Take one already exceptionally good car and throw a whole lot of extras at it for surprisingly little money and you should sell a bunch more of them. At least, that seems to be how it works for BMW these days.
And who is going to argue with them, because in addition to a very good car you then also get a bunch of the bits that you would, in all likelihood have optioned on yourself.
Now they have taken that one step further with the introduction of the limited-run 530d Performance Edition, by giving you $40,000 of extra kit for, well, nothing.
That’s right, the extra carbon-fibre bits, the sexy digital dashboard, the HUGE wheels, all of it costs the same $131,900 as a showroom standard 530d. We take one for an extended thrash just because, y’know, someone has to do it…
Outside
Likes: 5 Series still looks good. Looks tough, hunkered down over big wheels. Carbon fibre ‘Performance Edition’ body additions look a bit over-the-top on the white car, but in a good way!
Dislikes: Big wheels are kerb magnets. 5 Series still hard to tell from a 7 Series – Performance Edition not so much though…
Inside
Likes: Typically BMW-esque top quality. Fantastic suede sports steering wheel. Digital dash is far removed from its naff ‘80s counterpart and, as such, is brilliant. great seats. LOTS of carbon fibre!
Dislikes: LOTS of carbon fibre. Rear leg room is surprisingly restricted.
Under the bonnet
Likes: 3.0-litre straight-six diesel turbo is an amazing piece of kit. Power everywhere and so much torque. Eight-speed automatic transmission is a gem, but then it is brilliant in everything.
Dislikes: Literally nothing. Everything packed under the 530d’s bonnet is just amazing.
On the road
Likes: Along with the traditional ‘Sport +’, ‘Sport’, ‘Comfort’ and ‘EcoPro’ modes, the 530d’s DriveSelect system adds the wonderful ‘Comfort +’ setting. Goes round corners with an effortless arrogance. Despite massive wheels and remarkable handling, ‘Comfort +’ is actually comfortable.
Dislikes: Ride can be brittle in anything other than ‘Comfort +’ mode. Steering looses feel in the weightier ‘Sport’ modes.
Verdict
Once again the 530d proves itself to be an utterly peerless high speed cruiser, capable of attacking corners with an effortless precision that belies its size and weight.
The addition of the ‘Performance Edition’ extras unquestionably elevate the value-for-money equation, as well as adding some serious head-turning looks, but their necessity in terms of outright performance is questionable – the 530d is simply at its best when left in one of the ‘Comfort’ modes and hammered along without worrying the brake pedal too much.
The big wheels add aesthetic value, but compromise the ride without offering any real handling advantages, while the rest is purely cosmetic. Very cool though.
The ‘Performance Edition’ is a wonderful version of an already brilliant car, but it is a car that is absolutely brilliant at making progress effortless, rather than electrifying. It can tear corners to shreds, if you so choose, but take a more laid back approach and its rewards become infinitely more satisfying.
High speed progress in absolute comfort, letting the car do all the heavy lifting is where the 530d excels, and the ‘Performance Edition’ name or additions do nothing to change that. And neither should they.
Price: $131,900
Engine: 3.0-litre inline six-cylinder diesel
Power/torque: 190kW/560Nm
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic
0-100km/h: 6.0 seconds
Fuel consumption: 5.5L/100km
CO2 emissions: 145g/km
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