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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  unexplainable feeling, BMW! - 2001 BMW 3-Series
  By carlo - March 31 - 2:00 am

  If you are picky about one or two repairs( which can happen to any manufacture ) this in not a car for you. But if the performance the handling or the safety such as 50/50 ratio is what matters, give it a try...

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  540i - 1998 BMW 5-Series
  By Atlanta - March 29 - 6:17 pm

  E39 540i is one of the best cars ever made, bar none. With that said, there is one thing to watch out for when purchasing one, the cooling system. Water pumps with PLASTIC impellers, PLASTIC expansion tanks that crack, Thermostats that fail, and radiators that usually dont last past 70K miles. CPO is great, when it runs out, do-it-yourself and save a bundle. This car is put together right and working on them (and I didnt until this car) is a breeze. You will not be disappointed with this car.

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  Hmm - 2006 BMW 3-Series
  By skobola - March 29 - 10:46 am

  I leased this one after having a 2003 BMW 325i (E46), and was actually expecting more performance, as the HP got increased 17%, however, the car remained to be pretty much the same. In addition, the RFT Bridgestones are very noisy! They screwed up the cup holders as well as the window and locking commands - I believe that they were better in the old BMWs. Otherwise, everything else is very good, and I love the new feature of having the automated wipers and Bluetooth connectivity with my cellular phone.

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  A Luxury Rocket Ship..... - 2005 BMW 5-Series
  By wtc - March 25 - 3:03 am

  The 545i is the finest vehicle Ive ever owned... Sports car like feel in speed and handling, luxurious and comfortable for extended trips... With extremely attractive styling, other drivers always staring at it...

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  Best handling car - 1997 BMW M3
  By Legendary car - March 24 - 9:21 am

  When I bought this car new in 1997, itwas the fastest BMW 0-60 (5.5 as a standard, modified to 5.3 with Confortichip, B&B Tri-Flo exhaust and Dinan air intake). It was later voted "Best Handling car in over 30K group" (beating out the Porsche, etc), Car of the year 3 years in a row, 95-97 (Car andDriver). Maintenence is high in terms of tires, clutch, brakes and mods, but other than that, nothing major. The engine was compression tested at 110K and was like-new according to the mechanic (I recommend a small, local, specialized mechanic).

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  Fun to drive - 2005 BMW X5
  By GEORGE - March 24 - 1:55 am

  Very reliable on all terrains, great handling.

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  645 ci has no equal in the market - 2004 BMW 6-Series
  By Bimmerfile - March 21 - 5:48 pm

  SMG makes the car hard to drive smoothly. Active steering feels awkward and unnatural. Otherwise the car is a terrific driver. I can live with the iDrive. I think there is a little dodge stratus in the back. It makes the car look cheap honestly. I never quite got used to the awful trunk. The car seems confused on whether to ape porsche or dodge.The front is unique, not really attractive but not particularly ugly either. Saddle up behind the seat, and the outside wont matter any more.

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  I love my x5 - 2005 BMW X5
  By lisa palumbo - March 19 - 7:28 pm

  The truck is fun to drive, handles great, very comfortable and has great visibility. It feels strong, and I feel safe in it. The only downfall is the fuel economy. Im always at the gas pump. The onboard computer reads 16.9 mpg, however the floating needle is pinned at 8 mpg every time I accelerate, and levels off around 12. A small price to pay for a great vehicle. I also dont agree with the small cargo coments. There is plenty of room back there.

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  Great exterior looks but bad interior - 2005 BMW 7-Series
  By Chris - March 18 - 1:07 pm

  They destroyed the interior and I regret my wife ever got this car. She doesnt drive it much but I do 80% of the time. I told her I have never seen a car take which was so great from an interior point of view before in the 2002 and under 7 series that felt you were in a cockpit of an airplane and totally destroy it. We plan on selling it this summer and going over to the S500 mercedes. Real sad because we a have had BMWs for 15 years.

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  BMW Board of Executives! - 2011 BMW 5-Series
  By P. Peterson - March 16 - 11:00 pm

  BMW would have the perfect car if they got smart enough to outsource all of their electronics to the Japanese!!!! Every problem besides the run flats seems to be something electrical...Hands down, engine, transmission and suspension, the best car ever made....until you get all of the latest recalls! BMW, please stick to what you know! Stop trying to keep up with everyone else and go back to the basics, you guys made exceptional cars with exceptional motors, that didnt need any turbos, but still the meanest and best handling sedans on the road....Im sure yall know that! So please get the old band back together and make the kind of music that used to make everyone dance!!!! Im sure you guys see all of the complaints and recalls....So send those Mercedes engineering cats back to Mercedes and get back to basics!!!! Your cars are way too appealing to have those many issues!!! And I loved my E39 2003 540i Msport....With no turbo! Still kick ass!!! I know all of the luxury features going into these cars has to be killing you guys...Go back to making the ultimate driving machine!!! Key word DRIVING!!!!! Somewhere between 2004 and 2010 the design team didnt bring it...now they are!!! But now your reliability is at stake!!! You guys must be shaking your heads! Yeah the cars look better but you cant have reliability issues! Get back to what youve always known.....great look, best engines, suspensions and transmissions= THE ULTIMATE DRIVING MACHINE!!!!!