530 Sport (2001/2002) model

[jj.]

Guys any help appreciated, I’ve been looking at a new car for a couple of months now, and have narrowed it down to 2, of which a 530 Sport (petrol) is one of them. I’ve been trying to find through my searching of google, a list of standard equipment on this car when new. I’m going to view 2 this weekend, and would like to be a bit more knowledgeable when viewing. I’m looking at 2001/2002 models.

Did they come with electric/memory seats? Do they have tiptronic controls on the steering wheel, if it’s got the M sport wheel? Is the park distance control just on the rear?

Are there any options your car has got that you really couldn’t do without or should have got. I understand that the general feeling of these cars on the whole is pretty bullet proof and an excellent drive..?
jj

[jj.]

I assume you get used to the wipers going the wrong way (i.e sweeping right to left) - it felt really strange on the one I drove at the weekend...

Do you get the same fuel economy from the 530 as you did in the 330. I had a 330 for a while and used to see about 24 mpg (according to the computer) from a mixture of driving.

Out of interest what tyre sizes should they run F/R if on the standard 17s, I can then spot is someone has tried playing with them, also are they as crucial to tyre choice as the 330 seems to be.
jj

[jj.]

I’m testing one in about an hours time, and should ‘the price is right’ a deal should be done. I’ve never brought main dealer BMW before, is there anything you can ‘push’ them for in the price of the car. 2 years worth of servicing? extending the warranty?, anything which can be retro fitted to the car to seal the deal for me…?
jj

[jj.]

Yep must admit, a very very nice car. Auto box worked well, wouldn’t have minded the suspension it be just a tad stiffer, but I suppose you have to have a trade off between comfort and sport-i-ness. Engine had just about enough power, coupled with the auto box to make it interesting, don’t think I could have anything less though.

Amazes me, even though it had front parking sensors, it still had a scrape on the front corner of the bumper.
jj

[jj.]

Cheers for your advice and knowledge chaps, as a deal was done over the weekend for a Silver 2002, 530 Sport, black leather – 1 owner, 23k on the clock. After 13 years of driving, this will be my first Auto car I’ve owned. Just hope the novelty of an auto doesn’t wear off…!
jj

[jj.]

Had the 530 for a few hundred miles now, a truly fantastic car.. Auto box is superb, makes me wonder why I bothered with gears in the first place…! The car on the whole is sooo quiet and refined.

Someone was asking a while back regarding fuel consumption. I’m not sure how accurate the on-board computer is, but flying round MK (lots of stop/start at roundabouts, 0-70 then back to 0 again) I’m currently seeing about 21mpg. A mixture of driving, bit of MK and some A-roads on my 20 mile commute to work I see about 26mpg. But the real killer was last night, I did a 50 mile trip M1/M25. Reset the computer when I got on the m-way, and checked it again when I left it, over 45 miles on m-way I saw average speed 60.3mph with 40.1 mpg….!!!!! Admittedly this was using the cruise control when appropriate, but keeping up quite happily with traffic flow - fantastic.
jj