Performance Review: BMW 5 Series 530d E60 - [2003]

Figures & Specs Summary:

BMW 5 Series Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the BMW 5 Series 530d E60 is the 6 speed / Auto version and was first brought out in 2003. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 2004 Westfield Sport 2000S and the 2004 Mitsubishi Lancer Evo VIII MR FQ 400.This particular BMW 5 Series has a 2993cc Turbo Diesel powerplant with 6 cylinders in a St formation.

Alternative Diesel St6's includes the

The 5 Series shares its Diesel St6 engine configuration with the likes of the and the 2017 BMW 5 Series 540d xDrive G30. If you're looking for other fast cars which share the 5 Series's Rear Wheel Drive, Saloon combination then how about the 1982 Fiat X1/9 1.5 8V or the 1965 Aston-Martin DB6 1965.

Power and Weight:

Weighing in at 1685 kgs (3714 lbs) this makes the BMW 5 Series 530d E60 in the same weight category as the 2023 Aston-Martin Valour 5.2 V12 Twin Turbo or the give or take 50kg.

The BMW 5 Series shares the same bhp with the 2022 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works Cabrio 2.0 Turbo (228 bhp)

In terms of power the 2993cc 24V St6 engine produces 215 bhp (160 kW) @ 4000 rpm similar to the 2022 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works Cabrio 2.0 Turbo (228 bhp) or the 2020 Audi TT S Turbo 50 TFSI (225 bhp).

The Turbo St6 throws out 369 lb-ft (500.2 Nm) @ 2000 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2024 Mazda CX-90 S 3.3 Turbo (369 lb-ft) or the 2023 Porsche Cayenne Coupe 3.0 V6 Turbo (369 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If one combines the weight with power or torque performance for the BMW 5 Series you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 2003 MG ZT 4.6 V8 260 (152.3 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the BMW 5 Series.

The BMW 5 Series has a Power to weight ratio of 127.5 bhp per ton and 218.9 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 2003 5 Series competing with the 2003 MG ZT 4.6 V8 260 (152.3 bhp per ton) or the 2013 Skoda Octavia RS TSI 2.0 Turbo (152.2 bhp per ton).

Power to Weight(cont.):

If you agree with the late great Carroll Shelby then arguably an even better indicator of potential performance, Torque. Use weight as well and you end up with - Torque per ton, with the BMW 5 Series generating around 218.9 lb-ft per ton. If you're curious as to what other cars have as much torque to weight then look no further than the 1985 TVR 390 SE 3.9l V8 (243.9 lb-ft per ton) or the 2009 Jaguar XF R 5.0 V8 Supercharged (243.7 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 7.20 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 7.4 secs, this made the BMW 5 Series 530d E60 as fast as the 2018 Abarth 695 XSR Yamaha Automated (7.20 secs) the 2015 Volkswagen-VW Golf GTD 2.0 TDI DSG (7.20 secs) the 2014 Peugeot 308 GT 1.6 Turbo (7.20 secs) the or the 2013 Volvo S60 T5 2.5 Turbo (7.20 secs). This BMW 5 Series 530d E60 is also faster than the 2019 Peugeot 508 PureTech 225 GT S and S (7.30 secs) the 2013 Seat Leon SC 2.0 TDI FR (7.30 secs) the 2013 Subaru BRZ 2L 210ps (7.30 secs) the and the 2013 Volkswagen-VW Golf GTD DSG 2.0 Turbo Diesel (7.30 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the 5 Series and the 1986 BMW 3 Series M3 E30

When talking about the performance of the BMW 5 Series on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 16.39 secs @ 83.4 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 1986 BMW 3 Series M3 E30 (16.34 secs), the 2002 Jaguar S Type 4.2 V8 SE (16.34 secs), and the 1999 Peugeot 206 2.0 GTi 180 (16.35 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 2003 version of the BMW 5 Series 530d E60 has a maximum speed of 151mph.

Top Speed of the 2003 5 Series equals the 2022 Lamborghini Huracan Sterrato (162 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 2003 BMW 5 Series 530d E60 then how about the 2022 Lamborghini Huracan Sterrato (162 mph), the 2021 Porsche Taycan Turbo (162 mph), or the 2019 Ariel Atom 4 2.0 Turbo (162 mph).

Related Links:

2003 5 Series Rivals List.

A Brief History of BMW

Car Comparison