While the engines in all trims are extremely powerful, the 335-horsepower engine in the 540i trim provides a little more oomph. On the other hand, the 530i’s 248 horsepower engine is standard. Nevertheless, both trims come with an 8-speed Sport Automatic transmission.
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Engine options for the BMW 5 Series
The 530i and 540i are the two standard variants of the recently revised 2017 BMW 5 Series. Despite having differing gasoline engine options, these cars offer comparable amenities. The 2.0-liter four-cylinder turbocharged engine in the 530i produces a solid 248 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. The 2017 BMW 540i, the model that comes after it, features a more assertive 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder twin-turbo engine that produces 335 horsepower and 332 pound-feet of torque for more exciting acceleration and power.
Even though the recently unveiled 2017 BMW M550i xDrive is technically a member of the 5 Series lineup, it actually belongs in a different class. This incredibly powerful variant is covered in our earlier M550i xDrive blog piece.
Fuel efficiency and actual MPG
The four-cylinder 530i is expected to achieve up to 25 mpg in the city and 33 mpg on the highway, according to the EPA. The six-cylinder 540i has a city/highway fuel economy rating of up to 25 mpg. The M550i’s more potent V-8 reduces those to 17 city and 25 highway mpg. In our real-world testing, all three of the models we looked at outperformed expectations; the 530e earned 34 mpg, while the 540i and M550i achieved 31 mpg and 28 mpg, respectively. Visit the EPA website for additional details about the 5-series’ fuel efficiency.
Featuring a brand-new two-liter inline four, the 2017 BMW 530i
What kind of motor does a BMW 530i have?
A 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine with 248 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque powers the basic 530i. The 540i’s 3.0-liter six-cylinder turbocharged engine generates 335 horsepower and 331 pound-feet of torque.
The BMW 530i is quick.
The 530i’s 2.0-liter twin-turbo four-cylinder engine produces 257 pound-feet of torque between 1,450 and 4,800 rpm and 248 horsepower between 5,200 and 6,500 rpm. An eight-speed automatic transmission transmits power to the rear wheels. It can reach a top speed of 130 mph and sprint to 60 mph from a stop in 5.9 seconds. With more packages, you can increase this to 155 mph.
The 530i xDrive, an all-wheel-drive version of the 530i, is additionally offered. It is a tenth of a second quicker than the rear-wheel-drive equivalent despite having the identical power outputs.
The BMW 540i is quick.
A 3.0-liter inline-six cylinder, single-turbocharged engine with 335 horsepower and 332 pounds-feet of torque powers the 540i. According to BMW, the engine can accelerate the 540i xDrive with all-wheel drive from 0 to 60 mph in 4.6 seconds, compared to 4.9 seconds with rear-wheel drive.
Although the six-cylinder engine and eight-speed automatic transmission make a quiet, elegant pair, the overall driving experience is more like that of a luxury cruiser than a performance sedan. There aren’t many sounds in the interior save an electronic engine enhancement; there’s no air intake whooshing or the exhaust crackling. Because of how quiet and collected it is, a car like the 540i can be driven at dubious speeds while making the driver feel like they aren’t doing more than 40 mph.
Performance and fuel efficiency are somewhat improved by the new mild-hybrid system that comes standard in the 540i. The technology is made up of a 48-volt starter-generator motor and a second battery that stores energy to operate the heated seats, steering, power windows, lighting, and audio system. That stored energy can add an additional 11 horsepower to the drive system when it is fed back through the starter-generator motor, according to BMW, which improves acceleration off the line and results in shorter bursts of speed. (The E-Class and A6 from Mercedes and Audi, respectively, both have comparable electrified systems.)
11 HP will you notice? Most likely not, as the system as a whole is undetectable and only improves the car’s 0-60 time by a tenth of a second. The AWD 540i’s combined fuel efficiency for 2021 is 1 mpg higher, coming in at 26 mpg. Both the highway and city ratings have increased by 2 mpg to 31 mpg.
The BMW 530i is a V8, right?
The petrol-powered four-cylinder 518i served as the entry-level model, which was exclusively offered in Europe. 53,248 automobiles were made in total, all with a 5-speed manual transmission.
The six-cylinder 520i, which went into production in January 1988, was the next petrol model up. The BMW M20 single overhead camshaft engine that powered it at first was changed in 1990 to the BMW M50 double overhead camshaft engine. With 426,971 units built, the 520i was the second-most popular E34 model worldwide. With 434,549 units built, the 525i was the most popular E34 model worldwide. Similar to the 520i, the M20 engine was initially utilized in the 525i before being switched out for the M50 engine in 1990.
The size of the engine and the year of production frequently affected the wiring type. This was crucial for deciphering the configuration and considering any future retrofits. As a result, there are two categories of cars: high and low. The number of options and functions that a car could perform was significantly influenced by its wiring. After the introduction of M50 and M60, updates were also made.
The petrol-powered six-cylinder 525iX, of which only 9,366 vehicles were made, is a rare E34 type. The only all-wheel drive vehicle in the E34 lineup and the first all-wheel drive 5 Series was the 525iX. It was the first 5 Series to feature a rack and pinion steering system, and it was powered by the BMW M50 engine.
The E34 530i comes in two different iterations: an inline-six model built from 1988 to 1990 and a V8 vehicle built from 1993 to 1995. One of the final uses of the BMW M30 inline-six engine was the older model. The new BMW M60 V8 engine powered the V8 model, which replaced the six-cylinder 535i in the lineup. It was paired with either a 5-speed manual or 5-speed automatic transmission. The wide grill, which initially set the V8 cars apart from other models, was made available on other models in 1994. A total of 57,570 530i vehicles, in both versions, were built.
The 535i was the highest-performing six-cylinder vehicle (apart from the M5). Despite having the model name “535i” and the number “3.5” cast on the intake manifold, the BMW M30 engine in the E34 535i only has 3.4 liters of displacement (207 cu in). A 535i Sport model was also available, featuring a M-technic body kit, a boot spoiler with a brake light, sport seats, an M-Tech sports leather steering wheel (M-tech 1 for 1988-1989 models; M-tech 2 for 1990-1992 models), M-technic suspension (M-technic springs, stiffer shocks, a M-technic 25mm front stabilizer bar, a M-technic 18mm rear stabilizer bar), a polished rocker cover, and Included in the 97,679 vehicles produced were the Alpina B10 (BiTurbo, 3.5) versions. In 1993, the 530i and 540i models with V8 engines took the place of the 535i.
The 540i model, available in both sedan and wagon body styles and powered by the BMW M60 V8 engine, was brought to the top of the 5 Series lineup in 1993. (the latter not in US). Both a 6-speed manual and a 5-speed automatic transmission were available. 26,485 units were made in total. The bigger grilles were first used to distinguish the V8 versions from other models. 1994 saw the introduction of broad grilles on additional models.
Is the 530i turbo?
A 2.0-liter four-cylinder turbocharged engine with 248 horsepower powers the base 530i model. BMW equips the 540i with a 335-horsepower, six-cylinder turbocharged 3.0-liter engine for further power.
BMW 530i: Is it Twin Turbo?
A 2.0-liter twin-turbocharged inline 4-cylinder engine with 248 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque powers the 530i variant of the 2019 BMW 5 Series.
What distinguishes the various BMW 5-Series models?
All of them have many of the same standard characteristics, however there are significant differences in the engine. The 530e boasts a plug-in hybrid version of the powerful four-cylinder engine seen in the 530i. The inline-six in the intermediate 540i runs well. Each of the M550i, M5, and M5 CS’s V8 engines is potent.
What does a 540i cost?
*Estimated payments based on well-qualified buyers putting down $6,500 and a fair purchase price of $57,721 at 3.19% APR for 60 months. It is just intended to serve as an example and is not an offer or guarantee to grant credit or financing.
A 540i’s top speed?
If you want a 6-cylinder 5 Series, the BMW 540i is an intriguing option. In fact, based on where you reside, it might be your only option. With this engine architecture, Europeans can also acquire diesel variants; however, in other parts of the world, things work a little differently. There isn’t a single diesel model in the 5 Series lineup on this side of the Atlantic, which could be for the best.
Customers are put in a very intriguing position as a result. On the one hand, the 530i is already a highly powerful vehicle with more than adequate power for the majority of driving situations. However, it has a serious flaw that certain Bavarian brand enthusiasts might not be able to overlook too easily: two of its cylinders are missing. When a car had a “30i” logo on the boot, you knew it had six cylinders working together to move the vehicle forward. not as much right now.
However, the 540i does demand a sizable premium in exchange for the ‘luxury’ of having that cherished straight-six arrangement in the engine. Even by today’s standards, it’s extremely quick, and it doesn’t claim to be a M car or a M Performance model. Due to modifications made to keep it inside the parameters established by environmental protection legislation, the upgraded version in the EU for 2021 also had a power reduction, producing 333 HP instead of 340. The acceleration times for 0–100 km/h, however, remain the same at 4.9 seconds.
Even so, things don’t necessarily slow down too much once you pass that threshold. The 540i doesn’t require much time to achieve its electronically limited top speed of 250 km/h, as the video below demonstrates (155 mph). There is no disputing that this car is capable of reaching dizzying speeds in a short amount of time, but is it worth the premium above the 530i? Are those additional cylinders something you’ll truly use?
What distinguishes a BMW Series 3 from a Series 5?
The 5-Series sedan has more inside space than the 3-Series sedan because it is the largest of the two vehicles. Rear-seat passengers benefit from an additional 1.5 inches of legroom thanks to the wider cabin, and the 5-Series’ seats are also more pleasant on longer trips. Additionally, the 5-Series’ trunk is larger, at 14.5 cubic feet.
3 Series versus 5 Series: Which BMW is superior?
The choice between the BMW 3 Series and 5 Series will depend on your needs and budget since they are in distinct market groups.
The 3 Series is the ideal vehicle if you’re looking for something more youthful and sporty yet have a limited budget.
The BMW 5 Series is a better option if you have a little more money to invest and prioritize room and pure luxury over all other factors.
The size difference between a BMW 5 Series and 3 Series.
The Five outperforms the Three on all important metrics. It is 302mm longer, 57mm wider, and 25mm taller than the Three, measuring 4935mm in length, 1868mm in width, and 1466mm in height. Its wheelbase, however, is 165mm longer than the Three’s, or 2975mm. The boot has 530 liters of space, which is 50 liters more than the Three. It weights approximately 1600kg, or 100kg more than the 3 Series, depending on the model.