FROM OUR EXPERT TEAM
Explore Articles
EXPERT RATING
8.0

Likes

Plenty of power
Extra handling aids
Nappa leather trim

Dislikes

Hefty price increase on outgoing car
No phone integration as standard
Ride can be occasionally compromised by bigger alloys
Andrew Chesterton

Contributing Journalist

1 min read

The 540i ($136,900) sits atop the 5 Series tree in Australia, at least for now, and is powered by 3.0-litre straight-six good for a healthy 250kW at 5,500rpm and 450Nm from 1,380rpm. That power is fed through an eight-speed automatic and sent to the rear wheels, sending the 540i to 100km/h in 5.1 seconds.

You'll also find 20-inch alloys, a sunroof and electric blinds for the rear windows, and your Nappa leather seats will now offer a cooling function. There's some cool under-the-skin stuff, too, including an active anti-roll bar at each axle that is designed to stop body roll when you're tackling twister roads.

You can also expect six airbags, active cruise control, cross-traffic alert, lane keep assist and cross-road alerts, along with a surround-view reversing camera and parking sensors.

Read the full 2017 BMW 5 Series review

BMW 530I 2017: Luxury Line

Engine Type Turbo 4, 2.0L
Fuel Type Premium Unleaded Petrol
Fuel Efficiency 6.1L/100km (combined)
Seating 5
Price From $34,650 - $41,250
Safety Rating
Andrew Chesterton

Contributing Journalist

CarsGuide contributing journalist Andrew Chesterton is an award-winning Australian automotive reporter with more than 20 years of experience across newspapers, magazines, digital publishing and automotive corporate communications. Andrew began his journalism career at Sydney’s The Daily Telegraph and The Sunday Telegraph, reporting across business, courts, crime, property and state politics before moving into automotive journalism. He joined TopGear Australia as its online editor in 2008, later being appointed editor of Top Gear New Zealand. He subsequently worked as an assistant editor during the Australian launch of the Daily Mail Australia, and as communications manager at FCA Australia, now Stellantis. His experience on both sides of the media industry gives him an unrivalled understanding of the automotive industry, and the relationship between car manufacturers, the media, and Australian consumers. Andrew’s work has appeared across leading automotive, news, business, luxury, travel and lifestyle publications, including CarsGuide, EV Central, DMARGE, The Sydney Morning Herald, Marie Claire, Top Gear, GQ Australia, The Australian, WISH Magazine, Boss Hunting, The West Australian, The Nightly, Women’s Day Australia, Carsales, NRMA, Men’s Health, CEO Magazine, Australian Financial Review and more.   Andrew specialises in industry news, vehicle reviews, policy,  performance and luxury cars, electric vehicles, automotive technology, EVs hybrid and plug-in hybrids, and the broader Australian new-car marketplace. In 2025, Andrew was named Newspress Australia News Journalist of the Year and was a finalist for the overall Journalist of the Year award. Earlier honours include Website of the Year wins at the Australian Magazine Awards and ACP Awards, the ACP Rising Star Award and recognition in the Bauer Media and News Ltd journalism awards. Expertise Electric, hybrid and plug-in hybrid vehicles Performance, luxury and supercars New-car reviews and road testing Australian automotive industry and new-car sales Chinese automotive brands and emerging manufacturers Utes, SUVs and family vehicles Automotive technologyPolicy Featured Publications CarsGuide EV Central DMARGE The Sydney Morning Herald Marie Claire Top Gear GQ Australia The Australian WISH Magazine Boss Hunting The West Australian The Nightly Women’s Day Australia Carsales NRMA Men’s Health CEO Magazine Australian Financial Review The Daily Telegraph The Sunday Telegraph Note: The author, Andrew Chesterton, is a co-owner of Smart As Media, a content agency and media distribution service with a number automotive brands among its clients. When producing content for CarsGuide, he does so in accordance with the CarsGuide Editorial Guidelines and Code of Ethics, and the views and opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the author.
About Author
Disclaimer: The pricing information shown in the editorial content (Review Prices) is to be used as a guide only and is based on information provided to Carsguide Autotrader Media Solutions Pty Ltd (Carsguide) both by third party sources and the car manufacturer at the time of publication. The Review Prices were correct at the time of publication. Carsguide does not warrant or represent that the information is accurate, reliable, complete, current or suitable for any particular purpose. You should not use or rely upon this information without conducting an independent assessment and valuation of the vehicle.

Have you considered?

Toyota Camry
Toyota Camry
Skoda Octavia
Skoda Octavia
Mazda 6
Mazda 6
BYD Seal 6
BYD Seal 6
Toyota Corolla
Toyota Corolla
Kia K4
Kia K4
MG MG5
MG MG5
Check out more Sedans
CarsGuide Logo

Rival reviews

Mercedes-Benz E-Class E200 and E220d 2016 review
9.0/10
Lexus GS F 2016 review
8.0/10
Audi A6 1.8 TFSI 2016 review
7.2/10

Comments