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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  06 330 is the Best 3 ever!!!!!1 - 2006 BMW 3-Series
  By ab - November 28 - 12:03 am

  Ever since I bought my car last month, it has been excellent. I have owned a 03 300m, 03 325i, and 04 TL. The new 330i is by far the best car I have driven!!!! I have the premium, cold, and sport packages (sport package worth the money). For car lovers, get the manual, it is more enjoyable than the automatic. The interior and exterior designs are great. For the older generation, it might be a problem, but for me (27) it is excellent. It is about time BMW updated their look to target the younger generation! I give the 06 330 3 thumbs up!!! (If I only had an extra one).

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  Only the Germans can do this... - 2003 BMW 5-Series
  By iwannarace - November 27 - 2:00 am

  I purchased a 530iA with a Sport Package about 6 weeks ago. I shopped, I compared, I slept on it, I thought of compromise, nothing could take me away. Boy am I glad I stuck with my intial instinct. This car does what you want it to do! Go! Stop! Corner! Its exhilirating every time I approach those 17" alloys, open and enter the chamber, sit in that bad ass seat and rap my hands around that 3 spoke sport wheel. The only complaint I have is that there are too many other cars on the road that interfere with my ULTIMATE DRIVING MACHINE AND ME!

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  Simply Awesome! - 2008 BMW 5-Series
  By Greg - November 26 - 4:36 pm

  This is truly an amazing vehicle to drive. Excellent handling, super fast, acceleration is as smooth as silk, very little cabin noise. The iDrive takes no more than 1 hour to learn. Hands down the best sedan in its class. Bravo BMW!

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  Excellent, but not perfect - 2003 BMW 5-Series
  By tliebman - November 21 - 2:00 am

  This is my first BMW, and its reputation is well founded. It is a blast to drive, both in town and especially on long trips. Shouldnt a $45,000 car have an in dash CD changer? The interior is beautiful, but not very functional. There is no storage in the console, the cupholders are a joke. The climate controls are illogical, but work well. The gas pedal is too vertical-only my toes touch the pedal. Why can the US and Japanese make brakes that dont dust, and the Europeans cant?

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  Great Automobile! - 2003 BMW 3-Series
  By brott - November 21 - 2:00 am

  Loads of fun.....a great car overall!

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  Piece of cheap junk - 2013 BMW 5-Series
  By lns - November 20 - 7:19 pm

  I bought a 2013 CPO 528XI and I also got the 100K warranty. Lucky I did. The first thing I noticed was the door panels and console covering coloring coming off. The tan interior on the door panels and console was turning. At first I thought it was dirt. But when I started “cleaning” it I realized it was actually the tan coloring coming off. Brake rotors have to be replaced every 25,000 of highway driving. Next BMW had to replace the transaxle. Then the turbo charger and all lines had to be replaced. It uses a quart of oil every 6,000 miles. BMW says that is normal. After turbo replaced, my gas mileage has gone down by 4 MPG. I’m 66 years of age and I have had many cars in my life time. But in all honestly, I can actually say this is the worse car I have ever owned. And I have owned, everything from Mercedes to VWs to Corvettes to Chevy trucks. The car is made of cheap materials.

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  The Best Driving Sport Sedan - Period - 2008 BMW 3-Series
  By Bryan W - November 17 - 3:36 pm

  I have owned many, and most recently test drove them all - G35, M35, 08 C- Class, TL, Audi A4 (2.0 & 3.2), A3 (3.2), Passat, A6, 530i (2005). Nothing even comes close to the feel of the BMW. If driving enjoyment is your top priority, this is your only choice (save the 5 series, but youll spend a lot more). All are excellent cars, but the 335i has something extra that you have to drive to experience. No probs for me with the run flat tires

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  The Way it is Meant to be Driven - 2003 BMW 5-Series
  By WillP - November 16 - 10:00 am

  European delivery on this new car, drove it throughout Bavaria and Austria on a recent trip. Handles the autobahn and small roads with ease and comfort. Handling excellent, showed it responsiveness and braking smoothness in an emergency situation on the Autobahn at high speed avoiding a breakdown in the passing lane. Beautiful driving in the country where it was built.

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  Cute cubby car - 2007 BMW 3-Series
  By luv_bmw4ever - November 10 - 7:10 pm

  This is my first BMW car and now I understand why it is called German engineering. This car has great driving performances. The turns are sharp and the body itself is kept close to the ground. On the freeway it feels very steady and not floating. This car is very low and has a thick side skirt compared to other sedans. The navigation is also very useful but a bit slow, and it has shut down once, then which I had to reboot the car to start it again. Overall, the exterior of the car looks really cute and a bit chubby compared to the coupe which looks slim and sporty. This car is worth the money because of all the features and the driving experience.

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  having fun - 2003 BMW 3-Series
  By ftlftl24 - November 10 - 10:00 am

  it is an unbelievable confident feeling to drive a car that you know can handle any twisty-windy road and wow-give me a straight away...see ya. it is so comfy and not to crazy windy with the top down. there isnt anything i can say bad about my 330csi bmw. when i,m having a bad day, all i need is to drive my car (sometimes just looking at it,cures the blues too--shes beautiful)