Does the BMW 5 Series have a 6-cylinder engine?
4 Answers
BMW 5 Series does have a 6-cylinder engine. The BMW 540 model is equipped with a 3.0-liter six-cylinder turbocharged engine, which delivers maximum power at 5,500 to 6,500 rpm and peak torque at 1,380 to 5,200 rpm. This engine is paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission from ZF. The BMW 5 Series is a mid-to-large luxury sedan with body dimensions of 5,087mm in length, 1,868mm in width, and 1,500mm in height, and a wheelbase of 3,108mm. The style of the BMW 5 Series is positioned between the sporty and fashionable 3 Series and the noble and elegant 7 Series, perfectly blending dynamism, elegance, and the functionality of a premium business sedan.
I drive a BMW 5 Series with the six-cylinder version myself, the 540i model, and its power delivery is exceptionally comfortable. The 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six engine accelerates smoothly and powerfully, running quietly in the city, and with just a light tap on the throttle, it surges ahead effortlessly on the highway. This engine feels much smoother than a four-cylinder, and the fuel consumption isn’t as high as you might expect—averaging around 10 liters per 100 km. I often take it on long trips, and in Sport mode, the throttle response is even more direct. BMW has really put effort into this generation’s B58 engine in the 540i, paired with the ZF 8-speed automatic transmission, shifts are almost imperceptibly smooth. If the budget allows, I highly recommend trying the six-cylinder—the instant power on demand is something a four-cylinder simply can’t match.
I previously specialized in researching the powertrain configurations of the 5 Series, and the 540i is the model equipped with the 3.0T inline-six. What stands out most when driving is the early torque delivery—it outputs 450 Nm at just 1,600 rpm, so you hardly need to press the accelerator deeply when starting from a traffic light. This engine is also used overseas in the Toyota Supra, showcasing its mature technology. However, BMW is now transitioning toward electrification, and the next generation might eliminate pure combustion inline-six engines. Last year, when I drove a friend’s six-cylinder model on mountain roads, it felt particularly agile in corners, thanks to the balanced rear-wheel-drive weight distribution and the engine’s mild initial throttle response followed by strong high-end power. For daily driving, Comfort mode is recommended, with fuel consumption averaging around 9L.
Absolutely, I saw the specs sheet for the 540i at the BMW showroom just last week. That car comes standard with a 3.0-liter six-cylinder engine, and 340 horsepower is more than enough for daily use. Currently, BMW offers both four-cylinder and six-cylinder options for the 5 Series. The six-cylinder version costs about 100,000 more than the 530, but it's totally worth it—the refinement of the engine is noticeably better, with much less vibration during start-stop. The mid-to-high range acceleration is particularly strong. The salesperson also mentioned that the engine uses a water-cooled intercooler for more efficient heat dissipation.
