Overview & Reviews

This is your last chance to get a traditionally styled 5 Series -- next year, its styling becomes more closely aligned with the controversial 7 Series. For now, BMW will offer a DVD-based navigation system for the existing 5 Series -- but alas, you must still give up an in-dash CD player if you opt for the nav system. Besides that, rear head protection airbags (optional last year) are now standard across the line. Additionally, all six-cylinder models get a standard moonroof. Standard on the manual-shift 540i (and optional with the automatic) is a new sport package that includes 18-inch wheels, a revised sport suspension, front and rear spoilers, visible exhaust outlets, black side molding, a black headliner, titanium-ringed gauges and an M footrest for the driver. Finally, the 525i gets a new alloy wheel design, and its premium package now includes rain-sensing wipers.

• Thrilling to drive, superb ride quality, upscale interiors, wide range of trim levels, clean exterior styling.

• Some confusing interior controls, demanding manual transmission, high-end models are pricey.

User Reviews:

Showing 91 through 100 of 224.00

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  My Dream Car - 2003 BMW 5-Series
  By betattack - September 14 - 10:00 am

  I finally got my dream car. This thing handles GREAT! Looks GREAT! Feels GREAT! I love to take sharps turns and feel the car hug the road. The seats are real comfortable too. Well worth the price.

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  This is the Last Car I hope to Own - 2003 BMW 5-Series
  By jakedogdog - September 14 - 10:00 am

  This is my 3rd BMW. I had two 328s - a 97 and a 2001. I wanted a little more room this time round. I intended to buy a 530, but this one was sitting on the lot - a program car, $10K off MSRP... I just couldnt resist the opportunity. The car had 6000 miles on it when I took delivery. I thought it had been broken in. Now, at 13000, things are really coming together. This car is balanced, strong, wonderful to drive. The only seats that I am aware of being more comfortable are the old volvo seats. But, still... No volvo drives like this. It settles in right at about 78 and is smooth smooth all the way past 120.

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  Buy one if you can... - 2003 BMW 5-Series
  By ERA - September 7 - 10:12 pm

  Well-rounded car is an understatement. Great torque & power, smooth inline 6, best exterior design BMW ever made, handles really well for a large car. Only regret is not buying a new one because I know I would have babied the car a lot better.

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  Great family car - 2003 BMW 5-Series
  By Andreas - August 28 - 2:09 pm

  The 530 has great cabin space and lots of rear seat room for the rest of the family. It also has great deep trunk space for the stroller. Although other makes have large cu. ft. trunk space, they are not very deep making it difficult to load stuff in the trunk without smashing the stroller. It is a great car with superb handling and comfort. It does not have the same acceleration as some of the other cars, but it offers excellent high speed kick-down and overtaking capabilities... especially with the steptronic.

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  exceeds my expectation - 2003 BMW 5-Series
  By sweetcar - July 27 - 10:00 am

  Bought the 03 automatic model with all possible options including sport package, M aero kit and suspension for US$40000, what a steal. The 530i totally exceeds my expectation even on BMW high standard. It accelerates with sweet smoothness, handles with sharp precision with the just right sporty and European taste.Drove the 04 model, all I can say is get the 03 while you still can.

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  My big, beautiful beast - 2003 BMW 5-Series
  By Greg J - June 20 - 11:06 am

  I bought the 2003 540i with the 6-speed manual transmission, which automatically gets you the sport package and, for 2003 models only (in the US), also gets you the M-sport package, which includes front and rear fascia, 18" M-parallel rims with staggered tire sizes, along with a host of ///M badged goodies, such as shift knob, steering wheel, doorsills, etc. This is the closest thing you can get to an M5, and is in fact more rare less than 1000 6-speed 540s were imported in 2003. My car is black on black and is absolutely beautiful. It has a lot of "presence" and gets a lot of thumbs up! Fast, comfortable, but "mature"...no boy-racer junk. Hope to keep it forever.

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  This is a classy car - 2003 BMW 5-Series
  By JHawk Mike - June 20 - 10:00 am

  Since BMW is getting ready to change the style of the 5-series, I got a sweet deal on a lease... and I feel like a thief. Im getting this awesome car and paying this little? Its got power and style and its very fun to drive.

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  NICE RIDE - 2003 BMW 5-Series
  By pongo2972 - June 7 - 9:46 pm

  My 2003 530i is the best car Ive ever owned. Its fast, tight, shifts perfectly, and rides like a dream. Not only that, but when you get out of the car and look at it, youre glad you bought it. Also, just in case you didnt know, Consumer Reports rated this vehicle higher than any other car they had ever rated, ever!!!

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  Greatest Car Ever! - 2003 BMW 5-Series
  By Styve - May 26 - 10:00 am

  I have owned many cars, and none could even come close to this car. The 540i is a true drivers car. Speed, handling, comfort - Who could ask for more?! It even has room for the kids (unlike my 328ci). If your in the market for a family rocket, and you do not mind stopping at the gas station every ten minutes, this is the car for you.

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  Great car - could use more hp & torque - 2003 BMW 5-Series
  By interceptor - May 19 - 2:00 am

  Great handling car with the sports package. Responsive and precise. Although the interior is smaller than most of its competitors, its exterior is still the best in my mind. Aggressive, sporty and purposeful without being trendy and tacky.