BMW fills a special niche in the world of transportation with the unique combination of luxury and sport with all the trimmings in the 530i. BMW’s 3 series has the most sporty feel, the 7 series the most luxurious and the 5 series sits right in the middle with a delicate balance of both.

The 2004 530i has invoked mixed reviews from owners and the automotive press. Consumers on www.msn.autos.com rate it 7.8 on a scale of 10, whereas they rate the 2003 model at 8.6.

BMW’s 530i is a “techie sports car” that will require most drivers to read the manual before taking off.

A lot of the confusion stems from the dramatic restyling that BMW introduced into the 2004 model. People either like it or hate it. BMW’s designer in chief, Chris Bangle, has been roundly criticized in the automotive press for his restyling of the 2003 7 series, especially the car’s back end.

Some of that restyling has found its way onto the 530i. But beauty is in the eye of the beholder. I find the styling treatment of the 530i somewhat muted, maybe a little bulky and not quite as sleek as the 2003 version. But definitely a BMW. Although not visible, almost the entire front end of the car is made of aluminum, saving some 140 pounds of weight and improving fuel consumption and handling balance.

Another legacy from the 2003 7 series is the much criticized “i drive” system — an integrated electronic system that performs all the climate control, radio, mileage, range computer and navigation (if so equipped) functions — that is controlled by a hockey puck-like knob that rotates in all directions. The idea is to clean up the usual knobs and buttons on the console. The problem is that the system, like so many things on this car, is “non-intuitive” and quite difficult to learn.

Thankfully the system on the 530i is easier to use than on the 7 series. Mind you, Grandma from Pasadena would be hopelessly confounded by this car. Even a reasonably techie person will have to spend time reading the manual and practicing. It shouldn’t be this distracting to operate a radio.

Another quibble is with the turn signal system. If the lever is pushed too far, it is very difficult to shut it off without overcompensating and signaling in the opposite direction.

Onto the good stuff. This car has a just gorgeous 3 liter, 24-valve, DOHC, 225 hp, inline 6-cylinder motor coupled to a slick six-speed manual transmission. A very smooth optional six-speed auto-stick transmission with overdrive is available for $1,275. The drivetrain on this car is made in heaven. It delivers aggressive, smooth acceleration when you need it, and a quiet smooth shifting docility when tootling around town. The motor sounds wonderful when pushed.

BMW offers two other variants of this car, the 525i with a 2.5 liter, 184 hp inline 6-cylinder engine for $39,300, and a 545i with a 4.4 liter, 325 hp V-8 engine for $54,300.

The 530i grows on you the more you drive it, with positive secure cornering and a firm, nicely controlled ride. Most of the techie baubles expected in a $40,000-plus car offer a really pleasant experience. The optional $3,300 sport package introduces “Active Steering,” which changes the steering ratios to allow sharper turns at slower speeds. This works with an “Active Roll Stabilization” system to keep the car out of trouble on the twists.

Other new systems include rotating headlamps, brake lights that progressively brighten as foot pressure on the pedal is increased, and a “head up” display of data in front of the driver.

Even though EPA estimates fuel consumption at 18 city/28 highway (mpg) for the automatic, this reviewer experienced a very creditable 26.7 mpg in a combined city/highway test. The manual transmission gains only 1 mpg in the city, and none on the highway. Remember, the Germans — BMW, Audi, Mercedes Benz and Volkswagen — all get more power from smaller motors by raising engine compression ratios and requiring premium fuel.

The full-maintenance warranty is four years or 50,000 miles.

Standard features include moonroof, dual power seats, tilt and telescopic steering wheel and all the power goodies expected in a car base priced at $44,995.

Options include the automatic transmission and sport package noted above; a cold weather package with heated front seats, heated steering wheel, and headlamp washers, for $750; and a premium package with garage door openers, lumbar support, day/night mirrors, leather seats and wood trim for $2,400. A Harmon Kardon Logic 7 premium sound package with a six-disk CD changer in the glove box costs $1,800, a rear power sunshade costs $575, navigation system is $1,800, parking distance warning $700, and active speed control $2,200. It is easy to raise the sticker to just below $60,000.

Beemer fans must drive this car. Visit BMW of San Diego, Kearny Mesa, Harloff BMW Encinitas, Cunningham BMW El Cajon or Brecht BMW Escondido for a test.