2003 BMW M3

This page is a draft. It has not been approved yet, so read it with care.

Learn

What changed

A DVD navigation system is offered, automatic headlights and rain-sensing wipers are standard, and aluminium interior trim becomes an option of its own.¹

What it came with

3.2L inline-six (S54)^2,3,4

333 hp at 7,900 rpm, 262 lb-ft

Transmissions: 6-speed manual^4,3, 6-speed SMG automated manual^4,3
Drivetrains: Rear-wheel drive⁴
Trims: Coupe^2,3, Convertible^5,3
Packages: Competition Package^3,4, Premium Package (2003)¹

Colors

Jet Black 2003–2006 ^6,7
Carbon Black Metallic 2003–2006 ^6,7
Alpine White 2003–2006 ^6,7
Silver Gray Metallic 2003–2006 ^6,7
Titanium Silver Metallic 2003–2006 ^6,7
Mystic Blue Metallic 2003–2006 ^6,7
Imola Red 2003–2006 ^6,7
Steel Gray Metallic 2003 ⁶
Topaz Blue Metallic 2003 ⁶
Laguna Seca Blue 2003 ⁶
Phoenix Yellow Metallic 2003 ⁶
Oxford Green Metallic 2003 ⁶

Interiors

Black Leather, 2003–2006 ^6,7
Gray Leather, 2003–2006 ^6,7
Cinnamon Leather, 2003–2006 ^6,7
Imola Red Leather, 2003–2006 ^6,7

Compare with another year

Buy

Watch out for

Reputation: what owners and the press report. Tap one to see what to check.

Cracks at the rear subframe mounts All years

What to check: On a lift, look at the rear subframe mounts and the floor around them with a bright light, lever the subframe with a pry bar for movement, and ask whether the floor was reinforced.

Grassroots Motorsports explains that the spot welds holding the mounts to the floor fail under twisting, helped by worn subframe bushings, and that glue does not fix it; a damaged floor needs welded plates. BMWBlog says the floor cracks on all of these cars, even low-mileage ones, and that subframes can crack. In an owner forum thread, one owner plans the body reinforcements before anything else, and another poster names subframe cracks as a known fault.

Sources ^8,9,10,11
Rod bearings All years

What to check: Ask for records of the rod bearings being replaced.

ECS Tuning lists rod bearing replacement every 100,000 miles. In an owner forum thread, one owner says BMW's rod bearing recall has been done on most affected cars.

Sources ^10,11
VANOS All years

What to check: Ask for records of the VANOS service and the exhaust cam hub replacement.

ECS Tuning lists both, and BMWBlog names VANOS faults among the usual problems.

Sources ^10,9
Rust at the rear arches All years

What to check: Look at the rear wheel arches, quarter panels, sills, the area around the license plate and under the trunk liner. Rust on the front fenders matters less.

BMWBlog says rust at the rear arches needs major bodywork, while the front fenders bolt on and can be replaced.

Sources ^9,10
SMG pump All years

What to check: Ask whether the SMG pump has been replaced.

ECS Tuning lists it among the records to ask for, and BMWBlog calls the SMG much maligned.

Sources ^10,9
Water pump All years One source so far

What to check: Watch the temperature gauge in stop-and-go traffic.

ECS Tuning says a rising temperature could mean a failing water pump.

Sources ¹⁰
Clutch and driveline wear All years One source so far

What to check: Make sure the clutch does not slip, in traffic and under hard driving, and feel for vibration from the wheels, centre bearing, flexible coupling or mounts.

Sources ¹⁰

Recalls

15V318000 2002–2005
Moisture can get into the driver's airbag inflator, which can then rupture when it goes off.^12,13
14V428000 2002–2005
More cars with the passenger airbag inflator fault in 13V172000. BMW advises not driving the car until it is repaired.^12,13
20V018000 2002–2005
The passenger's airbag inflator, made without a drying agent, can explode after years of heat and humidity.^12,13

What buyers say

Reputation: what owners and the press report

Sought after: A coupe with the manual gearbox All years One source so far

ECS Tuning says enthusiasts tend to prefer the coupe with the manual gearbox.¹⁰
Avoid: A cheap car without service records All years Less sought after One source so far

ECS Tuning warns that the cheapest cars are usually mechanical train wrecks, and asks for records of the rod bearings, VANOS, valve adjustment and rear subframe reinforcement.¹⁰

Before you pay

Open the buyer's checklist

Every warning and recall for this generation, with a box to tick.