- Messages
- 36,021
A few weeks ago I drove a G30 520d. I liked the car but wasn't impressed. Reading further reviews of journalists raving about how the car is the king of the segment, I had a notion that the journalists and I had not driven the same car. The press cars are all equipped with EDC(Electronic Damper Control) and (IAS)Integral Active Steering, both of which significantly change how the car responds to the laws of physics.
This week I asked my local dealer for a car equipped with EDC and they offered me a test drive of an 530d with EDC and xDrive.
Engine
No offence. Modern 4 cylinder engines are excellent but in a BMW, they don't hold a candle to a 6 cylinder power plant. A straight 6 does to a BMW what a 500gram/17oz sirloin steak does to a plate of chunky chips and peppercorn sauce. Torque is readily available at a gentle squeeze of the throttle. No major dips or peaks in the rev range. Thrust is delivered smoothly and the engine doesn't make too much noise when delivering it. It's simply gorgeous and the type of engine the car deserves.
Comfort
Unevenness and smaller bumps are not noticed at all. However, bigger bumps and broken roads are just dampened, not fully smoothened like in the G11/G12 7-Series.
Handling
Taking a 90 degree corner at moderate speed, your body typically lean in the opposite direction to where you are steering, hence why sports seats exist. With EDC, the car doesn't roll and your body stays smack dead centre of the seat. It sounds bizarre but it's wonderful because your body doesn't get tossed from side to side.
I took the car through a 1 mile stretch of road through a residential area. In any other car, driving through it is akin to riding on a roller coaster. There's endless elevation change, blind corners, bumps, off camber roads. With EDC, the road felt flat as the car didn't lean, dive or react the way most cars do.
The ride is so composed, precise and lovely that I will do everything I can do convince my partner that our next family car should be a 5er Touring instead of an SUV. I will likely also specify the car with Integral Active Steering(Rear wheel steering) which makes the car feel even more agile. The base car is good, but it's clear that it's sensitive to options. Add IAS, EDC and a decent engine, and the price of the car climbs quickly!
Bonus: With AC switched on and fan speed on 4 bars, cool air entering the cabin was barely audible. I can't think of any other car I've driven with such quiet fans.
Anus: The Sensatec fake leather on the upper dash is an eye sore. Its grain is different to that of the rest of the interior and is outright looks awful.
This week I asked my local dealer for a car equipped with EDC and they offered me a test drive of an 530d with EDC and xDrive.
Engine
No offence. Modern 4 cylinder engines are excellent but in a BMW, they don't hold a candle to a 6 cylinder power plant. A straight 6 does to a BMW what a 500gram/17oz sirloin steak does to a plate of chunky chips and peppercorn sauce. Torque is readily available at a gentle squeeze of the throttle. No major dips or peaks in the rev range. Thrust is delivered smoothly and the engine doesn't make too much noise when delivering it. It's simply gorgeous and the type of engine the car deserves.
Comfort
Unevenness and smaller bumps are not noticed at all. However, bigger bumps and broken roads are just dampened, not fully smoothened like in the G11/G12 7-Series.
Handling
Taking a 90 degree corner at moderate speed, your body typically lean in the opposite direction to where you are steering, hence why sports seats exist. With EDC, the car doesn't roll and your body stays smack dead centre of the seat. It sounds bizarre but it's wonderful because your body doesn't get tossed from side to side.
I took the car through a 1 mile stretch of road through a residential area. In any other car, driving through it is akin to riding on a roller coaster. There's endless elevation change, blind corners, bumps, off camber roads. With EDC, the road felt flat as the car didn't lean, dive or react the way most cars do.
The ride is so composed, precise and lovely that I will do everything I can do convince my partner that our next family car should be a 5er Touring instead of an SUV. I will likely also specify the car with Integral Active Steering(Rear wheel steering) which makes the car feel even more agile. The base car is good, but it's clear that it's sensitive to options. Add IAS, EDC and a decent engine, and the price of the car climbs quickly!
Bonus: With AC switched on and fan speed on 4 bars, cool air entering the cabin was barely audible. I can't think of any other car I've driven with such quiet fans.
Anus: The Sensatec fake leather on the upper dash is an eye sore. Its grain is different to that of the rest of the interior and is outright looks awful.
