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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  best 7 yet - 2002 BMW 7-Series
  By Zcaer - March 11 - 1:43 pm

  Owned 3 sevens. This is the best yet. Power is a wonderful thing.

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  The Best Yet - 2000 BMW M5
  By Rsims - March 11 - 1:41 pm

  The quality of materials on the interior are fantastic the engine and suspension are unbelievable. For the money there is not a better hotrod out there.

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  Un-freakin-believable - 2006 BMW 3-Series
  By lkw15 - March 11 - 5:20 am

  Bought this car in Aug and cannot stop driving it. It is an absolutely awesome vehicle and dont regret spending top dollar. If you are in the market, dont go for a TL or Audi or MB, go for the new 3 series. TRUST ME, you wont be disappointed.

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  The Ultimate Driving Machine - 2000 BMW 5-Series
  By Just Do It - March 11 - 2:14 am

  Driving in a BMW 528iT is like driving in a vault. The sportswagon is truely sports and drives like a sports car. Words simply do not do it justice. You are in complete control and should you decide to put some distant between yourself and others on the highway, you can with a blink of an eye literally jump from 65mph to 105. Simply put, the 528iT is exciting, exhilerating to drive, practicle, beautiful to look at and solid, I mean SOLID. Buy one and enjoy it.

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  Exhilerating - 2002 BMW X5
  By Just Do It - March 11 - 1:52 am

  I have owned M-Benz in the past and then bought a 2000 528iT and thought that was simply incredible. But the X5 is awesome, simply awesome. Its exterior design is simply breath taking. But wait till you slip behind the wheel. All I can say is that you are in complete control driving the X5 whether youre taking it easy at 45mph or hauling at 105. If you have never been in love you will be now. DRIVE THE X5, OWN AN X5, AND LIVE WITH AN X5!!!

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  yeah - 2002 BMW M3
  By 987654321 - March 11 - 12:08 am

  this car is great

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  no excuses for Nav system - 2002 BMW 7-Series
  By Disappointed - March 11 - 12:02 am

  There is just no excuse for a CD based nav system so many of the less expensive Japanese cars have gone DVD based. They are using the same Nav system as from the 2001 model, which requires loads of clicks to do anything, is not ergonimic, and is not touch-screen. (The nav in my wifes Acura MDX by comparison is a star.) And, after speaking to BMW USA in NJ, they will not provide an upgrade path. Too bad....

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  Tutonic toy - 2002 BMW Z3
  By s.OBryan - March 10 - 4:07 pm

  well handling this, car is planted! Go-cart response. Fun to drive, a joy on twisty roads. Top up or top down a real hoot.

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  After 8 months - 2006 BMW 3-Series
  By Tate - March 10 - 12:10 pm

  Window buttons hard to reach, cup holders useless, iDrive is finicky, A/C and heater not as powerful as my Honda Accord, voice command option is all but useless. That being said I love my 325i. Ive got 10K miles on it now. MPG is okay, handling is fantastic, acceleration is good in auto, great in semi-manual. A young guy in a 2004 330i thought hed get the better of me at a light - he was wrong. Ride is firm but smooth. Car paid for itself when a much younger girl said "Wow, very nice car" to me the day after I bought it - very shallow of me, but it was still reaffirming.

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  Great car to move step into the future!! - 2002 BMW 7-Series
  By ACP - March 10 - 2:10 am

  Great ride, quick acceleration, good handling. Not a car for the faint hearted, or computer illiteres.