BMW 5 Series 530i Sport has Superb handling, Smooth engine, Plently of grip

I posted a brief review of this car 3 years ago, having just bought a 2001 Y model. Those 3 years have passed and due to employer's rules, I have to get something under 7 years old. So the BMW 530i Sport is to be sold. How have thise years been? In a word, fantastic. This is the best car I have ever owned, and realistically ever likely to own. Everything about the driving experiece is superb. Out-corners and out-grips everthing short of a Boxster, leaves most hot hatches for dead, despite being a heavy car with 'only' 231bhp, rides like a magic carpet on all but the worst 3rd-world roads (that is, parts of High Wycombe) and is fantastically reliable. No rattles inside, trim and upholsyery have worn very well in 105000 miles, and it still has a whiff of that brand new BMW smell. The MPG gas remained the same in the high 20's or low to mid 30's using the CC. Always used 95 RON fuel and not had any problems. Likes oil fairly frequently. Keep some in the boot, and top it up every 3 weeks or so, when the oil light comes on.
The issue that I though was one of fuelling, that caused the car to lurch slightly when upshifting, turned out to be a sensor, which was replaced by my local garage for 150. But not after a BMW Specialist (not main dealer) had (probably) unecessarily replaced the clutch and flywheel for £800! A lesson learned. Main dealer in Reading not really recommended. Verbally qoted me £140 for an oil change on the phone, and charged my wife £200 when they dropped the car off. My fault for not telling her the sum I guess. You need to find an independent BMW garage that can troubleshoot problems with consideration ofo the client's wallet, or have a trusted local garage that can take time to learn the car.
Also, a word of warning, the BMW Business cassette head unit that came with the car is utterly hopeless. First one channel crackles, the dies. Then another and another until you ave no sound, or maybe from just one speaker if you're lucky. Bought a 2nd hand replacement, and within weeks, same problem. So in went a Nakamichi head unit and a less than attractive facia blanking plate. The OEM unit is made by Alpine. Hopefully the fault was due to BMW bean-counters rather than Alpine.
I've (hopefully) bought a Fabia VRS as a low-cost replacement, and, as good a car that the Skoda is, not a day will pass for some time to come that I will not mourne the departure of the 530. I will sorely sorely miss this car. I like the E39 sport so much I bought a 530d sport touring for the Mrs.
In conclusion, I would strongly recommend this car, if you can afford the insurance and tax and fuel, and know a reliable independant garage that is not frightened to take the serviceing on. To be totally honest, if I had the money and the space, I would build a shed and put the BM in just to look at. It's a sexy beast. Oh, and if you can find one in light metallic green like mine, it looks the dogs do-da's.
Oh, and it IS fast.

This car is so good I can never wait to drive it again. Sedate if required but so easily a hooligan. The Black leather interior and aluminium trim looks cool and the sun roof is a real bonus; There's so much car for your money. In recent years I have had 3 Audi A8's and a Honda Legend, now I have a proper car. Why do BMW drivers get slagged off? Because we are so smug, and we have every right to be.

I've had my 4 year old BMW 5 Series 530i Sport for over a year now. I drive over 30,000 miles a year and have done for 10 years. No car has performed as well as it. Fantastic ride, superbly comfortable, super reliable.

I bought my 2 and a half year old BMW 5 Series 530i Sport executive car from North Oxford BMW, and it is so much EVERYTHING I ever dreamed of it is unreal. The sales manager (Kevin Young) LIVED my dream, and delivereed it on a plate for me to enjoy. M Tech body stiling, an engine to die for, and comfort to live for. Refinement that you could only dream of yesterday, is here to delight in today. At a little over 20K, this beauty would retail at nearly 40K, but must be worth nearly 50K! After 9 years since owning my last BMW, I would NEVER be without one again. North Oxford BMW, YOU ARE THE BIZZO!!!!