[wings700]

Would you rather have a 530i or 540I for 2020 model year. Does the 6 cyl make that much difference over the 4?

[ADS-UK]

Originally Posted by wings700

Would you rather have a 530i or 540I for 2020 model year. Does the 6 cyl make that much difference over the 4?

I actually don't see the point of 530i. If anything it's worthwhile considering 530e vs 540i. That was my conclusion when I was looking to make my decision.

[Bymep]

Originally Posted by ADS-UK

I actually don't see the point of 530i. If anything it's worthwhile considering 530e vs 540i. That was my conclusion when I was looking to make my decision.

Agree completely. If you are mostly interested in the look and tech of the car, then 530i is fine. If you are more into performance driving experience, then go 540i. This is a heavy car, and the 4 cyl is fine for cruising, but I would consider 530i underpowered for “spirited” driving.

[Rulz]

Originally Posted by ADS-UK

I actually don't see the point of 530i. If anything it's worthwhile considering 530e vs 540i. That was my conclusion when I was looking to make my decision.

Dame as you. That was my decision. I ended up with 530e.

[SteveinArizona]

Originally Posted by ADS-UK

I actually don't see the point of 530i. If anything it's worthwhile considering 530e vs 540i. That was my conclusion when I was looking to make my decision.

+1. I went for the 530e for the environmental concerns and to let me drive in the car pool lanes at any time. But if I did not care about these two issues, I would have gone for the 540 over the 530.

I have GEICO MBI so I am currently planning on keeping my car for seven years (that will get me through the four year OEM warranty and the additional GEICO three years). What might get me to trade in earlier is if BMW offered a 540e.

But I can afford the more expensive car. Not everyone can. So if cost is an issue, or all one wants is the newest tech, then the 530 can be an alternative. But if one has a garage where one can charge the 530e, I would argue that there is no reason to buy a 530i. You get the same tech. Probably a bit slower (same HP but more weight) but you also get more torque. I am still the fastest away from most stop lights and I have been able to do high speed passing without any hesitation or concerns.

[ztx84]

In broad terms if you can afford to go for the 540, go for it, you won't regret it... It is an excellent engine and suits the car very well indeed. I am more than satisfied with mine.

[mike@x-ph.com]

Test drive both and decide which you like better

[roblaw]

It's about what you value most. The 530 (as I understand it as I have not drive one) is not slow. But the 540 is pretty quick, smooth as silk and has a nice exhaust note. Only you can determine if that is worth about $6000 more to you. Also, I am betting that the 2020 530 will have a bit more power as the updated 330i engine is put in production for the rest of the lines that use a 2.0 litre 4 so that may narrow the difference a bit.
Consider what you like. I am a comfort guy with a 2016 535XI (Luxury not MSport). I Know that I want adaptive shocks on my next BMW (possibly another 5 series). They are a standalone $1000 option on the 530 Luxury. On the 540 Luxury you need to get the Dynamic Handling package at $4k. So you have to determine what you really want, look at your price/value ratio and then drive them both. Certainly if the extra $ for the inline 6 is in the budget, pull the trigger on the 540 as it is a wonderful engine and does materially enhance the driving pleasure. If you are happy with a more modest, but still great motor, than there is no shame at all in a 530.

[MontyP]

I echo the comments of ADS-UK, Rulz and AZ Steve. I went with the 530e (my 7th Bimmer after two 5 Series and four 7 Series). Biggest factor for me was the significant rebate offered at the time and green plates (letting me drive in the HOV lanes). The performance and range (all-in) have been a pleasant surprise. I find the 530e to have plenty of zip, it handles well and my fuel bill was reduced by more than 60% in my first full year of driving it. Highway range with only a 40 liter tank has been excellent (almost 600 kms) and the car is extremely comfortable. Only drawbacks I have found are limited electric only range and reduced trunk space (although the folding rear seats help alleviate this issue).

Interestingly, the MSRP for a 2019 540i in Canada is $71,050 and the MSRP for a 2019 530e is $71,706. Ontario eliminated the rebate on hybrid vehicles last year and the proposed federal rebate will not apply. Having driven the 530e for a year, if I was in the market for a car this year I think I would still choose the 530e.

[wings700]

Thanks for all the great responses! Leaning toward the 540i

[Dobie Dog]

Originally Posted by wings700

Thanks for all the great responses! Leaning toward the 540i

Great choice.

Several times over the last year I have had a 530 as a service loaner and each time it reaffirmed my decision to go with a 540m sport.

[wknddrivr]

I have the 530i and I’ll say the 540i is better, but strongly disagree with posters above saying there’s no point in 530i over the 530e

First, I went with 530i over the 540i because 80% of my driving is through dense traffic with an average speed of 14mph so efficiency and refinement were higher priorities for me than power. When I do drive it on the open road I would say the power of the 530i is sufficient. Not underpowered but not quick either, just sufficient. The 540i gives you enough extra that you know you’ve got some reserve which is a nice feeling to have admittedly.

So why did I go 530i instead of 530e?
1. Don’t have anywhere at home to charge the E
2. 20% of my driving is long road trips where the extra weight of the E closes the gap in efficiency with the i to the point that the i gets about the same highway mileage. The combination of the higher weight and smaller fuel tank in the e means that it can only go about 350 miles before refueling. I’ve driven the i 550-600 miles without refueling.
3. M-sport 704 suspension unavailable on the 530e. The 530e even with M-sport package has the base suspension. The only way to get a firmer suspension is to get the Dynamic Dampers, but dynamic dampers only stiffen the shocks. The springs are softer than the 704 and the roll bars are smaller so the 530e has more body roll than the m-sport 530i even if you spec the e with DDC
4. E has much smaller trunk which is sometimes a challenge for me on those long road trips
5. Extra weight on the e dramatically effects the handling. On interstate roads the e is a great cruiser. But I frequently need to drive through canyons and the e doesn’t cut it there. I had an e as a loaner and drove through a canyon that I normally drive the I on and there was a vast difference. The turn in on the e isn’t as sharp because of the smaller roll bars, front end is definitely lazy. The higher ride height also contributes to the body roll and the extra 400lbs is blatantly obvious and not welcome.

The 530e is a spectacular vehicle, but for my specific needs the 530i was the best fit. The 540i is smoother and more refined, but it wasn’t a big enough gap for me to spring for over the 530i given how bad the traffic is on my commute. If I were able to use the added power of the 540i a bit more than I can, I’d have unquestionably gone for that over the 530i. If I had a place to charge the e and didn’t need the lost trunk space I’d have gotten that...it does drive very well in traffic and is very refined with the electric motors taking some of the strain off the ICE

But I don’t regret my decision, it was the right choice for my use case. Determine what your priorities are and get whichever one suits your needs best. Every 5 is amazing, and there’s no one size fits all answer which is why they offer several versions, but the 540i is probably the sweet spot for most people. Especially since you are new to BMW, it’s worth appreciating how spectacular the in-line 6 engine is over “competitors” inferior V6 motors

[dappercivility]

Originally Posted by wings700

Would you rather have a 530i or 540I for 2020 model year. Does the 6 cyl make that much difference over the 4?

In terms of technology nowadays, 4 cylinders can be tuned to produce power of 6 or even 8 cylinders. On a personal note however, the creaminess of the bmw 6 cylinder engines is something to ponder about when you are faced in such a situation. It is a significant difference in terms of engine refinement.

[jwong77]

I went with a 530e for the same reasons SteveAZ explained above. Having HOV access in my area is a godsend.

[530iDriver]

Originally Posted by ADS-UK

I actually don't see the point of 530i. If anything it's worthwhile considering 530e vs 540i. That was my conclusion when I was looking to make my decision.

Love my 530i. Just came back from a wonderful 600 mile road trip. Car has more than enough passing power, quiet, comfortable and returning 35MPG @80 MPH with cruise control set and 4 pax with their luggage in the car.

Yes the 530i does make a lot of sense.

[530iDriver]

Originally Posted by Bymep

Agree completely. If you are mostly interested in the look and tech of the car, then 530i is fine. If you are more into performance driving experience, then go 540i. This is a heavy car, and the 4 cyl is fine for cruising, but I would consider 530i underpowered for “spirited” driving.

Disagree.

[530iDriver]

Originally Posted by ADS-UK

I actually don't see the point of 530i. If anything it's worthwhile considering 530e vs 540i. That was my conclusion when I was looking to make my decision.

Love my 530i. Just came back from a wonderful 600 mile road trip. Car has more than enough passing power, quiet, comfortable and returning 35MPG @80 MPH with cruise control set and 4 pax with their luggage in the car.

Yes the 530i does make a lot of sense.

[magbarn]

Originally Posted by dappercivility

In terms of technology nowadays, 4 cylinders can be tuned to produce power of 6 or even 8 cylinders. On a personal note however, the creaminess of the bmw 6 cylinder engines is something to ponder about when you are faced in such a situation. It is a significant difference in terms of engine refinement.

It can produce the power, but as you mentioned the 6/8's sound alot better. The torque off the line is still not on par with the bigger engines. It's the most acute in the supercharged/turbo boosted Volvos. Even my wife who's not into cars noticed the lack of power off the line and droning engine note at higher revs with the XC90 vs the X5.

[magbarn]

Originally Posted by dappercivility

In terms of technology nowadays, 4 cylinders can be tuned to produce power of 6 or even 8 cylinders. On a personal note however, the creaminess of the bmw 6 cylinder engines is something to ponder about when you are faced in such a situation. It is a significant difference in terms of engine refinement.

It can produce the power, but as you mentioned the 6/8's sound alot better. The torque off the line is still not on par with the bigger engines. It's the most acute in the supercharged/turbo boosted Volvos. Even my wife who's not into cars noticed the lack of power off the line and droning engine note at higher revs with the XC90 vs the X5.

I test drove the 530i before getting the 540i. It's decent with a bit less power off the line and has same sound as most 4 bangers do when pushed...

If you just want decent acceleration and don't care about how the engine sounds, and just want a luxury ride, then by all means save the $$$$'s and fuel and just get the 530i

[530iDriver]

Come and I'll take you on a highway drive. This car can push you against the seat when passing!

I just don't get on with the haterade from some in this forum regarding the 530i and the 4 cyl engine, likely, one of the most refined in the market today. And don't forget that your beloved B58 is a B46 with 2 extra cylinders attached

[530iDriver]

Come and I'll take you on a highway drive. This car can push you against the seat when passing!

I just don't get on with the haterade from some in this forum regarding the 530i and the 4 cyl engine, likely, one of the most refined in the market today. And don't forget that your beloved B58 is a B46 with 2 extra cylinders attached

[530iDriver]

Originally Posted by magbarn

It can produce the power, but as you mentioned the 6/8's sound alot better. The torque off the line is still not on par with the bigger engines. It's the most acute in the supercharged/turbo boosted Volvos. Even my wife who's not into cars noticed the lack of power off the line and droning engine note at higher revs with the XC90 vs the X5.

I test drove the 530i before getting the 540i. It's decent with a bit less power off the line and has same sound as most 4 bangers do when pushed...

If you just want decent acceleration and don't care about how the engine sounds, and just want a luxury ride, then by all means save the $$$$'s and fuel and just get the 530i

I don't know what 530i you drove, but mine sounds really good under heavy acceleration and pushes you against the seat when passing.

And yes, I had a 6 cyl BMW before and this one is just as good or better.

And let's be honest.. if you are buying a 540i for the engine sound you are fooling yourself. With the amount of sound insulation material in the cabin and the acoustic glass, there is not a whole lot to listen to.