Initial review of a 2024 BMW 530i xDrive (G60)

Initially when the Fifth generation (E60) was launched in 2003 everyone disapproved of the looks, but it gradually gained acceptance and I think the same will happen with this model.

BHPian Foxbat recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

After being without a car in the US for 1.5+ years (I couldn't afford parking costs!) I finally ended the drought by purchasing this BMW 530i xDrive yesterday.

Huge thanks for BHPian mobike008 who helped in the purchase.

First thing which is on everyone's mind (and mine also) are the looks which are polarizing to say the least. I hated the looks so much that this generation was never considered and I first time I got into one and drove it was after I purchased it.

However I think it looks better in real life than in the pics and looks stunning in this Phytonic Blue colour. Initially when the Fifth generation (E60) was launched in 2003 everyone disapproved of the looks but it gradually gained acceptance and I think the same will happen with this model.

The front 3 quarters view I think is the best view of the vehicle.

The massive front grill is shut when the car is off and opens when car is turned on. Not sure whats the purpose (to keep out dirt?) but one more thing that can possibly go wrong.

After picking up the car drove straight to Swaminarayan Akshardham temple in New Jersey for a pooja.

I was searching for a nearly new (2023 G30) 530i xDrive and than 540i xDrive for 6+ months. I loved the looks of the old generation its classic interior. I was waiting for the new model to be launched so I can pickup the old one at a steal price. I test drove a few and was about to purchase one but I was traveling out of the country and the car was sold. I kept increasing my budget and finally not much was left between near new 2023 540i and a new 530i. Hence I finally decided to stretch my budget a bit and get a new one.

The newer model is bigger and wider and the same size of an older generation 7 series. It looks closer to the current generation 7 series (whose looks are absolutely hideous in my opinion).

The keys look nice and you can use them to turn the car on (along with standard lock/unlock) and open the boot but they feel cheap and are similar quality to my 2017 Ciaz (sold).

Two huge screens replace the traditional instrument panel and this one of the reasons I was reluctant to buy this model however the transition has not been too difficult. Although I do find it annoying almost everything is through the central screen, even the heated steering wheel which is supper annoying to find when driving.

They have even replaced the seat memory controls and lock/unlock buttons with touch sensitive ones which takes some time getting used to but eventually you get used to it. The steering wheel is not round but more like a hexagonal which I think is odd but actually there is not much difference with the traditional round one. Steering is light and gets a bit heavier in sport mode.

The car is powered by a 2.0-liter BMW TwinPower Turbo inline 4-cylinder driving all 4 wheels along with a 48-volt hybrid system. It has 8-speed Sport Automatic transmission with Sport and Manual shift modes, steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters and Launch Control (what am I supposed to do with that?). The engine develops 255 bhp and has a 0-60 Mph time of about 5.5-5.7 seconds (depends on the source) which is sufficient by my needs. I have driven about 160 miles (about 257 km) so far and getting a mileage of 33 mpg (14Km/l) so that should answer the "kitne deti hain" mileage questions.

Handling is sharp and the only two other cars in the segment that I drove were the Audi A6 and the older G30 5 series. The Audi I think is better for cruising while the 5 series is better for more enthusiastic driving. I have driven the BMW X3, X4 and BMW 430i xDrive for a few days and I believe the handling is sharper than the first two.

I will update the thread as I drive the car more and get more familiar with the long list of features. One of the most interesting ones is that I can turn the car and air conditioning on/off and see the interior and exterior views through the numerous cameras using the BMW app from anywhere in the world (as long as you have internet).

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