BMW 530i and 540i (G30) in Person

"pjhusa" (pjhuskinja) 01/29/2017 at 21:00 • Filed to: None

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On Friday, I paid a visit to my local BMW dealer for service, hoping to chance upon the new G30 as well (as per BugEyedBeetle’s post). I went into the showroom... only to find no trace of it, which disappointed me. However, a visit to the BMW dealer is still a visit to the BMW dealer, and so I spent an hour taking photos and sitting in various new models.

However, when I was ready to leave the showroom to get some work done, I saw this by the entrance: an all-new 530i xDrive! Excited like a 2 year-old with candy, I ran out of the building—sans jacket in 30-degree temperatures, to be exact—just to take photos of the car.

It’s pretty attractive for its class, but I prefer the M sport and Luxury bumpers over the Sport ones. The new headlights are pretty striking too, with a redesigned Angel Eye pattern. But the wheels... those are just plain ugly. And the grilles happen to be too massive.

Lo and behold, it was even unlocked! I jumped in and played with the Navigation Professional system, ambient lighting, and got a feel for the redesigned cockpit. I have not sat in the new E before, but I presume that that interior is much more luxurious, from the looks of it. Still, the G30 interior is decidedly premium, just not overly impressive. Cabin feel and materials are up to snuff.

But I was still hungry for more: I wanted to see the 540i. Which wasn’t there. So I once again walked in, and waited a bit. When we went to pick up the car, I saw it: the 540i M Sport.

Above are some detail shots; the car was later driven in, explaining those shots. However, as I was not presented with an opportunity to drive it (nor do I have that ability to begin with... yet), the 540i felt more or less the same. Still, I did get to see both flavors of the new 5-Series, which is what I came for.

Yes, I waited two days to type this, because I’m lazy. But now, I can endow upon you all this mesmerizing tale of coincidences and automobiles.

PS: cross-posted to Photography, as I used a DSLR and was happy with some of my detail pics

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > pjhusa 01/29/2017 at 21:05

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BEB’s interior leather choice would make that 5er a lot less drab.

GE90man > pjhusa 01/29/2017 at 21:12

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can confirm new e class really makes you feel special once you sit inside, especially with the new LED ambient lighting system. there are also some parts of the new BMW design language I do not favor, such as the (overly) large grille, and especially on the G30, the rear overhang. other things that also get me are the headlights that are attached to the grille, but I’ll get used to those. overall, I still think it looks really good, but I can’t help but prefer the looks of the F10 LCI to this. also can’t wait to see the G30 M%, I’m sure that will look amazing

Tazio, Count Fouroff > pjhusa 01/29/2017 at 21:20

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Noice

Thanks for pics and impressions

[When you are legal — motoring world, look out! ;-) (in a good way lol)]

fintail > pjhusa 01/29/2017 at 21:29

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I suddenly have an itch to hit the ice and play hockey, can’t figure it out.

The digital gauges are pretty cool, something I’d choose, also desired on the W213 E. MB has some competition now. The light interior also looks a lot nicer than the overplayed black (yeah I know it’s easier to keep looking clean).

Matt Nichelson > pjhusa 01/29/2017 at 21:31

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I think pretty much their whole line has moved to the new angel eye design. Gone are the halos we’re all used to and replaced with what looks to be hexagons. Makes me wonder how difficult it was design them so that light transfers evenly throughout the whole angel eye.

BugEyedBimmer - back in the Saddle Dakota Leather > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo 01/29/2017 at 21:39

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Coral red all the interiors!!!

BugEyedBimmer - back in the Saddle Dakota Leather > pjhusa 01/29/2017 at 21:42

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The B-Series Engines are the truth. Also, did you get to see one with the Luxury Seating package with the quilted interior? That’s damn nice too.

pjhusa > fintail 01/29/2017 at 21:46

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Ha!

By the way, those gauges are the standard, “crappier” half-digital style. The numbers and gas/oil meter readings are analog. A fully digital cluster is also available, though.

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > BugEyedBimmer - back in the Saddle Dakota Leather 01/29/2017 at 21:46

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That or the fancy orange stitching in my friend’s Crosstrek

pjhusa > Matt Nichelson 01/29/2017 at 21:48

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I despise the halogens with a burning passion. Ugh. And BMW still insists on making them standard for the 2er and 3er, in spite of the fact that they are lousy at doing what they do (allowing the driver to see at night).

pjhusa > BugEyedBimmer - back in the Saddle Dakota Leather 01/29/2017 at 21:49

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Quilted interior, you say?

Yeeessssss. So comfortable.

pjhusa > Tazio, Count Fouroff 01/29/2017 at 21:49

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Haha

GE90man > pjhusa 01/29/2017 at 22:14

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the blue stitching.....

fintail > pjhusa 01/29/2017 at 23:39

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Ah I see. The 6th pic looked like some kind of full LED gauges. They are probably the way of the future for this class of car, but maybe a few years off to be in large numbers. Also offered on E-class, but seldom-seen.

AMGtech - now with more recalls! > pjhusa 01/30/2017 at 01:58

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Not to knock BMW, but that interior doesn’t even look as nice as the 205 C-class. Don’t get me wrong, it doesn’t look bad, it’s adequate, but it’s nothing special. It’s like the Camry of interiors.

They’re already up to G chassis codes? Holy shit. They used E for, what, like half a century? F for maybe a decade, at most. So at the rate they’re going Z chassis will be out before the next season of game of thrones.

Matt Nichelson > pjhusa 01/30/2017 at 07:57

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I do too. Halogens just don’t look right on a newer BMW.

Matt Nichelson > pjhusa 01/30/2017 at 07:58

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I did mean the angel eye halos though, not short for halogens. Just clearing that up.

BrianGriffin thinks “reliable” is just a state of mind > pjhusa 01/30/2017 at 12:29

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I like the wheels a lot, actually

Rico > fintail 01/30/2017 at 12:30

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Problem is the digital dash on the new E is a $12,000 up charge. MB blew it.

Decay buys too many beaters > pjhusa 01/30/2017 at 12:30

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*grumble*

There can only be one 540i M-sport

It has a V8, and a 6 speed manual, and rear wheel drive, a world beating interior, and timeless looks.

fintail > Rico 01/30/2017 at 12:38

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Yep, IIRC it is optional only with P3, which is like 11K - then you get to pay extra for full digital. Insane. I have yet to see a US car with it.

BlueMazda2 - Blesses the rains down in Africa, Purveyor of BMW Individual Arctic Metallic, Merci Twingo > pjhusa 01/30/2017 at 12:44

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I haven’t been this happy about a new BMW since the F30 came out five years ago. Good lord, this thing is beautiful. I need a 540i in my life.

Rico > fintail 01/30/2017 at 13:09

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Me either outside of the auto show. The pricing puts it just shy of S class territory and the S offers way more vehicle for the price. Sad that MB packaged it that way because it would’ve enhanced the entire quality of the brand.

fintail > Rico 01/30/2017 at 13:22

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I agree about the quality. I’d be willing to pay a little more for the feature, but forced into a 11K bundle, tough call. It puts a 4 cyl E-class at nearly 70K, kind of hard to justify. Oh well, they are best as a CPO lease return anyway, where it likely won’t add nearly as much to the price.

pjhusa > Decay buys too many beaters 01/30/2017 at 14:39

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Point taken.

Rico > fintail 01/30/2017 at 15:05

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Exactly after taxes and fees we’re talking near 80k msrp for a gutless 4 cylinder in a heavy vehicle. Part of the problem is barely anyone who is leasing an E300 is going for this $12k upgrade either. I’m an MB fanboy but this was a poor package pricing decision.

TheHondaBro > Decay buys too many beaters 01/30/2017 at 15:09

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And one hell of a V8.

fintail > Rico 01/30/2017 at 15:13

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I am a fanboy too, but I am not thrilled by a 60K+ 4cyl car in relatively basic spec. I think options should be closer to ala carte, like the 14-16 E, Or like it is in Europe, where you can choose anything as you want it. NA (and I think UK) market packaging is too restricted.

Luckily, nobody pays MSRP for one of these - 10% off should be doable for anyone with a pulse, even more if you try, but still. The new 5 might shake up MB a bit, as it looks pretty posh.

Decay buys too many beaters > TheHondaBro 01/30/2017 at 16:19

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She certainly makes enough torque to turn tires into noise and carcinogenic particulate matter.