boyan Boshnakov
a photo: Ahim Hartman
Evaluation
BMW 530d
The sixth generation of the “five” is close to the “week”. Comfort has been significantly improved without compromising typical BMW road performance. Both the engine and the ergonomics make a convincing impression.
technical details
| BMW 530d | |
|---|---|
| Working volume | - |
| Power | 245 k.s. at 400 rpm |
| Maximum torque | - |
| Acceleration 0-100 km / h | 6,6 with |
| Braking distances at a speed of 100 km / h | 38 m |
| full speed | 250 km / h |
| Average consumption fuel in the test | 8,7 l |
| Base Price | 94 900 levov |
