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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  Fun but costly - 2000 BMW 3-Series
  By not a beemer fan - August 7 - 4:10 pm

  My wife and I purchased this vehicle without knowing a lot about bmws. Several things have just somehow broken on us over the past year and for no reason at all. We have had 2 window regulators go out, 1 that needs to be replaced, and the entire "Brain" of the vehicle has malfunctioned. This is basically the computer system. No big deal, just $3k dollars. For the past 3 months it seems like its just one thing after another. Not to mention vapor shields, a new master key ($200) and the sun roof breaking. Like the title of this review says, It is a fun car to drive, and it looks great, but have some money saved up, cause itll cost you.

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  Great car, but fragile - 2002 BMW M5
  By Kim P - August 7 - 3:25 am

  I bought the car as a CPO and the clutch went out one week later and I had to fight with the dealership to replace it under warranty! The clutch is a known weak link on the M5. Beware: its the same as the clutch on the "regular" 5-series cars. I hope BMW upgrades the clutch on the 2007 manual M5. The performance is amazing and rivals my Corvette, but this car seats 5! I love the way the exhaust sounds on start up and under full acceleration! Im going to have to upgrade the suspension to get it to handle like the Vette though.

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  Solid fun driving car - 2005 BMW 3-Series
  By denise - August 5 - 11:09 am

  The car handles well especially in wet weather conditions. Has nice power very spacious inside.

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  Fun to drive but expensive to maintain - 1998 BMW 7-Series
  By Dillon Lim - August 4 - 3:05 am

  Its a blast to drive this car. But reliability is a big issue. Common problems are radiator and reserviour, water pump, window regulators, O2 sensors, fading pixel displays. Great car if you can afford the maintenance.

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  New for 2005 - 2005 BMW X3
  By Owmerof2005X3 - August 3 - 10:48 am

  Although it has not been publicized, the 2005 X3 got a completely new suspension making it a much smoother reider than the 2004. Mine has the standard suspension and it is hard enough. The choice of tires is also important and the OEM Michelins ride far better and soother than the OEM Bridgestones which were rated as less than safe in the wet by Tirerack. Note that the cars are delivered with less than perfect alignment and when checked at an independant source, it was found so out of alignmemnt that it took the dealer hours to realign under warranty. Other than that the car has performed flawlessly and the assembly quality is better than on the X5, very much Austria built! Great car.

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  One down, two to go - 2004 BMW 5-Series
  By totalsystm - August 2 - 2:03 am

  545i 6-speed. Just an OK rating for a $60K+ car is sad. After a year, still not sold! Started off wrong. Ordered from the factory with, I thought, every option. Nope! At delivery and later through surprises, found out that if BMW builds it with the Navigation System (which frequently attempts to route us through Frankfurt) and the HUD (Heads up display which is great-unless you have polarized glasses, then it becomes invisible), you can not get satellite radio or simply see the names of songs or radio stations (Yes, this is with the high end Sound system option.) No MP3! BMW response, "Sorry". Custom power seats with lumbar support pretty good, but not at all good looking.

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  Stiff Ride - 2005 BMW X3
  By DJ - August 1 - 1:52 pm

  very stiff ride without sport package. I wonder if the tires make a difference. Mine has Michelins.

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  smooth - 2005 BMW Z4
  By rxajb - July 31 - 11:33 pm

  Great car,very happy with the 2.5 engine. I still look at the 350z and wonder if I should have gone with that one. Car is major fun to drive, very tight and feels very safe. I regret that i didnt get the fog lights. I wouldnt waste my money on the navigation system. Just "keep your eyes on the road and head upon the wheels"

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  nice for an suv - 2005 BMW X3
  By heather - July 30 - 11:43 pm

  I traded a 3 series for this car and the extra space is great. I miss the handling of my 3 series but I like the compact nature of this SUV. Highly rec not getting the sport package as it is way too stiff. I also feel that this car, even with the 3.0, is not as powerful as it should be. We are a BMW family and it is hard to be fair comparing it to a sedan, but it is great for our growing family. I also like my installed DVDs in the headrests.

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  Ill keep it - 2005 BMW X3
  By srq - July 30 - 4:59 pm

  Performance and quality top notch. Ride rough on rough roads.