Used 2003 BMW 3 Series Sedan Consumer Reviews
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"The Ultimate Driving Machine
Overall a Great Car. Lots of power, smooth transmission. Exterior is good looking. Interior is not as nice as a Mercedes but it is still very nice. Older people may not like the loud yet pleasent pur the car gives or the bumpy ride if you get the sports package. Lots of excitement. You can do things in this car with more reliability than most cars(i.e turning, handling). Fuel economy (miles per gallon) is standard in comparison with like cars, but the car is so fun to drive that you feel inclined to drive it really hard and end up burning more gas than the stated miles per gallon.
No Better Choice
I've owned my Titanium Silver with sports package, leather, and moon roof for 15 months and have had absolutely no problems. Over the years I have had some nice cars--Hondas, Volvos, abd a Mazda Miata--and this is the best one ever. It is beautiful and classy--I just like to look at it sometimes. It handles like a dream, with the perfect combination of sportiness and smooth solid comfort. I'm not easy to please, but my 325i does it for me. Finally, I bought it from a small family dealership and they have treated me very well.
- 330MSRP: $3,395446 mi away
- 325i SedanMSRP: $5,999491 mi away
- 325i SedanMSRP: $4,999499 mi away
Love/Hate relationship
This is my 1st BMW, I don't know if I'll buy another. This car is very fun to drive. However, I am a big guy and it is a very small, uncomfortable car. The redesign in 2006+ is a better compromise of room and performance. I spend a lot of time in a car so this matters (30K miles/yr), but it is fun on days off and short trips when I don't spend hours in the car. The worst feature is reliability. I bought it less than 2yrs ago @ 21K miles, I have 74K now. I've replaced all the window regulators (and I'm about to again), an electrical harness, a throttle body boot, and misc other items. The boot wasn't even under my CPO warranty. In less than 2yrs this car has had 20+days in the shop
Definitely Worth the Money
When we first bought our 2003 330i (Premium, Sport, Xenon, Steptronic), I was skeptical of all of the raving reviews my car magazines gave the car. Now that we've had the car for a couple weeks, I can do nothing but rave about this car. It is perhaps the most gorgeous, most fun to drive car we have ever owned.
Celebrating 1 year with my BMW
After one year and 28000 miles I could not be happier with this car. I have only had to do one oil change, which was covered under warranty and put gas in the tank. I have had zero problems. It's the best car I have ever owned. I can't beleive I was even considering a Camry when I bought this car.
Get A Grip
I have owned several competitors cars to the 3 Series, but I'm home now. Do not be lured into an imitation. The "want to be's" will come and go, and the 3 is the package. This car just begs you to do more with it, to use its potential. I'm delighted with the dealer service I've received, also. If you want, got to, have a good time behind the wheel .... there is only one ultimate ride, BMW 330i.
Get one - you won't regret it
In the 38 days that I have owned and drove this vehicle, I am just as excited today as I was the day I purchased it. I am a firm believer of their MOTTO: This is the Utlimate Driving Machine. Will definitely own BMW's for a long while now.
bmw 3-series
This car drives like a dream and is very reliable. It is my 2nd 3-series. I had my first one for 6 years and sold it for more than the blue book value. I love the way it powers on the highway. Great pickup and great maneuverability. Who needs a big, dumb SUV (get those things out of my way on the highway!)? This little car is super!
Back in a Beamer Again
Had a 3000 Bavaria thatI bought used. Sold the Bavaria for more than I paid for it and went the station wagon route. Kid grew up and we needed a new car for just the two of us. Heard a radio ad for BMW 3 Series and the old memory cells kicked in with exciting remeberences of winding country roads taken with no thought of using the brake pedal, but just hanging on through the curves. Made a phone call to the BMW dealership, faxed over credit info, and leased a 325i, sight unseen. The first time in it was driving it off the lot to home. The only problem we have is choosing who gets to drive it, and who gets stuck with the Lincoln.
Best Entry-level Sedan Available
One word describes my 2003 BMW 325i: Sweet. Although I've only been driving this car for about a month and am still in the break-in period, this car is amazing. Can't wait until I can put it to the test. Whatever you do, don't let your car get low on gas--it messes up the sensors and you have to take it in to get it reset. Leave it to the Germans to make such a solid, well built vehicle. It's too bad passengers can't get the same excitement from riding as the driver.
Transmission
Purchased new in November 2003. Sport and premium package with xenon lights. I took exceptionally good care of the car, always garaged and hardly ever drove it hard.Ignition coil needed replacement at around 10,000 miles and again within 50,000 miles. Front right xenon light went out within 50,000 miles and headlight assembly was replaced. Brakes and discs needed replacement every 25,000 miles. Control arm bushings needed replacement prior to 100,000 miles. Radio replaced at 100,000 miles. Radio dial broke off and radio not working again. Driver side window motor replaced. Now has 125,000 miles and Transmission has issues. Great was car great prior to 100,000 miles.
Fun while it lasts
I was completely in love with this car when I bought it. Although I bought it used, it was my first BMW but most likely will now be my last. The problems I have had on this car are unbelievable. The warning light that the right tail light is out has been on and off since I bought it. I have had to replace window regulators, the sunroof, injectors, spark plugs, bushings and a host of other things. The straw that broke the camel's back came a few days ago - an engine/exhaust problem that's going to cost $3500 to fix. In the last year I've shelled out $9K on this vehicle. I loved driving this car it was so much fun. But now I am looking at something more reliable - like a Hyundai.
I know what they're missing!!!
Bought a used '91 318i in New Mexico and fell in love with it. The faster you went the more that car would hunker down and handle the road. However, that car had zero traction in the winter. I moved to Iowa and needed a better all weather car. In comes the 325xi. Great traction, great handling, great ride, great looks,etc. Sometimes I find myself smiling just because I am behind the wheel. No mechanical or engine issues,however, I did have to change the front tie rods. I found a very reliable certified BMW mechanic and now I feel I am not being fleeced everytime I have service. I do take warrantee work to the dealership. I don't think other car drivers have any idea of what they're missing!
330xi beats all!!
absolutely a dream to drive in all kinds of weather. sticks to the road like i'ts on rails! corners flawlessly very quick acceleration.
Worst Car I have ever owned in 30 years
Worst Car I have ever owned in 30 years! When I fist bought this Lemon I loved it. But after 9 months and 6 times in the BMW dealership repairing this turkey I am through with BMW! Mt first Bimmer was a 318ti that I drove almost 300 thousand miles with the same timing belt. This thing has had no less than 3 alternators in the past 2 months at $500.00 a pop, cannot fix the radio $600.00, idleing pully $700.00 and its still not fixed. Do not purchase one of these cars without a warranty!!!!
Love the cars body, hate under the hood
Bought my car used but still with warranty and certified preowned. Had to use the warranty several times to replace many things. Had some problems with the brakes, o2 sensors, lights. Never got the lights resolved. Every time I took it in they said it was fixed but it still reads that I have lights out. Since my warranty expired I have had it brake down on me twice in one month and had to have a huge list of things fixed with a price tag of $2,000 from my friends shop. Which means at any other shop I would never have been able to fix it. Currently it is leaking oil and decides to act up while driving almost daily. The beauty of this cars style is not worth the problems under the hood!
Recalls,Recalls
Too many recalls. The service dept. Sucks. Over priced. I should have bought the TL and saved $10,000!!!
Made a Mistake
It is a noce car, but not worth the money. There are many other cars that I test drove that I sould have purchased. This car is a waste of money, they are surviving on their name only at this point.
bmw 325i
Great car, would recommend for all. Awesome handling
Best Car I've Ever Owned...
All the BMW hype about the 3-series, IT'S TRUE. This is one awesome ride combining sedan quality comfort with about as sporty as it gets handling. Go for the 330 vs. 325 .. its worth the extra money! See you on a curvy road somewhere!
330i
Shopped around for months and finally bought the 330 over the Infiniti g35 and Lex IS300. The overall package of the BMW was better, it handles great, looks even better (esp with the sport package) and is a blast to drive. Gets tons of looks from the ladies (jealous guys too!)
Amazing!
I researched for the longest on all sorts of vehicles until I narrowed it down to the Acura 3.2 TL type S, the Infiniti G35, and the ultimate driving machine ... the BMW 330i. After test driving the vehicles, I loved the BMW above all. It hugs the road beautifully and drives like a true luxury car. Is it worth the extra $30 per month compared to a loaded Acura (spoilers included) ... YES! And the staisfaction you get everytime you get on this car is worth even more.
I'll never drive anything but a BMW!
I bought this car in July of 2007 and I have enjoyed this car more than any other car I have ever owned. It handles and holds the road beautifully. It feels like it has more power than it actually does and looks beautiful. For the mileage and how hard I drive this car it holds up extremely well. I have had a few minor issues with it but most of it has been covered under the Certified Pre-Owned Warranty. I have only spent $202.00 out of pocket to fix the car. I bought it with 39,000 miles and it has 43,000 on it now. I recommend only buying a BMW from a BMW dealer because of the great warranty. Buy it from another dealer and spend more money! I will never own anything but a BMW!
The 330i and others in its class
The BMW 330i (RWD 4dr sedan ((3.0L I-6 5M))is almost a perfect balance of luxury and sport. This car has excellent fuel economy it this Near- Luxury car segment. The Audi A4 Quattro has a better interior and exterior than the BMW 330i. The Infiniti G35, a big competitor to the 330 has a better looking interior also. The G35 sedan is about $7,000 cheaper than the BMW 330i sedan and is as good if not a better of a performer than the 3-series. So get out and take a test drive to see which one you like better. My wife is in line to get a new G35 coupe! So I'll tell you later which one I like better.
330i
Amazing machine...test drove the audi a4 3.0,volvos60, and Lexus IS300 and just do not handle the road as well. Edmunds editors are on the mark with there all of their evals.
Rocket on Roller Skates!!!
Love this car... Going to work on Monday's is fun again
NICE CAR
THERE ARE DEFINITELY CHANGES TO BE MADE ON THE INTERIOR TO MAKE IT MORE USER FRIENDLY. THE CAR PERFORMS SO WELL, THOUGH, THAT I'M WILLING TO FORGIVE SOME OF THE CONVENIENCE FLAWS. I ALSO GET A LOT OF COMPLEMENTS ON THE NEW GRAY GREEN COLOR.
rbbmw
Great car. Fun to drive. Excellant handling on curves. Great pick up in 3rd, 4th and 5th gears.
THE BMW
well the bmw is much better then my other bmw which was a 2000 roadster. i like this model much better
The 3 Series is a car like no other
I love my car. I love the way it handles. It is a car that definitely turns heads. I like the close quarters feel of the drivers side. I am in absolute control. It will hold its value well into the future and will be the pretty car that it is, ten years from now. You can't go wrong with the 3 Series.
Debriefing
I bought my first BMW, a titanium 325i sedan with sport package, manual trans, leather, and xenon headlights, in spring 2003. During the years I had it, it was as close to perfect as a car can be. Nevertheless, a month ago, I traded it on a 2008 328i, with a sport package and manual transmission. The only reasons I traded were that the 2003 was getting old and soon wouldn't be worth much in a trade. While I had it, It was an extraordinarily good car: fun to drive, very reliable, practically trouble-free, and cheap to own because of the 48,000/5 year warranty. If the car hadn't been so good, I would have never bought another. So far, the 328i has been great--another winner!
Excellent
Excellent car, solid on the road, well built, reliable, and most importantly, great to drive. The chassis absorbs bumps brilliantly yet is composed through the corners with minimal body roll
Nice when its not in the shop
Make sure you lease and don't buy. Mine was a lemon.
Objective Review
1.Chasis & exterior build very impressive. Howver, there creaks & noises from the interior. Also, my car's transmission makes a whirring noise loud enough to make conversation difficult,dealership just said "It's impossible to have no noise."Engine light comes on, they can't figure out why. 2. Dealership attitude. Combine 1+2, anticipate to have a very antagonist ownership. As a physician, seeing over 7,500 patient/yr in their most stressful & oftentimes angry state,I possess excellent personal skills, diffusing any confrontations.I have been to four different dealerships,& each time, I was invariably yelled at or ignored for some small incident.
Near Perfection...
My 325i (Sport Package, Manual, Harman Kardon Stereo upgrade, moonroof) is pretty basic in terms of the feature sheet, but still is a very nicely equipped car. The 2.5-liter inline six is a great engine, it is not a serious compromise in my opinion relative to the 330i. It is a free-revving engine - - wind it up to 3 grand or more for best results -- but with a manual gearbox that is part of the fun. Steering is tight and responsive. The car encourages very aggressive driving -- have to be careful not to conform to Bimmer driver stereotype!
325xi - great car
I bought my 325xi and have enjoyed every moment. It is best enjoyed on a long winding country road. This really helps to show case the handling. The only problems I have had are with the electical in the passenger side seat. I have had the airbag light go on twice and the seat heater has come unplugged another time. Other than that it has been a pleasure...highly recommended.
I love my BMW!
I absolutely love my 2003 325i BMW! I feel like I am on top of the world when I'm driving it! Getting in my car is something that I look forward to! I absolutely love the whole exterior design of the car, but I also love the power of the engine and the comfort and safety that I feel while driving it!
BMW versus Lincoln Ls V8
Drove a Lincoln V8 w/sport suspension for the past three years. Have a new 330I with sport suspension for the past 30 days. Engine- Same on both cars. Seating. Better support on the Lincoln. Transmission: better on the BMW. Steering: Much better on the Lincoln. Location of controls:Much better on Lincoln. Amenities: Lot more for the buck on the Lincoln. Suspension: The same. Brakes: slightly better on BMW Wheels and tires: Slightly better on BMW. Sound system: The same. Traction, stability: Better on BMW
BMW 2003 330i 4-dr sedan
A very solid car with excellent build quality. Comprehensive features and great ride quality. Handling is supurb and performance is reasonable.
top of its market segment
Test drove a 2003 A4 3.0L Quattro and did not like the "loose" steering relative to the 325xi. The AWD version will not oversteer when compared to RWD BMW's. BMW just has more road feel than any other car we test drove. Backseats are a little cramped, but the performance, safety, and 4yr full- maintenance warranty sold us. We love the car and will probably always keep a BMW in the family for years to come.
EXCELLENT CAR
Solid car. Powerful engine. Good brakes. 100% reliable. It's so smooth and silent inside that you dont't realize the speed. The car lines are incredibly beautiful: it's stylish and sport at the same time. Still no mechanical problems. It is by far the bes car I've ever had.
trasmition shifter in this car is anoing
Nice car, good value but nissans have better quality.
The most unreliable car ever!!!!!!!
Avoid this whole series. I had a 1998 328i which never had a problem....the new models are total junk. So far in 10 months I have a new CPU, new fuel pump, new relays, new alternator, 2 new batteries, a new AC compressor, and a new sunroof housing. This car has left me stranded on 4 occasions (once while I was driving it back from the dealer). Car is fun to drive, though....when it works.
Perfection in Automotive Engineering
If you can name a car that amazes you each time you sit behind the wheel after owning one for almost a year, it would have to be the BMW. I am a picky car owner who has had the privilage in owning many types of cars, trucks, and SUV's. This is my first BMW and I must admit, it's a dream and truly "The Ultimate Driving Machine". My wife drives a Mercedes Benz C240 and I can't begin to compare the two. For an automobile under $32,000. It's a great buy in my opinion.
Super Machine
This is a very nice car, everything was perfect especially the interior leather and the xenon lights. The performance was great such as the brak system and how fast it accelerates, prevented me from a few accidents! However, it is very expensive, overall it is a great car!
happy to date
The look is absolutely fantastic. I was looking at the Infiniti G35 but the nose could be any car. This car is distinctive in its styling. I'm obsessed with keeping it clean and nick free. Installed an invisible bra to keep front end damage to a minimum. I couldn't be happier with the interior and exterior look and feel.
She Handles
i have yet to drive a car that handles like a bmw. The classic steering, brakes and suspension are hard to beat. Love it every time i am in it. the controls are intuitive and smart.
THE best car
the car is the best better than all the rest BMW gots the speed not like toyota or honda
Fun to drive - expected more reliability
* After 1 week I had to "sputter" to the dealership - blown spark coil in cylinder (it actually has 1 per cylinder). * At month 3 a panel lit up like a xmas tree (called service they said come in 1 week) one hour later the car died and I was towed into the Dealership. * From day 0 one keyfob didn't work and the replacement still hasn't arrived
fun to drive but noisy and rough ride
sports like handling but rought ride may make your daily trip become tiring.