[B530e]

     Featured on BIMMERPOST.com

I wanted to do a short write-up on our first 6,000 miles with the G60 530i. Myself, mother, and brother are previous G30 5 series drivers and thought it would be good to buy the same car again.

The only difference is, I was previously in a 530e, my mother a 540i, and my brother a 530i, all 2020.

At the time of purchase, only the 530i was available. Our lease payments are slightly different due to the MSRP of each vehicle. 590-660 a month, 12,000 miles a year, 36 months, Military, Loyalty, and dealer incentives applied.

For reference, I also have a 23 760xi, my brother, a 24 X6 M60i, and my mother a 23 XM. My little sister, a 23 ix 50. I bring that up as little things such as my mode and connected drive subscription options are completely different.

The vehicles:

Mine: 530i Sport Line, Phytonic Blue Metallic, Smoke White Veganza, Fine Wood Dark Oak High Gloss Trim, Premium Package, Ventilated seats, and 20" Aero Bi-color Silver Alloy Wheels A/S.

Brother: 530i Sport Line, Sapphire Black Metallic, Burgundy Veganza, Dark Graphite Matte Effect Trim, Sky Lounge, 20" Aero Bi-color Silver Alloy Wheels Perf.

Mother: 530i Sport Line, Oxide Grey Metallic, Espresso Veganza, 20" Aero Bi-color Silver Alloy Wheels Perf, Dark Graphite Matte Effect Trim, Convenience Package, Iconic Glow Kidney Grille

My Son: i5 edrive 40 Sport Line, Mineral White, Black Veganza, 19" Aero Gloss Black Alloy Wheels AS, Carbon Fiber Trim, Convenience Package, Red M-Sport Brakes, Interaction Bar

The Differences:

I’m going to list the features and which car has them vs. which ones don’t. Our production dates are the same, and license plate numbers are similar (the last 3 111, 116, and 123. First four numbers identical). I couldn’t find any information on why one car has something that the other doesn’t.

All four vehicles are running the latest software.

My Mode Digital Art: Mother, Son, Brother

Driver Seat Adjustable Bolster: Mother

Connected Drive Light Animation: Mother, Son, Brother
Connected Drive Parking Assistant Professional: Myself
Connected Drive Remote Engine Start: Brother

Light Carpet: Mother

***My son has the standard 19" wheels in gloss black (not pictured on the configurator), Red M-Sport Brakes, and Carbon Fiber Trim however it's not an M-Sport. It also shows these items as "Included" on the window sticker. I thought that was strange and could someone shed insight on that. I will include pictures of those items below.

I also noticed on the warranty report my service advisor printed, that it says, “ACC Cruise w/Stop and Go” However none of the cars have that option selected. Maybe that will come to the connected drive store as my sister’s iX had the option to be subscribed to.

Features that are missing from the G60 that I had in the G30. These things seem small however I’m a 200-mile-a-day driver and found all these things useful.

Power Seat Bolster Driver and Passenger
Rear 12V Outlet
Trunk 12V Outlet
Seat Back Pockets
LIM Feature
Sport/Eco Pro Individual
Storage Compartment Left of the steering wheel.
Removal Of Roadside Assistance Sticker in trunk

And a few others that I’ll update once I remember.

I removed the standard space-saver spare tire as it consumed too much trunk space. Might help with fuel economy also.

Things I love:

IDrive 8.5, the odd-shaped steering wheel, and the iconic glow kidney grille are stunning at night, the added space as I’m 6’1” and can sit comfortably behind my driving position, frugal when driven on the highway. With my commute, I can easily pull 550 miles per tank. When driven in Sport w/DSC off, I can have a fair amount of fun with it. The Smoke white doesn’t stain easily (I have a 1-year-old).

I’ll improve/update the post with more information as I remember it or if something changes. Thank you all for tuning in.

[arkhi]

The missing LIM Feature is actually one of the missing things that pissed me off the most because it's disabled only in software. It's there; the system supports it, but it's disabled for the US Market. And you can't code it on because Secure Coding 2.0.

[B530e]

That bothers me. I have a strict 55 mph zone during my commute and it's 12 miles long. Easily manageable with the LIM feature. I just learned about the coding calamity through ProTool's admin

[RichardInCA]

For the uninitiated, what was the LIM feature?

[Scrapula]

Originally Posted by RichardInCA

For the uninitiated, what was the LIM feature?

My Jaguar had this. You can set a speed limit and the car won’t go over it. It was a steering wheel button that said LIM.

[SpaceSilver.X1]

Originally Posted by B530e

IDrive 8.5,

that reminds me... will my 530i be stuck in 8.5 forever? (just like my 2023 X1 will be forever stuck in 8.0, while 2024 X1 all come with iDrive9 now)

[B530e]

Originally Posted by SpaceSilver.X1

that reminds me... will my 530i be stuck in 8.5 forever? (just like my 2023 X1 will be forever stuck in 8.0, while 2024 X1 all come with iDrive9 now)

My SA told me 8.5 cars will stay that way and receive OTA updates as ID9 cars are Android-based and require Hardware updates. I have an early 2023 760xi which wasn't compatible with the update to 8.5. Luckily the screen went out and BMW replaced it with the new screen and 8.5.

[SpaceSilver.X1]

Originally Posted by B530e

My SA told me 8.5 cars will stay that way and receive OTA updates as ID9 cars are Android-based and require Hardware updates. I have an early 2023 760xi which wasn't compatible with the update to 8.5. Luckily the screen went out and BMW replaced it with the new screen and 8.5.

That's what I figured... As long as they continue to push out all the required updates, I guess it's fine... even if it's never going to be iDrive9(which has it own set of issues, according to what I've read elsewhere)

[B530e]

Originally Posted by SpaceSilver.X1

That's what I figured... As long as they continue to push out all the required updates, I guess it's fine... even if it's never going to be iDrive9(which has it own set of issues, according to what I've read elsewhere)

I agree. I need consistency across 8.5. It's crazy we have three of the same cars, same software, yet the little things are totally different

[SkykingUSA]

BMW wants you to buy a new car in order to get the next software version. They make more money that way.

[B530e]

Originally Posted by SkykingUSA

BMW wants you to buy a new car in order to get the next software version. They make more money that way.

The way they carrying on, they want us to subscribe our way to the next vehicle lol. I'm just going along for the ride lol

[LVBMW]

Originally Posted by SpaceSilver.X1

That's what I figured... As long as they continue to push out all the required updates, I guess it's fine... even if it's never going to be iDrive9(which has it own set of issues, according to what I've read elsewhere)

You don’t want iDrive 9. It’s a lesser system only used on lower level models.

[wknddrivr]

I the adjustable side bolsters are part of the luxury seating package. They are not standard on the G60. I believe they were also optional on the g30 as well and came with the multi contour seat.

[B530e]

Originally Posted by wknddrivr

I the adjustable side bolsters are part of the luxury seating package. They are not standard on the G60. I believe they were also optional on the g30 as well and came with the multi-contour seat.

In all three of our G30s, we had adjustable seat bolsters on the driver and passenger side with the standard seat. I was the only one out of the three with Dakota Leather. My mother and brother were both Sensatec cars.

My mother's car doesn't have the luxury seating package. Only convenience and heated seats. She has a driver adjustable bolster which is adjusted in the seat comfort menu. Her bolsters also tighten when in Sport Mode. My car has the Premium Package with Ventilation and no adjustable bolster.

[B530e]

Today I realized my software isn't current. I'm running idrive 8.5 version 07/2023.58 while my mother and brother are running idrive 8.5 version 11/2023.42 which could explain a lot.

[Scrapula]

Mine says .47 is the most recent. Weird. They have different versions for different vehicles? That would be harder to keep track of for the product managers.

[RichardInCA]

Originally Posted by Scrapula

Mine says .47 is the most recent. Weird. They have different versions for different vehicles? That would be harder to keep track of for the product managers.

Yes, I think that’s correct.

[werdn]

Some reviewers on YouTube mentioned the decline of quality of the G60, such as the lower door cards. Did you notice this and/or other decrease in quality?

[JJacksonIII]

If BMW has a coupon program like the local pizza place your family is only a few new BMWs away from a free one.

[JK479]

Originally Posted by werdn

Some reviewers on YouTube mentioned the decline of quality of the G60, such as the lower door cards. Did you notice this and/or other decrease in quality?

It’s not hard plastic- and is more durable. Hardly a decrease.

[Blue Angel]

Originally Posted by werdn

Some reviewers on YouTube mentioned the decline of quality of the G60, such as the lower door cards. Did you notice this and/or other decrease in quality?

This. I’ve read many comments about lower quality finishes and omitted features (like Comfort Access sensors on front doors only) compared to the G30.

OP, what are you and your family’s impressions overall regarding ride quality, noise, fit/finish etc compared to the other BMWs in your fleet? Compared to your ‘23 760?

[pr0gi]

The decline in quality is evident. Perhaps they're using more sustainable materials, which, in my opinion, makes it worse with each new generation. Our G11 and F26 models were excellent inside and out, both mechanically and visually. However, since then, I've been disappointed with BMW's offerings. The G01, compared to the F26 has much more plastic and cost-cutting materials. I was surprised by the removal of the extended sun visor and how cheap it feels like to touch in the G01. While the G05 is slightly better than the G01, the difference isn't substantial, althought they have similar spec. We were given a G60 550e for a week to test and everything felt even cheaper. While the materials may look nice, they give off a sense of overpricing. I particularly disliked the plastic feel of the lower part of the steering wheel which initially, I mistook it for aluminum. These are just a few examples, but they highlight the overall direction BMW goes. Certainly, the G60 is a nice car and it felt great to be inside and drive it but...