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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  A Classic for the future - buy one now! - 1995 BMW 8-Series
  By Jeffrey Bowers - May 5 - 2:00 am

  If you have the opportunity to drive one of these German thoroughbreds, grab that opportunity with both hands. This is a superb machine engineered more like a jet fighter than an automobile, unlike the common or garden tin boxes around today. Lie back in luxury and float on air, effortlessly swallowing up the miles. If you are lucky enough to have the chance to buy one, do!

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  I LOVE this car!!!!!!!!! - 1996 BMW 3-Series
  By wallabbie - May 5 - 2:00 am

  I purchased my 1996 model used in 1998, where it had been a demo car at the dealership and had only 7500 miles on it . I felt I was very fortunate to find this car at an excellent price. I love to drive, and have to brave the Dallas streets and the Texas drivers mentality often. I feel very safe in this car-- not only for its sturdiness, but also for the reaction I feel under my foot when I need some extra acceleration to avoid those other drivers! The Harmon-Kardon stereo system is tops, and I get quite a bit of use from my weather radio.

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  A pretty good car over the years - 1990 BMW 5-Series
  By wingnut - May 5 - 2:00 am

  Ive owned my 525I since new (11 years). The only thing I would comment over the years is the maintenance cost is expensive, however one should expect,you pay for the price of luxury, and outstanding performance...I have no regrets in my ownership!! A well built car

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  This is my first and the last BMW. - 2007 BMW 3-Series
  By lunixlack - May 4 - 5:53 am

  This is my first and the last BMW. I had Mercedes cars before (used and couple new ones) and I thought that BMW has a better quality, but this is not the case. Ive got my 335i miracle on September 5, 2006 as 2007 model. In two weeks fuel pump went down on a highway road. It took one week to repair. In January 2007 Ive got an engine malfunction on the car dashboard. The car dealer reset the light and BMW HQ said too much alcohol in the US gas?? In the same day Ive got the light again. Now the car is on my dealer repair shop a second week already and BMW HQ still can’t fix it. One time more of the same light and the car can be classified as lemon!!

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  BMW does it again - 2007 BMW 3-Series
  By nicky - May 4 - 5:53 am

  Besides being one of the more comfortable cars with 300+ hp, the 335 coupe is more fun than any car i have owned yet. This car will sell itself if you can get to the dealership and test drive one. This is my 3rd style BMW and by far this is the biggest jump in style and performance from its previous generation. The only thing I didnt like is you dont have the option to buy the car with normal tires. The only option - run flats, and you can never repair them. Everytime you have even a slow leak with a runflat you have to buy a new one and if you decide to put normal tires on, theres no room for a spare.

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  Jury is out - 2002 BMW 7-Series
  By westchester - May 4 - 2:00 am

  Buying this car is an act of faith that BMW is on the right track. The iDrive gets easier with time, but there is no excuse for the difficulty involved in using and setting the radio (clearly no person who was ever the driver of a car thought this up). I had the "disappearing radio settings" problem that has, for unknown reasons, corrected itself after six days. Car is attention getter - it is much nicer looking in person than it is in pictures, and the extra length of the Li makes it look less stubby in the rear end. By the way, it is much wider than the prior 740, need to watch mirrors.

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  Character and elegance - 2003 BMW 5-Series
  By Ferran - May 4 - 2:00 am

  Excellent value. This car is worth every penny.

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  Improvement to BMWs great name! - 2003 BMW 7-Series
  By Asport03 - May 4 - 2:00 am

  This car is one of the best autos built. Its 325 Valvetronic V8 is very advanced. IDrive, people complain about iDrive, dont listen, these people get in the car not knowing what there doing and they get frustrated and complain it is to hard to use. Think, if you are driving on the street and you are looking down and looking at the screen trying to find something, well then of course it is going to be a distraction but if you know what youre doing than its a snap. Saftey, 10 airbags, the most airbags. Also the tecnology, look at the transmition, FIRST auto. 6 speed. If you like an all around gerat car, this is the car to get!

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  328 is Coupe Rocks - 1997 BMW 3-Series
  By ChuckS - May 4 - 2:00 am

  This is a great vehicle-the last really good looking 3 series before the "rounded new look" that BMW recently came up with. The 328 IS has a muscle type look to it. This car is so much fun to drive! 0 to 60 in 6+ So quiet on the freeway. They will be sought after in years to come.

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  A dream that became a nightmare!! - 2006 BMW 3-Series
  By 325xi_K - May 3 - 11:10 am

  I was very excited after purchasing my first BMW. Shortly after that the nightmare started with low oil level warnings. I took the car twice to the BMW dealer who recognized the faulty design of the oil level sensor. Also had valve ticking engine noise: bad exhaust valve lifters. Another issue happened when the vehicle stalled in the highway and could not start it again. The problem was found to be the tone wheel became loose (where the position picks its signal from front of the crankshaft). Very disappointing.