2003 BMW X5 SUV Review | Edmunds.com
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2003 BMW X5 SUV

 
 
 
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BMW X5 Features and Specs

Features & Specs

  • Engine 3.0 L Inline 6-cylinder
  • Drivetrain All Wheel Drive
  • Transmission 5-speed Manual
  • Horse Power 225 hp @ 5900 rpm
  • Fuel Economy 14/19 mpg
  • Bluetooth No
  • Navigation No
  • Heated Seats Yes
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Review of the 2003 BMW X5

  • If you want a vehicle that looks utilitarian but doesn't drive that way, you can't do much better than this BMW. But if you value function over form, the X5 probably isn't for you.

  • Safety

  • Pros

    Rides and drives like a BMW sedan, wide range of engine choices, top safety scores, high-end cabin furnishings.

  • Cons

    Limited off-road abilities, less interior volume than a 5 Series wagon, price goes up quickly with options, lousy fuel economy in the city.

  • What's New for 2003

    This year, BMW will finally offer a DVD-based navigation system, though you must still give up the in-dash CD player if you opt for nav.…

 
What Others Are Saying

Customer Reviews

  Average Consumer Rating (133 total reviews)
9 of 9 people found this review helpful

2003 bmw x5 3.0i

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Vehicle: 2003 BMW X5 3.0i AWD 4dr SUV (3.0L 6cyl 5M)

I have this car for 3 months now and I put about 3000 miles including a trip to Myrtle Beach. I enjoy driving this car. My wife loves it and my son wants to drive anywhere we take this car! So far so good. MPG about 20 highway around 17 in the city. I expected better! The only despoilment is the stereo and the fading of all the readout on the instrument panel. For a 50K + car when new is a disappointment! Other then that I very happy with the car. No problems so far other replacing the rear window regulator in the first week! Very easy to do and I was done in 20 min. Shop around for parts. You will find big difference in money. As a used car and paying only 1/4 of original price is GOOD!



And they call it a

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Vehicle: 2003 BMW X5 3.0i AWD 4dr SUV (3.0L 6cyl 5M)

I love my 03 X5. I take care of it like a baby and it takes care of me. I don't run up the mileage and relatively speaking it has.t cost too much to maintain. When something begins to go wrong I fix it and this minimizes major repair costs. I had a 4 year warranty and extended it 2 more years. The first 4 year warranty was great but the second 2 year warranty not so good. 3 items I am disappointed with would be the stereo (although it is better than my premium Honda sound), the digital reading on the dash board are beginning to go away and when I roll down the back window(s) and drive over 30 mph, the sound is deafening. Otherwise my BMW X5 runs like a top.


1 of 2 people found this review helpful

Mixed review

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Vehicle: 2003 BMW X5 3.0i AWD 4dr SUV (3.0L 6cyl 5M)

Bought used with 20,000 Miles, Loved appearance inside and out. Immediately noted the AM/FM reception in Northern Minnesota was the worst of my experience with over 30 vehicles. Dealer denied there was a problem in 3 visits. Finally told me "95% of owners don't listen to AM anyways". Communications with corporate BMW were very poor. The person in NJ was experienced at deflecting complaints, but knew little about cars. Twice had engine problems under warranty where car blew black smoke out of exhaust. Now at 95,000 the dash displays are missing some digits and the fix is too expensive. One Key Fob is dead and you can't fix yourself, wheels are corroded, dealer experience has been poor.


 
 
 
Gas Mileage

EPA-Rated MPG

  • 14
  • cty
/
  • 19
  • highway
Calculate Yearly Fuel Costs
 

Other X5 Years

 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Full 2003 BMW X5 Review

What's New for 2003

This year, BMW will finally offer a DVD-based navigation system, though you must still give up the in-dash CD player if you opt for nav. Besides that, rear head protection airbags (optional last year) are now standard, as is an interesting new safety item called a brakeforce display -- during emergency braking situations, an extra set of rear brake lights will illuminate to warn motorists behind you. If you order the optional adjustable ride height suspension package, it no longer precludes the addition of the sport package. On the inside, new Dakota leather replaces the familiar Montana leather upholstery (it's optional on the 3.0i model and standard on the 4.4i). Individual model changes include a body-colored tailgate handle for any 3.0i equipped with the sport or premium package, and V-rated tires and an unlimited top speed for any sport package-equipped 4.4i.

Talk About The 2003 X5

2003 BMW X5 Discussions See all Started By

vsj100
vsj100
12-24-2008
2003 X5 Power Seat And Power Tilt Trouble
Please help! After trying to kill our X5 in Idaho (0 degrees) we returned to CA. The only problem is that the drivers seat and the power tilt only move in very very small increments since the trip. ...

bmwgal1
bmwgal1
03-26-2005
2013 And Earlier - Bmw 5 Series Prices Paid And Buying Experience
i am now driving a x5 2003 and have also had a 525i and i lease. i am into my 20 month with only 17000 miles i live in so. cal i can not decided to go with the 530 or 545 or the x5 4.4 i got a lease p...

roadddog53
roadddog53
03-03-2014
My First Week With The 328i Xdrive Gt
I initially went shopping for the BMW X3, which was mostly because it was similar in size to my outgoing 2003 BMW X5, and more fuel efficient than the 16 mpg I was getting with my 11 year old car. Wh...


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