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.
Autoputzer
The 540i is now a “mild hybrid” for 2021. It follows that the gasoline engine is constantly functioning. The gasoline engine is only improved by the hybrid gear. The 540i’s US EPA fuel efficiency ratings are within one or two MPG of the 530i.
Torque and vehicle weight affect acceleration. The 530i weighs 3765 pounds and has 257 lb-ft of torque. The 540i weighs 3898 pounds and has 331 lb-ft of torque. If you’re driving “normally” and gently, the engine will probably never produce more torque than 80 lb-ft. The iDrive display in newer BMWs has virtual gauges for torque and power. On a test drive, that might be important to determine whether you actually need the additional 74 lb-ft of torque.
The 530i and 540i both come with an optional spare tire, unlike the 530e. Even with run-flat tires, you should always have a spare tire on road trips, especially weekend ones. You will have the choice to switch to non-run-flat tires in the future if you have a spare tire.
The inability to turn off the Auto Stop/Start feature on 2021 BMW whatever-40i vehicles has irked a number of consumers (ASS).
In comparison to in-line six-cylinder engines, in-line four-cylinder engines feature an unappealing drone. But unless the windows are down, you won’t even notice that in contemporary BMWs. Additionally, in-line four-cylinder engines vibrate on a “second harmonic” frequency (twice the engine RPM). But balancing shafts have been used to fix that.
I was adamantly opposed to four-cylinder engines in any automobile costing $50k or more. But the G01 X3 xDrive 30i owned by Frau Putzer has made me reconsider. A 330i or 530i will be my next BMW.
You’d have a lot more fun with a 540i if you want to flog and flick your car.
With RWD, the 530i achieves 25 city/33 highway mpg, while the xDrive AWD system achieves 23 city/32 highway mpg.
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.
What distinguishes a BMW 530i from a 540i?
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.
What distinguishes the 520 from the 530 BMW?
The 520i features 18-inch wheels, while the 530i and 540i have 19-inch and 20-inch rims, respectively. Its gearbox and powerplant are likewise inferior. It shares a 2-liter engine with the 530i, but it is tuned to produce less output (184 versus 252bhp, 290 versus 350Nm)
What distinguishes the BMW 530e from the 530i?
The 530e hybrid model includes an electric motor and a 9.2-kwh battery in addition to the 530i’s turbo-4 with 248 horsepower.
These engines are connected to an eight-speed automatic transmission in every case.
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.
Which is superior, the 520D or 530D?
The foundations of a car often don’t alter drastically between variations. However, the 520D and 530D each have definite objectives in mind. The 530D is more for the enthusiast who wants to take the wheel and occasionally relax in the back seats with his clients, while the 520D is for the more pampered rear seat passengers. The riding quality of the previous generation 5 series was questioned. Nobody has been able to figure out why BMW has a tendency for continuing to use run flat tires on Indian roads. BMW, it’s about time you started selling tubeless tires. In India, the BMW 520D has been tweaked to provide a smoother ride. As a result, it takes all the knocks that are thrown its way. This vehicle promises to handle bumps the Bimmer way, despite not being an E class rival. However, the BMW 530D in India is set to be a little bit firmer. Although it manages road imperfections effectively, some sudden shocks can throw this large vehicle off course. The 530D has definitely lower NVH levels. With 2 less cylinders than the 530D, the 520D makes a little bit more noise at low and high speeds.
The 530D’s handling is also much tighter, whereas the 520D will have some hesitations and a noticeable body roll when pushed hard. This once more demonstrates the order of importance. Some tail-wagging antics are conceivable with the 520D, but much more effort will be needed to put the 530D in a comparable predicament. A BMW does not have this steering wheel. Parking speeds are now light. However, even while the bidding portion is done correctly, you do start to get the idea that it is portraying some fake laxness.
The BMW 540i is quick.
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?
How trustworthy is a BMW 530e?
In the 2021 Driver Power owner satisfaction poll, the BMW 5 Series placed a respectable 49th out of the top 75 vehicles. Even though a higher-than-average percentage of owners (20.8%) reported a problem in the first year of ownership, reliability received a good rating. While the engines offered to 5 Series buyers received some criticism for their high running costs, owners praised them.
To what might the BMW 5 Series be compared?
- #5 in Luxury Mid-Size Cars is the 2022 BMW 5-Series.
- Cadillac CT5 of 2022. Request a Price.
- The best coupe in 2022 is a Mercedes-Benz E Class.
- Acura TLX in 2021.
- 2021 Audi A6.
- Genesis G80 in 2021
What kind of engine is in a 540i?
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 530e need charging, right?
When the battery is low, the 530e will utilize fuel to keep the battery at a minimal charge for hybrid drive and E boost. The amount of battery level to maintain can be adjusted. You can utilize it up for greater efficiency or set it high to conserve battery for performance. The range is 30% to 100%.
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.
Are the engines in the BMW 3 Series and 5 Series the same?
A powerful 2.0L TwinPower turbo 4-cylinder engine with 255 horsepower and 294 lb/ft of torque is available in the BMW 3 Series. The base engine for the 2022 BMW 5 Series is the same as that of its sister, but it generates a respectable 248 horsepower and 257 lb/ft of torque.