Review of the new BMW 530d

The range of different cars with BMW badges that buyers can now lay their hands on is quite something. Not so long ago, the marque was content to tempt the public with a bijou model line-up consisting purely of executive and luxury saloons. Model range expansion like this is a sign of the times and BMW's spreading of wings has been mirrored by its rivals but some things don't change. As before, it's the mighty 5-Series that lies at the heart the BMW offering and at the heart of the 5-Series range? That'll be the 530d.

The practice of platform sharing is a key reason why car manufacturers have been able to assemble such vast product ranges in so relatively short a space of time. Beneath the surface, many modern cars have the same core underpinnings and this is very much the case at BMW, which now has 7-Series, 5-Series and others riding on the same basic big-car platform. As well as facilitating growth in the BMW range, platform sharing has triggered growth in the 5-Series itself. The car is now more capacious than ever but the remarkable six-cylinder diesel engine in the 530d has become more powerful to cope.

BMW's straight-six diesel is one of the great modern car engines and a process of continual improvement has kept it consistently ahead of the game. The latest version develops 242bhp and a huge 540Nm of torque that's on demand from 1,750rpm through to 3,000rpm. That's the kind of muscle that could almost make a three-speed gearbox viable but most 530d buyers will upgrade from the standard six-speed manual to the wonderfully smooth eight-speed automatic which varies its shift pattern and speed according to your driving style. Electric power steering comes as standard and brings rewarding levels of weight and feel to the helm.

".the DDC option and the M Sport package bring more of the dynamic sharpness that BMW is known for"

Progress in the 530d is serene when you're not pushing on. Gearchanges from the auto 'box verge on the imperceptible, engine refinement is superb and there's very little wind noise. The suspension can clunk and bump over sudden undulations in the road surface but this is solved to a great extent by an upgrade to the DDC (Driver Dynamic Control) system which features adaptive dampers.

When asked to, the 530d can really show some teeth. The wide power band means next to no delay while the turbo gets into its stride and that makes for powerful acceleration, constantly on tap. The standard 0-60mph sprint is all done in 6.3s, accompanied by a muted growl from the engine and the car takes only 5.0s to lurch from 50mph to 70mph in fourth gear. This Five displays great balance and control through corners, with the accurate steering helping to disguise its bulk. Perhaps the sporty side of the standard 530d isn't as overt as in previous generations but options like the M Sport package, DDC and four-wheel-steering should put that right.

Unlike the previous generation model, there's nothing that's likely to offend the traditionalists but the current 5-Series does look a very handsome and imposing car. The nose is flatter than we're used to seeing, with the famous grille almost vertical. The deep bonnet contours and lines cut into the flanks are as close as it gets to standout features. The wheels are pushed right out to the corners of the car, creating very short overhangs front and rear and a planted stance.

The expanded wheelbase is made to count inside where there's lots of rear passenger space, including an extra 13mm of knee-room compared to the MK5 car. The seats split 40:20:40 and fold down but even without them lowered, 520-litres of capacity is on offer beneath the boot lid.

The design of the cabin throws up few surprises, with much of the switchgear being similar to items seen before on the larger BMW products. The minimal design is appealing and there's still a button for all the important functions with only the more arcane stuff accessed through the iDrive menu system. There's a modern, high quality feel which works very well but the various chimes that go off when you've forgotten to do something can become tedious.

In the 5-Series range, those after optimum economy can choose the four-cylinder 520d and anyone wanting an even more potent diesel has the 535d. The 530d sits in between representing a fine compromise between the two extremes. Saloon and Touring estate models are supplemented by the unusual 5-Series GT executive hatchback which is more appealing than it sounds. SE is the standard trim level including 17" alloy wheels, DSC+ stability control, leather seats and Bluetooth connectivity. Above that is the M Sport with various styling add-ons and sports suspension. The options list is brim full of desirable extras.

The rivals for the 5-Series aren't hard to predict, with Audi's A6, the Mercedes E-Class and Jaguar's XF being the leading contenders. The 530d stacks up extremely well on paper compared to equivalent models from these ranges and while the Mercedes might be more comfortable, the Audi's interior more impressive and the XF a more polished driver's car in basic form, the 5-Series is hard to beat as an all-round ownership proposition. The differences are slight between these excellent vehicles and personal taste may well be a bigger determining factor in many buying decisions.

The running costs associated with the 530d should bring little cause for complaint with combined cycle fuel economy of 45.6mpg and emissions of 166g/km. How does BMW do it? Aside from the advanced combustion systems whirring away within the engines, there are a number of clever features grouped under the EfficientDynamics banner.

There's an optimum gear shift indication with all the manual models, brake energy regeneration recovers kinetic energy to charge the battery and active aerodynamics help with the car's efficient movement through the air by sealing off the front grille at speed. Low rolling resistance tyres also play their part.

BMW models come in a vast array of different shapes and sizes these days but the 5 Series still stands out as an example of the marque doing what it does best. This top class executive saloon is bigger and better than ever in its current form, particularly in 530d guise with the outstanding six-cylinder diesel engine installed.

The controversial styling of the pervious generation car has been replaced with a more conventionally attractive look and the sporting edge isn't as keenly honed in the entry-level cars, giving the big 5 more of a universal appeal. The 530d's performance and economy stand out, as do comfort and refinement levels, while the DDC option and the M Sport package bring more of the dynamic sharpness that BMW is known for.

TOP 5 5 SERIES DEALS

The results below show the top 5 SERIES deals on buyacar

BMW 5 Series 520d SE 4dr diesel saloon
Price £26,598 Read 5 Series Reviews	Save £3,432
BMW 5 Series 520d EfficientDynamics 4dr diesel saloon
Price £26,938 Read 5 Series Reviews	Save £3,497
BMW 5 Series 520d SE 5dr diesel touring
Price £28,509 Read 5 Series Reviews	Save £3,796
BMW 5 Series 520d SE 4dr Step Auto [Start Stop] [Prof Media] diesel saloon
Price £29,693 Read 5 Series Reviews	Save £4,022
BMW 5 Series 520d SE 5dr Step Auto [Start Stop] diesel touring
Price £29,790 Read 5 Series Reviews	Save £4,040
VIEW MORE DISCOUNT 5 SERIES DEALS