[stormchaser]

I currently own a 2023 530 X Drive and had the opportunity to rent an G60 recently (RWD). Having the vehicle only for 1.5 days did not give me enough time to do a full analysis but here are my initial thoughts. This was the 4 cylinder gas engine

1) Exterior- Lots of gripes on the web, but actually in person not bad. In some ways it's a bit more incognito (Not obvious BMW) so I felt good driving something that languished looks but not stereotypical Bimmer. People complain it looks like other brands, but who cares as it's the drive and interior that you spend time with

2) Doors closed with a nice thump (My G-30 does not).

3) Very comfortable seats (Normal sport seat). The material is soft unlike my 23 Multi Contour seats (Nappa Leather) that are not comfortable (Firm). These are one of the few seats that seemed comfy to me from BMW. Not many adjustments however which seems cheap on such an expensive car.

4) Acceleration seemed very good for a 4 cylinder engine. Impressed with the 8 speed transmission, zip, and torque (Engine braking) when downshifting with paddles. Engine braking seemed more robust (Lower geared?) when compared to my 530 X Drive but not sure if the RWD I rented had anything to do with that.

5) Gas millage seemed good but this car did not have X Drive.

6) Do not like the move away from knobs to the I-Drive screen. Nothing was easy to find in the menus (Never found the MPG screen) aside from temperature, fan that is always displayed. I prefer knobs on those items. No way to turn off stability control quickly aside from the menu. Even temperature requires one to move eyes to the screen and tap where a simple knob to me makes more sense.

7) Even though this is a heavier car, it handled well and felt lighter than it was. It was very stable at fast motorway speeds. Fantastic highway beast.

8) Steering is too light (Easy to drift). It was light, but at the same time seems more responsive to input. Almost too sensitive in my opinion (Prefer more of a dead spot).

9) Interior is high quality aside from a few things that irritated me. The turn signal lever and horn seem to be very cheap plastic. I really miss the grab handles on left door to rest your hand. The media, Phone, and other shortcut buttons on the center armrest feel odd versus the simple nature of them on the G-30 (The push or positive feedback was lacking). Also the arm rest seemed to be of cheap materials also.

10). Ride quality was on the softer side vs stiffer like my G-30. (More luxury than sport). I did not mind this. I am also older so am not the type to need a stiffer luxury sedan.

11) Not a fan of cars growing longer and wider with every generation which I still don't understand why? I love the size of my G30. I own several VW wagons so appreciate smaller size sedans. For Germany its tight parking in Munich so think most would prefer a smaller vehicle. Maybe the next generation 3 series will be nearly as big as a G30?

12 Turning radius seemed good.

13). Vis was good from the front (Slightly higher riding position). is the ground clearance the same last he G30? I herd it might be an 1/2 higher?

14) Some have complained about he odd shape of the steering wheel, but I rather liked it. (Premium feel). The flat bottom is nice when cruising on the motorway, however in turning a bit odd.

Overall, I really enjoyed this car, and might consider trading in my G30 in the next year for a G60. Not happy about the size and weight increase. Can't wait to see what folks get for MPG to confirm the bump up on the sticker even with a much heavier car.

Chime in if you have gone from a G30 to a G50. Looking to compare.

[OHV_44]

An M60 has AWD and no 4Z engine. What did you drive?

[NonFormulaic]

Stormchaser…I find much of your assessment spot on. I do, however, feel that the new configuration, in combo with i8.5 takes a learning curve over a longer time than one day or so. Having lived with the new 530i for almost 3 weeks, I’d say that there’s nothing random in the new design. Rather, it’s as thought out as you might expect from BMW. I do not think it can be easily compared to other vehicles.

[stormchaser]

Originally Posted by OHV_44

An M60 has AWD and no 4Z engine. What did you drive?

I just updated my post to the proper terminology. G60. Sorry it was midnight when I posted and exhausted. I updated a few items and added a few also.

[stormchaser]

Thanks. I updated my post with the correct terminology and added a few items also. What kind of MPG are you getting on your G60? Does it seem close to the sticker with X Drive?

[PsychDoc]

Originally Posted by stormchaser

Thanks. I updated my post with the correct terminology and added a few items also. What kind of MPG are you getting on your G60? Does it seem close to the sticker with X Drive?

The G60 540xi is EPA rated at 28 mpg overall (not just highway) which is astonishing for an engine conservatively rated at 375hp pushing around a two ton vehicle. I'd imagine the 530i would be about 3mpg better. That 28mpg is about 3mpg better than my current 540xi (2017).

[OHV_44]

Originally Posted by stormchaser

What kind of MPG are you getting on your G60?

I hope that my upcoming 520i only consumes about 6 liters per 100 km. Including German Autobahn!

[NonFormulaic]

I’m getting a consistent 29 - 31.7 mpg in suburban city driving. I hover between 36 and 38.7 mpg on a frequent 125 mile cross mountain, mostly single lane drive between the So. Ca. Desert and San Diego. A/C is always on. Separately, and of note, perhaps 1/2 of those miles are driven in “efficient” mode. The other 1/2 in the “personal” (comfort) mode. The main reason I’m using “efficient” so much is that this car has done away with the ability to defeat the “auto on/off.” I find the on/off transition (very frequent) much less harsh in the “efficient” mode.

[aherman18]

What company rented the vehicle? Might be interesting to try for a weekend.

Thanks.

[SpaceSilver.X1]

Originally Posted by OHV_44

I hope that my upcoming 520i only consumes about 6 liters per 100 km. Including German Autobahn!

I wish BMW sells the 520i in the US. That's more than plenty for me.

My '23 X1(xDrive28i) always gets 36 to 37mpg(6.37 L/100km) on the freeway, even if the boot is completely stuffed with things that I buy from Costco. If my 530i gets about 30mpg on the freeway, I'll be happy.

[OHV_44]

Originally Posted by SpaceSilver.X1

I wish BMW sells the 520i in the US. That's more than plenty for me.

I have no choice here.
But I'm quite right. The performance will and must be enough. I'm from the 40i, now 30i, soon 20i.

[SpaceSilver.X1]

Originally Posted by OHV_44

I have no choice here.
But I'm quite right. The performance will and must be enough. I'm from the 40i, now 30i, soon 20i.

my friend had a 1994 or 1995 518i with a gas engine that produced only 120 horsepower(?). I drove it a couple of times when I was visiting him in Heidelberg in 1996. It was perfectly fine. He kept it for almost 25 years with only 30,000 km on the odometer.(he liked trains better)

[SpaceSilver.X1]

Originally Posted by aherman18

What company rented the vehicle? Might be interesting to try for a weekend.

Thanks.

I'm guessing Sixt? I've rented X3, X5 and 3-series from them before. I also saw plenty of 5-series. The previous one, but that was a couple of months ago, so they must have received 2024 G60 5-series already. Last time i was there, I watched them unload a bunch of new 2024 X1 SUVs.(easily identifiable as 2024 because BMW removed the door pins for the 2024 model year)

[stormchaser]

YES. Sixt at the Las Vegas Airport has a few of the G60 and I got lucky and grabbed one. I drove to the ski area 1 hour from the city to test her on the fast 2 lane roads. I still don't understand how this car is rated higher on MPG than the outgoing as someone said above with so much more weight.

[NonFormulaic]

Stormchaser: non defeatable “auto on/off;” mild hybrid 48V. And just maybe, non run flats. That’s how!

[stormchaser]

Was the G30 a mild hybrid?

[NonFormulaic]

No.

[stormchaser]

Originally Posted by NonFormulaic

I’m getting a consistent 29 - 31.7 mpg in suburban city driving. I hover between 36 and 38.7 mpg on a frequent 125 mile cross mountain, mostly single lane drive between the So. Ca. Desert and San Diego. A/C is always on. Separately, and of note, perhaps 1/2 of those miles are driven in “efficient” mode. The other 1/2 in the “personal” (comfort) mode. The main reason I’m using “efficient” so much is that this car has done away with the ability to defeat the “auto on/off.” I find the on/off transition (very frequent) much less harsh in the “efficient” mode.

Is your mileage on Xdrive model? Which engine?

[NonFormulaic]

Stormchaser: No…it’s the 530i RWD (non X). Standard 19” wheels (Continental), set at factory recommended PSI.