Used 2003 BMW 5 Series Sedan Consumer Reviews
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A Fine Sedan
Robert, 09/07/2010
2003 BMW 5 Series 540i 4dr Sedan (4.4L 8cyl 5A)
10 of 12 people found this review helpful
After seeing and driving the 2004 E60 5 Series, I immediately leased the last 2003 E39 540i at my dealer. At the end of the lease, I still didn't find a better car, so bought the car from the leasing company! Now after 7 years and 76,000 miles this car continues to impress. I've been fortunate to own many high end cars, but the E39 540i has been one of the best. It has pleasing styling, a comfortable, stylish interior and great ride/handling balance. Mine has had some reliability issues: door locks, power seat cables, and radiator, all covered under warranty or extended warranty. I know this can be an expensive car to fix as it ages and I should replace is soon, but with what?
A Man's Car
psorota, 08/26/2003
2003 BMW 5 Series 525i 4dr Sedan (2.5L 6cyl 5M)
7 of 8 people found this review helpful
I drove so many luxury cars before my husband talked me into trying the BMW 525i that I just assumed that this car would have all the creature comforts that my former Lexus and others had. NOT! No place for CD storage, no place for purse, no lumbar support, seat belts practically strangle me, hard to get in and out of (too low, I guess), small trunk, no A/C vents in back seat. Altho I love the Septronic transmission, I am not comfortable in this car and have concluded it is a "man's car" (my husband loves to drive it). I doubt I'd buy another BMW for these reasons.
2003 BMW 5 Series for sale near you
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- 525i SedanMSRP: $5,999119 mi away
- 540i SedanMSRP: $7,500132 mi away
- 540i SedanMSRP: $10,977221 mi away
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Solid performer
SC owner, 11/21/2007
2003 BMW 5 Series 530i 4dr Sedan (3.0L 6cyl 5M)
4 of 4 people found this review helpful
Wonderful car with a strong luxury feel. I've owned the car about a year and driven it about 7,000 miles. I did have to replace the thermostat since I kept getting a service engine light. Another problem is missing pixels in my instrument display and radio display. This required replacing the instrument cluster and the MID display. Electronic parts are very expensive ($1600). Since the car was out of warranty, I wrote to BMW to see if they would assist with the repairs and they said they would. Put me in the BMW good will program and agreed to pay for the parts if I paid the labor. Good deal for me, nearly $2000 worth of repairs for less than $175.
don't buy the sport package with conti's
wackowacko, 03/22/2003
2003 BMW 5 Series 530i 4dr Sedan (3.0L 6cyl 5M)
4 of 4 people found this review helpful
The tires that come with the sport package are the worst I have ever seen. Contintial Sport contacts replaced at 7500 miles. In addition from day one there has been a vibration in the steering. 5 rotations 2 alignments later it is still there. Dealer says it is a known problem on sport models.....
The First Four Months
TreDurden, 11/16/2006
2003 BMW 5 Series 525i 4dr Sedan (2.5L 6cyl 5M)
4 of 4 people found this review helpful
Remarkably fun to drive (5 speed manual). Responsive steering and handling. Interior comforts are amazing. I had a Jeep before, they are fun to drive, but in a different way. The Jeep is amazing fun in an off-road way as where the 5-Series is just as much fun in an Autobahn kinda way.