Used 2003 BMW 3 Series Sedan Consumer Reviews
Used 3 Series for sale
Overall, not many problems
snwbrd26, 06/28/2012
2003 BMW 3 Series 325xi AWD 4dr Sedan (2.5L 6cyl 5M)
16 of 17 people found this review helpful
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 don't know if I've 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 I've 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.
Great Car but some odd owners
shadeogray, 04/21/2011
2003 BMW 3 Series 325i Rwd 4dr Sedan (2.5L 6cyl 5M)
40 of 46 people found this review helpful
This car is an absolute pleasure to drive. The handling and feel of this car is truly impressive. I saw a post where it said there was limited cargo space. That's a total lie. For a car this size the trunk is quite large. Cup holder placement is a bit odd but that's about my only gripe. I find it comical that people buy a high performance foreign car that is known to be expensive to repair, if you did any amount of home work then you would know this. Then they complain when it's expensive to repair, it's like hitting your head with a hammer then getting mad and surprised that your head hurts, you silly people you LOL. Many things I see being reported smack of a shady repair service. Hardly the cars fault. At least half of what you spend at a dealer is for labor costs. Many of these things can easily be fixed by YOU for much less if you ever care to get out a repair manual and a set of tools. O2 sensors, window issues are all child's play. You know if your engine light is on you can go to almost any Auto zone or other such service and as long as your engine light is on they will read the problem for you for free? Why? Because they want to sell you the part to fix it. Granted this does not apply to all of your issues but it does cover a fair amount of you. Be smart, do your home work and pick up a friggen book and a wrench every now and then or get a KIA. I'll be the guy in the BMW zipping past you and laughing. :) Catch you on the flip side!
2003 BMW 3 Series for sale near you
Showing 3 of 34 listings
- 325Ci ConvertibleMSRP: $9,50090 mi away
- 330MSRP: $3,000121 mi away
- 325xi WagonMSRP: $5,900121 mi away
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BMW 330XI Rules!
Lawrence, 05/14/2016
2003 BMW 3 Series 330xi AWD 4dr Sedan (3.0L 6cyl 5M)
12 of 13 people found this review helpful
I love my car. I bought it in 2004. It was 2003 with 6000 miles on it. I plan on keeping it forever. We have been across country together. I was hit by an 18 wheeler in 2006. I did not even get a scratch. The car had over $20,000 worth of repairs because the value was too great to total. Everyone told me to get rid of it. No Way! It has gotten expensive to maintain, but not as expensive as paying $40,000 - $50,000 to buy a new one. It drives just like it did when it was new. Find a good independent shop, and let them service your car. I have 134,000 miles on one. Love it!
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
Great car, until a few years down the line
ngolds, 05/15/2011
2003 BMW 3 Series 325xi AWD 4dr Sedan (2.5L 6cyl 5M)
7 of 7 people found this review helpful
This is a great car until you wait a few years. Wen the car was 4 or 5, the troubles began. It wasn't until this year that the laundry list of problems was fixed. There was too much play in the shifter, both outlets didn't work, the key lock was broked and the remote wasn't receiving any charge from the ignition, the sunroof rail was warped, which meant it only opened a little bit, but still worked. Today everything but the sunroof is fixed. The repairs on this car have cost a lot, but it's a great car.
Honest Down To Earth Review
c_macleod, 05/28/2014
2003 BMW 3 Series 325xi AWD 4dr Sedan (2.5L 6cyl 5M)
40 of 48 people found this review helpful
Let me be the first to say buying a BMW out of warranty is a risk, that being said if done properly it's one of the best deals out there. If you have the ability to do your own work, the upkeep isn't that bad at all. I rebuilt the entire front end suspension for $600 (chances are you will have to do this as well, it's a consequence of the suspension design) where a mechanic would have charged over 2k. The 325xi is a slug to be honest, it's 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.