2003 BMW 5 Series

Minor equipment shuffling is the main 2003 change of note as BMWs midrange line prepares for a model-year-2004 redesign. The 525i sedan and wagon use a 2.5-liter inline 6-cyl engine, the 530i sedan a 3.0 version. The 540i sedan and wagon have a 4.4-liter V8. The high-performance M5 sedan comes only with a 4.9-liter V8 and manual transmission. Other versions offer manual or automatic with standard or extra-cost manual shift gate, depending on model. All 5s include an antiskid system, front side airbags, and front head-protecting tubular side airbags. Rear torso and head-protecting side airbags are standard on the M5 and optional on other models. All 6-cyl models add a standard sunroof for 03. And now standard on the manual-transmission 540i sedan and optional on other 540i models is a new Sport Package with 18-inch wheels, front spoiler, and sport suspension.