Overview & Reviews

BMW is an acronym for Bayerische Motoren Werke AG -- or, in English, Bavarian Motor Works. Whatever you call it, the German-based company is one of the world's most respected automakers, renowned for crafting luxury cars and SUVs that offer superior levels of driving enjoyment.

Founded in Munich, the company began in the early 1910s as an aircraft manufacturer. BMW's current logo, designed to represent white propeller blades against a blue sky, reflects these origins; its blue-and-white color scheme also references Bavaria's blue-and-white checkered flag.

It wasn't until 1928 that production began on the first BMW automobile, the Dixi. The car proved tremendously popular, and its success helped the manufacturer weather the Depression. BMW's best-known pre-World War II vehicle was the Type 328 roadster, a supple two-seater that racked up more than 120 victories on the motorsport circuit between 1936 and 1940. Postwar BMW cars maintained this tradition, with several racing, rallying and hill climb victories.

The early 1950s saw the launch of the BMW 501, a roomy, voluptuous sedan that was resplendent with all of the hopefulness of that era. It was soon followed by the 502, which was powered by the world's first light-alloy V8, foreshadowing BMW's ongoing commitment to developing new technology. The best-selling BMW of that decade was the Isetta, a petite two-seat "microcar" typically powered by a 12- or 13-horsepower engine. The mid-'50s also saw the debut of the limited production and breathtakingly beautiful 507 sports car, which had an alloy body and used the 502's V8 for propulsion. In the 1960s, BMW sales strengthened significantly, thanks in part to the immense popularity of the 1500, a sporty family sedan.

By the 1970s, BMW was establishing itself as a full-fledged car company. It was a pioneer for many emerging technologies, including turbocharging and advanced vehicle electronics. BMW of North America was established at that time, and consumers who coveted both sports and luxury cars became loyal "Bimmer" owners. The '70s also saw the birth of BMW's three-tier sport sedan range consisting of the compact 3 Series, midsize 5 Series and large 7 Series cars and the creation of its performance M division. Though the 3 Series could be had with four-cylinder power, it was the company's inline-6 engines that developed BMW's reputation for spirited, yet highly refined performance. At decade's end, the limited production, short-lived M1 supercar debuted.

Throughout the 1980s, BMW became the unofficial poster car of yuppies, as the brand ostensibly signified one's financial success as well as a passion for driving. The elegant 6 Series coupe debuted, and the latter part of the decade saw the high-performance M division working its magic on various production models.

In the early 1990s, BMW replaced the 6 Series with the powerful (V12-powered at first) but heavy 8 Series grand touring coupe. A bit later, BMW introduced its popular Z3 roadster. The company also opened its first U.S. manufacturing plant in the latter half of the 1990s.

The 2000s brought a midsize SUV (the X5) as well as a compact SUV (the X3) as BMW joined the hot-selling segment. Since then, BMW has replaced the Z3 with the Z4, introduced the compact 1 Series, produced hybrid versions of a few models and debuted the X6 fastback crossover. The company has also expanded its empire to include Mini and Rolls-Royce and continues to build motorcycles, something it has done since the 1920s.

BMW's famous advertising slogan describes each of its vehicles as "the ultimate driving machine," and it's not mere hyperbole. Over the past couple of decades, BMWs have become the standard for performance and luxury in most of the "over $30,000" segments. With family-friendly wagons, crisp sedans, distinctive coupes, nimble sports cars and spacious SUVs offered, BMW's model roster is diverse. But its vehicles all share a common characteristic: the ability to make drivers feel gloriously connected to the road.

User Reviews:

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  Not worth the hype! (if there is any) - 2010 BMW X5
  By David - November 21 - 12:13 pm

  I should have waited. Interior is still boring, NAV is still a pain, gas mileage is much worse than posted, turning radius is one of the worst in its mid-size SUV class, and there is so much more to dislike.

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  worst car Ive ever owned - 2008 BMW X5
  By Lisa - November 5 - 4:29 am

  worst car Ive ever owned. I had this car for 1 year & 4 month . The 1st month I owned my car I had to fix the thermostat & water pump. Then after that month the wiper motor went. Ive never been able to truly drive my car any long distance for fear of it breaking down. Ive replaced the Sparks plugs and all the cylinders because the car would spit , sputter & shake. My engine light constantly comes on. Now I know why changed owners so many times. Biggest piece of crap.

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  This truck sucks - 2003 BMW X5
  By BMWBrent - October 23 - 10:00 am

  This car sucks...I live at the service center at the dealership.

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  Bad vehicle - 2003 BMW X5
  By Xavier - October 15 - 2:44 pm

  Since I purchased this car it has had nothing but problems. The car has spent more time in the shop than in my garage. Every week is something wrong with this car. I have spent over 9k in repairs and thats not including what the extended warranty company has paid. I am very disappointed in BMW, this car is not the ultimate machine they make it to be.

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  WASTE OF MONEY - 2001 BMW 3-Series
  By TOTALLY DISAPPOINTED - September 9 - 10:00 am

  This is the second convertible BMW that I purchased. The first was a 2000 323CI, it was sluggish and had mechanical problems.I traded the car for the new improved 2001 330ci, this car is a nightmare. The car is sluggish - you have to slam on the gas to get the car to move, the doors do not shut properly and are hard to open; latch seems to get stuck. The top does not go down completely, the seat belts leave grease marks and are wearing the leather on the side of the seat. There is a rattle that no one can seem to fix. The rollover mechanism had to be replaced and the list goes. Good luck in getting someone from BMW to call you back.

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  Im saying goodbye to BMW after 20 years - 2007 BMW X5
  By Former BMW Customer - September 6 - 3:19 am

  My 2007 X5 has been nothing but a nightmare and the worse vehicle I have ever owned. Ive owned many new BMWs (3, 5, and two 7 series) but my X5 is a completely different experience. It is a loser, a huge disappointment in terms of quality control, problems, but the worse part is how BMW has handled the issue - which is VERY poorly. X5 was in for recurring service issues 2+ months in 1st 2 years for a series of false engine warning lights, Ele issues, rear hatch door problems, and cosmoline that drips onto glass/paint. No support from BMW. Had to retain attorney as BMW NA could care less. BMW NA Execs clearly more concerned with their stock options than long term customers. Bye bye BMW!

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  Overcomplicated Undependable 4th car - 2004 BMW X5
  By RaySmay - July 19 - 8:21 pm

  Car was back in the shop for carburetion problems from the time it was new. Brakes are replaced with 50% + of pads left due to poor sensor system. Sunroof hoses pinched during assembly and as soon as a minor amount of dust collected in them water filled both front floor wells. Water ran down over fuse boxes while draining to the floor. Now the lights keep kicking out. Rear wells filled with water (behind access panels to rear light bulbs). All the wiring "boxes" filled with water and now all the junctions are corroded. Rear tail lights go out whenever they feel like it. This car is about the poorest engineered vehicle the devil could have designed. Need a Buick to get parts and make trips.

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  Rattle & Roll on - 2003 BMW 3-Series
  By The sound of rattles - June 27 - 2:00 am

  I love cars and always dreamed of a BMW convertable, but be careful what you wish for! In the past year it has spent a total of eight weeks getting fine tuned. The top rattles and creeks, the check engine light has gone off three times and the grills were falling off. Each time the dealer was busy and I had to drop off the car for extened periods of time.My list of complaints include, rattles, broken vent, parts comming loose, a bad thermostate, and a check engine light that they keep blaming on a loose gas cap. Next time I will buy domestic, atleast the dont blame you when their products fail!!!!

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  Avoid this vehicle - 2008 BMW X5
  By City Engineer - April 13 - 9:34 am

  Bought brand new, June, 2008. Two months later the motor on the A/C blower failed. Three months after that the fuel pump failed and left me stranded on a busy highway. Six months later the transmission failed while on a family vacation. BMW highway assistance is worthless. You get put on hold for 5-15 minutes (if they answer at all) then are told they can send a tow truck within 1 1/2 hours. Overall a disappointing experience for an expensive vehicle.

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  Very Disappointing! - 2004 BMW X3
  By Lexus RX330 - April 10 - 2:00 am

  Test drove and compared MDX, ML 350, X3 and RX330, had high hopes for the X3, but is very disappointed. X3 is overrated, and disappointing in everyway except it is a BMW, has a good engine and is fun to drive. But the ride, forget about it. We are not racing everyday, we need a SUV attentive to our everyday needs, plus the options will eat you alive, about $46,000 for mine. So leave the option box unchecked! For close to $50,000, one could find much better cars. The style is OK, but the inside is cold and cheap looking.