2003 BMW 5 Series Consumer Reviews

2003 540i 6spd Sport

Written by: lochaven on 02/14/2009

Vehicle

2003 BMW 5 Series 540i 4dr Sedan (4.4L 8cyl 5A)

Review

Purchased new in Sep 03 after driving 2004 530i (liked the styling, interior, and lack of iDrive of 2003 better). Traded a 2 year old Corvette. 540i only has 85% of the Vette's performance but is 200% more refined. The manual 6 spd was a little notchy for the first few months but was smooth after that. Seat and door seal squeaks were the only quality problems I had and the dealer eventually fixed/replaced them. One dealer frustration was they didn't know why my auto-headlights didn't work after two trips the the shop. I later learned that this feature is disabled when foglights are on! After 5 years I want to buy a new car but just can't find one with better styling or performance.

Favorite Features

Performance, styling (particularly with M-Tech package), comfort. The V8 is incredibly smooth with adequate HP and good torque. Lowered suspension and 18" wheels that come with Sport package really help handling.

Suggested Improvements

Cup holders, front and rear leg room.

1 out 2 people found this review helpful

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BMW 530i 2003

Written by: mark on 11/26/2008

Vehicle

2003 BMW 5 Series 530i 4dr Sedan (3.0L 6cyl 5M)

Review

This car is the perfect balance between sport & luxury. Purchased new in 2003. Now have 95,000 trouble free miles. Have owned many cars from a cobra mustang 500hp to a honda crx and everything in between. I now also have a mazda speed 3 also nice. BMW makes some of the best cars for the money out there. Smooth, quiet, peppy, comfortable, reliable and nice looking. Runs better now than when I purchased it. Most of my miles have been highway. I get about 24 mpg with 70% hwy 30 local. I also enjoy driving the new and old 3 series.

Favorite Features

Seats, price, silence on hwy regardless of speed, looks, reliability.

Suggested Improvements

Center armrest should have a storage bin

1 out 1 people found this review helpful

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Never Again

Written by: Scott on 08/04/2008

Vehicle

2003 BMW 5 Series 525i 4dr Sedan (2.5L 6cyl 5M)

Review

Being stationed overseas I figured it was time to buy a new BMW. I owned this car for 4.5 years, replaced all 4 rotors three times, also replaced 4 of 6 ignition coils throughout my ownership. All under warranty, luckily. Replaced the cub hold assembly, too easily broken. It's great to drive especially on the German Autobahn, but the headaches of maintenance were too much. I sold this car and after three months the new owner e-mailed and said the ignition coil went out.

Favorite Features

High value for resale, looks great

Suggested Improvements

If over 6 feet tall forget it, low lumbar supports, ignition and brake quality upgrades.

1 out 1 people found this review helpful

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Great car when not in shop

Written by: mathwonk on 08/03/2008

Vehicle

2003 BMW 5 Series 525i 4dr Sedan (2.5L 6cyl 5M)

Review

This car is beautiful comfortable powerful solidly made and enjoyable. The only problem is I am a longtime Honda owner. I admit a Honda does not compare in acceleration, stopping power, beauty or safety to this BMW, but on the other hand, essentially nothing ever goes wrong on a Honda either, and that has me spoiled. The beemer was in the shop at least 7 times for a leak that occurred in any hard rain, and has only been ok in that department since the drought made rain less common. Two days ago my wife was driving down the highway and the wheels locked up at 50 mph and refused to roll. She skidded to a stop in the road and could not even get into the breakdown lane.

Favorite Features

Solid safe feel on the road, and best ever stopping power of the brakes. Great front visibility (but poor backwards visibility).

Suggested Improvements

Don't design the rainwater to pass through the door before exiting the car. Tell people honestly that the car needs more oil changes than just the free ones. As everyone knows the cupholders are the worst in the industry. But the car is so wonderful when working right, I am tempted buy another.

1 out 1 people found this review helpful

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BMW 525i Response

Written by: Sanjay Ganju on 07/17/2008

Vehicle

2003 BMW 5 Series 525i 4dr Sedan (2.5L 6cyl 5M)

Review

I have a 525i sports trim for the last 4 years. First there is constant problem with the dashboard electronics. Some pixels keep missing. Also there are chronic issues with alternator and additional electronics in the car. It is like dying a death by 1000 cuts. This car stalled on me twice on the highway. Somehow I came out one piece. Each time a repair is conducted results in 500-1000USD tab and if you go to their dealer then God help you. BMW is a sleek and sporty car but sell it as soon as the manufacturer warranty is over.

Favorite Features

Good speakers etc. Excellent acceleration.

Suggested Improvements

Can't afford premium fuel. Lousy reliability of electronics. Most of the electronic sensors start dying after 5 years. Chronic problems with alternator etc. Very low clearance results in front hood damage at curbs due to very low clearance. Overall a lousy car and not worth it.

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Awesome ride

Written by: csfischer20 on 07/15/2008

Vehicle

2003 BMW 5 Series 530i 4dr Sedan (3.0L 6cyl 5M)

Review

I picked up this Bimmer at a great price and I fell in love with it the second I sat down and started it. They come well equipped and ride awesome. I've had an Audi before and it was just too much to maintain. The more research I did the better I felt about getting a BMW. It's certified and has all of the records. Just enough pick up on the streets, but not a gas hog. I didn't like the body style of the 2004 so I went with this one. It's everything I hoped it would be.

Favorite Features

AC, stereo, moonroof and the choice between manual or auto shifting.

Suggested Improvements

I really have nothing except the cupholders could have been placed better... but that is far from my mind when I hit the road.

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After its fifth birthday

Written by: dmotzev on 07/08/2008

Vehicle

2003 BMW 5 Series 525i 4dr Sedan (2.5L 6cyl 5M)

Review

Just recently, I happened to trade in a six months old Japanese coupe for this 5 year old German saloon. What a difference! This is my first personal BMW and although it has almost 60000 miles on it, it feels tight and responsive. In fact, I test drove an E60 530i before I bought this one, but it just did not feel right. The combination of the M Sport package, the Premium package and the manual transmission creates an extremely convenient, yet amazingly looking everyday driver. Navigation is handy, but costs money to keep up-to-date. If you prefer adrenaline pumped driving, better look for a 540i/M5, but if you do not require extreme performance, you are going to love this car!

Favorite Features

The manual transmission, Xenon headlights, DSC, M Sport Package, ingenious part engineering (incredibly easy servicing of the vehicle), excellent fuel economy (for its class).

Suggested Improvements

A way to prevent the annoying pebbles from entering behind the front brakes heat shields?

2 out 2 people found this review helpful

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Performance with a Price

Written by: Bill on 06/27/2008

Vehicle

2003 BMW 5 Series 530i 4dr Sedan (3.0L 6cyl 5M)

Review

Just a splendid, intoxicating driving experience that had the hair on my head tingling for the first 2 months that I drove... BUT, OMG tires wore out at 15K, stabilizer bar, computer problems, display board problems surfaced at 3 yrs. $5K in repairs later (out of warranty on the listed items) and a few other "normal" expensive repairs and I am ready to sell it for a more reliable performance vehicle. Just frustrating to have to endure the financial and disappointing pain a $50,000 car should NOT give you. Be cautious when you purchase this one.

Favorite Features

Fit and finish of the car. Handling, performance, style.

Suggested Improvements

6 out 7 people found this review helpful

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Solid and Nimble

Written by: davethewave on 06/12/2008

Vehicle

2003 BMW 5 Series 530i 4dr Sedan (3.0L 6cyl 5M)

Review

Very good build quality and performance. 93K and still no rattles, but rotors and heater are sounding worn out. Had computer chip go out under warranty, so reliability is not as good as expected for car at this price level. Dealer service was inconvenient. I have no regrets, but I would probably not buy another one new - mainly because I live too far from a dealer, and I don't like the new 5-series styling and high price.

Favorite Features

Engine response, steering and handling - the German driving feel is addicting. Gas mileage of 28 mpg is great for this class of car.

Suggested Improvements

Increase number of qualified service centers to perform warranty work. Reduce the road noise during normal driving.

1 out 1 people found this review helpful

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Electronic Problems

Written by: seabreez on 04/24/2008

Vehicle

2003 BMW 5 Series 530i 4dr Sedan (3.0L 6cyl 5M)

Review

We picked up A CPO 530i just off of lease. Records were clean & initially car lived up to the BMW standards. 3 months in the electrical system started going haywire (sensors) & has been a pain ever since. It has gotten to the point I contacted the CEO of BMWAG in Germany. Very disappointed they threw it back on dealer. It is the mfg. fault, not the dealer. At present working with dealer to roll out into another. Dealer is being very helpful & I hope for a resolution soon. Other than this the car is what you expect from a BMW.

Favorite Features

What a great ride. Try turning off the ADC & take a corner. What a difference. The car is a pleasure to drive. The only problem I have is keeping an eye on the speed! The ride is so smooth. Also the handling in inclement weather is flawless. Also I am alive today because of the dgn. of BMW

Suggested Improvements

Cup holders!

3 out 3 people found this review helpful

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