Overview & Reviews

For 2003, BMW will finally offer a DVD-based navigation system -- meaning that you won't have to give up an in-dash CD player if you opt for the nav system. Other changes include a standard front armrest for all 325 models, as well as a rear center headrest for all sedans and wagons. Additionally, all wagons will come with a moonroof. In terms of options, the Premium Package for all 325s now includes automatic headlights and rain-sensing wipers, and the Sport Package for the 330xi includes double-spoke alloy wheels and run-flat tires.

• Luxurious, powerful, exceptional road manners, available all-wheel drive for sedan and wagon.

• Pricey for its market segment, limited rear-seat space and cargo capacity.

User Reviews:

Showing 1 through 10 of 448.00

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  Wanted a Bimmah, Never looking Back - 2003 BMW 3-Series
  By liquidarthur2@yahoo.com - January 17 - 11:59 am

  I bought my 2003 BMW 325I in 2013. At ten years old and 140,000 miles I knew it was a little bit of a risk, but you can pick these up for the same price youd pay for a Civic in similar condition. BMW or Civic? Come on, no brainer. Fortunately I have a lot of tools and am very mechanically inclined, so I can do all of my own work. Ive had to change the water pump, cooling hoses, window motors, and a few little things. With youtube and a little ingenuity none of it is a big deal at all. If you plan to pay a dealership for this kind of little stuff, forget it. Its well worth a little work here and there to have a car with a buttery smooth straight 6, and absolutely impeccable handling. Three years later I still enjoy driving it. Sometimes I go to the store in the middle of the night and get my girl ice cream, really just because I want to drive somewhere. No more Hondayotas in my driveway. Theyre laughable after driving what is truly the ultimate driving machine. Mine just hit 170k with no current issues at all. Ill get 200+ smiling the whole way. I will warn, however, if youre buying a used one, the maintenance and care that has gone into it previously is of the utmost importance! Check it, double check it, do your research and then check it again!

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  You get what to pay for - 2003 BMW 3-Series
  By M Perez - August 21 - 11:55 pm

  Lets face it, if you buy a +10 years old car it will need some attention. BMWs are known for being very good machines as long as you take good care of them, they are not cheap to maintain, but (as the title says) you get what you pay for. If you expect to drive a boat like this with a low budget, do yourself a favor, go buy a Toyota. On the other way, If you are handy enough to make some DIY its the perfect car for you, if you dont have the time/ skills/ place but still want to drive one, find a reputable independent shop that specializes in BMW instead of taking it to a stealership and youll save some money. Its not a car you can take to Pep Boys and have it fixed for cheap youll end up paying more and losing time. Its worth pay some extra and get it fixed right the first time. Being that said its a great car, it has 50/50 weight distribution, a traction control that actually works, great handling, acceleration, brakes and a powerful and simple engine. The electronics have their days, sometimes a few things tend to fail (remember, its a +10 years old car) but nothing thatll leave you on the side of the road waiting for a tow truck. The car itself has a level of comfort and security that most base and mid line cars dont have nowadays (heated seats, one touch in the 4 windows, automatic windshield wipers and headlights, rear ventilated discs, lecture lights on the front and back, remote window open and closing). I could sell mine now and buy a new Civic, but Id be losing comfort, security and the pleasure of driving. You can buy one for cheap, but you are advised they are not cheap to keep running.

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  Good dream went bad - 2003 BMW 3-Series
  By paulbasden - November 27 - 8:50 pm

  I bought a 2003 330i in August 2012 for $8,500. It drove well for 27 months. Then in November 2014 it blew a head gasket at 122K miles. Needs a new engine. I will not but a BMW again.

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  11 year old BMW 330xi - 2003 BMW 3-Series
  By tazntwo1 - August 1 - 9:57 am

  I bought this car almost 5 years ago with 88K miles on it. Because of where I worked for 2 years car now has little over 200K. With proper maintenance, changing oil when light comes on after turning off key, I have had virtually NO problems with this car. It runs like the day it came off the showroom floor. You guys saying poor reliability or have tons of repair work on it - did a poor job of inspecting the car before you bought it. The place where I bought the car from took care of every little thing and I had it worked on, at his expense, at two different places, one of which was BMW. I absolutely love my car.

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  Honest Down To Earth Review - 2003 BMW 3-Series
  By c_macleod - May 28 - 8:40 am

  Let me be the first to say buying a BMW out of warranty is a risk, that being said if done properly its one of the best deals out there. If you have the ability to do your own work, the upkeep isnt that bad at all. I rebuilt the entire front end suspension for $600 (chances are you will have to do this as well, its a consequence of the suspension design) where a mechanic would have charged over 2k. The 325xi is a slug to be honest, its heavy and not the best on gas. Oddly though, I have great fun with the car and enjoy being in it very much. Great in snow, very safe, sharp looking, and if you have a level head easy to work on and find parts for without paying dealer prices.

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  HORRIBLE GAS MILEAGE: Convertible - Automatic 2003 330Ci - 2003 BMW 3-Series
  By travelgal1 - May 12 - 4:42 pm

  I did all my research before buying the 2003 a few months back. I thought it would give me good gas mileage but it is the worse I have ever had. I average 14.3-15.3 mpg. I thought it would be at least 20, 21. I would not have bought if I knew it would be this bad. I have new tires, tune-up, oil change, runs good. So there should be no reason why Im getting such bad mileage. I like the way the car looks and drives, but sits kind of low to the ground. A bit hard to get in and out of. The convertible top works perfectly and I use often. It costs me $80 to fill up ($4.25 gallon) I work from home and just drive near home to get groceries, bank and take my dog to the park.

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  Just keeps getting better! - 2003 BMW 3-Series
  By bogmailer - April 24 - 3:19 pm

  I have owned 4 of these 3 series convertibles since 1989 as despite test driving and buying other brands (porsche/Merc/Jag) I keep going back to the 3 series convertible with the straight 6 motor. This car is always a joy to drive, fun and fast and with a tremendous engine sound. My current car a tiptronic 3 ltr is now 8 years old and still runsa like new, is cheap to service and at speed is very nimble unlike modern heavy cars. I keep saying to myself I should trade the car but then I get back in the 3, drop the roof and immediatley start smiling. BMW got it right with this car, it will remain a classic.

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  Great to drive but poor reliability - 2003 BMW 3-Series
  By a_tazmanian - January 25 - 8:23 am

  This was my first and probably last BMW due to very poor reliability. It has consumed at least a quart of oil between changes since I got got the car- mechanics cannot figure out why (compression is good). AM radio reception is very poor. Side view mirrors started to corrode and turn brown after just a few years. The diver side window got un-hinged after 6 years. AC stopped working after 7 years. Rear light ground line is undersized and burns out (now a recall). Key re-chargeable battery dies and key has to be replaced for $500. Windshield wiper fluid container leaked and had to be replaced after 8 years. Plus many other more expected wear/tear and maintenance problems.

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  Scotts E46 - Ultimate Driving... period. - 2003 BMW 3-Series
  By scotte46 - October 31 - 2:13 pm

  Ive been a BMW guy for a few years. I have 3 of them, all purchased with at least 70K miles on them, so I got them pretty cheap. Started with 97 540i sport, then 02 M5, and recently added 03 330ci sport. With so many fun cars to drive, its tough to decide which one I want to use each day. Most often choose the 330. Why? Its just so darn fun to drive on the twisty roads in SW Wisconsin (where I live). M5 has incredible power and comfort, but the 330 just seems to know where I want to put it in every corner, and its plenty fast. With 3 cars to share the miles, I havent been forced to fix much I do most of the required maint myself and use local Indy for rest.

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  Overall, not many problems - 2003 BMW 3-Series
  By snwbrd26 - June 28 - 2:48 pm

  I bought this car with 64k miles on it, and brought it in once for a check-up around 80k and recently around 120k. I dont know if Ive been lucky, but I have had hardly any problems with this car. There was a coolant leak the first time around, and this time was rear springs, valve cover oil leak, front breaks and rotors, with a full inspection (with my car being over 120k miles, I expected more). I had more problems with my VW. I have saved by changing my own oil (which is simpler than my VW was) and Ive changed the window mechanism myself, which is easy if you take 3 mins to google how to change it. I love this car, and intend to run it to the ground. Yes, dealer costs are expensive.