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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  Love this car - 2009 BMW 5-Series
  By CBH - June 10 - 7:15 am

  Just purchased the 535i xDrive and absolutely love it. It handles curves like no other sedan in its class. Really have to pay attention to my speed because of smooth ride. Fuel economy isnt bad for 300 horses and vehicle weight - currently getting 25 to 27 highway, but still in break-in period. Very comfortable interior with lots of room. Could use a little more storage, but not a major issue - the golf clubs fit fine! I do agree that the cup holders are ridiculous.

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  Vermillion Red-Liner - 2009 BMW X5
  By AIA - June 10 - 7:14 am

  Bought a 09 Vermillion Red X5. These are rare and had to be custom ordered. I have owned X5s in the past and this is a great vehicle. It is fun to drive and handles great like a true BMW even though its a heavy vehicle. It has all the options imaginable. Gas mileage is great for such a beast.

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  2009 BMW X5 4.8i - 2009 BMW X5
  By Michael Biggs - June 9 - 4:00 am

  The x5 is a great car, it has not broken down once. I am amazed it can do over 161 mph. It also has an amazing crash test rating.

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  Lovin it - 2009 BMW X6
  By Riccio - June 8 - 6:08 pm

  Wanted to get up higher in traffic for visibility so went looking at crossovers and SUVs. Test drove the X5 and the X6. NO CONTEST. The X6 has sedan like handling characteristics and had better performance. There really IS a difference between the X5s 3.0i and the X6s 3.5i.

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  Ultimate Driving Machine! - 2009 BMW 3-Series
  By Basha - June 8 - 2:40 pm

  I have always dreamed about owning a BMW and I did! The way this car drives is amazing! It makes u feel u wanna keep driving it all day! I put 7,000 miles in less than 4 months! I just cant stop driving it! The design, the handling, the luxury, the comfort.. I would recommend it for anyone...

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  Yes. - 2005 BMW 5-Series
  By Mikey_One - June 8 - 6:00 am

  This is my first foray into a German car. And after careful consideration and several test drives, I selected the 5 series over the redesigned Audi A6. Previously, I had owned an Infiniti. Well, one week, I am extremely impressed with the smooth ride and how much fun it is to drive. (The dealer told me not to go over 70mph for the first 1,000 miles which is a drag!). The car handles turns with precision, acclerates quickly and is so comfortable when doing highway driving. The idrive complexity is clearly overrated, I played the Drivers Manual CD for 45 minutes and quickly mastered it. Fun and exciting to drive!

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  What a Thrill - 2001 BMW 3-Series
  By BMWNewbie - June 5 - 2:15 pm

  I purchased this car used with 70,018 miles from a reputable BMW dealer. This is my first BMW. I was skeptical buying this car with so many miles but have no regrets. Purchasing this car from a "BMW Dealer" helped ease my worries. I subsequently had the car checked by a certified BMW mechanic. The Dealer replaced the control arms, tires, brakes, and rotors. It helped that this car had only "one owner," I only replaced the thermostat at 79K miles. It was suggested I replace the overflow bottle as well before driving from Philadelphia, PA to Tulsa, OK (1300 total miles). Since then, I have driven to Philadelphia (2600 total miles) and back to Tulsa with no problems.

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  2006 BMW 3 series still a winner - 2006 BMW 3-Series
  By John - June 2 - 11:56 pm

  I just purchased a 2006 BMW 3 series. The car has everything but the navigation feature. The car rides like it is on rails. When I go 100 MPH on a bumpy intersate my body is unable to up and down as fast as the 3 series so it is like a rollor coster. My 2003 G35 floated like a 1980 cadilac.The 5.1 stereo is awsome. I must say the stereo EQ was in the N shape which made the sound not that good. I change the EQ to a V setting and put the base and treble setting @ 7 and it rocks. I do not know which to listen to.. the tight whine of the 3 inline 6 going though the geers or the 5.1 stereo. The stereo ROCKS if you set it up right. It has base, treble and then an EQ setting.

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  330i 6sp, fuel economy, safety, fun - 2003 BMW 3-Series
  By DCNW - June 1 - 9:41 pm

  2003 performance package, 6sp. This is a great car overall, not without problems, but unique in the market. An honest, real and easy 31mpg on the highway with the 6sp, 65-75 mph. Safe and comfortable, and REAR WHEEL DRIVE, impossible to find anymore in a car that handles well and gets good MPG. You will pay more for maintenance, but, you will also get more back when you go to sell the car, they are not everywhere as rental cars. The interior design is simple, a masterpiece, the seats are great, the material quality is top notch. This cars has -astounding- brakes, nimble and firm handling, excellent power, its a real sleeper and feels like it has much more power than what is published.

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  A fantastic convertible! - 2009 BMW 1-Series
  By BostonDriver - June 1 - 3:18 pm

  This was my first convertible, and I couldnt have been happier. Before purchasing this car, we looked into and/or test drove the Lexus IS (convertible coming soon), Audi A4, and Volkswagen Eos. Nothing was as attractive as the BMW. We test-drove both the 135i and 128i convertibles and decided on the 128i because it was cheaper, had a softer suspension, and was more than fast enough. The handling is fantastic, and the car feels very responsive, nimble, surefooted, fast, and comfortable. It looks beautiful in jet black, sporty but elegant, classy but youthful. It is absolutely worth it. It is hard to find faults with this car.