Model year guide

2003 BMW M5

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 2003 BMW M5 is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 1 on record.

2003 BMW M5 — representative photo
Representative photo · via Wikimedia Commons

2003 BMW M5 at a glance

Safety recalls1
Owner complaints18
Combined15 mpg

Free: that car's specs and build sheet, model-year recall campaigns and a fair price.

2003 BMW M5 recalls 1

Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module NHTSA Campaign #15V318000 · 28/05/2015

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2002-2005 325i, 325xi, 330i, and 330xi Sedans, and 325xi and 325i Sportswagons, 2002-2006 330Ci, 325Ci, and M3 Convertibles and 325i, 330i, and M3 Coupes, 2002-2003 M5, 540i, 525i Sedan, and 530i Sedans, and 540i and 525i Sportswagons, and 2003 X5 3.0i and 4.4i Sports Activity Vehicles. Please note that the 5-series and X5 vehicles are only included if…

Fix: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the vehicle has been remedied. BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front driver air bag module, free of charge. The recall began Aug 2016. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417. Note: This recall supersede…

Source: U.S. NHTSA. A campaign covers the model year; to see whether a particular car still needs the repair, check its VIN on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer.

2003 BMW M5 common problems

Owners have filed 18 complaints with NHTSA. These are the most-reported areas in a sample of the most recent — and what to check before you buy.

Air Bags
Confirm the airbag light turns on then off at startup — if it stays lit there's a fault (costly, and a safety risk). Check for signs of prior deployment.
Electrical System
Test every electrical feature: windows, locks, infotainment, charging and all lights. Watch for flickering, dead accessories or warning lights.
Steering
Steering should be tight and centered — no play, clunks or wandering. Test at low and highway speed; listen for power-steering whine.
Service Brakes
Brakes should feel firm and quiet — no grinding, pulsing or pulling. Check for an ABS light and uneven pad/rotor wear.
Engine
Listen for knocks or ticking, check for leaks and blue/white exhaust smoke, and make sure it doesn't overheat. No check-engine light should be on.
Suspension
Listen for clunks over bumps, check the car sits level, and look for uneven tire wear and worn shocks or struts.

2003 BMW M5 MPG & running costs

Combined15 mpg
City12 mpg
Highway19 mpg
Est. annual fuel cost$5,500
EPA size classCompact Cars
TransmissionManual 6-spd
Passenger volume93 cu ft
Cargo volume11 cu ft
5-yr fuel cost vs average new car$15,500 more

Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov.

Estimated 5-year cost to own

A rough guide to what running a 2003 BMW M5 costs over five years and 75,000 miles.

Fuel (5 yrs)$27,500
Fuel only$27,500
Per mile$0.37

How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. There aren't enough comparable listings to estimate depreciation for this model, so it is left out. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.

2003 BMW M5 trims & engines on record

Trims
Base
Engines
4.9L 8-cyl 394 hp

2003 BMW M5 vehicles on record

2003 BMW M5 2003 BMW M5 BaseWBSDE93493CF92356

Other BMW M5 model years

2020 2019 2018 2016 2014 2013 2012 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 2001 2000

2003 BMW M5 — frequently asked questions

Does the 2003 BMW M5 have any safety recalls?

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for the 2003 BMW M5. Whether an individual car still needs a recall repair depends on its VIN — check it on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer. Recall repairs are free.

What are the most common problems with the 2003 BMW M5?

Owners have filed 18 complaints with NHTSA; in a sample of the most recent, the most-reported problem areas are air bags, electrical system, steering.

What gas mileage does the 2003 BMW M5 get?

The 2003 BMW M5 has a U.S. EPA estimate of 15 mpg combined (12 city / 19 highway).

Sources: NHTSA (recalls, complaints, crash tests), U.S. EPA (fuel economy). Vehicle data only — CarLogs never shows owner information.