Premium executive sedan segment buyers are a tough crowd to please. Positioned between a premium compact executive sedan and a full-sized luxury sedan, you need to have all the comfort of a limousine for the rear passengers and reasonable driving pleasure behind the wheel.
Munich’s latest contender, the G30 BMW 5-Series 530i M Sport, was introduced early March this year in CBU form and a locally-assembled version was rolled out later in the year. Priced at RM388,800 (CKD), the 530i competes squarely against the Mercedes-Benz E250 and the Audi A6 2.0 TFSI Quattro.
QUICK FACTS
| Name | G30 BMW 530i M Sport (CKD) |
| Engine | 1,998cc; inline-4 with BMW TwinPower Turbo |
| Transmission | 8-speed auto |
| Max Power | 252 hp @ 5,200 – 6,500 rpm |
| Max Torque | 350 Nm @ 1,450 – 4,800 rpm |
| 0 – 100 km/h; Top Speed | 6.2 seconds; 250 km/h |
| Price | RM388,800.00 |
In Malaysia, the 530i M Sport can be further spiced up with official M Performance parts which include carbon fibre bits, larger alloy wheels and beefier brakes. The list is extensive (and pricey) and if you opt for the full range of accessories, you are looking at a RM70k bill. Yikes!
The only performance enhancing option you can have on the 530i is the BMW M Performance Sports Brake which will set you back RM23,557.70. The ventilated and perforated lightweight brake discs have better thermal capacity and greater braking performance under extreme conditions. But then again, you won’t be going at light speeds with the 2.0-litre four-cylinder TwinPower turbo that puts out 252 hp and 350 Nm of torque, so perhaps you can save that pretty penny.
If you wonder what a 530i M Sport looks like after an M Performance makeover, we have a full gallery for your viewing pleasure. Options fitted on our test unit are as listed below:
| Item | Retail Price |
| 20-inch Double Spoke 669M Bi Colour alloys with Pirelli P Zero run flats | RM33,103 |
| Side Skirt | RM2,549.80 |
| Side Skirt Film | RM1,014.80 |
| Front Splitter in carbon | RM7,176 |
| Front Attachment in carbon | RM5,066.70 |
| Front Ornamental Grille in gloss black | RM1,087.20 |
| Exterior Mirror Covers in carbon | RM3,952.60 |
| Rear Bumper Trim | RM3,448.20 |
| Rear Diffuser in carbon | RM10,147.95 |
| Rear Spoiler in carbon | RM4,282.80 |
| Stainless Steel Pedals | RM888.10 |
| Total | RM72,717 |
Is the M Performance parts worth 20 percent of the car’s price? For all the good looks alone, hell yes.
IMAGE GALLERY
