BMW 5 Series 530i Sport

A number of people don't understand what bmw is all about - and this model IS bmw. The silky-smooth power of the straight six engine is unique and seductive. No v6 engine can match this refinement, yet plenty of jaguar and mercedes owners think they do, when this only because those cars are heavily soundproofed. You really have to drive this car to understand. The 50 50 weight distribution and weighted steering give you a road-connected steering feel that is amazing. The ride is reasonably good although if you want a cushy ride, get a Mercedes e class - this is a drivers car not a passengers car!

A brilliant car the E39 530i sport(mine is a steptronic auto),looks good,handles superbly,great steering feel,excellent brakes and braking "feel",I think the most impressive thing though, is the cars' ability to criuse comfortably one minute and be absolutely bonkers quick the next with just a slight change in your driving attitude ,I do get the feeling that the car does "egg" you on a bit though, which is good,I was actually going to buy a 3 series but found the 5 series more to my liking when it came down to spending the cash.Negatives:None apart from the fairly recent road and local(inner london) parking tax hikes due to Co2 emissions etc.P.S A husband of a friend of mine has come round to me recently asking my advice as he really likes them and wants one too...what more can you say.

BMW 5 Series 530i Sport has Superb handling, Smooth engine, Plently of grip

LOVE THIS CAR. Looks. Size. Control. Balance. Looks again. Balanced. Probably need a little more power on the 530, but otherwise it's the best car I ever owned. Keeping it until the end.

BMW 5 Series 530i Sport is the second E39 I have owned and I have nothing but praise for these cars. The blend of performance and economy is incredible and it is easy to forget that this is a large car with room for 5 and a huge boot.There are some design faults, but not as many as the newer model!Be prepared for a healthy appetite for tyres (rears only last 20-25k) and watch the temperature guage carefully for signs of thermostat failure in early cars. You get one warning (temperarture rises and then falls back) and then you overheat totally within a day or so.Later models have much cheaper and nastier plastics in the cabin - be prepared for randome buttons and vents to break in orifinary use. Even the plastic in the radiator will fail for no good reason and require replacement.

For a big car the BMW 5 Series 530i Sport's fuel economy excellent, firm yet comfortable ride, has all the toys, SatNav/TV, a/c, c/c, cd changer,etc. Excellent value for money! I have had my 2002 E39 530i M sport for over two years and it gives me great pleasure every time a drive it! Excellent build quality makes you feel safe and secure. It is quite happy cruising around town at 30 mph and when I need performance it is instantly available. Having serviced it according to the computer indicators the only other thing I have had to change is tyres and a couple of rear light bulbs! Another thing that has amazed me about this car is the faster you drive, the quieter it gets (not that it wasn't quiet in the first place!) On occasion I have thought about trading it in for the new shape 530, but after giving mine a good clean I immediately change my mind! So I have decided, I might buy another car but I am definately not selling this one! Boot is a bit on the small side so could have done with split seats!

I posted a brief review of this car 3 years ago, having just bought a 2001 Y model. Those 3 years have passed and due to employer's rules, I have to get something under 7 years old. So the BMW 530i Sport is to be sold. How have thise years been? In a word, fantastic. This is the best car I have ever owned, and realistically ever likely to own. Everything about the driving experiece is superb. Out-corners and out-grips everthing short of a Boxster, leaves most hot hatches for dead, despite being a heavy car with 'only' 231bhp, rides like a magic carpet on all but the worst 3rd-world roads (that is, parts of High Wycombe) and is fantastically reliable. No rattles inside, trim and upholsyery have worn very well in 105000 miles, and it still has a whiff of that brand new BMW smell. The MPG gas remained the same in the high 20's or low to mid 30's using the CC. Always used 95 RON fuel and not had any problems. Likes oil fairly frequently. Keep some in the boot, and top it up every 3 weeks or so, when the oil light comes on.

The issue that I though was one of fuelling, that caused the car to lurch slightly when upshifting, turned out to be a sensor, which was replaced by my local garage for 150. But not after a BMW Specialist (not main dealer) had (probably) unecessarily replaced the clutch and flywheel for £800! A lesson learned. Main dealer in Reading not really recommended. Verbally qoted me £140 for an oil change on the phone, and charged my wife £200 when they dropped the car off. My fault for not telling her the sum I guess. You need to find an independent BMW garage that can troubleshoot problems with consideration ofo the client's wallet, or have a trusted local garage that can take time to learn the car.

Also, a word of warning, the BMW Business cassette head unit that came with the car is utterly hopeless. First one channel crackles, the dies. Then another and another until you ave no sound, or maybe from just one speaker if you're lucky. Bought a 2nd hand replacement, and within weeks, same problem. So in went a Nakamichi head unit and a less than attractive facia blanking plate. The OEM unit is made by Alpine. Hopefully the fault was due to BMW bean-counters rather than Alpine.

I've (hopefully) bought a Fabia VRS as a low-cost replacement, and, as good a car that the Skoda is, not a day will pass for some time to come that I will not mourne the departure of the 530. I will sorely sorely miss this car. I like the E39 sport so much I bought a 530d sport touring for the Mrs.

In conclusion, I would strongly recommend this car, if you can afford the insurance and tax and fuel, and know a reliable independant garage that is not frightened to take the serviceing on. To be totally honest, if I had the money and the space, I would build a shed and put the BM in just to look at. It's a sexy beast. Oh, and if you can find one in light metallic green like mine, it looks the dogs do-da's.

Oh, and it IS fast.

The BMW 530i is the best car that one could own. This is my first month with it and i love it. I love the bluetooth compatibility, the leather interior, and the overall look! No complaints!

Great performance and build quality - My E39 530i sport has done 165k and is impeccably strong.

Car does feel a little heavy - I think this has been addressed in the newer model - I prefer the e39 anyway.

Have a late 2006 BMW 530i Auto sport pack model, which the I like a lot.

I wanted a car to perform as well as my Alfa GTA only four doors and an upgrade in the style department.

I found that in this car, my first BMW and may be not my last.