2006 BMW 530i
The 2006 BMW 530i is a sedan. It has a 3.0-litre six-cylinder engine producing 255 hp (190 kW), with a 6-speed automatic and rear-wheel drive. 0–60 mph takes 6.5 seconds and top speed is 130 mph (209 km/h).
ABOUT THE 2006 BMW 530I
The 2006 BMW 530i is the six-cylinder model of the E60 5 Series saloon. For 2006 it adopted BMW’s new N52 3.0-litre inline-six with 255 hp and 220 lb-ft (300 Nm), and it drives the rear wheels. This entry covers the version with the six-speed automatic; a six-speed manual was also offered.
What changed for 2006
The N52 replaced the M54 engine used in 2004 and 2005 cars, raising output from 225 hp. It features a lightweight magnesium-aluminium crankcase and Valvetronic variable valve lift. In the same model year BMW added the all-wheel-drive 530xi and replaced the V8 545i with the 550i, making 2006 a significant year of change for the E60 range.
Buying one today
The N52 is generally regarded as a durable engine, but its electric water pump and thermostat, valve cover gasket and oil filter housing gasket are known weak points. The E60’s electronics, including iDrive and its many control modules, can be costly to diagnose, so check that every system works before buying.
Rivals
The 530i competed with the Mercedes-Benz E350, Audi A6 3.2, Lexus GS 300 and Infiniti M35.
Written by CarDetails.org. Last reviewed October 31, 2026.
SPECS
| Make | BMW | Model | 530i |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year | 2006 | Version / Trim | BMW 2006 530i |
| Body Style | Sedan | Doors | 4 |
| Seats | 5 | Ext. Colour | Alpine White, Jet Black, Black Sapphire Metallic, Titanium Silver Metallic, Silver Gray Metallic, Mystic Blue Metallic, Monaco Blue Metallic, Mineral Silver Metallic, Sparkling Graphite Metallic, Carbon Black Metallic |
| Steering | LHD / RHD | Manufactured In | Germany |
| Drive | Rear-Wheel Drive (RWD) | Transmission | Automatic (S6) |
| Engine | 3.0L 6-cyl | Engine Size | 3,000 cc |
| Power | 255 hp / 190 kW | Torque | 300 Nm / 220 lb-ft |
| 0–60 mph (0–97 km/h) | 6.5 sec | Top Speed | 130 mph (209 km/h) |
| Fuel Economy | 18 mpg city / 27 mpg hwy | ||
| Wheelbase | 2,830 mm | Kerb Weight | 1,680 kg (3,704 lb) |
HOW IT COMPARES WITH OTHER 2006 SEDANS
Compared with other 2006 sedans in our database, its 255 hp is close to the average for a 2006 sedan (250 hp), and it reaches 60 mph 0.9 seconds quicker than average.
| 2006 BMW 530i | Average 2006 sedans | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Power | 255 hp | 250 hp (90 cars) | +2% |
| Torque | 300 Nm | 317 Nm (90 cars) | -5% |
| 0–60 mph | 6.5 s | 7.4 s (87 cars) | -12% |
| Top speed | 130 mph | 132 mph (87 cars) | -2% |
| Kerb weight | 1,680 kg | 1,584 kg (103 cars) | +6% |
| Engine size | 3,000 cc | 3,201 cc (103 cars) | -6% |
Averages are calculated from all cars of the same model year and body type in the CarDetails.org database that have the figure listed. For 0–60 mph, a negative difference means quicker.
CLOSEST RIVALS
Other 2006 sedans with similar power to the 2006 BMW 530i.
| Car | Power | 0–60 mph | Kerb weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 BMW 530i | 255 hp | 6.5 s | 1,680 kg |
| 2006 Volvo S60 AWD | 258 hp | 8.5 s | 1,525 kg |
| 2006 Kia Amanti | 264 hp | — | 1,750 kg |
| 2006 Nissan Maxima | 265 hp | 6.5 s | 1,540 kg |
| 2006 Toyota Avalon | 268 hp | 7.5 s | 1,615 kg |