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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  Blast to Drive - 2005 BMW 3-Series
  By Robert Baker - October 9 - 10:23 pm

  This is my first BMW but it wont be my last. My wife and I have had so much fun driving this automobile, I used to think that a car always needed power to have fun but the way the car handles is remarkable. I have not had the car long enough to gauge the reliability but so far so good.

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  M3 look-a-like - 2006 BMW 3-Series
  By beamerkid - October 9 - 4:16 pm

  I just got this car last month, and I already fell in love with the car. My dream car is an M3, and this car is really the closet thing you can get to it, especially with the performance package, m wheels and body kit. Some people cant even tell the difference. The car sounds great, everyone that gets in it, mentions the sound of the car. The car take corners and turns better then any other car ive driven. I would highly recommend this car to any interested. or not interested.lol. I would suggest the 330 over the 325 as well because my sister has a 325, and I beat her in any race lol. If you can afford, go for the 330. Its an all around fun car to drive.

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  BMW X5 makes my ear cloudy - 2007 BMW X5
  By Tamara Taylor - October 8 - 9:18 pm

  I het cabin pressure build up in mu right ear sometimes when I am driving my BMW X5D.

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  The X3 Better Than Expected - 2004 BMW X3
  By hjones - October 7 - 10:00 am

  The handling, fuel economy, build quality, transmission, 2.5 liter engine are terrific. This is a great machine! The negative review items are not evident in my X3.

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  tonys x3 - 2004 BMW X3
  By tony conte - October 7 - 10:00 am

  typical BMW quality and reliability

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  One great car - 2004 BMW Z4
  By WillT - October 7 - 10:00 am

  a lot more than one would expect with over-engineered everything...with a few add-ons, this baby will crank nearly 230 hp, runs around 6 in the qtr and tops 150+. Stylish, not cheap to operate (93 oct)but roads very nice.....

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  Shoulda remembered not to buy Euro car w 40k+miles - 2008 BMW X5
  By poor car - October 5 - 4:50 pm

  The reason being is you dont know how it was treated, and boy has this car been costly. Worst car Ive ever owned in terms of reliability. Not worth the "privilege/pride" of "...but its a BMW." Seems theres 2 kinds of reviews here, crummy car & I love it but its expensive to maintain (wait till you get more miles on it)! Bought used at 72,500k miles and in 3 months we were moving/driving from Seattle to AZ. Wed had it checked before the move & I asked the mechanic "is summer heat in the desert a factor with reliability at all?" He chuckled at the question. 1) paid $400 to check car & replace oil cooler seal & filter stand gasket. 2)&3) 15 miles into the moving trip the transmission slipped & did so 5-6 times on trip to AZ. Over $10k repairs for this & replacing the catalytic converter, and the mechanics said 4) it desperately needed a "system update" which had it in the shop an extra 3 days. 5) The USB port went out right away. The A/C is kind of annoying because you never feel the left drivers side vent on you unless its blasting. 4 months later 6) the water pump went out at 81k miles along with 7) thermostat assembly: $1300. 8) The suspension needed work signal by one of many times warning light come on: about $1000. If you worship a car & devote much money to it- this is the car for you!

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  Almost Perfection - 2002 BMW 3-Series
  By iDragonite - October 5 - 10:00 am

  Ive had this car for one year now and has been a blast to own. This car hugs curves like no other car. The accelration is great. A five speed manual transmission is suggested (you save 1,000 or so bucks on the car, plus the car is funner to drive).An added bonus, this car is a giant chick magnet on wheels. If you get this car I suggest you special order it and take off things you dont need or want. Saved a few thousand by not getting the packages and just picking and choosing what I wanted from it. I highly recommend this car.

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  Ultimate Citiy/Suburb Road Warrior - 2003 BMW X5
  By EP - October 5 - 10:00 am

  The 4.4i X5 is the ultimate commuter SAV for the 21st century. Its tremendous acceleration and tight handling makes it one of the best performing SUVs. It tops the Mercedes ML class easily. The X5 can get out of ANY situation in the snow, from 2 inches to 3 feet, it is almost impossible to get this car stuck. The allwheel drive system is wonderful and makes the car stick to the road and travel deeper into corners than you thought possible for such a heavy car. If you dont mind spending the money, the X5 has the best combination of comfort, with a perfect seating position, and style, with sleak bodylines from every angle.

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  Ultimate Citiy/Suburb Road Warrior - 2003 BMW X5
  By ep - October 5 - 10:00 am

  The 4.4i X5 is the ultimate commuter SAV for the 21st century. Its tremendous acceleration and tight handling makes it one of the best performing SUVs. It tops the Mercedes ML class easily. The X5 can get out of ANY situation in the snow, from 2 inches to 3 feet, it is almost impossible to get this car stuck. The allwheel drive system is wonderful and makes the car stick to the road and travel deeper into corners than you thought possible for such a heavy car. If you dont mind spending the money, the X5 has the best combination of comfort, with a perfect seating position, and style, with sleak bodylines from every angle.