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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  Excellent Car - 1995 BMW 3-Series
  By Rich - September 27 - 2:33 pm

  I have been absolutely astonished to find how much I have loved this car, and what a reliable car it is, 12 years later. I am a bit scared of the cost of a repair when something goes, but I see no reason why anything should anytime soon.

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  Executive Ride - 2001 BMW 5-Series
  By Chris - September 27 - 1:44 pm

  Found myself wanting a sporty, high-end sedan and the 2001 530 with Sport and Premium is most definitely it. Took some time to find a manual, and silver wasnt my first color choice but found one with less that 50K miles. Car is beautiful inside and out, will enjoy for a long time. Sport suspension makes you really feel the road yet nothing jarring, acceleration is surprising with a relatively big car with a six cylinder, and the engine is incredibly quiet. Time will tell re reliability, disappointed that a week after purchase the alternator went out on me. Rec - dont take to dealer, find a good indie mechanic and get to know him.

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  Fun first car - 2005 BMW 3-Series
  By Brandon - September 23 - 4:41 am

  My 05 325xi auto runs like a champ! 176k on the odometer mainly highway miles by the previous owner. It was purchased with 171k. I am the second owner and the exterior is beautiful, interior is a little worn but expected of an 11 year old car. Performance wise it gets up and goes at peak power but nothing crazy. I have a tendency to let that inline 6 scream. Overall great car! Ive owned for a year with minimal cost of maintenance except typical breaks, fluids, etc. does leak oil but is typical from this generation.

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  windows elevator problems - 2001 BMW 3-Series
  By juventus - September 20 - 10:00 am

  great car! but already had 3 problems related to the windows. they get stuck! first it was the passenger side, then the drivers side now its the rear right, in that aspect it has been a nightmare! great car to drive though.

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  Hitt yourself in the head with a hammer - 2005 BMW 5-Series
  By stevee500 - September 15 - 11:40 pm

  TRADED MY E320-AFTER 6MOS TRADED RIGHT BACK TO AN E500. MY 530 HAD AN MSRP OF 63 K W/ EVERY POSSIBLE OPTION. DRIVING THIS CAR WAS LIKE HITTING MYSLEF IN THE HEAD WITH A HAMMER - IT FEELS SO GOOD WHEN YOU QUIT! I DRIVE IS EASY, BUT STILL A NEEDLESS HASSLE AND VERY DISTRACTING. ALSO FAR LESS COMFORT THAN THE BENZ. LOUSY INTERIOR, POOR STORAGE, CHEAP LOOKING ORANGE INSTRUMENT LIGHTS. EXTERIOR DIMENSIONS ARE SLIGHTLY LARGER THAN THE MERC YET THE MERC IS SO MUCH MORE ROOMY! BUT THE I DRIVE IN THE ISSUE - IT MAKES THIS CAR FAR MORE COMPLEX TO OPERATE THAN IT NEED BE. MY BENZ HAS ALL THE SAME BELLS AND WHISTLES YET IS EASY AND INTUITIVE TO OPERATE. BMW WILL DROP I DRIVE!!

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  Fun, fun, fun - but a bit impractical - 2004 BMW Z4
  By AZDave - September 15 - 11:24 pm

  Lets face it. People buy cars like this for their fun factor, and perhaps for their "cool" factor as well. The Z4 does a bang-up job of providing both while delivering upwards of 25 mpg. Its a bit of a chore getting in and out, especially for a 62" guy like me, but once youre inside its surprisingly roomy if you lower the seats all the way. The power convertible top works perfectly, and the interior is gorgeous. The ride is stiff, but the car runs and handles fantastically. My only complaint: you have to be careful when parking or youll scrape the underside of the front cowling.

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  Great Car - 2005 BMW X3
  By PR - September 15 - 11:20 pm

  The 2.5 has been surprisingly zippy to drive. It is the best car on snow that I have ever owned. Very rough ride and poor fuel economy are my two key complaints. Ive never had any significant problems and I have about 45,000 miles on it now. It had several nuisance problems while under warranty like rattles and problems with warning lights but nothing significant. BMW seems a little loose on their quality control, especially for the price. Overall, however, the car is excellent. I have noticed it is a head turner too. People still stop and look at it in parking lots and it is two years old.

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  Awesome German Engineering - 1999 BMW 5-Series
  By mtaylo3 - September 14 - 11:32 am

  Ive been trained in and conducted vehicle pursuits as well as driven for performance. I didnt know how incredible a normal road car could be until I found this car used. Yes I miss cup holders but the Germans build cars to drive, not eat and drink in. The power can almost be scary and the knowledge that you can dust just about everything else on the road is comforting. Do your own maintenance and you can afford driving the car. Change your oil (on your own its $35-40 not $150) every 2500 miles and youll do well. Keep your wheels balanced and aligned. If they are out ever so slightly youll know it and think your brakes are having problems.

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  Fun but expensive to own - 2007 BMW M5
  By Walter - September 11 - 10:41 pm

  Owned this car for almost a year now. It is my fifth BMW and first M car. Other BMWs had no reliability problems and fairly good performance. This car is all performance and no reliability. First 2000 miles in the break-in period, it consumed a quart of engine oil every 100 miles. It seemed like it ran on engine oil and not gasoline. I had problems with transmission (SMG), tire allignment, and drivers window. But I dont know if any other car can match this cars performance, practicality and fun to drive. It is stealthy enough to not attract too much attention, and yet it is powerful enough to street race a Porsche non turbo. Love this car, will buy again when the new model comes out.

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  M3 is a great buy! - 2002 BMW M3
  By Bryan Stone - September 9 - 4:51 pm

  Ive really enjoyed owning my M3, as it is large enough to accommodate my family, but plenty sporty enough to really enjoy driving on weekend getaways. On top of that, its stylish and catches a lot of attention on and off the road.