Used 2003 BMW 5 Series Sedan Consumer Reviews
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BMW 5 Series: Before it got ugly.
Great all-around car. A little light on power but I knew that when I bought it. Great handling for a sedan, always a pleasure to drive. I love this car. I've owned 5 BMWs since 1976. I would not hesitate to buy another 5 series but for the looks. The new 5 is too ugly to look at every morning. I'll wait for the next body revision. They got this one right.
Best combination of Luxury/Sport
From the solid doors, plush leather and the Automatic Climate controls, the BMW takes car engineering to the next level. If you haven't driven a 5-series, I suggest you do and then you'll realize why all of the BMW cliches are right-on: Ultimate Driving Machine..."feel one with the road"..., etc. Don't believe the conventional wisdom that Lexus is more luxurious and BMW is more of a driver's car. My 530ia has got enough bells and whistles (sunroof, power seats, Automatic climate controls, stereo) to keep me more than satisfied. As a telecommuter, I have to come up with excuses to drive it out of my garage. Do yourself a favor and get yourself a 2003 while they come back from leases!
- 530i SedanMSRP: $11,999354 mi away
- 540i SedanMSRP: $12,800355 mi away
- 540i SedanMSRP: $10,977364 mi away
Highly Recommended
Love this car... what a sweet ride. It handles very well despite the 3800 lbs, interior is perfect away from the useless cupholders, sport package is great. Be careful & watch the speedometer, you'll think you're doing 65 & really be doing 105.
03 525 keeper
Bought it to beat model change and avoid Bangle butt. Second BMW. And second car so do not drive in bad winter weather much. Not as swift as prior car which was 325--same motor but heavier. Get 28 mpg on highway and 24-26 mixed driving. Run on unld regular at times. Plenty of room, comfortable and handles very well and has been reliable after some early quirks; new coils, ignition wires and alternator. OEM Pirelli's were noisy so after much discussion with dealer, I bought Michelin All Season and dealer mounted ,balanced did alignment free. No problems .Also had pixel problem on steering column and dealer did free computer replacement even when out of warranty. A keeper!
Excellent, but not perfect
This is my first BMW, and it's reputation is well founded. It is a blast to drive, both in town and especially on long trips. Shouldn't a $45,000 car have an in dash CD changer? The interior is beautiful, but not very functional. There is no storage in the console, the cupholders are a joke. The climate controls are illogical, but work well. The gas pedal is too vertical-only my toes touch the pedal. Why can the US and Japanese make brakes that don't dust, and the Europeans can't?
So glad I don't have an '04 or '05
This is my third E39 model 540, and is clearly the best one I've owned. The 540iA Sport package is a dream to drive, handles and rides like a champ, and does NOT have the I-drive or the Chris Bangle inspired ugly ass styling of the new 5 and now middle aged 7 series. I originally leased the car, assuming that I'd love the new 5 series, but have now decided that I will buy the vehicle once the lease expires. If you are in the market for a 5 series, find yourself an E39 and you won't be unhappy.
Perfection
I'm a former racer, but this is my daily driver. A blast yet still "practical" with two kiddos. Have yet to find a better new or used car.
Wonderful Ride
This car is a joy to drive - excellent handling and driving environment. The solid build quality gives you a feeling of safety as well. Perfect mix of fun to drive and comfort.
Excellent Car, buy it, but negotiate
This car has all the performance: steering, handling, braking, acceleration that I expect from a BMW. It's my second BMW, but this is the first 5. I'm a stick shift driver so I'm surprised that I like driving an automatic. The 530i has enough power to overcome the automatic.
LOVE MY 540!
Drives like a dream. Substantial yet sporty, amazing pick up, feels like driving on glass. Comfortable with terrific power. A classic in the making, I may buy more cars in my lifetime but I'm NEVER selling this one. Classic styling that drives like a race car. If you enjoy driving, this is the car. If you don't enjoy driving, you will after this car.
Best Car I Ever Owned
Not the fastest, or the best handling, but the total package is perfect.
Skip the Sport Seats
Great car with terrible Sport Seats. They are very, very hard and impossible to get comfortable in. You also loose the heated stering wheel with the sport package.
This is a classy car
Since BMW is getting ready to change the style of the 5-series, I got a sweet deal on a lease... and I feel like a thief. I'm getting this awesome car and paying this little? It's got power and style and it's very fun to drive.
Get used to terrible repair coincidence
Nice car but not even near the quality as the Asian and even some American autos. Many oil leaks, cooling problems, and systems breaking that should not. Then you get hit again with extreme parts costs and labor because repairs were not engineered to be easy to access and replace. I personally think all European autos are inferior to their Asian and American competition.
- Safety
- Interior
- Comfort
A little more than the speed limit.
I don't care where I'm going or how long it takes to get there, this car is way too much fun. Four people and trunk full, run 80 or so, and still get 29mpg. Stop for minute, get in and do it all over again. No road weary travelers in this car. 8 hour drive seems like 4. Regular maintenance, no major problems, not the cheapest car to maintain, and it's not easy to find a "good" BMW shop, but still it's worth every penny. I think I'll keep this car for a while, if I can get it back from the wife.
best sedan ever owned
had em all, this is the best by a wide margin
Greatest Car Ever!
I have owned many cars, and none could even come close to this car. The 540i is a true drivers car. Speed, handling, comfort - Who could ask for more?! It even has room for the kids (unlike my 328ci). If your in the market for a family rocket, and you do not mind stopping at the gas station every ten minutes, this is the car for you.
The best of the best
Sports car handling, luxury car comfort; only BMW could make it happen. Okay, the car's NOT perfect. The cupholders are a joke. The climate control, while effective, is not very sophisticated. The radio is decidedly ordinary for a car costing around $50K. But the car coddles its occupants in the best seats in the business. The handling is the best there is with four doors. The engine delivers ample power (want more, 290 or 394HP are available) while knocking down 30 miles per gallon. The best all-around performer I've ever driven.
Simply The Best
The best handling, most fun car to drive, period! stick, sports, premium, xenon, cold weather. Purrfect! Goes where you point it. Great performance and gas mileage. Had big ass muscle cars with more ponies but nothing beats this TOTAL package. I look forward to driving to work. This is my second 5 series and before buying my first, I said "overpriced, not worth it, not reliable..." To all the naysayers, go out and drive one!
best one I have driven yet
This car is everything I ever heard of a BMW and then some. Got the car with 5 spd, premium, winter, xenon and sports packages.Handles great. The 530 has adequate HP when you consider that in hwy/city driving, you can still get around 24- 26 mpg. Of course, you can step up to a 540 if you want more HP but then you will also increase your gas consumption. Can not have it both ways. Trunk space is generous. Seating for 4 is very comfortable. Plenty of space. Style? Well, that is why I got it in 2003 before it changes to the 7 series shape for 2004. Price? BMW – B ring M oney W ith you.
The Way it is Meant to be Driven
European delivery on this new car, drove it throughout Bavaria and Austria on a recent trip. Handles the autobahn and small roads with ease and comfort. Handling excellent, showed it responsiveness and braking smoothness in an emergency situation on the Autobahn at high speed avoiding a breakdown in the passing lane. Beautiful driving in the country where it was built.
Best of the best
The E39 style 5 series is a great mixture of classic BMW styling with modern technology. The later E39s (2001-2003) benefit from an upgrade to xenon headlights (with angel eyes), LED tail lights, steering wheel, and other cosmetic pieces. The V8 in the 540i is very quick for a mid-sized sedan. The quality of materials inside the cabin are top-notch. I could not be happier with this purchase. It is a lot of fun to drive. You read about people complaining about cup holders all the time, but I could care less about that. I don't think BMW is designing their cars for the Starbucks or Slurpee crowd. These cars are meant to be driven at fairly high speeds on the Autobahn. No car is perfect, but the 540i is close!
Stunning BMW 530i
Great handling car, fun to drive, and extremely reliable. What's there not to like?
I've had my 530i almost a year
My 530i is my second BMW. This automobile is not only stylish but comfortable and fun to drive. It is an excellent road vehicle that gets reasonably good gas mileage. Quality in workmanship throughout the vehicle is exceptional. Some of the dash controls are somewhat confusing, however.
Zoom...zoom...BEEMER
Do Europeans have use for cup holders at all? Or they just making a little fun of us? PLEASE-SOMEBODY TELL THEM GERMANS TO DESIGN MORE USEFUL CUPHOLDERS!!!!!!!
Black Beauty BMW
Awesome car!!! I never owned anything like it! I got a new 2003 and what a sweet deal! I didn't care for the new 2004 coming out, so I am sooooo happy to get my 2003, Sport, xenon, cold weather package and a 3.9 finacing! There is a heck of a deal out there now! I am so glad I BOUGHT a new one! The Driving is awesome, the looks you get as you drive by, the handling, the comfort and the feeling of oh yes, it's mine!
Amazing Driver's Car
This car is the most fun to drive ever, the V8 has endless power and the 18 inch rims from the M-sport package glue it to the road. Don't complain about the cupholders because you'll need both hands on the wheel. No complaints at all. I'm glad I got the last year of the old model, I don't like the new styling. Its just a real solid build.
The Ultimate Driving Machine
A pleasure to drive. I thank myself everyday for buying it.
Fantastic Car
THE luxury sports sedan that sets the standard. Awesome throttle response; incredible handling. Tremendous braking. 4 years / 50,000 miles of included service! Outstanding build quality; far better than my last car: Acura TL (not to mention the horrible Acura customer service). The BMW is wonderful. Forget cupholder complaints. Who wants to drink or eat in this machine? Enjoy the driving. Far more satisfying than some drink.
Best of all - BMW
Purchased 530i with Primium and sports packages about two weeks ago. It is absolutely the best car that I have ever driven, the performance, the handling, the road manner, the design, .... I have also test-driven 525i w/o the sports package before deciding to go with the 530i. 525 is an equally nice car but I felt it switched gears often and it made the riding less smooth. Besides, I got the car with very very good price.
Man This Car is Fast!!
I bought the '03 540i with M Sport Package Steptronic Transmission, Nav black on black and I couldn't imagine driving the V6. This car has head jarring torque, it scares all those in the passengers seat, and the 18 inch wheels make the 290 horses stick like glue. I heard the 525/530 handles a little better because they're lighter and weight distribution is closer to 50/50, but I'd rather have the power, knowing this is one of the faster cars on the road, you can't help but use the autostick at red lights. Other cars must respect this car on the road, and for all those who complain about the cupholder, you can buy one that goes in the slider drawer and pops up for $89 online.
Mike's BMW 530i
Fun to drive. Transmission is best feature that provides smooth shifting matched to a capable engine. Steering, handling and suspension are excellent. The ride is ultra-smooth without sacrificing handling and performance. Climate and CD/radio controls are not driver friendly. Rear seat leg room is tight. Trunk is tight. Conti tires handled well, however they started making a "whining" noise after only 15,000 miles. Love the intense windshield washer fluid and the automatic wipers.
Don't waste your money!
I bought this vehicle as a certified pre-owned BMW. Let me tell you, at first, I loved it! I liked the feeling of driving a luxury car. Now we'll get to the bad stuff. We drove 1000 miles away from home to visit family. We made it up there just fine. while we were up there, we had to take the "Bimmer" to the shop four times in three days due to a electrical malfunction. After the first two times of the dealership servicing the car, it overheated because one of the hoses had a hole in it! i expected better from BMW's certification process!
Used BMW the Good and the not so Good
Had BMW for 6 months now. Read many reviews. Like the older body style. It was a one owner all books and records. Impressions..handles well but stiffer than my many Hondas, ride is great, comfortable, Conti tires good. Maintenance costs more, if you buy used make sure you have records. Car is heavy and 525i has limited low end power, use only premium gas, so it costs more, I baby it. Bought aftermarket cupholders..solved that problem. Not so good in snow..snow tires a plus..but an added cost. Don't cheap out on maintenance. Oil changes cost $100+ and use synthetic...but a longer interval...10k, love car, but wife doesn't..says it drives like a tank.
Excellent Car
This car is superb. Is so much fun to drive that I actually enjoyed driving every day. The handling, the power the leather seats are incredable. Very reliable and with the premium and sport package you can't go wrong. Since BMW is changing the model I suggest you hurry up to the dealer because they are making deals and the new ones are more expensive.
balanced sport sedan
If well maintained, the E39 BMW is an excellent choice for a daily driver that is fun to drive, safe and comfortable. I no longer own this car. I now drive a 2010 Mercedes E350 coupe
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
What a Car!
Just purchased Automatic Sport package 540i. The build quality is so noticeably different than other makes. As my wife stated after driving it "What a sweet ride". Says it all.
Awesome
"Ultimate Driving Machine" is more than a marketing tagline, it's the true philosophy behind this car. That it manages to be so comfortable and refined as well is not only a great benefit, but it practically boggles the mind how they were able to accomplish both these seemingly polar characteristics. The car is always composed, even when making maneuvers that would outwit some sports cars, let alone luxury sedans. The interior is quiet and refined, yet revving the engine is sweet music. The precision and linearity of the brakes, throttle, and steering are simply amazing.
Cant beat a BMW
I purchased a BMW 530I with the sports and Premium Package. At first I was worried that it would not live up to my BMW 328I, but I was very impressed. After reading the reviews, I settled on the 530i over the 540i and saved the difference. I will always own a BMW.
Glad that I bought it
This is a very solid car. It takes off the moment I put on the pedal. We also have a C280 Mercedes now but for sure we will get another BMW next time, possibly X3 or 330i. Handling is excellent. It's very funy to drive. I bought it two months ago but I am still telling my wife that it's a great "Ultimate Driving Machine." I prefer this stype than the new 2004 model so I decided to get one before I can't. I got an excellent deal at the dealership as well.
My 540i 6-Speed
This car is outstanding! You simply have to drive this car to get a better understanding of just how phenominal this car really is. You get it all-- performance, luxury, comfort, style, just for starters. You will not be amiss in owning a 540i.
The old 5 will remain on top
However, Like the commercials say, I do find excuses to drive. I would buy this car again. Unfortunately there are a few negatives. The cup holders are small and awkwardly placed. When using them it is almost impossible to access the climate control system. I did not purchase the navigation system because I didn't want to give up the on board CD player. My 530 is a manual shift and came with the sport package. I find the gear ratio rather difficult to handle in stop and go traffic. The car wants to get up and run. BMW has engineered a marvelous automobile that will continue to be a pleasure to drive for many years to come.
Buy Smart , Buy CPO
I bought a 2003 540 Sport/Automatic from the BMW CPO program. No regrets so far, car has functioned flawlessly. The 540 is manufactured in BMW's premium factory, hence high quality. This car handles like a sports car, fits 5 people fairly well...though I only allow 4 max due to the factory lowered suspension. The Automatic is a dream to drive,its like a personal business jet for the road. The E39 has classic looks, its a good investment, it will look good years from now. New 5 Series ? Horrible!! I could design a better car. Chris Bangle, the new designer for BMW, has done me a favor.He saved me $30000. I bought a clean used CPO BMW. Thanks Mr. Bangle. Get one while you can.
An awesome car.
I have loved driving this car since May of 03. The feel of the BMW on the road is unmatched in this class. I'm sadly turning this baby in, but, for a new '06 530xi.
My bimmer
Original owner. Not as quick as my old 325 but still good. 30+mpg on trip on reg or mid grade. A good car with little trouble past the warranty except for display digits dying which was fixed gratis by dealer. OEM Pirelli tires were noisy from get go and after several attempts of balance and rotation I ditched them for Michelin Exalto All Season and have been happy ever since. Dealer again shared the pain with free install and alignment as comp for OEM cheapies.
2003 BMW 525i Sedan
This is our first BMW which we bought new with 4 miles on the odometer and its still going strong after 6 years and 135,000 miles. We average 500 miles per week on it back/forth to work. Highway gas mileage averages 26 mpg. My wife loves the car and I hope it lasts another 100K miles. We've had no engine problems, but regular maintenance is expensive. Our dealer had to repair the moon roof 3 times due to the guide rails - kept breaking. Fortunately those repairs were under warranty and we solved that problem by not using the moon roof anymore. The LED dash display burns out and is very expensive to replace - my mechanic tells me this is a known defect that BMW will not acknowledge.
540i - Sport 6 speed
Great car, fast, fun to drive, silent and strong engine. No complaints at all, but I hate the rear-end styling of the new (2004) design. And it waits to be seen whether the I-drive joystick will be more user friendly than in the 7 series.
exceeds my expectation
Got my 530i with M Executive Package (premium package + sports package + M trimming, ie, loaded)for a year end dirt cheap price. This car exceeds everything I expected from even the high standard of BMW. It accelerates with such sweet smoothness, handles with such precision and the interior has just the right European and sporty taste. . Also did a very long test drive on the 2004 530i. If you are a real bimmer lover, go out there and grab your 2003 model before they're all gone.
balanced sport sedan
If well maintained, the E39 BMW is an excellent choice for a daily driver that is fun to drive, safe and comfortable. I have since sold the car and bought a newer MB E350 coupe.
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
exceeds my expectation
Bought the 03 automatic model with all possible options including sport package, M aero kit and suspension for US$40000, what a steal. The 530i totally exceeds my expectation even on BMW high standard. It accelerates with sweet smoothness, handles with sharp precision with the just right sporty and European taste.Drove the 04 model, all I can say is get the 03 while you still can.