: Latest information (as of 4/15/2000), according to the dealer I am talking with, is that the 528 will disappear by end of 8/2000, to be replaced in 9/2000 by the 530, i.e., a 3.0L engine with HP/torque in the ~225/210 range. This engine will first arrive here in the X-5 SUV next month and in the 3-series, as a model 330, in 6-7/2000. Production of the 530 will start in 9/2000 with first shipments arriving in 10/2000. There has also been talk in this web-site of an in-dash CD player in the 5-series, starting in 2001. Dealer could not confirm that but said that he would not be surprised if it happened. He mentioned that BMW folks read bimmer.org and other sites for customer reaction and is sensitive to the gripes that are expressed in these web-sites.

: To answer your question about whether the 530 will come close to the 540 in performance - no, it will not come close to the 540 in HP/torque. So, enjoy the new car!

: Hope this helps. SD