2001 BMW 530

Change Year or Vehicle
$1,330–$8,266 Inventory Prices
(4.5) 13 reviews
SAVE
Find out if this car is the best match for you.
2001 BMW 530
Compare 2 Trims View Local Inventory
Key Specs
Our Take
Overview
Photos
Reviews
Safety & Recalls
Warranty & CPO
Compare
Back to top
Local Inventory
Compare 2 Trims View Local Inventory

Key Specs

of the 2001 BMW 530. Base trim shown.

2001 BMW 530 Overview

By Cars.com Editors
Vehicle Overview
BMW adds new base versions to its 5 Series lineup, introduces two new six-cylinder engines and freshens the appearance of all models.

The 5 Series returns in sedan and station wagon body styles, and with the new engines, model nomenclature changes. Base models are now called 525i. What was the 528i sedan last year is now the 530i. The 540i sedan returns with the same 4.4-liter V-8 engine.

With a base price of $35,970, including the destination charge, the 525i sedan is $3,500 less than last year’s cheapest 5 Series model. Also returning from last year is the high-performance M5 sedan.



Exterior
Styling changes include a reshaped twin-kidney grille, body-color side moldings, and new headlights, turn signals and front fascia. The taillights get new LED lights. At 188 inches overall, the 5 Series sedan is about an inch shorter than the Mercedes-Benz E-Class and nearly 9 inches shorter than the Lexus LS 430. The 111.4-inch wheelbase, however, places the 5 Series among the full-size cars.



Interior
All models come with front bucket seats with 10-way power adjustments for the driver’s side, remote keyless entry, a 10-speaker audio system and a power tilt/telescopic steering column. Leather upholstery is standard on the 540i and optional on the 525i and 530i. A split, folding rear seatback is optional on all models.



Under the Hood
The 525i uses a new 184-horsepower 2.5-liter inline-six-cylinder engine, and the 530i has a new 225-hp 3.0-liter inline-six. The 540i...
Vehicle Overview
BMW adds new base versions to its 5 Series lineup, introduces two new six-cylinder engines and freshens the appearance of all models.

The 5 Series returns in sedan and station wagon body styles, and with the new engines, model nomenclature changes. Base models are now called 525i. What was the 528i sedan last year is now the 530i. The 540i sedan returns with the same 4.4-liter V-8 engine.

With a base price of $35,970, including the destination charge, the 525i sedan is $3,500 less than last year’s cheapest 5 Series model. Also returning from last year is the high-performance M5 sedan.



Exterior
Styling changes include a reshaped twin-kidney grille, body-color side moldings, and new headlights, turn signals and front fascia. The taillights get new LED lights. At 188 inches overall, the 5 Series sedan is about an inch shorter than the Mercedes-Benz E-Class and nearly 9 inches shorter than the Lexus LS 430. The 111.4-inch wheelbase, however, places the 5 Series among the full-size cars.



Interior
All models come with front bucket seats with 10-way power adjustments for the driver’s side, remote keyless entry, a 10-speaker audio system and a power tilt/telescopic steering column. Leather upholstery is standard on the 540i and optional on the 525i and 530i. A split, folding rear seatback is optional on all models.



Under the Hood
The 525i uses a new 184-horsepower 2.5-liter inline-six-cylinder engine, and the 530i has a new 225-hp 3.0-liter inline-six. The 540i’s 4.4-liter V-8 generates 282 hp. The inline-six-cylinder models are available with a five-speed manual or five-speed automatic transmission, and the 540i comes with a six-speed manual or five-speed automatic.

In a switch from usual pricing practices, the 540i costs more with the manual than the automatic transmission: $54,470 versus $51,670. All-wheel drive is optional on the smaller 3 Series sedan and wagon, but the 5 Series remains rear-drive only.



Safety
All models have two-stage front airbags whose deployment force depends on crash severity and whether the occupants are buckled up. In addition, side-impact airbags for the front seats and the Head Protection System, which consists of a curtain-type airbag that deploys to protect front-seat occupants, also are available. Rear side-impact airbags are optional, and this year they include head-protection curtains for the rear seats.

Traction control, a lateral-skid control system called Dynamic Stability Control and antilock brakes are standard across the board.
 
Reported by Rick Popely  for cars.com
From the cars.com 2001 Buying Guide

View 7 Photos

Latest 2001 530 Stories

See all 2001 BMW 530 articles >

Consumer Reviews

4.5
13 reviews
Exterior Styling
(4.6)
Performance
(4.8)
Interior Design
(4.3)
Comfort
(4.5)
Reliability
(3.9)
Value For The Money
(4.2)

What Drivers Are Saying

(5.0)

Solid German ultimate driving machine

by Buddhizibi from Herndon, VA on July 9, 2018

I have had 4 vehicles from this generation and every single of them performed very well. They all had high mileage but kept me running even in the harshest of conditions. Driving experience is in ... Read full review

(5.0)

Most fun to drive I have ever own

by Le Grand from West Palm Beach, Florida on May 22, 2018

The BMW E39 (mine is a 530i) is quite possibly the world's most enjoyable car. I have had mine for many years and it is still a joy to drive. Read full review

Safety & Recalls

Recalls

The 2001 BMW 530 currently has 4 recalls

Crash and Rollover Test Ratings

The 2001 BMW 530 has not been tested.

Change Year or Vehicle

Please select a Make

Please select a Model

Please select a Year

Update

All Model Years for the BMW 530

0 / 0 0 Photos
0 / 0

Cars.com Car Seat Check

Certified child passenger safety technicians conduct hands-on tests of a car’s Latch system and check the vehicle’s ability to accommodate different types of car seats. The 530 received the following grades on a scale of A-F.*
* This score may not apply to all trims, especially for vehicles with multiple body styles that affect the space and design of the seating.

Warranty FAQs

What is a Bumper-to-Bumper warranty?

Often called a basic warranty or new-vehicle warranty, a bumper-to-bumper policy covers components like air conditioning, audio systems, vehicle sensors, fuel systems and major electrical components. Most policies exclude regular maintenance like fluid top offs and oil changes, but a few brands have separate free-maintenance provisions, and those that do offer them is slowly rising. Bumper-to-bumper warranties typically expire faster than powertrain warranties.

What is a Powertrain warranty?

Don't be misled a 10-year or 100,000-mile powertrain warranty doesn't promise a decade of free repairs for your car. It typically covers just the engine and transmission, along with any other moving parts that lead to the wheels, like the driveshaft and constant velocity joints. Some automakers also bundle seat belts and airbags into their powertrain warranties. With a few exceptions, powertrain warranties don't cover regular maintenance like engine tuneups and tire rotations.

What is included in Roadside Assistance?

Some automakers include roadside assistance with their bumper-to-bumper or powertrain warranties, while others have separate policies. These programs cover anything from flat-tire changes and locksmith services to jump-starts and towing. Few reimburse incidental costs like motel rooms (if you have to wait for repairs).

What other services could be included in a warranty?

Some automakers include free scheduled maintenance for items such as oil changes, air filters and tire rotations. Some include consumables including brake pads and windshield wipers; others do not. They are typically for the first couple of years of ownership of a new car.

What does CPO mean?

A certified pre-owned or CPO car has been inspected to meet minimum quality standards and typically includes some type of warranty. While dealers and third parties certify cars, the gold standard is an automaker-certified vehicle that provides a factory-backed warranty, often extending the original coverage. Vehicles must be in excellent condition and have low miles and wear to be certified, which is why off-lease vehicles feed many CPO programs.

See also the latest CPO incentives by automaker