2003 BMW M5 Base
Unverified
All photo credits
- Photo: 2001 BMW M5 by Calreyn88, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
- Photo: 2001 BMW M5 1 by Calreyn88, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
- Photo: Techno-Classica 2025, Essen (P1045640) by Matti Blume, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
- Photo: Techno-Classica 2025, Essen (P1045641) by Matti Blume, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
- Photo: BMW M5 (14437700568) by ilikewaffles11, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
The 2003 BMW M5 Base is a 400-hp 4.9-liter V8 sedan with a 6-speed manual and rear-wheel drive. It starts at $71,095 MSRP and is rated at 15 mpg combined.
It makes 400 horsepower at 6,600 rpm and 369 lb-ft of torque at 3800 rpm, spinning to a 7,000 rpm redline. EPA fuel-economy estimates are 12 mpg city and 19 mpg highway (15 mpg combined).
The M5 measures 188.3 inches long on a 111.4-inch wheelbase and has a curb weight of 4,024 lb.
| Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Vehicle | |
| Body Type | Sedan |
| Powertrain | Gas |
| Price | |
| MSRP | $71,095 ($125,575 *) |
| Engine | |
| Engine Type | 4.9L DOHC 32-valve V8; Double-VANOS; 8 individual electronically controlled throttles (S62) |
| Displacement | 4.941 L |
| Horsepower | 400 hp @ 6,600 rpm |
| Torque | 369 lb-ft @ 3800 rpm |
| Redline | 7,000 rpm |
| Valvetrain | DOHC 32-Valve with Double-VANOS |
| Bore and Stroke | 94.0 x 89.0 |
| Compression Ratio | 11.0:1 |
| Injection Type | Electronic fuel injection (Siemens MSS 52) |
| Drivetrain | |
| Drive Type | Rear-Wheel Drive |
| Differential Type | Limited-slip differential |
| Transmission | |
| Transmission | 6-Speed Manual (Getrag Type D) |
| 1st Gear | 4.23 (45 mph **) |
| 2nd Gear | 2.53 (75 mph **) |
| 3rd Gear | 1.67 (114 mph **) |
| 4th Gear | 1.23 (154 mph **) |
| 5th Gear | 1 (190 mph **) |
| 6th Gear | 0.83 (228 mph **) |
| Reverse | 3.75 |
| Final Drive | 2.81 |
| Fuel Economy | |
| City | 12 MPG |
| Highway | 19 MPG |
| Combined | 15 MPG |
| Recommended Fuel | Premium unleaded |
| Tank Capacity | 18.5 gal |
| Suspension | |
| Front Suspension | BMW M sport suspension (aluminum); struts, double-pivot lower arms, coil springs, twin-tube gas-pressure shocks, anti-roll bar |
| Rear Suspension | BMW M sport suspension (aluminum); 4-link integral, coil springs, twin-tube gas-pressure shocks, anti-roll bar; aluminum subframe |
| Turning Diameter | 38.1 ft |
| Brakes | |
| Front Brake Disc | 13.6 x 1.18 in ventilated |
| Rear Brake Disc | 12.9 x 0.79 in ventilated |
| Tires & Wheels | |
| Wheels Front | 18 x 8.0 in |
| Wheels Rear | 18 x 9.5 in |
| Tires Front | 245/40ZR-18 |
| Tires Rear | 275/35ZR-18 |
| Dimensions & Weight | |
| Length | 188.3 in |
| Width | 70.9 in |
| Height | 56.6 in |
| Wheelbase | 111.4 in |
| Front Track | 59.6 in |
| Rear Track | 60.1 in |
| Cargo Volume | 11.1 ft³ |
| Curb Weight | 4,024 lbs |
| Weight Distribution (F/R) | 52.1% / 47.9% |
| Interior | |
| Headroom Front | 37.4 in |
| Headroom Rear | 37.2 in |
| Legroom Front | 41.7 in |
| Legroom Rear | 34.2 in |
| Shoulder Room Front | 56.8 in |
| Shoulder Room Rear | 55.9 in |
Similar cars
Rivals to the 2003 BMW M5 Base with similar size, power and price from around the same years.
Safety & Recalls
NCAP safety ratings
Tested, but no star ratings were published (2003 BMW M5 w/SAB).
Recalls
1 recall on file with NHTSA for the 2003 BMW M5. Not every recall applies to every trim or VIN — check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
May 28, 2015 · AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE Park it
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 they are equipped with the optional sports steering wheel. The affected vehicles are equipped with a dual-stage driver frontal air bag that may be susceptible to moisture intrusion which, over time, could cause the inflator to rupture.
Consequence: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: 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 supersedes recall 14V-348 in its entirety. Additionally, vehicles that have had their driver side frontal air bag replaced previously as part of a recall remedy need to have their air bag replaced under this recall as well. Note: On December 17, 2015 BMW removed the model year 2004 X5 3.0i and 4.4i Sports Activity vehicle from this recall. Those vehicles were mistakenly identified as including the air bags that are subject to this recall.
NHTSA campaign 15V318000
18 owner complaints to NHTSA for the 2003 BMW M5
Owner Complaints
18 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2003 BMW M5 (1 mention a crash, 1 a fire, 1 an injury). See all on nhtsa.gov
| Air Bags | 7 |
| Electrical System | 4 |
| Latches/Locks/Linkages | 2 |
| Steering | 2 |
| Engine | 1 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 1 |
Complaints are unverified reports submitted to NHTSA by owners. They cover the whole model year, not a specific trim, and a count alone doesn't show how common a problem is.
Source: US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (nhtsa.gov), matched as 2003 BMW M5. US-market vehicles only; data cached for up to 7 days.