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 61 through 70 of 224.00

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  The Ultimate Driving Machine - 2003 BMW 5-Series
  By bimmer530i - January 19 - 2:00 am

  Ever since I was 14 years old I always wanted a BMW, now Im 16 and owning a great 530i. You cant go wrong with this car; it has performance and great stability in tight corners. BMWs are truly the Ultimate Driving Machine.

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  The best of the best - 2003 BMW 5-Series
  By crusader - November 26 - 10:00 am

  Sports car handling, luxury car comfort; only BMW could make it happen. Okay, the cars NOT perfect. The cupholders are a joke. The climate control, while effective, is not very sophisticated. The radio is decidedly ordinary for a car costing around $50K. But the car coddles its occupants in the best seats in the business. The handling is the best there is with four doors. The engine delivers ample power (want more, 290 or 394HP are available) while knocking down 30 miles per gallon. The best all-around performer Ive ever driven.

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  Solid performer - 2003 BMW 5-Series
  By SC owner - November 21 - 4:24 pm

  Wonderful car with a strong luxury feel. Ive owned the car about a year and driven it about 7,000 miles. I did have to replace the thermostat since I kept getting a service engine light. Another problem is missing pixels in my instrument display and radio display. This required replacing the instrument cluster and the MID display. Electronic parts are very expensive ($1600). Since the car was out of warranty, I wrote to BMW to see if they would assist with the repairs and they said they would. Put me in the BMW good will program and agreed to pay for the parts if I paid the labor. Good deal for me, nearly $2000 worth of repairs for less than $175.

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  bmw 5 series - 2003 BMW 5-Series
  By jtbaer5 - November 21 - 10:00 am

  I have driven BMWs since 1985 and this i sby far the best (technology probably is the reason). Handling for a sport sedan remains the best I can imagine. Low end power has always been less then stellar, but I accept that for the high end and sport/comfort/durability/reliability.

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  BMW 530i - You gotta drive one! - 2003 BMW 5-Series
  By diggertoo - September 28 - 10:35 pm

  Purchased used in great condition. The suspension system is incredible. The car feels like its glued to the road and is the smoothest and most comfortable riding car Ive ever driven. With a bad disk in my back, the lumbar system can be adjusted to make even longer trips very comfortable. The air vents in the dash provide circulation throughout the car, without hitting anyone directly in the face. And the sound system... if you close your eyes you would swear you were live at a concert. The sound system with 10 speakers and 2 subwoofers is that good and the list of other useful features could go on and on.

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  Best of the best - 2003 BMW 5-Series
  By blues55555 - August 21 - 1:59 pm

  The E39 style 5 series is a great mixture of classic BMW styling with modern technology. The later E39s (2001-2003) benefit from an upgrade to xenon headlights (with angel eyes), LED tail lights, steering wheel, and other cosmetic pieces. The V8 in the 540i is very quick for a mid-sized sedan. The quality of materials inside the cabin are top-notch. I could not be happier with this purchase. It is a lot of fun to drive. You read about people complaining about cup holders all the time, but I could care less about that. I dont think BMW is designing their cars for the Starbucks or Slurpee crowd. These cars are meant to be driven at fairly high speeds on the Autobahn. No car is perfect, but the 540i is close!

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  Another happy 5 series consumer - 2003 BMW 5-Series
  By snake327 - June 4 - 10:00 am

  Great car. Very quiet and great MPG on the interstate (30MPG). But those cupholders!!! When will the Germans get it right for the American consumer.

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  Came down to Lexus or BMW - 2003 BMW 5-Series
  By lreeves - May 2 - 2:00 am

  Ive only had the car for a little over a month, but it reminds me daily that I made the right choice!

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  2003 540i - Ultimate Driving Machine!!! - 2003 BMW 5-Series
  By J.J. - April 9 - 12:33 am

  If youre like me, and dont like what BMW has done to the interior of the new 5 series than youll love the 540i. Its still a "drivers" car with the interior cantered to the one behind the wheel. Having just purchased a pre-owned with relatively low miles this car is going to be a collectors car someday. Its the last of a BMW classic. The thick steering wheel in the M sports package add to the 540is overall handeling and driving sensation. The engine is more than enough and commands repect even amongst its peers. Fun, superb road handling, saftey and style define everything that has built BMW to what it is today. If youre not into the new look and confusing iDrive, the 540i is it!

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  Ive had my 530i almost a year - 2003 BMW 5-Series
  By Charles Henke - April 7 - 2:05 pm

  My 530i is my second BMW. This automobile is not only stylish but comfortable and fun to drive. It is an excellent road vehicle that gets reasonably good gas mileage. Quality in workmanship throughout the vehicle is exceptional. Some of the dash controls are somewhat confusing, however.