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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  Great vehicle - 2017 BMW X1
  By MC - December 6 - 8:27 pm

  Amazing handling. Very sporty.

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  Just got it. - 2004 BMW 5-Series
  By hyeonlyfe - December 6 - 10:00 am

  My wife fell in love with the car when we walked into the showroom. Handles great as expected from a BMW. Lots of new bells and whistles. FUN !!!

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  BMW 6 Series - 2016 BMW 6-Series
  By Ed Terczak - December 3 - 2:02 pm

  Great car! Fantastic performance. Not easy to enter or exit. Prefer the 750.

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  4th BMW - Better than my 545i - 2007 BMW 3-Series
  By 4thbmw - December 2 - 10:46 pm

  I have had this car for about a month and put 1000 miles on it. By far the best car I have owned. Outruns my 04 545 easily. I used to want a 911, but this thing would easily keep up with the standard 911. Got the red interior and it looks really good with the black wood trim. Fuel economy has been around 20-21. Great sound system. Havent fully explored the handling yet as I have been breaking it in. A great car.

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  Key Fob Easy on Your Pocket - 2006 BMW 3-Series
  By caddis - December 2 - 6:50 am

  When BMW came out with start button and keyfob-slot in 2006 3 series I questioned the rationale. Now I know one reason. The nagging stab of a car key in my back pocket has been replaced with a small light weight key fob. Its the small things in life that give me the most pleasure. If my old compact sedan is the "Wild Mouse", driving a BMW 3 is best compared to riding an inverted steel roller coaster. Excellent investment.

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  2004 530i - 2004 BMW 5-Series
  By zig - November 30 - 2:00 am

  The total redesign of the car is killer. Get the sport package. The car handles great go around a corner like on rails. Just the right size for a mid sized car. I have had no mechanical problems with this car at all. Plus the warrenty four years covers everything except tires. Best deal going.

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  The best of both worlds - 2004 BMW 3-Series
  By ronners - November 30 - 2:00 am

  This car is really so well thought out and put together that it invariably flatters you as a driver. Handling is excellent, and safety features have been a life saver for me (I recently had to avoid a car in front of me on a freeway who locked up his wheels at 75mph+). You can just hope you never need to find out how good DSC actually is! Aside from that, the car is a joy to drive. Unlike the majority of cars (and dreadful SUVs/trucks) this car goes where you point it.

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  Finally bought a BMW after looking for 15 years - 2017 BMW X1
  By John E - November 29 - 9:29 am

  The 2017 X1 S is one of the best cars I have ever owned. I bought it to replace my 2015 Ford Escape which itself is a great compact SUV. I saw a 2015 X1 and thought Id give it a look. My impression was cheaply made, way too small, and WAY overpriced. I ended up replacing my 2013 Ford Escape with a 2015 Ford Escape (long story, but I got a killer deal on the car and the trade-in and 0% financing so it made financial sense). We recently ordered my wife a 2017 Mini Countryman S version (a fantastic car btw) and during my research found the new Countryman was based on the NEW X1, so I gave it a look. I am so glad I did. A totally different car from the previous version. Plenty of interior room, nice materials, great ride, and for the first time in my life, a great value on a BMW. I dont like the feel of the sport seats--they just are very uncomfortable for me. But the standard seats are surprisingly comfortable, which ultimately sold me on the car. I love the ability to use the eco mode when driving on the longer stretches of road. I have been getting 32 mpg on my normal commute. And when I shift to the sport mode, there is plenty of fun power when I want it. Its not a sedan or coupe, its a compact SUV, but it is fun to drive. A few little complaints, like the fact that the cup holders hold maybe a sippee cup and there is no digital speedometer or compass on the base model, the Bluetooth seems to lag a little when using Waze or Google maps, and the A/C seems to want to run even when I turn it off. But all-in-all a great car.

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  best car in class - 2002 BMW 3-Series
  By jasper - November 28 - 10:00 am

  The car is best in its class..This is my third BMW and the last two were E36 M3s..This car is as fast as a stock E36 M3...The build quality gets better and better..I have had no problems with my sedan and the dealer is fantastic..If, you want more power just upgrade with dinan products..It does not void the manufacture warr and the dealer can do the install.. Dont skip the sports package...Worth evey penny....... Get the 18" wheel option for 900 bucks its a steal!

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  Awesome little SUV - 2016 BMW X1
  By DOROTHY THOMPSON - November 28 - 3:10 am