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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  Terrible service, plagued with problems - 2008 BMW 1-Series
  By 1porscheman - August 10 - 2:14 pm

  Where do I start. Oh, I know. BMW does not care about their customers! I have owned to others in the past, m3 and a 2003 x5. My past experience lead me to purchase (lease) my 1 series. Love the performance, its a fun little car. But. My 1 has just under 14k on on it and its been in for everything under the sun. The fuel pump, the window reg. Motor, radio still doesnt work right, you name it, and the recalls. I could not drive my car at night for a month while I waited for recall replacement taillight, and let me add they provided a car for only a week. Terrible service. I have never (even at gm dealer) had service that was so rude, unprofessional, and unaccommodating.

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  So far so great! - 2011 BMW X5
  By cbr - August 10 - 11:07 am

  The car is beautiful to look at and a delight to drive. The fit and finish are excellent. There are a lot of features and a lot to learn. If all continues to work year after year as now, then this is as close to an ideal as I have come. Time will tell.

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  Fast, economic, luxurious, but... - 2011 BMW X5
  By Polren - August 9 - 3:29 pm

  Great vehicle overall, with really nice handling (xDrive), good braking, comfortable. The third row seats are for small children or for short distance, pretty much anybody.

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  Very Impressive Indeed! - 2004 BMW Z4
  By Perry M - August 9 - 9:29 am

  Just bought a 2004 Z4 with 17K miles and this vehicle drives very impressively. I drove the vehicle home 600 miles and it was very comfortable, handled nicely, and was just a blast to drive. This is my first BMW. In the past Ive owned a 2000 MR2 Spyder and this Z4 tops it by far. Great trunk space, powerful motor, roomy interior. I really think I can drive this vehicle everyday if I wanted to.

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  Good Step Up for Me - 2009 BMW M3
  By Nawaaz Ismail - August 8 - 3:08 pm

  Overall, I am happy with my decision of choosing the current M3 Sedan. I have had it for a good year now, and I have learned a lot from owning and driving it. Previously, I used to own a 06 Evo IX MR, and I sold it so that I could get into an M3. Its not really a step up in performance for me, but its a much stronger built car, all the way from its tranny, to how the car feels so planted during higher speeds. Ive had the opportunity to take my M3 to the track 5 times so far, and I expect to continue taking part in Drivers Education events every month. The M3 is not the perfect car out there, but it is the perfect car for me at this stage of my life.

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  Fun Car - 2003 BMW Z4
  By Tom - August 8 - 2:39 pm

  Just completed 8000 miles between MI @ CA including Glacier Nat. Park. HWY 2, 20, 299,101 and 1. Gas mileage on reg gas 28 to 35 mpg. Have owned Datsun Z cars in past. This is the best.

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  Hard to believe its a diesel - 2011 BMW 3-Series
  By drdan - August 8 - 7:53 am

  Im still in the break-in period, but this car is a blast to drive. The new model styling is really great. The wheels and trim accents in the sport package look fabulous. While Im a big fan of the BMW sport seats (my previous 530i had them, too), Im having a little trouble getting really comfortable in these. In 40 years of driving, this is my first automatic transmission car, but I dont think that Im going to miss it as much as I thought. The wheel base of this 3 series is almost the same as my old 530i, so its really quite roomy inside. However, its still a 3 series, so its just not as upscale as my old 5 series. When BMW brings a 5-series diesel to the US, Ill move back up.

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  Not the best 5 - 2011 BMW 5-Series
  By mike - August 7 - 10:31 pm

  Runflat tires ride harsh noisy and blowout. Had 750i with 20 inch tires the ride and handling much better. Steering feel is more like Lexus then BMW. Rear suspension hits bumps very harsh. Not what I expected from BMW. Rattles inside over bumps.

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  First BMW. Now, I am flying, not driving - 2010 BMW 3-Series
  By Yves - August 7 - 10:46 am

  This car (BMW 328i 6AM) is a drivers dream. I had an Acura TSX before: good car, but it was boring. I know, I should have bought a manual transmission(none were available), but the automatic transmission is excellent (I love the Sport position). I like the size of this car: small enough to be fun to drive, large enough to carry large suitcases and 3~4 passengers. The audio system would be below average in a $15k car! Buy the upgrade or get the speakers replaced (not easily done, though).

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  Best Sports Car - 2011 BMW 3-Series
  By John - August 6 - 4:50 pm

  This by far is best sports car for the money! looked at lexus acura benz and audi, the BMW outshines on all accounts. Very fun to drive.