While many members of the BMW CCA join because they have a classic or M-badged BMW, there are still a vast number of members who also own or purchase a new BMW as their daily driver. There are also members who buy a new BMW and love it so much that they want to be more involved, and that means joining the club. While we write a lot and wax poetic about the old cars, the ownership experience of the new cars is important, and not just the M ones. So, I asked BMW to send over a car, one that is more on the sedate end of things, to get an idea of what it’s like to live with for more than a few days. Last week, a brand new 5 Series showed up at my house.
The latest 5 Series, the G60, arrived in 2023 for the 2024 model year. It’s decidedly more conservative looking than the 7 Series and has the usual variety of gas, hybrid, and fully-electric powertrains. The one I’m trying is right down the middle, a 540i xDrive. The 540i slots above the four-cylinder 530i and blow the plug-in 550e in the lineup, as well as the monster M5. That means it has a B58 inline-six making 375 hp and 398 lb-ft of torque, enough to get it to 60 in around four seconds. That’s nearly a second quicker than an E39 M5. Crazy to think about it that way. And it’s the third quickest version of the model.
It starts at $65,800, and the Alpine white 540i I have has a number of options that bring its price up to $77,950. That includes the M Sport and M Sport Professional packages, Driving Assistance Professional package, 21 inch BMW Individual wheels, and heated front/rear seats.
Right now, the car is covered in about 18 inches of snow (which is why there are no photos of the actual car in this story), but here’s what I can tell you from my brief time with it. The engine is a monster, though that’s just the B58, which is tractable and has plenty of torque and power in every application. It’s also really comfortable around town, with great seats and a lovely interior, bar a few exceptions. I do wish that the climate controls were buttons and dials, not hidden in iDrive. I don’t understand the air vent adjustment being far below the vents. It makes little sense to me. I also don’t see the need for 21 inch wheels on a car like this. They look nice, but don’t make sense on a family sedan.
So far, I really like it, but I’m eager to see if it has that spark that has made past 5 Series so enjoyable and the real driver’s car in the segment. And I’m interested to know what you want to know about the car. Sound off in the comments below, and I’ll provide updates here, and in print, over the course of my time with the car.
