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 81 through 90 of 224.00

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  BMW 5 Series: Before it got ugly. - 2003 BMW 5-Series
  By dsidog - December 31 - 3:39 pm

  Great all-around car. A little light on power but I knew that when I bought it. Great handling for a sedan, always a pleasure to drive. I love this car. Ive owned 5 BMWs since 1976. I would not hesitate to buy another 5 series but for the looks. The new 5 is too ugly to look at every morning. Ill wait for the next body revision. They got this one right.

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  What a car ! - 2003 BMW 5-Series
  By BMWFan - December 24 - 2:00 am

  This car is truly a joy to drive. The Sports Package makes it especially fun and the 5 speed gearbox is a blast. My advice to anybody looking to buy a 5 series is to buy it now, before they switch over to the new 5 next summer. I believe the 530 offers the best price/performance trade off.

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  What a car ! - 2003 BMW 5-Series
  By bmwfan - December 24 - 2:00 am

  This car is truly a joy to drive. The Sports Package makes it especially fun and the 5 speed gearbox is a blast. My advice to anybody looking to buy a 5 series is to buy it now, before they switch over to the new 5 next summer. I believe the 530 offers the best price/performance trade off.

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  Nice 2003 BMW 525i 5 speed. - 2003 BMW 5-Series
  By Marc - December 6 - 7:33 pm

  This 525i is great. I never did drive the 530 so I dont know what Im missing in power, but I traded in my 2001 Acura CL type S and do not mind that I gave up over 70HP and other cool features such as Xenon headlights, homelink, Nav, and a CD changer. My 525i 5 speed is a blast to drive and feels very fancy inside and out even without almost all the options.

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  The First Four Months - 2003 BMW 5-Series
  By TreDurden - November 15 - 10:33 pm

  Remarkably fun to drive (5 speed manual). Responsive steering and handling. Interior comforts are amazing. I had a Jeep before, they are fun to drive, but in a different way. The Jeep is amazing fun in an off-road way as where the 5-Series is just as much fun in an Autobahn kinda way.

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  Fantasy Car - 2003 BMW 5-Series
  By sbu - October 27 - 10:00 am

  Car is great, dealer was horrible.

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  Lexus Upgrade - 2003 BMW 5-Series
  By panoral - October 27 - 10:00 am

  After trading in a 99 GS400,the BMW is like another world.I took it easy for the recommended 1500 miles and got over 25mpg on a round trip of 2000 miles-at an average speed of over 65mph. The new car is quieter than the Lexus,especially at speed where the L had much more wind noise.The styling is much more appealing than the rather bland L. The only minor gripe is lack of space to store things in the console-the L had very good accomodations here. Safety seems worlds above and I had no fears about driving at 60+ in torrential downpours on the Interstate-visibility and tractin were astounding.

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  What a Car! - 2003 BMW 5-Series
  By Randy - October 22 - 7:17 pm

  Just purchased Automatic Sport package 540i. The build quality is so noticeably different than other makes. As my wife stated after driving it "What a sweet ride". Says it all.

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  Very Happy 525iT owner - 2003 BMW 5-Series
  By WDD - October 19 - 4:17 pm

  Bought it certified preowned and love it. For an avg family its a great car and very fun to drive. I have a 91 240SX that Im having a problem giving up, but this is just as fun to drive and much more comfortable. Ive been getting 26 to 29 mpg and the interior is comfortable and relaxing on the hwy. Overall I love it. I got the newest GPS disks and it made the GPS much more usable. The original 2001 disks were very weak in rural areas. Ive owned it for 4 months now and am very happy with the decision.

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  My BMW journey started in 1980 - 2003 BMW 5-Series
  By Bill in Nashville - October 1 - 12:36 am

  at the age of 17. The father of a close friend of mine purchased a 1980 528i and was kind enough to on occasion let me drive it. The experiences driving that car ignited a passion for German automobiles that I have today some 26 years later. For various reasons though I have never owned a BMW... until last week. Test driving the 525i last week was like traveling back in time. From the distinct engine sound and scent of BMW leather to the almost identical cockpit like instruments I was hooked all over again... this time, though, a picture on the fridge wouldnt do. BMW engineers developed decades ago a sensory attacking machine that words cannot describe - one must drive it to understand it.