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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  BMW 330Ci Owner - 2003 BMW 3-Series
  By MHobbs - June 27 - 2:00 am

  Exceptional car in all aspects of the word. I have no regrets. It is what one thinks a BMW should be....a car you look forward to driving every morning!

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  Good stuff - 2000 BMW 3-Series
  By uninventive - June 27 - 2:00 am

  Great car...love the handling and such, what with the big wheels and tires and the way it turns.

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  Almost Perfect - 2006 BMW 3-Series
  By JeffersWe - June 27 - 12:43 am

  True to the hype, this car delivers. Ive had it for 10 months and put over 15,000 miles on it already. Overall, it exceeds my expectations for a sport sedan in terms of handling and driver excitability. The brakes are fantastic and a valuable asset in city traffic. New styling is not over the top like some in its class, and definitely not too conservative. It has exterior styling that is not turning vanilla like some of its competitors.

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  Good performer - 2006 BMW 3-Series
  By Marty - June 26 - 8:26 pm

  I had this car for a little over one year now with 12k miles. My car is a 330i with the sport package and heated seats - only the essentials as the other options are too expensive for what they really are. The most noticable features are of course the handling and overall performance - hard to beat by the competition. The interior is very sparse and doesnt have the feel of luxury. Standard seats are vinyl: easy to maintain and durable but hot in the summer and cold in the winter. Id rather have fabric standard seats like in Europe. Run flat tires are very harsh and expensive to replace with only one choice. The rear tires have been on backorder for weeks now - totally unacceptable.

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  Great Ride - 2006 BMW X5
  By Ken - June 26 - 7:57 pm

  This is our second BMW, the first was a 328xi, and although this doesnt have the same get up and go it definitely drives better than any other SUV on the market.

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  Hard to beat a Bimmer - 2007 BMW 3-Series
  By Mr. Bill - June 26 - 7:53 pm

  Now four months into the ownership experience and really happy with this vehicle. Superb power. Drop dead gorgeous looks. Nothing handles better. Bought used and saved big bucks.

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  My BMW 525i - 1992 BMW 5-Series
  By Trevor Cooper - June 26 - 7:31 pm

  My father got me a 1992 BMW 525i after I got out of high school that car was the best - it had a cellular phone and anti-theft system, heated front seats leather seats, 10 way power adjuster and the best trip computer ever. That car can be a pain in your wallet. When my headlight went out in 1994 I paid 129.42 for a new bulb.The car lacks in power it actually takes you about 8.5 seconds to get to 60 but has the best sound when you accelerate. I still have that car today, the car drives basically the same from 17 years ago.The car has the same features from 17 years ago that includes the cellular phone anti-theft system, the leather has no cracks, 6 disc cd changer -- still I cant believe the phone works.

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  Test drive this before you buy a 328i - 2016 BMW 3-Series
  By MJ - June 26 - 11:53 am

  This is my family’s fifth BMW. I had a 2010 328i sedan and loved the performance. I have also driven the 2016 328i as a service loaner and was very impressed. When I first considered the 2016 320i it was with a lot of skepticism about the reduced horsepower compared to the 328. I am so glad I took it for a test drive. The acceleration is better than I expected, especially in Sport mode. I have an X3 with the 2.0 L Turbo and I would say the 320 in Sport mode is about as fast as the X3. Highway driving is great. I was cruising at over 80 mph and it seemed effortless. The handling and ride is excellent. It is everything you would expect in a BMW. The steering is precise, it can turn and stop on a dime. For those who are used to other luxury brands like Lexus or Mercedes, it may not be what you are used to. BMW owners will feel right at home. The car has fantastic leg room in the back seat (better than Audi A3 or A4 in my experience) and a huge trunk. It is a great combination of practicality with sportiness. Gas mileage is better than what I am getting on my X3. My only complaint is that the seats seem a little flat, but they are good enough. The Sport Package seats are better. I saved around $5,000 versus the 328 and it is money well-saved. The 328 is noticeably better in acceleration, but the 320 is a better value in my opinion. Both are excellent cars.

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  X6 3.5i and 5.0i Sport - 2009 BMW X6
  By CARDEALER - June 26 - 4:30 am

  As owner of a car dealership I have the advantage of driving everything available in South Africa. So we owned a Q7 and a Range Rover Sport amongst others. We own a 2008 X6 3.5i sport and loved the driving comfort, handling and general driving pleasure so much that I just bought myself a X6 5.0i sport. For me, being a lover of sport cars, this is the real deal. Its like owning a sports car on steroids. We agree out of all cars we enjoy these two cars the most! So, wife drives one and I drive one, because not much else appeals so much. So, no matter what people say about the looks, fuel consumption and so on, go drive the thing and you will be hooked too. Happy driving!

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  BMW AWD Wagon - 2001 BMW 3-Series
  By Matthew456 - June 25 - 10:00 am

  The all-wheel drive wagon is a great car. You dont see a ton of them on the roads, but thats a good thing in this day and age where everyone has the same maroon ford expedition. It is an absolute monster in snow and ice. The X system teamed with the DSCs ability to manage the anti-lock brakes one at a time for "zero-yaw" means you go exactly where you want to go in bad conditions. We went all over the Alps and US Rockies for three years in it. Holds a lot of gear in the back, but still looks and drives like a performance sedan... but with really good mileage. Weve gotten ~23 city and 30 highway. Buy one if you can find one.