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 211 through 220 of 224.00

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  2002 BMW 525i - 2003 BMW 5-Series
  By DianeRD - February 15 - 10:00 am

  We love our BMW 525i! Its fun to drive, feels very solid, and looks like a million bucks. Several young MPs have commented when I stop for ID check at West Point, "Nice car, maam." Now thats nice for a 60-year- old to hear!

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  as close to perfect as a car can get - 2003 BMW 5-Series
  By jasonnga - December 29 - 10:00 am

  I have had several Mercedes, Lexus and this is my 2nd BMW (first was M3). All cars have something that I would change, but this is definitely the best car I have ever owned. The only complaints are cup holders, radio, and seats. The seats are too narrow. I am a weight lifter with wide shoulders, and I cannot fit inbetween the lumbar supports. I have to sit sideways. Even the M3 did not do this.

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  Best Car I Ever Owned - 2003 BMW 5-Series
  By Alan10899 - December 23 - 10:00 am

  Not the fastest, or the best handling, but the total package is perfect.

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  Only the Germans can do this... - 2003 BMW 5-Series
  By iwannarace - November 27 - 2:00 am

  I purchased a 530iA with a Sport Package about 6 weeks ago. I shopped, I compared, I slept on it, I thought of compromise, nothing could take me away. Boy am I glad I stuck with my intial instinct. This car does what you want it to do! Go! Stop! Corner! Its exhilirating every time I approach those 17" alloys, open and enter the chamber, sit in that bad ass seat and rap my hands around that 3 spoke sport wheel. The only complaint I have is that there are too many other cars on the road that interfere with my ULTIMATE DRIVING MACHINE AND ME!

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  Excellent, but not perfect - 2003 BMW 5-Series
  By tliebman - November 21 - 2:00 am

  This is my first BMW, and its reputation is well founded. It is a blast to drive, both in town and especially on long trips. Shouldnt a $45,000 car have an in dash CD changer? The interior is beautiful, but not very functional. There is no storage in the console, the cupholders are a joke. The climate controls are illogical, but work well. The gas pedal is too vertical-only my toes touch the pedal. Why can the US and Japanese make brakes that dont dust, and the Europeans cant?

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  The Way it is Meant to be Driven - 2003 BMW 5-Series
  By WillP - November 16 - 10:00 am

  European delivery on this new car, drove it throughout Bavaria and Austria on a recent trip. Handles the autobahn and small roads with ease and comfort. Handling excellent, showed it responsiveness and braking smoothness in an emergency situation on the Autobahn at high speed avoiding a breakdown in the passing lane. Beautiful driving in the country where it was built.

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  The Ultimate Driving Machine - 2003 BMW 5-Series
  By Michael A. - October 15 - 2:00 am

  A pleasure to drive. I thank myself everyday for buying it.

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  The Jury Is Out - 2003 BMW 5-Series
  By LoyolaCub84 - October 5 - 10:00 am

  Just bought the 530i. Currently, dealers are offering heavy discounts due to factory incentives to make room for the newly designed 5 series coming in October. Im happy so far. I agree with many of the reviews that the car has both sport and touring car characteristics. More sport than touring, however. Time will tell if it turns out as reliable as the Lexus whos place it took.

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  The Last 5 Made By God - 2003 BMW 5-Series
  By SPUY767 - October 5 - 10:00 am

  When we stroll through the annals of automotive history, I dont think that any car quite embodies all aspects of a perfect car like the 5 Series. Power, handling, comfort, economy, style, its all there, and in droves. I do not think that anyone has ever built a more refined vehicle than this generation of the 5.

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  Fantastic Car - 2003 BMW 5-Series
  By dadennis - August 17 - 10:00 am

  THE luxury sports sedan that sets the standard. Awesome throttle response; incredible handling. Tremendous braking. 4 years / 50,000 miles of included service! Outstanding build quality; far better than my last car: Acura TL (not to mention the horrible Acura customer service). The BMW is wonderful. Forget cupholder complaints. Who wants to drink or eat in this machine? Enjoy the driving. Far more satisfying than some drink.