10-20-2019, 07:26 AM | #1 |
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540ix M Sport vs 530ix Luxury Line
So I’m DDing a 2019 540ix M Sport and my wife is DDing a 2017 530 ix luxury line.
I rarely drive her car but I’m the designated driver on these road trips. We chose her car because she is way under on her lease mileage and this car goes back in a few months we will never use the already paid for mileage. We are on a road trip to visit our son at school. We are 1/2 way into a 10-12 round trip and so far we are averaging 27.9 mpg. That’s great considering the stop and go traffic we ran into along the way. The engine was impressive at speed when passing slower traffic. It’s smooth and the transmission is in the right gear at the right time in full auto / comfort mode. The real stand out is the multi contour seats. I have the M sport seats and they are great. They are snug enough when you need them to be and comfortable enough for the daily drive. That said, these multi contour seats are like sitting in you lazy boy. Once adjusted they are softer and more supple than my seats and the Extra adjustment on the back section make it easy to find the perfect seating position. They will not hold you on an aggressive turn line the M Sport seats but for ever other situation they are a win. My 540 ix is faster in almost every circumstance and sounds better. But this 530ix is a nice piece it kit as it is. Really quite impressive And it trumps my 540’s has mileage by about 7 MPg easily. As I type this I’m thinking damm I’m getting old but at 53 y/o and 6’3” tall these are my honest observations. I still love my car and I’d most likely choose it again but I was not expecting to love those multi contour seats as much as I did on a long trip. I also was not expecting the engine to pull so strong even at highway speeds. |
10-20-2019, 11:59 AM | #2 |
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We just returned from a 1,600 mile road trip in our 530ix and averaged 33.2 mpg (cars computer vs. manually). A lot of highway driving, extensive time sitting in construction/accident traffic back ups, plus quite a few miles in the metro Charlotte area. We have the multi-contour sets and agree they are very comfortable for this type of trip.
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10-20-2019, 12:16 PM | #3 | |
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10-20-2019, 03:52 PM | #4 |
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I never tried 530 as I was lusting for a I6 (absolutely not necessarily given where I'm, won't be using that power 99.9% of the time...), but from the review around here it seems like BMW built an awesome inline 4 (wonder if these inline 4 can be easily tuned to say 35i level as well)
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10-21-2019, 06:47 AM | #5 | |
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I drive them as they are. I have modded many cars and its always a headache and now a possible warranty void.
My advice is to buy them how you want them, and then just enjoy them. Quote:
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10-21-2019, 08:51 AM | #6 |
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I did something that we're never supposed to do, and that was to buy the car without test driving it. I test drove the one that I wanted to buy, but when they tried to deliver it, they found an outstanding recall and couldn't sell it, so we swapped in the other one. Turns out that it is sport line (the other was luxury) and I had no idea.
So, is the sport seat standard on the sport line, or was it an option? Whichever I've got in my 540i, they feel great. Glad to hear that the 530e is as economical as expected. Me personally, I prefer larger engines and went for the i6, but I've had plenty of 4-cylinder cars as loaners and it is amazing the performance that you can get out of them.
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10-21-2019, 09:25 AM | #7 |
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I thought all 5 series come with Sport seat as standard (regardless luxury line or sport line)
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10-21-2019, 12:03 PM | #8 | |
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I would argue that the 540i only advantage is more power and the I6 B58 assuming your can hear it. Where the 530i trumps it is in fuel mileage, good power to weight ratio, better weight distribution 530i RWD is nearly 50/50 weight distribution and handles better because it is lighter up front. The 2 liter B46 is smooth as silk and moves the car with gusto. If you live in a congested city, the 530i is all you will ever need. Most people with cars 300+ HP never get to use that power in public roads.
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10-21-2019, 12:32 PM | #9 |
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I don't doubt you, I just love my B58, especially on how strong it pull whenever you need it...
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10-21-2019, 12:53 PM | #10 |
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No need to preach to the choir. I had a N52 NA in line six and that was the old school BMW sixer. Much to like but one thing I don't miss is the 14-15MPG average on city driving.
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Before: 2011 BMW 328i E90 sedan, Platinum Bronze Metallic, Dakota Brown leather, 17 inch wheels, 6-speed auto, N52 6 Cyl inline N/A goodness.... |
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10-21-2019, 05:29 PM | #11 | |
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Having the choice between 4, 6 and 8 cylinder engines is great though. For this kind of money there has to be choices to accommodate preferences. |
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10-22-2019, 10:29 AM | #12 |
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Speaking of horsepower - what is the dyno horsepower rating of the B58? I know the 'official' specs say 335 HP, but I thought I saw someone post that the B58 HP is in the 380 range? Just wondering, thanks.
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10-22-2019, 11:34 AM | #13 |
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10-24-2019, 06:55 AM | #14 |
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Ever since the N54 BMW has (AFAIK) been underrating the power so as to not steal sales from the M cars.
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