2003 BMW 530

Rating from BMW Fan

(4)
Comfort:		4 out of 5
Performance:		5 out of 5
Exterior Styling:		5 out of 5
Interior Design:		4 out of 5
Value for the Money:		4 out of 5
Reliability:		4 out of 5

"Car has good performace and great handling, the steering is excellent with good feedback. The power seats and the radio display are messed up like in most of the ones I looked at around this age. Leather and interior are in excellent shape. Interior storge is very limited and cup holders are useless. CD player doesn't seem to be able to play MP3 CD's but can play home made music CD's. Paint is still in great condition"

I would recommend this car to a friend: Yes

This vehicle was purchased: Used

Primary use for this car: Commuting

Rating from loving my beamer!

(4)
Comfort:		4 out of 5
Performance:		5 out of 5
Exterior Styling:		5 out of 5
Interior Design:		4 out of 5
Value for the Money:		5 out of 5
Reliability:		5 out of 5

"We looked and test drove several vehicles before purchasing our beamer! So glad we didn't buy the first one we saw and took our time looking on cars.com!! Easy to use sight helped us narrow down the car we wanted!! We love our beamer!!!"

I would recommend this car to a friend: Yes

This vehicle was purchased: Used

Primary use for this car: Transporting family

Rating from Best

(5)
Comfort:		5 out of 5
Performance:		5 out of 5
Exterior Styling:		5 out of 5
Interior Design:		5 out of 5
Value for the Money:		4 out of 5
Reliability:		5 out of 5

"BMW 530 much better car compere to Honda Accord, Toyota Camry, Volvo S60. Every one have to try drive that car once in life time. Very enjoyably to drive. BMW - people saying ultimate driving machine and I agreed with that. :)"

I would recommend this car to a friend: Yes

This vehicle was purchased: Used

Primary use for this car: Transporting family

Rating from 76bimmer

(3)
Comfort:		4 out of 5
Performance:		5 out of 5
Exterior Styling:		4 out of 5
Interior Design:		4 out of 5
Value for the Money:		2 out of 5
Reliability:		2 out of 5

"I currently own 2 BMWs and admire the engineering that has been put into these cars. However, I am constantly amazed at what appears to be a lack of desire to improve their known high-failure parts. How can they be so superior in many design aspects yet so subpar on the quality of some of their systems? Is it part of their service strategy? Case in point concerns my 2003 530. The plastic parts on their cooling systems are known to fail prematurely (~60K - 90K miles). However the replacement parts still appear to be made of the same inferior plastics. Other parts are known to have premature failure such as the Vanos seals, the instrument cluster pixels , cup holders, FSU, seat belt retractors, etc. The 530 is a beautiful car but I warn any buyer of their very very high maintenace cost. For a $50K car, in my opinion the reliability does not cut the mustard. As a long time BMW fan, I am dissapointed in the marketing philosophy of making a car that will last through the warranty period with minimal maintenance and then let the buyer beware. This is born out by the increasing reluctance of anyone to purchase BMWs beyond their warranty period. Sorry Germany, but that's the way I see it."

I would recommend this car to a friend: No

This vehicle was purchased: Used

Primary use for this car: Work

Rating from Mucks

(5)
Comfort:		4 out of 5
Performance:		5 out of 5
Exterior Styling:		5 out of 5
Interior Design:		4 out of 5
Value for the Money:		5 out of 5
Reliability:		5 out of 5

"I bought my 2003 530i with around 92,400 mls and put 7,000 mls on it in two months. First thing to say is THIS CAR IS SAFE!!! I got over zealous with my driving and ran straight into a tree at 90-100mph with a passenger. We both walked away with little more than scratches and soreness from seat belts/airbag deployment. I can't say alot for the reliability because of the short time I had it. I only had basic servicing a couple times which generally cost about $120, expensive yes but worth it. 4 stars for comfort because a couple of my passengers complained about the seats(during 8-10 hour drives). I was always comfortable as the driver though. 4 stars for interior design, those cupholders are terrible. Small stuff that will not affect me buying another 2003 530i, the best car...EVER!!!"

I would recommend this car to a friend: Yes

This vehicle was purchased: Used

Primary use for this car: Having fun

Rating from bmw44ever

(5)
Comfort:		5 out of 5
Performance:		4 out of 5
Handling:		4 out of 5
Exterior Styling:		5 out of 5
Interior Design:		5 out of 5
Features:		5 out of 5
Value for the Money:		4 out of 5
Reliability:		4 out of 5

"I have had this car for about a year now and i cannot imagine driving anything else. It is very comfortable and corners better than cars that are much more smaller than it. Truly an incredible car."

I would recommend this car to a friend: Yes

This vehicle was purchased: Used

Primary use for this car: Having fun

Rating from Bluetone

(3)
Comfort:		4 out of 5
Performance:		4 out of 5
Handling:		5 out of 5
Exterior Styling:		3 out of 5
Interior Design:		3 out of 5
Features:		4 out of 5
Value for the Money:		3 out of 5
Reliability:		1 out of 5

"Great engine provides solid performance and car also handles well, especially cornering. Talk about awful reliability though! Just terrible. It only has 70k on the clock and is routinely in the shop for one thing or another, and each time it is $1-2k. I thought it was just me, but if you look on the BMW blogs you find that everyone has the same issues - doors that suddenly lock permanently, burning smell in the cabin, fan in the engine runs when the car is turned off so the battery is always dead, leaking doors etc etc. Japanese from now on!"

I would recommend this car to a friend: No

This vehicle was purchased: Used

Primary use for this car: Just getting around

Rating from k530

(5)
Comfort:		5 out of 5
Performance:		5 out of 5
Handling:		5 out of 5
Exterior Styling:		5 out of 5
Interior Design:		5 out of 5
Features:		4 out of 5
Value for the Money:		3 out of 5
Reliability:		4 out of 5

"I'm the 1st owner of my 530i (auto with SP). Great car overall. As with most german cars they can be expensive to maintain. Also, as with german cars if you maintain them they run and run withouth any surprises. My car has 100K on it - have replaced the radiator and ohter minor items. it has never left me stranded. looks great and even with the 6 cyl has more than enough power for me. i also think it is the last of the great 5 series designs. Not in the least impressed by Bangles designs"

I would recommend this car to a friend: Yes

This vehicle was purchased: New

Primary use for this car: Work

Rating from Panzer Commander

(5)
Comfort:		5 out of 5
Performance:		5 out of 5
Handling:		4 out of 5
Exterior Styling:		5 out of 5
Interior Design:		5 out of 5
Features:		4 out of 5
Value for the Money:		5 out of 5
Reliability:		5 out of 5

"I purchased my 2003 BMW 530i as a Certified PreOwned Vehicle in July 2007 with 60K miles. It cost less than other brand new vehicles and this helped me overcome my "guilt" and I indulged in this fine vehicle. I have previously test driven Porsche 944 Turbos years ago and recall the taught, precise yet comfortable and secure feeling it transmitted to the driver. As a previously impressed owner of a Lincoln LS with a sports package,I found this 530i without a sports package leaps and bounds superior. Upon test driving, it was an instant reminder of the German lineage that has made BMW so legendary. This almost 2 ton car is built rigidly, without a single annoying rattle or creak, has very good off the line acceleration but remarkable 40MPH + acceleration. Phenomenal braking capabilities, precise handling and long distance comfort make accompanied by BMW a bulletproof reliability make me a life long BMW fanatic. This car is highly civil, as represented in the smooth shifting automatic transmission, yet hides a road gripping aggressive accelerating road beast...and I do not even have the sports package. The BMW transmits an almost intangible or a tangible yet imprecisely describable bond with the driver. The vehicle and person almost merge to "become one", to use on overused phrase. It certainly increases one's driving confidence, safety, and comfort. Incidentally, on a recent 1,000 mile highway trip, the BMW 530i turned in an impressive 29MPG."

I would recommend this car to a friend: Yes

This vehicle was purchased: Used

Primary use for this car: Commuting

Rating from locomotive Breath

(5)
Comfort:		4 out of 5
Performance:		5 out of 5
Handling:		5 out of 5
Exterior Styling:		5 out of 5
Interior Design:		4 out of 5
Features:		4 out of 5
Value for the Money:		3 out of 5
Reliability:		5 out of 5

"I bought my 2003 530i used in Nov 2006. With the luxury package and the cold weather package and extended full service, the bill ran up to 30K. Mine is a 530i with a 5 speed manual. I am very satisfied with my purchase. The manual makes this car a treat to drive. Its exhilarating to be able to make this car go from 80 mph to 100 mph with only a slight tap of the gas. Of course, I wouldn't recommend it :) but I love it rach time I am able to do that. So far I've not had any maintenance issues. My only complaints are the absence of auto dimming side view mirrors (the rear view is auto dimming, so why the heck couldn't they do the same with side view mirrors?!), an average music system and tight room in the rear. Luckily I rarely have someone sit in the back. This car is a treat to drive. The gears shift very smoothly and the 5th gear has a lot of juice so I am able to easily coast in 5th in a 35 mph zone. I don't recommend driving this car in the snow with regular tires though. The reason I say great when bought used it because the full sticker price is 45K+ and somehow the gripes become bigger at that price. I'd rather let someone wealthier than me bear the depreciation :). I think this is true for all BMWs."

I would recommend this car to a friend: Yes

This vehicle was purchased: Used

Primary use for this car: N/A