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 21 through 30 of 224.00-
Very Reliable - 2003 BMW 5-Series
By scott - November 20 - 9:03 pmBought this car with 85k on it. Sold it with 130k. Only had one problem ac related 150.00 fixed it. Ran great good gas mileage and looks beautiful. Blizzaks on the back will make winter driving no problem (within reason). Dont be afraid to buy. Engine and tranny are bulletproof.
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Electronic Gremlins - 2003 BMW 5-Series
By veinr - September 4 - 11:07 pmI bought this car a little over a year ago and have spent approx. 2K in repairs. The radiator is plastic as is the water pump impeller motor. It had several oil and hydraulic leaks which I had repaired. The rear tires wear on the inside quite rapidly due to camber settings with the independent suspension. The battery burned a hole in itself and Ive had several turn signal issues, lights burning out, shorts etc. Right now Im getting a low oil pressure light at idle even after replacing the sending unit. The cupholders and interior buttons are very cheap. Other than that, this is a really fun car to drive. The motor is bullet proof. I got 23mpg on a recent trip with 3 bikes on the roof rack.
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a super automobile - 2003 BMW 5-Series
By hamilton - September 4 - 10:00 amthe 540i 6M i bought just a few months ago is a marvellous car to drive --peppy, quiet, and comfortable. it is also very safe. it is probably the best car i have ever owned.
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A Mans Car - 2003 BMW 5-Series
By psorota - September 4 - 10:00 amI drove so many luxury cars before my husband talked me into trying the BMW 525i that I just assumed that this car would have all the creature comforts that my former Lexus and others had. NOT! No place for CD storage, no place for purse, no lumbar support, seat belts practically strangle me, hard to get in and out of (too low, I guess), small trunk, no A/C vents in back seat. Altho I love the Septronic transmission, I am not comfortable in this car and have concluded it is a "mans car" (my husband loves to drive it). I doubt Id buy another BMW for these reasons.
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Simply The Best - 2003 BMW 5-Series
By beemer lover - July 29 - 10:00 amThe best handling, most fun car to drive, period! stick, sports, premium, xenon, cold weather. Purrfect! Goes where you point it. Great performance and gas mileage. Had big ass muscle cars with more ponies but nothing beats this TOTAL package. I look forward to driving to work. This is my second 5 series and before buying my first, I said "overpriced, not worth it, not reliable..." To all the naysayers, go out and drive one!
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Not another BMW - 2003 BMW 5-Series
By ymmot - June 27 - 2:00 amAvoid buying this car. Have had nothing but trouble since the day we bought it. Headlight system has had to be replaced twice.
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Awesome car - 2003 BMW 5-Series
By AP from CA - April 29 - 10:00 amGot this puppy last month before they change the design. I am not a fan of the new BMW design trend. Love the old design. Anyways, test drove a E class and a C class as well. C class is no comparison. E class possible. But this is the best choice considering the price and what you get for it.
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Awesome fast sporty sedan - 2003 BMW 5-Series
By BMW 540iA, M5 susp - April 19 - 3:58 pmI bought my 540iA new before the body style changed and Im glad i did. I tested the 6 speed manual first but the sales rep convinced me to buy the automatic with manu-matic shift. The car is fast yet unassuming. My 540iA came with the M5 sports package complete with M5 steering wheel, suspension/brakes and front/rear spoilers. I was shopping for an M3 as I was already driving a 1998 528E but the M3 was too small - am so glad I made the right decision. I would recommend the 540ia to any sports, luxury and German car enthusiast.
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2003 BMW 525i Sedan - 2003 BMW 5-Series
By MD - March 24 - 2:00 pmThis is our first BMW which we bought new with 4 miles on the odometer and its still going strong after 6 years and 135,000 miles. We average 500 miles per week on it back/forth to work. Highway gas mileage averages 26 mpg. My wife loves the car and I hope it lasts another 100K miles. Weve had no engine problems, but regular maintenance is expensive. Our dealer had to repair the moon roof 3 times due to the guide rails - kept breaking. Fortunately those repairs were under warranty and we solved that problem by not using the moon roof anymore. The LED dash display burns out and is very expensive to replace - my mechanic tells me this is a known defect that BMW will not acknowledge.
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Love it - 2003 BMW 5-Series
By Jaykayd - March 22 - 10:00 amFast, powerful and so much fun to drive... just wish the clutch didnt go so quickly... also had a transmission problem that required a switch. Other than those problems, and a niggling window rattling problem, its a dream car.
