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 IS IN TROUBLE WITH THE 7 SERIES - 2003 BMW 7-Series
  By BMW Done!! - February 6 - 2:00 am

  Edmunds wont print this do to advertising,,however for the heck of it. BMW 2002 and 2003 7 is an absolute disaster. Every single day on drive to work, something else electrically is broken. Forget about the so called I - Drive difficulty, you cant read it anyway due to the video screen showing blank XXXXXXs and OOOOOs. This entire car needs to be totally scrapped and redone very quick. BMW will not listen,,,until they begin to tank over this piece of $70,000 junk. Dealer has been great, and received very little help from Germany. This is horrendous.

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  Buy two so you can drive one - 2003 BMW 3-Series
  By Bad Decision - December 24 - 2:00 am

  Car has spent way too much time in the shop. If I wasnt so upside down on trade-in Iwould unload it and get the 320 or maybe the new Saab.

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  This is not what you want to buy - 2004 BMW 5-Series
  By Ray Vega - December 9 - 12:30 am

  I dont know whats going on with this cars. The noise inside my car is never ending. We brought it to the dealer several times to replace the seals on the four doors. Acceleration is very, very, extremely poor in the 525i. You can not pass a car in the city and mine is standard transm. My a/c always smells so bad that I always prefer driving with my windows down... for the price you pay? No way! This is a 40K car! I drive very poor.

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  Not the most reliable - 2005 BMW X3
  By chloe - November 27 - 9:06 pm

  Want to love my vehicle, but it was towed 8 days ago because it wouldnt start and service dept is still trying to figure out whats wrong with it. Has spent 30+ days in the shop since I leased it at the end of Aug 05, and has less than 12,000 miles. Multiple repairs, including replacement of belt tensioner and pulley (twice), parking brake repair, mold in A/C system at 8000 miles, transmission reprogrammed, key FOBs keep failing, hatch out of alignment, various rattles, sunroof malfunctioning, dash keeps going black while driving, airbag mat replaced. Too much of a headache for the hefty price tag.

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  x5 problems - 2003 BMW X5
  By kathy waldref - September 13 - 6:44 am

  I had problems, after the first year, all the time and it was always in the shop. Thank goodness for everything free. At different dealerships, couldnt keep it running. it was a lemon, and no one would do anything about it! I got so mad on way to yet another appt,(over an hour, because of traffic, one way) I sold it (had bought it and not leased, didnt want to be stuck with it after expiring warrenty soon) and got a Z4, which I love and seems more reliable.

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  Only a Step Away - 2006 BMW Z4
  By joe - August 24 - 9:15 pm

  I like its looks thats why I bought it. But the gas mileage! Try 14-18 mpg. Interior really small. You sit too low. Love the power top, but why not hard top like the SLK? Noisy, too. The ride is a lot more bumpy than it should be for a luxury roadster. The 3.0i is slower for sure, I wish I had bought the M class after all. Come on BMW, you cheap bums, for the money we pay, give us free DVD Nav, Sat radio, more goodies and less rear blind spots. Lose the paddles, who needs them? They look stupid, anyway. Give us better looking wheels and a leather wrapped better looking steering wheel.

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  The ultimate driving nightmare - 2003 BMW 3-Series
  By kekae22 - August 13 - 2:00 am

  Purchased new in august 2002. At first 901 miles, left me stranded 200+miles away from home. The dealership said it was the throttle valve and replaced it. Happened again at 1987 mi. Dealer replaced the throttle valve again. Happened again around the 3000 mile mark. This time it was determined it was wiring and connections to the throttle valve that was causing trouble. New problem, car loves to accelerate on its own. Happened twice making for a dangerous situation. Want my money back and dealer wont budge. Also took BMW forever to refund my rental car expenses associated with the breakdowns. I will NEVER buy another BMW again!!

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  Noisy Luxury Vehicle - 2012 BMW 7-Series
  By Donell - July 19 - 6:53 am

  I owned a 2005 BMW 745i, which I considered the "Ultimate Driving Machine" prior to purchasing the 2012 BMW 750 Li X. Shortly after purchasing the vehicle, I noticed the wind noise and road noise was almost unbearable. I complained to the service advisors and was told that either they couldnt hear any unusual noise, then it was the road, then it was the run-flat tires. The adaptive headlights provides poor night vision on dark roads, drivers seat material worn excessive at 40, 000 miles, there is vibration during takeoff, there is little to no storage space for cell phones, etc, in the console or glove boxes. When steering wheel is adjusted for me, mileage, temperature, and navigation controls are obstructed. vehicle feels heavy, bulky, and requires a firm grip handling. Cargo space is rather small for such a large sedan.

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  Shame on BMW - 1998 BMW 5-Series
  By No More BMW - July 8 - 9:10 pm

  What an expensive piece of junk! At 55000 miles, this garbage had nothing but problem after problem. The catalytic converters went (luckily covered under warranty), the engine had multiple oil leaks at different times, the power steering hoses leaked, the front control arms had to be replaced. On the inside, the power tilt stopped working, the drivers power seat stopped working, the electronic dash lights burned out to the point of being of the messages being illegible and the back cup holders wouldnt open. All of this happened while I pampered the car. I am somewhat of a fanantic about caring for my cars. I gave poor performance and fun to drive scores because I was afraid to drive it!

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  Great Driving Car ; In the shop too much - 2006 BMW 3-Series
  By bluebeemer21 - July 4 - 8:20 am

  This was my new BMW purchased just a 8 months ago. I can not believe all the problems I have had. Just recently sold it for Acura TL. Yes it was still under warranty but do you like spending your weekends in the repair shop or taking days off from work? I really liked the car but I just dont have time for all the problems: dead battery, battery replaced, air bag repaired three times, three different trips to the dealer, power steering fluid container broken, replaced unit, paint came off bmw emblem (perfect - shows the quality of the car!!), sun roof sun shield came off tracks – had to be fixed at dealer, right side passenger window came off tracks – dealer fixed.