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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  One Great Car - 2010 BMW 3-Series
  By Jay - July 27 - 10:42 am

  I had this car for almost a year now, just reached 9,000 miles this morning. A week ago, I had a low engine oil warning so I had the first oil change done, which is supposed to be at 15K miles. Besides that, this is truly a fun to drive car. I especially like the tow shift mode: regular and sporty. When youre in sporty mode, you will feel really excited because it becomes a race car. If you just want a smooth relaxed tour, you just use the regular shift and it becomes a comfortable luxury car.

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  Dont buy this SUV - 2002 BMW X5
  By Tony - July 26 - 6:28 pm

  Few months after driving this car with 42k miles the warning check engine light came on, had to change the whole electrical harness $700 out of my pocket few months later both front axles had to be change $1500 battery sensor $300 fuel tank sensor $300. Finally two years later had to sell it was driving me broke.

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  X5 Diesel is a great car! - 2011 BMW X5
  By BuMo68 - July 26 - 2:24 pm

  I also own an ML320 diesel (My wife drives the ML and I drive the X5) and although the ride of the X5 is not as smooth, the X5 is better handling, faster, and better fuel mileage (Averaging 24mpg in the first 1800 miles). I have only had the car for about 1 month, but it is a great car. I read reviews that the ride was rough, and the seats we not comfortable, but I do not find those true. The X5 rides great, and the seats are very comfortable. I do have the multi contour seats and you can adjust them in so many ways. My wife wants to trade cars now.

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  Love my 335i - 2007 BMW 3-Series
  By Voogan - July 26 - 11:58 am

  I have owned 5 3 series of the previous generations which were all great cars, but the 335i is by far the most fantastic example of German engineering to date. The care is a rocket and handles anything you through at it. I abused it for two years before selling it and only had one issues which is known fuel pump issue. I have owned both Audi and Mercedes competitors at times and each of them have feel short of of BMWs product.

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  Best Overall Sports Car Ever - 1998 BMW M3
  By Kevin - July 25 - 7:07 pm

  I have had my 4 door M3 since 2003. I bought it from a private dealership with only 17K miles on it. I added the Dinan software one day at the dealership on a whim and wow 155 mph and I had to stop. It might have done 160, but who knows, I could also have gone to jail because of that. Used it as a daily drive until 2007. Now it is strictly for weekends and appointments. I have a truck for daily use now. Now have 107K miles. Normal maintenance and no major problems thus far. I could keep this car forever. My 9 year old son loves it and wants me to keep it for him when he gets 16. Yeah right!

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  Fun car! - 1995 BMW 3-Series
  By Gregor78 - July 25 - 3:24 am

  This is one amazing car! It was passed down to the wife and I from her step father. It has about 145,000 miles on it. The only thing that was replaced due to failure was the water pump. The muffler is completely shot, the radio stopped working, it has pinging issues even with premium fuel, with that aside, it is alot of fun to drive! I take it for mountain drives once in a while, and is very impressive. I can throw it hard into corners and it just sticks to the ground without any feeling of understeer OR oversteer. Very well balanced and solid car.

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  Driving the dream - 2005 BMW Z4
  By marvin holmes - July 25 - 2:13 am

  This is my first z4 and so far I love driving it. I find my self taking the long way to the stores just to enjoy the drive. I love its sleek, compact and agile performance. People keep telling me I should have traded at 40k but I think I am going to keep it well over 200,000 mile and maybe then some. I call my z4 my mini me.

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  Fun, fun, fun - 2008 BMW 5-Series
  By Ron - July 24 - 1:45 pm

  A fun car to drive. Integrated an amazing sport car into a sedan body. Very responsive and safe. Very comfortable front seats and a great sound system. The rear seat is comfortable for 2 adults and one smaller adult in the center.

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  Excellent SUV - 2011 BMW X5
  By jay - July 23 - 1:14 pm

  I just bought a 2011 BMW X5 35i Premium. Love the acceleration and the fuel economy. Being 8 speed also makes it very smooth. I-drive is great and so is the panoramic roof.

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  A Car Built for Disasters - 2010 BMW X3
  By KAC San Antonio - July 21 - 11:29 pm

  The BMW salesman took me for a wild test ride in a San Antonio flash flood that cinched the deal. Then the car out jeeped the Jeeps in DCs Blizzard of 09, handling 12" of unplowed snow without problems. Then to top it off, I ended up driving through Nashvilles flood of 2010 negotiating severely flooded roads and torrential rain with confidence. Having a sharp car that turns heads is nice. Having the same car survive two major natural disasters and keep motoring without a scratch is X3i. My salesman said a Volvo survives a crash great but that this little X3i avoids a crash the best. He was right.