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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  the opposite of an S-Class - 2002 BMW 7-Series
  By alaia - March 31 - 2:00 am

  I Love the cars except this I-drive which is so complicated to understand. The dealer gave me a 45 minutes courses on own to use this system In one word if you love gadgets and gizmos

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  Fun car, but problems, problems - 2000 BMW Z3
  By Mark in CT - March 31 - 2:00 am

  No one can question that the Z3 is an awesome driving machine - pure fun to drive. My problem is that the car spends a lot of time being towed to the dealer for repairs. Three times the throttle assembly has failed, requiring a tow and average of about one week to fix. And now it appears it has happened again. Lemon-law? Tried that - but the problem started after 20K which is beyond lemon-law consideration. In short: BMW has not responded in a professional manor, and this is the worst car experience of my life. No more Beemers for me.

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  The superstar 0f SUVs!!! - 2002 BMW X5
  By spunky - March 30 - 5:36 am

  The more I drive it the more I love this car. The performance of the 3.0 is impressive. Must say I was suprised at how well It handles, it inspires confidence.Super fun to drive. This is my first BMW, it will not be my last.

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  Best car Ive EVER bought - 2000 BMW 5-Series
  By DrD - March 30 - 2:00 am

  Except for the cheap plastic cup holders that keep breaking.....and these are replaced FREE....this is absolutely the best car I have ever bought or driven. I can see why Consumers Report and all the car magazines love this car!

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  A Simply Amazing Car... - 2002 BMW M3
  By EricM - March 30 - 2:00 am

  Looking for the ultimate 4-seat sports car? Here it is. Nothing else approaches it. Power, handling, & braking, plus style, comfort, quality, safety - its all here in a big way. Manual transmission (or the clutchless manual SMG) keeps you in control, as a sports car should. Blazingly fast: only extreme, dedicated sports cars can overmatch it on the track, and yet practical & civil enough to be a daily driver. Its our only car! Wife drives it to work I drive it on trips and just for fun. Appearance sleek but not over-the-top. Only drawback: harsh ride on crappy roads.

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  well ... what can i say ... its a BMW - 1994 BMW 3-Series
  By grad_student - March 29 - 2:00 am

  the 325is ... is simply a great car. not to be driven in snow but on dry/wet pavement with the right tires (225/55/15) and the chipped ECU, intake, headers, exhaust ... it is simply the best car ive driven so far ... and i drove all kinds of cars from Honda/Acuras, european cars, 3000GT, etc etc. performance-wise it is probably not in the class of NSX,Porsche etc but very very very close. in terms of luxury and classic styling it sets the standards.

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  best m3 in this world - 2002 BMW M3
  By dougie - March 29 - 2:00 am

  this has got to be one of the best sports cars in the world. it has super race car like handling with great interior and exterior styling. this is one car that everyone should drive before they die.

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  Nobody Does It Better - 1998 BMW 5-Series
  By TMPB - March 29 - 2:00 am

  Heat/AC control awkward, difficult to operate while driving, too long a reach around shifter, otherwise cant beat it, true pleasure to start it up and drive

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  satisfied - 2002 BMW X5
  By arh - March 29 - 2:00 am

  Replaced my 2001 3.0 premium with a 2002 3.0 w sport pkg. Like the improved ride and handling.

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  93 325is - 1993 BMW 3-Series
  By Action - March 28 - 2:00 am

  I love my BMW. The ride is smooth and comfortable. The car is highly dependable. And what can I say about the power? Absolutely worth every penny. I was happy to find that my 93 325i (189hp) has more horsepower than a 2002 325ci (184hp). Through every unpredictable road condition, my car has come through in every way. Through any kind of weather condition, my car has always performed, and many times, surpassed its potential. And off the line, my bimmer can take any car on. Need I mention that the only addition to my car is the dealer installed sports package?