2003 BMW 3 Series Review
Fuel Economy
19 - 22 mpg
Summary
What Edmunds.com says
If you've got the bucks, this is unequivocally the best car in the entry-luxury category.
Pros
Luxurious, powerful, exceptional road manners, available all-wheel drive for sedan and wagon.
Cons
Pricey for its market segment, limited rear-seat space and cargo capacity.
What's New for 2003
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.
Consumer Ratings & Reviews
BMW 03 Failure of Equipment
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 10 | Fun-to-Drive: | 7 | Build Quality: | 2 |
| Comfort: | 5 | Interior Design: | 5 | Reliability: | 2 |
| Fuel Economy: | 9 | Exterior Design: | 10 | ||
Vehicle
2003 BMW 3 Series 325i Rwd 4dr Sedan (2.5L 6cyl 5M)
Review
Tail light harness melted and not working. New transmission after 1000 miles. 4-window regulators replaced. Sunroof mechanism replaced. Radio dial does not work. Front tires ride noisy. No one can fit comfortably in the back seat. BMW will not help you with any parts that fail even though they are inferior products that should not have been used in this car. Parts are cheap and are meant to break to keep their parts and service dept. busy. My husband and I have owned 20 vehicle together and we have put more parts on this car then in all of our car combined. Its sad and never buy BMW, buy a Lexus!! or something more reliable . BMW does not care about fixing their problems.
Favorite Features
Style, gas mileage, sporty.
Suggested Improvements
Use quality parts and listen to customers.
Ultimate Tanning Machine!
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 10 | Fun-to-Drive: | 10 | Build Quality: | 10 |
| Comfort: | 9 | Interior Design: | 10 | Reliability: | 10 |
| Fuel Economy: | 10 | Exterior Design: | 10 | ||
Vehicle
2003 BMW 3 Series 325Ci Rwd 2dr Convertible (2.5L 6cyl 5M)
Review
Great Car! The car is 6 years old and still turns heads. It certainly turns mine every time I walk away from it. The car offers great balance of performance and luxury. The fact that it is a convertible is an icing on the cake. It is very quiet with the top up and offers great insulation (even during WI winter).
Favorite Features
Convertible top and manual transmission (upgraded to an Auto Solutions Ultra Short Shifter Kit).
Suggested Improvements
My only complaint is about the sport package seats. They look great but are not the most comfortable seats in the world. Aside from that, wonderful car.
BEST Car I've EVER Owned!
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 10 | Fun-to-Drive: | 10 | Build Quality: | 10 |
| Comfort: | 10 | Interior Design: | 10 | Reliability: | 10 |
| Fuel Economy: | 10 | Exterior Design: | 10 | ||
Vehicle
2003 BMW 3 Series 330Ci Rwd 2dr Coupe (3.0L 6cyl 5M)
Review
This is the 3rd one I've owned, and 2 other family members as well. None of us have had a minutes trouble with them. Owned Japanese during 80's/90's, until my 1st 330Ci. Gas mileage is amazing for such a powerful car. I average 35+ by keeping it at steady speed, but it has more than enough power when needed (couldn't tell the difference in it & my sisters M3). Hugs road like a dream. I should have flipped several times, once in rain, once avoiding a deer on curve, and it proved its safety engineering. One collision left me with MINIMAL damage compared to the other guy. I will forever have my children and parents in this car. Service is impeccable...take care of it and it will take care of you.
Favorite Features
Lifetime of engine 85,000-120,000 and still going! Comfort...9 hrs non-stop on road at time, don't even feel tired. Great Gas mileage!! Easy to maintain. Road handling feels very safe(idk heavy weight or just good engineering). SAFE CAR!! Awesome sound system. Great re-sale if I could ever part from it.
Suggested Improvements
Nothing as far as reliability, mechanics, longevity of the car. Big, red, alarm bulb on rear-view mirror is a little much (but they've never been stolen). Better place to rest cell phone and connections than cup holders. Front end designed better under bumper so not to drag parking curbs/deep driveways.
Still fun, but expensive
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 8 | Fun-to-Drive: | 10 | Build Quality: | 8 |
| Comfort: | 3 | Interior Design: | 9 | Reliability: | 8 |
| Fuel Economy: | 4 | Exterior Design: | 10 | ||
Vehicle
2003 BMW 3 Series 325Ci Rwd 2dr Convertible (2.5L 6cyl 5M)
Review
One of the car's best features was BMW's all inclusive warranty (I also was able to buy a second year coverage). While I didn't have any major complaints the first year, BMW paid for thousands of dollars in parts and labor (mostly electronic). Fun to drive, very expensive to fix. Worn parts like springs, bushings & brakes should have lasted much longer. Based on my first two years experience I purchased a third party warranty to cover the next 37,000 miles. Don't buy a BMW without a BMW warranty. None the less the car is fun to drive, performance is excellent and you can feel the assuredness that is built into the car. Put on the Ray Bans, find an open road, drop the top and crank up the stereo.
Favorite Features
Outside styling, smooth acceleration, quick stopping brakes, stereo, steering, road handling.
Suggested Improvements
Front seat's a bit cramped. I think they made all the improvements in the new model.
330i 6sp, fuel economy, safety, fun
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 9 | Fun-to-Drive: | 9 | Build Quality: | 9 |
| Comfort: | 9 | Interior Design: | 10 | Reliability: | 8 |
| Fuel Economy: | 8 | Exterior Design: | 10 | ||
Vehicle
2003 BMW 3 Series 330i Rwd 4dr Sedan (3.0L 6cyl 5M)
Review
2003 performance package, 6sp. This is a great car overall, not without problems, but unique in the market. An honest, real and easy 31mpg on the highway with the 6sp, 65-75 mph. Safe and comfortable, and REAR WHEEL DRIVE, impossible to find anymore in a car that handles well and gets good MPG. You will pay more for maintenance, but, you will also get more back when you go to sell the car, they are not everywhere as rental cars. The interior design is simple, a masterpiece, the seats are great, the material quality is top notch. This cars has -astounding- brakes, nimble and firm handling, excellent power, it's a real sleeper and feels like it has much more power than what is published.
Favorite Features
Handling, solid feel, simplicity of RWD and no turbo or other gizmos, resale, fuel economy, power. Comfort. Does everything very well, there are cars that do some things better, but none in my opinion that do everything as well. The last of the good 3 series, replacement is more like a Benz (yuck!).
Suggested Improvements
Crap radio antenna, AM band is terrible, front bushings wear out too fast, parts and repair costs.
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