[stormchaser]

I have an opportunity to get into a new 530 with certain features that are not easy to find (Driving Assistance Professional, Multi-Contour Seats- Luxury line, Executive package WITHOUT M Sport. I know the 540 is much more powerful but I primarily do highway driving but occasional spirited mountain roads (Passing). MPG is a key decision for me but the ratings on both cars are nearly the same. What real-time highway MPG are you pulling? Does anyone think the G60 will be better (I am guessing 1MPG with the hybrid boost)? Maybe it's worth waiting for the G60 since It will have the Highway Assist option as part of the Driver Assistance Prof package (Semi-autonomous driving). But, I love the looks of the G30 personally and the G60 looks a bit chunky or coupe-like.

[AP]

If mpg is your deciding factor the 530 should in theory be the winner. However it depends upon how you drive it
You could argue that the 540 has to work less hard than the 530 so real world the 540 may not be much worse than the 530 as you have to work the 530 that little bit harder
I just moved away from a 540 having owned it for nearly 6 years and if you drive it gently on the motorway , constant speed. It is very economical. I could just about get 40mpg imperial on most trips and more on occasions but stress that is very gentle driving at a constant speed.
Town driving and the 540 becomes more thirsty with low 20s (imperial) as it’s a heavy car.

Other consideration are that insurance I would suspect would be a bit higher for the 540 over the 530 and probably maintenance aswell to some extent

I think you’d enjoy the 540 more as it’s engine is very smooth and can promote a relaxed driving style if you wish but be aware a fan of the right pedal will have you shooting towards the horizon rapidly

Drive both if you can but if economy is the priority the 530 on paper should win if driven gently.

[ppointer]

Have a ‘22 540i and am super happy with it. Can get 32mpg all day long at 80, just in-state short trips. I would expect a bit higher out of state.

[stormchaser]

Thanks for the response. Honestly my biggest decision is giving up my A6 TDI which grabs 37-40 MPG at 80MPG (I drive a ton of highway miles) vs new tech, modern driver assistance cameras (My A6 has this feature but ping pongs on the lanes 10 seconds). it's old school TDI A6 vs new school high tech sexy BMW. The 14 A6 TDI is a great car but lacks the technology and fun factor of the 530/540. The 540TDI in 18 lacked the modern cameras of the new driver assistance Pro package so I passed on that one also. The G30 currently has every box checked aside from MPG which I am a bit of a gas geaser also owning VW TDI's.

[Rob500]

If it helps my G30 530i gets quite a bit better mileage than the 540i quoted above. On a long journey I always get well over 40mpg and sometimes when conditions have been ideal it has even gone just over 50mpg. That is in eco mode, on a motorway and travelling very steadily at between 50 and 60mph (due to lots of roadworks).

[stormchaser]

That is enticing. What about 75 MPH? That is UK MPG correct? That would be less in the States.

[NGT2]

I owned a 2018 540i. I now own a 2020 M550. For the last week, we’ve hade a 2023 530i as a loaner car.

My quick response is that you’ll love the 540 and find the 530 lacking. The 540 is a great highway cruiser and it’s light enough and powerful enough to be fun on a two lane highway with some elevation change and turns.

My advice, based on your description, would be to get the 540i. When you punch a 530i, there’s just not much there.

[Rob500]

Originally Posted by stormchaser

That is enticing. What about 75 MPH? That is UK MPG correct? That would be less in the States.

Yes, that is UK MPG. Even at 75 I’m getting well over 40 MPG.

[Rob500]

Originally Posted by NGT2

I owned a 2018 540i. I now own a 2020 M550. For the last week, we’ve hade a 2023 530i as a loaner car.

My quick response is that you’ll love the 540 and find the 530 lacking. The 540 is a great highway cruiser and it’s light enough and powerful enough to be fun on a two lane highway with some elevation change and turns.

My advice, based on your description, would be to get the 540i. When you punch a 530i, there’s just not much there.

I guess it depends on expectations, I’m completely happy with the power I get from my 530i. It has never felt under powered to me.

[NGT2]

Originally Posted by Rob500

I guess it depends on expectations, I’m completely happy with the power I get from my 530i. It has never felt under powered to me.

It doesn’t seem underpowered for life in general. Just for what I expect from that car. So you’re right.

Purely personal opinion - I think the 4 cylinder engine fits the 3 series much better than the 5. The I6 engine is probably the “perfect” engine for the 5 series. Obviously the V8 provides the overkill power and all the good feelings from that and I enjoy it very much. But from a neutral “do a bit of everything” standpoint, the I6 and the 5 series are a perfect combo.

[stormchaser]

I just drove a 530 and 540 Xdrive. Honestly, the 530 felt powerful enough for me since I do lots of highway miles. I reset the MPG several times testing it with the 540 and my A6 TDI. It was very close, nearly identical on both BMWs (530 won by a slim margin) but to my big surprise not much different than my A6 TDI. The A6 is only 220 pounds heavier (V6 TDI) but perhaps it's more thirsty being a 2014 model? I somehow would be surprised if these cars are actually similar in MPG to my A6 TDI, but for now, the answer is yes. I don't like the looks of the G60 yet,. but especially the fact it's grown in size again. I actually think the 5 is the perfect size currently so don't need a stretch to nearly a 7 series. Maybe the new car gets similar mileage as the G30? It has not been talked about.

[stormchaser]

Hi everyone! I DID IT. I purchased this slightly used (only 1800 miles) on a 530 with Professional Driving Assistance, Multi contour seats (Luxury seating package), and Napa leather with massaging seats. The car is beautiful! I pick it up in 2 weeks but for the test drive thought the smoothness and power were just fine and the MPG very good. I often don't like BMW seats but the multi contours are what I rented in Germany so happy to find one with them! I will report back once I pick it up.

[NGT2]

Originally Posted by stormchaser

Hi everyone! I DID IT. I purchased this slightly used (only 1800 miles) on a 530 with Professional Driving Assistance, Multi contour seats (Luxury seating package), and Napa leather with massaging seats. The car is beautiful! I pick it up in 2 weeks but for the test drive thought the smoothness and power were just fine and the MPG very good. I often don't like BMW seats but the multi contours are what I rented in Germany so happy to find one with them! I will report back once I pick it up.

Congrats! Glad you found out what is best for you. I wouldn’t buy a BMW without multi contour seats. Great options you got.

[overcooked]

I drive between Vancouver BC and Seattle twice a month. And I always get 40 mpg when I do speed limit + 10 in my LCI 540. This is the most fuel efficient car I’ve ever had.

[stormchaser]

Hey guys. This car on highway feels a but uncomfortable (Highway driving). A bit of un comfort under my legs even with these Multi Contour seats, They are Napa leather vs Dakota what was on the rental I had. Would moving from 19 run flats to 18 non run flats make any difference on the highway comfort wise? Maybe Dakota was softer? Not sure what the issue is.

[G30M]

Originally Posted by Rob500

Yes, that is UK MPG. Even at 75 I’m getting well over 40 MPG.

you can't compare petrol with diesel!

[jimscamp]

I was in a similar position, it took me a few weeks to dial the seat in as there’s so many options, but once I nailed it the seats are perfect.

Dakota isn’t softer than Nappa, it’s a cheaper, tougher leather.

A big difference for me was just going to non-runflats. No size change, just 20” Goodyear F1 to 20” Michelin P4S transformed the comfort.

[stormchaser]

On G21's comment for diesel, I would generally agree with you but believe it or not my G30 on a 500-mile journey recently matched the MPG of my A6 TDI. The A6 is 6 Cylinder. Does this seem possible? It is a drive I do often 1000% open Motorway and at 79 MPH the entire way. A6 is post diesel gate also. Both cars came in at 37 MPG which I think is very impressive for the G30. I wonder what the 540 would have gotten versus my G30?

[Neusser]

Originally Posted by AP

If mpg is your deciding factor the 530 should in theory be the winner. However it depends upon how you drive it
You could argue that the 540 has to work less hard than the 530 so real world the 540 may not be much worse than the 530 as you have to work the 530 that little bit harder
I just moved away from a 540 having owned it for nearly 6 years and if you drive it gently on the motorway , constant speed. It is very economical. I could just about get 40mpg imperial on most trips and more on occasions but stress that is very gentle driving at a constant speed.
Town driving and the 540 becomes more thirsty with low 20s (imperial) as it’s a heavy car.

Other consideration are that insurance I would suspect would be a bit higher for the 540 over the 530 and probably maintenance aswell to some extent

I think you’d enjoy the 540 more as it’s engine is very smooth and can promote a relaxed driving style if you wish but be aware a fan of the right pedal will have you shooting towards the horizon rapidly

Drive both if you can but if economy is the priority the 530 on paper should win if driven gently.

The 540i can be driven very economically. I am living in Europe so will have to use metric numbers, but I usually get 9.3 liters per 100 km in mixed driving on Autobahns and country roads. In the city it goes up a good bit, but if I do mostly Autobahn kms, I can get as low as 6.2, which is phenomenal given the performance on tap.

The 5 series needs the 6- or 8-cylinder engine, IMO. And with the B58, you have a very balanced car.

Also, TBH, if you avoid certain options, the 540 can be relatively light. Mine is lighter than many of the new 3ers. All in all, a Sahnestück.

[NGT2]

Originally Posted by Neusser

The 540i can be driven very economically. I am living in Europe so will have to use metric numbers, but I usually get 9.3 liters per 100 km in mixed driving on Autobahns and country roads. In the city it goes up a good bit, but if I do mostly Autobahn kms, I can get as low as 6.2, which is phenomenal given the performance on tap.

The 5 series needs the 6- or 8-cylinder engine, IMO. And with the B58, you have a very balanced car.

Also, TBH, if you avoid certain options, the 540 can be relatively light. Mine is lighter than many of the new 3ers. All in all, a Sahnestück.

540 is an incredible all around car. Very fast, relatively light (as you said), and I could get 500 miles from a tank on the highway without using eco pro mode or really driving conservatively at all.

[jsf721]

Wow I must have a lead foot. My 540 lifetime
Average is 22.7. I thought that was good lol

[AP]

wow, or in a lot of stop start traffic.
i have a 550 and my monthly mpg figures from the bmw app are (uk imperial)
27.4
27.8
33.5
31.8
31.2
30.3
31.7
30.0
36.9