Here is what Edmunds.com review sounds like:
What Edmunds.com says
Upcoming redesign notwithstanding, the 5 Series is an excellent midsize luxury car, whether you choose the high-performance 540i or a comparatively basic 525i wagon. If you can afford one, we'd highly recommend it.
Pros
Thrilling to drive, superb ride quality, upscale interiors, wide range of trim levels, clean exterior styling.
Cons
Some confusing interior controls, demanding manual transmission, high-end models are pricey.
What's New for 2003
This is your last chance to get a traditionally styled 5 Series -- next year, its styling becomes more closely aligned with the controversial 7 Series. For now, BMW will offer a DVD-based navigation system for the existing 5 Series -- but alas, you must still give up an in-dash CD player if you opt for the nav system. Besides that, rear head protection airbags (optional last year) are now standard across the line. Additionally, all six-cylinder models get a standard moonroof. Standard on the manual-shift 540i (and optional with the automatic) is a new sport package that includes 18-inch wheels, a revised sport suspension, front and rear spoilers, visible exhaust outlets, black side molding, a black headliner, titanium-ringed gauges and an M footrest for the driver. Finally, the 525i gets a new alloy wheel design, and its premium package now includes rain-sensing wipers.
Here are some comments from previous 2003 BMW 530i owners:
BMW 530i 2003
Overall
Rating
| Performance: | 9 | Fun-to-Drive: | 8 | Build Quality: | 10 |
| Comfort: | 10 | Interior Design: | 9 | Reliability: | 10 |
| Fuel Economy: | 7 | Exterior Design: | 10 | ||
Vehicle
2003 BMW 5 Series 530i 4dr Sedan (3.0L 6cyl 5M)
Review
This car is the perfect balance between sport & luxury. Purchased new in 2003. Now have 95,000 trouble free miles. Have owned many cars from a cobra mustang 500hp to a honda crx and everything in between. I now also have a mazda speed 3 also nice. BMW makes some of the best cars for the money out there. Smooth, quiet, peppy, comfortable, reliable and nice looking. Runs better now than when I purchased it. Most of my miles have been highway. I get about 24 mpg with 70% hwy 30 local. I also enjoy driving the new and old 3 series.
Favorite Features
Seats, price, silence on hwy regardless of speed, looks, reliability.
Suggested Improvements
Center armrest should have a storage bin
Awesome ride
Overall
Rating
| Performance: | 9 | Fun-to-Drive: | 10 | Build Quality: | 10 |
| Comfort: | 10 | Interior Design: | 9 | Reliability: | 10 |
| Fuel Economy: | 9 | Exterior Design: | 10 | ||
Vehicle
2003 BMW 5 Series 530i 4dr Sedan (3.0L 6cyl 5M)
Review
I picked up this Bimmer at a great price and I fell in love with it the second I sat down and started it. They come well equipped and ride awesome. I've had an Audi before and it was just too much to maintain. The more research I did the better I felt about getting a BMW. It's certified and has all of the records. Just enough pick up on the streets, but not a gas hog. I didn't like the body style of the 2004 so I went with this one. It's everything I hoped it would be.
Favorite Features
AC, stereo, moonroof and the choice between manual or auto shifting.
Suggested Improvements
I really have nothing except the cupholders could have been placed better... but that is far from my mind when I hit the road.
Performance with a Price
Overall
Rating
| Performance: | 9 | Fun-to-Drive: | 9 | Build Quality: | 9 |
| Comfort: | 8 | Interior Design: | 8 | Reliability: | 7 |
| Fuel Economy: | 7 | Exterior Design: | 9 | ||
Vehicle
2003 BMW 5 Series 530i 4dr Sedan (3.0L 6cyl 5M)
Review
Just a splendid, intoxicating driving experience that had the hair on my head tingling for the first 2 months that I drove... BUT, OMG tires wore out at 15K, stabilizer bar, computer problems, display board problems surfaced at 3 yrs. $5K in repairs later (out of warranty on the listed items) and a few other "normal" expensive repairs and I am ready to sell it for a more reliable performance vehicle. Just frustrating to have to endure the financial and disappointing pain a $50,000 car should NOT give you. Be cautious when you purchase this one.
Favorite Features
Fit and finish of the car. Handling, performance, style.
Suggested Improvements
Solid and Nimble
Overall
Rating
| Performance: | 9 | Fun-to-Drive: | 8 | Build Quality: | 8 |
| Comfort: | 8 | Interior Design: | 8 | Reliability: | 7 |
| Fuel Economy: | 9 | Exterior Design: | 8 | ||
Vehicle
2003 BMW 5 Series 530i 4dr Sedan (3.0L 6cyl 5M)
Review
Very good build quality and performance. 93K and still no rattles, but rotors and heater are sounding worn out. Had computer chip go out under warranty, so reliability is not as good as expected for car at this price level. Dealer service was inconvenient. I have no regrets, but I would probably not buy another one new - mainly because I live too far from a dealer, and I don't like the new 5-series styling and high price.
Favorite Features
Engine response, steering and handling - the German driving feel is addicting. Gas mileage of 28 mpg is great for this class of car.
Suggested Improvements
Increase number of qualified service centers to perform warranty work. Reduce the road noise during normal driving.
Solid performer
Overall
Rating
| Performance: | 10 | Fun-to-Drive: | 10 | Build Quality: | 10 |
| Comfort: | 10 | Interior Design: | 9 | Reliability: | 10 |
| Fuel Economy: | 8 | Exterior Design: | 10 | ||
Vehicle
2003 BMW 5 Series 530i 4dr Sedan (3.0L 6cyl 5M)
Review
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.
Favorite Features
Engine, smooth shifting transmission. Amazing acceleration for a sedan when you pull out to pass traffic. Ride is comfortable over rough roads, despite having the sport package. Automatic rain sensing windshield wipers are nice.
Suggested Improvements
Decent cup holders. Be nice to have a center console storage compartment.
BMW 530i - You gotta drive one!
Overall
Rating
| Performance: | 9 | Fun-to-Drive: | 10 | Build Quality: | 10 |
| Comfort: | 9 | Interior Design: | 9 | Reliability: | 10 |
| Fuel Economy: | 8 | Exterior Design: | 10 | ||
Vehicle
2003 BMW 5 Series 530i 4dr Sedan (3.0L 6cyl 5M)
Review
Purchased used in great condition. The suspension system is incredible. The car feels like it's glued to the road and is the smoothest and most comfortable riding car I've ever driven. With a bad disk in my back, the lumbar system can be adjusted to make even longer trips very comfortable. The air vents in the dash provide circulation throughout the car, without hitting anyone directly in the face. And the sound system... if you close your eyes you would swear you were live at a concert. The sound system with 10 speakers and 2 subwoofers is that good and the list of other useful features could go on and on.
Favorite Features
Suspension and handling; stereo system.
Suggested Improvements
In addition to these standard features:
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this particular model has options including premium and sport package. This car feels great on the road as if it is on rails. There is no car like it! The 5 speed automatic transmission shifts great, engine is very powerful at 225hp.