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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  Poor reliability offsets driving thrills - 1997 BMW 5-Series
  By Peter - November 14 - 1:49 pm

  Fast, solid, highly capable car. I thoroughly enjoyed driving it. The 540i adds power but gives up the 528is nimbleness. The great driving experience was more than offset by poor reliability though - particularly the electronics. I had to take the car in for unexpected repairs about twice a year.

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  No issues . . . maybe Im lucky? - 2008 BMW 5-Series
  By nitch - November 12 - 11:31 am

  I seem to have gotten the opposite of lemon. Got the car as a CPO and drive it about 15k miles a year combined city and hwy driving. I have done zero maintenance other than brakes (once), tires (three t8es) and oil changes (every 10k miles). The only caveat is this car will chew through tires - youll get about 30k out of a set no matter what you buy - and because of the AWD, you have to replace all 4 at once. It drives like a dream - especially on the back roads. After a snowstorm once the seal around the rear window got dislodged and water got in the trunk and down into the well under the spare. BMW stupidly put some electronics there and the TPM monitor control until got wet and shorted out. I dug it out of there, dried it off and let it et in a bag of rice of for a day or two. plugged it back in and it worked fine.

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  Not exactly perfect - 2000 BMW 3-Series
  By aaron - November 12 - 2:00 am

  This car had 1/4 mile on it when I picked it up. Xeon headlights have been completely replaced 6 times. The auto-adjusting driver and passenger window hieght is newer correct, so your windows leak. Electrical system sucks. My friends 3 series behaves the same way. Dont buy the car unless you get the sports suspension and 17 inch rims. Youll hate the ride with the 15/16 inch rims.

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  Beware of Z4 deficiencies! - 2007 BMW Z4
  By Not Happy - November 9 - 8:39 pm

  This review focuses more on the bad... fragile paint (scratches too easily), mostly plastic (cant wax out those scratches), annoying beeper (wont shut up for 1 minute, no chimes!), seat belt cant be adjusted (irritates neck), runflat tires sensitive (added air twice in 4 months), 6 speed manual doesnt shift smoothly, doesnt hold value (depreciated $13K < 4 months, so Im stuck!), steering keeps driver way too active, ride quality on rough roads is unacceptable (feel every imperfection!), noisy with roof up, rattles. BMW engineers have ruined this car! Our 2003 Z4 was superior! Yep, I have high standards, especially when I pay $47K+ for a new BMW!

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  Time to trade - 2000 BMW 3-Series
  By Jill - November 9 - 2:58 pm

  While my 3-series wagon was under warranty, all was well. I didnt mind the repeated trips to the dealership to replace every motor in each of my power windows, or my power steering leak, or a regulator in my AC. However, once the warranty expires the out of pocket cost to replace a transmission, along with lengthy list of repairs that accompanies each regular check up becomes quite irritating. The door panel inserts became dislodged and even the BMW logo on the hood came off. . . TWICE. Too headache and expense for "the ultimate driving machine."

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  **Update** to "top of its mkt segment" - 2003 BMW 3-Series
  By cjclemson - November 7 - 11:41 am

  This is an update to the review that I posted back on 19Nov02. Five years and 76K miles later, the car drives just as well as when I bought it. With that being said, it has had its share of electrical problems (replaced front drivers window motor, front passengers window motor, and both rear tailight assemblies because of a melted wiring harness). The total of those repairs was around $1,000. Not too bad for 5yrs, but still unacceptable for two window motors to go bad within 5yrs. Overall great car that I plan to keep for hopefully many trouble-free years to come.

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  still a great car - 1995 BMW 5-Series
  By jeepguy - November 5 - 1:13 am

  Bought the car with 140K and drove it home (eBay...1000 miles away) getting 28 MPG all the way. I thought I wanted a 540i till I saw the MPG. Kept it mainly as a road trip vehicle for a year, then started driving it daily. Here we are 2 years and 25000 miles later. My only monetary investment has been tires, brakes, a/c compressor, spark plugs and a radiator. Not bad for a car with 166,000 miles. Still runs very strong, corners like a dream, great curb appeal. My wife tries to trade vehicles with me on an almost daily basis (Grand Cherokee Overland). The valets all ask me to let them know when I may be selling it!

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  E39 best 5 series of all time! - 1998 BMW 5-Series
  By DMO - November 4 - 6:12 pm

  Bought it with 30K on it after trading in my 328i. Still have it with 100K and its been the best drive I ever had. Also own a 03 330 convertible and still like the solid, smooth ride and power curve of the 98. Its as tight as a drum, no rattles. All E39s need an aftermarket water pump at 50K due to the plastic impellar, thermostats every 30k, and a better cupholder which can be retrofitted in the change holder. Im thinking of getting a new 3xi series, but cant bear parting with the 98. Oh yeah, no iDrive!!!

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  Stay away from the X5 go for the MDX - 2007 BMW X5
  By Gordon - October 29 - 8:59 am

  My loaded X5 has 14000 miles . Week 1, faulty oil line, spent 1 week at the dealer. 1 month later computer crash, 4 more days at the dealer. This month transmission failure ,1 more week at dealer. Now I am told that I need new tires for 2500.00. Yes the x5 is fun to drive and great looking but is not worth the price tag. Just bought my wife loaded 2007 MDX for 20000.00 less than the X5. It might not be the high performance machine but it has not been back to the dealer and it really has better options. Stay away from the X5.

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  Better than Infiniti G35 - 2004 BMW 3-Series
  By ME747 - October 23 - 10:00 am

  I traded in my 03 G35 because it rode to stiff and had to much road noise. I could not be happier with my decision. This is a true drivers car, confortable and decent power (my G35 was much faster)with smooth delivery and quieter than the G35. I purchased a BLACK ext. with tan leather. The only 2 problems I had were the brake pedal and steering vibrated when I applied the brakes and at 200 miles the engine misfired (was running on 5 cyl). I had to pull over to then side of the road called BMW, they told me to turn the engine off then re-start it,the problem went away. I took it in for service the following week and they changed the no#3 coil and the rotors.