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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  The 2006 BMW 330i is FUN - 2006 BMW 3-Series
  By Suvhasis Mukhopadhya - November 21 - 6:10 pm

  I own a 2006 330i. The car has very pleasing power, and a very linear characteristic: you can get good uniform acceleration at whatever speed you are driving. Engine is an absolute peach. Performance is very good. Could have done with a little bit more torque though - but I am definitely not complaining. Steering is very sharp, but could be heavy for some. The quality of the ride is quite bumpy - and that is mainly due to the compulsory run-flat tires. Also, the stiff tires make the car track all road imperfections rather strongly. Users should be careful. BMW will do a lot of 2006 330i owners a favor by suggesting alternate tires. I definitely am disappointed in the tires.

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  BUYER BEWARE!!! - 2011 BMW 5-Series
  By Disappointed - August 30 - 9:40 pm

  Purchased my 550xi 8 months ago. Thinking I bought a newer reliable car. I Love Bimmers and dont wanna drive anything else but this car is a PIECE OF CRAP!!! 2 months after buying it the turbos went and the car engine started smoking. Car had extended warranty and dealer took care of the problem and also replaced the water pump and timing chain. They had it for a month. Read up on the internet from different owners that this is a Major problem. Now 5 months later the new set of problems is happening. Sitting in the middle of traffic the car starts sputtering and shaking then finally shuts off. All kinds of Drivetrain Malfunction, fuel sensor warnings start going off on the dash. Called the dealer and they took care of the problem. Said it needed to be reprogrammed. A week and 1/2 later "Same Problem". Dealer said bring it back (reprogram issue) all takin care of for free. Picked it up and 30 minutes later the SAME PROBLEM! Now dealer has my car for 5 days. Doing more reading up on this and this is another Major problem with this car. The engines in these cars and every other car it was used in were faulty. Finding that once car is outta warranty this could cost up to $6000 a pop for these problems. Plus occasionally the oil indicator comes on saying it was low. Another problem with this car. Now i see why this car was "discontinued". Dealer service reps have been Great but I have a lemon and you will to if you buy this car. Please Beware of this cars engine 2010-2012 &13. For someone who has only owned Bimmers this is sad that they put this product on the market in their name.

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  Poorly made - plastic and cheap - 2007 BMW X5
  By ericld - August 19 - 11:28 am

  This new BMW X5 is a shocker. The SUV/SAV is so cheaply made on the interior that it buzzes and rattles over all roads. My 12-year old insisted that the back seats felt like sitting in the plastic bleachers at a school ball game. I like BMW and Im shocked that this car ever left the test facility. Its all engine and suspension, and performs well, but the build quality is cheap. The leather seating surfaces are hard and felt like vinyl.

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  When is a BMW a FoRD? - 2009 BMW 3-Series
  By John Kain - July 17 - 10:43 am

  When its Fixed or Repaired Daily. The litany of problems with this "luxury" car dictates that you have to have access to a second car. Factor that into the cost of ownership. Things that never went wrong over the course of owning several Toyotas for hundreds of thousands of miles routinely crop up on this car. A true lemon. And of course the cost of repair fully justifies the BMW "Break My Wallet" sobriquet. The headlight switch fell out of the dashboard. Running lights cost almost $300 to replace. The worthless adaptive lighting broke and the estimate to repair and realign the headlights is thousand of $. The windshield gasket is cracking and has to be replaced. Ive had the engine gasket replaced TWICE, each over $1,000. Windshield wipers cost $55 at the dealer - theyre not available at auto repair stores. The engine oil and coolant fluid have to be topped off regularly. Oh, and the hood release doesnt work, so the car has to be taken to a mechanic for those simple maintenance tasks. The gas tank closure broke. And dont even get started on the run-flat tires. I order extras now because I know the winter pothole season will ruin one or two tires, and last year a rim, too. Buy this car to look at, and to show your neighbors that you can afford a "luxury" car, but dont buy it for reliable transportation. Unless youre married to an expert mechanic.

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  Not a good used car - 2009 BMW 3-Series
  By Levi - July 7 - 11:49 am

  Two years ago I bought my second BMW E90 mostly because my first one was so reliable and i wanted AWD. I bought a 2009 bmw 328i xdrive (sulev) with 120,000 miles on it. The car ran and drove great for about 4 months until it started to fall apart. I mostly drive only highway miles. First problem, happened while driving on the highway. The lines in the gas tank went out, I had no idea that this could happen!! $1700 for a new tank and labor. Second problem, three separate times I have had a run flat tire just go flat on the highway! $300 each, and you can not drive on these when they are flat!!. Third problem, the valve cover gasket started leaking a lot $400. Fourth problem, blower motor went out in the dead of winter, $250. Third and current problem, the car is currently in the shop because while driving down the highway a very loud grinding noise and an extreme wobble coming from transfer case or transmission, not sure yet what it is. its not going to be cheap im sure. On going problem, I have found that all sulev BMWs do is a loud lifter or lifters taping loudly. I love BMWs and my last one was great but after this one im probably done with them.

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  My $600 phone is easy to use $39,000 car is not - 2015 BMW X1
  By bdmccarthy - May 25 - 4:54 am

  The car handles well and really shines on a 2 lane highway. Lags between 0-5 mph which is mildly annoying but otherwise is OK. I like the gas mileage and it is comfortable in the drivers seat. The problems: 1. Navigation - slow to acquire satellites and then 5 minutes later will alter your route based on traffic, this is sometimes too late to take a better route. My phone is much better. Also, if you decide to go a different route the system will keep trying to reroute you back to the original rather than recalculating. Once I went 70 miles and passed into the upper in Michigan before it recalculated. I was recently sent a notice that I could upgrade to current maps for $59 annually. This is pretty funny. 2. The bluetooth phone works OK, but it takes a minute or two to reload the phonebook from my phone each time. Why? Again my phone is better. At least the car bluetooth will pick up the call after I have made it on my phone. 3. Hands free control - you can speak controls but you have to know the exact sequence of words, for example for an address, you cant easily search for anything else, this is not really useful. Bottom line is that BMW should hire some Samsung or Apple engineers. Not sure I would buy again but would consider if they caught up with Fords on technology front.

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  Huge Mistake!! NEVER again!!! - 2006 BMW 3-Series
  By Brian - May 12 - 4:03 am

  This is my 3rd BMW . (I had two 325ci in the past) This car ride horrible!! Bounces all over the road! It seems to me that BMW made some short cuts on this model! They charged me 75.00 for" Satellite Prep" and the car does NOT even have the Radio! For 38,000 this car should already have a satellite radio built in. This car should also alrady have an IN DASH 6 CD changer standard! This is my LAST BMW! The style is also questionable. People think the rear end looks like a HYUNDAI!

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  Hesitation-awful transmission - 2007 BMW X3
  By markdi - May 3 - 8:46 pm

  I just bought a 2007 BMW X3. I test drove a different one, then took the one off the showroom floor in the color I wanted. I did not notice hesitation on test drive, but immediately noticed on mine. It is a week old and I hate it. Not to mention the stupid plastic handle that my knee constantly hits. The hesitation is horrible. It does it from a dead stop, and while driving at slow speeds. It is unacceptable to me-I want to return it. The transmission is so erratic, that passengers complain about the rough and jolty ride-it is embarrasing to tell them I spent so much on a piece of junk. I think I made a mistake. This is going to be my last BMW. I should have bought the Nissan Murano!

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  Dont be a sucker for BMW - 2007 BMW X3
  By Bill - May 2 - 2:14 pm

  Okay, I have myself to blame. I buy a new car every two years, last one was a 2004 Acura TL--not the most expensive car Ive owned, but far and away the best car in every category. I read the reviews for BMW X3 and know the car was not higly thought of in the past--but that 2007 was a NEW year with many improvements. The gas mileage is bad! 18mpg city/highway. The tranny is rough, and at low RPM there is almost zero torque and a rough go until about 25mph. The electronics are less than high tech--the radio is pathetic for a $44k vehicle--and the rear seats, despite what the catalogue said, do not fold flat, making the rear space useless for boxes, dogs, and anything else.

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  Unhappy - 2007 BMW X5
  By Dt Elliman - April 27 - 11:41 pm

  I was so excited to get one of the first 4.8is in production (November 2006) to the point that I never considered that the car would be anything but better than my old 2003 4.4. As of late April 2007 Id take back my old 4.4 in a second. The new X5 is a pig. Much slower, less comfortable (the sport edition seats are incredibly uncomfortable)things like my cell phone cant charge when the car is off,and that unbelievibly annoying seat belt alarm (you cant put groceries on the passenger front seat as an example) makes really angry at BMW. And yes I will sell it shortly.