Undoubtedly the engineers assigned to the wagon's suspension tweaked and tailored the sedan's underpinnings to ensure the extra weight of the wagon was properly accounted for in the Holly Grail search for the perfect balance between ride, handling and cargo hauling capability. So was the elusive Holly Grail of suspension setups found? Well if not found completely intact, the grail in this case has been substantively located. If
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| Cornering that would peel the tires from the rims of a Taurus as it grotesquely understeers are sailed through in the 530xi without as much as a murmur from its 245/40/R18 sport rubber. (Photo: Rob Rothwell, Canadian Auto Press) |
the firm ride of the 530xi with the M Package was slightly more absorbent over the patchwork we call roadways in my town, the grail would be polished and sitting atop the mantle.
Yet the firmness is part of the formula that secures the 530xi a spot high on the list of best-handling wagons. Beyond question it is one of the most agile, best handling mid-size family sleds I've had occasion to put through the paces. While not quite as spry on its 18-inch'ers as say the 330i sedan I recently tested, it is not far behind- and for a wagon 165 mm (6.5 in) shorter and 179 kg (394 lb) heavier than a Ford Taurus wagon, it is simply stunning. Cornering that would peel the tires from the rims of a Taurus as it grotesquely understeers are sailed through in the 530xi without as much as a murmur from its 245/40/R18 sport rubber. Gently introducing acceleration during a turn further locks the saucy wagon to the pavement as BMW's xDrive distributes torque to all four wheels. Get overjoyed by the temptation and
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| Thanks to one of the sweetest 6-cylinder powerplants in the industry, the 530xi's joy-factor is extremely high. (Photo: Rob Rothwell, Canadian Auto Press) |
BMW's Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) and Dynamic Traction Control (DTC) systems will intervene like a stern parent to aid in keeping the 530xi out of harm's way.
Thanks to one of the sweetest 6-cylinder powerplants in the industry, the 530xi's joy-factor is extremely high. This is the same 3.0-litre (182 cu in) engine that powers the 330i sedan so eloquently, however the extra poundage of the 530xi places a higher toll on the 255 horsepower and 215 pound-feet of torque it smoothly generates. Nonetheless, BMW claims a 530xi 0-100 km/h (0-62 mph) time of 7.2 seconds when the 6-speed manual gearbox is enlisted. Unlike Mercedes-Benz, Audi and others who use V6 mills in their mid-size wagons (when not equipped with a V8 or a diesel I-6) the 530xi is motivated by an inline-six cylinder powerplant featuring 24-valves and BMW's Double Vanos variable valve timing technology. This silky dynamo pulls strongly off-the-line and right through posted highway speeds without breaking a sweat or hitting red line.
