Yesterday I had the opportunity to test drive the 2024 G60 540i xDrive for about a good hour and being able to compare it to my 2023 G30 540i.
The 2024 540i model was a standard sport trim with the base 19” all season none runflat tires and my 2023 540i is a standard sport trim with 18” OEM wheels I had installed about 6 months ago so I could have 45” side profile Michelin none runflat tires instead of the 19” runflats the car came with.
I would say this is an Apples to Apples comparison so I could determine the ride quality and refinement the newer G60 provides.
The G60 540i definitely has a slightly more refined ride over imperfections in the rode with less of a connected feeling over Irregularities. The weight gain wasn’t noticeable, it felt agile and responsive, probably mostly due to the variable sport steering now standard in the G60’s. Steering felt lighter than the comfort setting in the G30 yet it was very precise and accurate. The G60 now comes with the same tech that was introduced on the 2019 3-series with the hydraulic-stop dampers and I believe this is what makes the biggest difference in the improvement over the G30. The new B58 engine has more low end power and responds faster.
The G30 is still a great car in areas that the G60 took a step back, such as overall interior materials and quality. However, the G30 has more of a traditional BMW look and feel to it. Steering on the G30 has more heft to it but is slower to react and doesn’t feel as precise on the road. Suspension is still very comfortable but not as absorbent when you encounter certain breaks in the pavement.
I have a feeling that when my lease is over in 2 years that my next move will be into a new 540i.
The new G60 540i xDrive driving wise is impressive. I was quite pleased with the improvements in the ride and handling depart. They always seem to do a good job of improving the refinement yet still making the car drive smaller than it is.