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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  2004 BMW 525i - 2004 BMW 5-Series
  By lulu - October 13 - 10:00 am

  Tight steering and rapid acceleration surprising for a 2.5L engine. I-drive is complicated and requires studying the owners manual extensively. After owning for over 2 weeks I still havent quite gotten a handle on the I-Drive. Would like to have the navigation sytem but it is not available until March 2004 production. Dont exactly know if it will be possible to install after the fact.

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  Skip the Sport Seats - 2003 BMW 5-Series
  By Billil - October 13 - 10:00 am

  Great car with terrible Sport Seats. They are very, very hard and impossible to get comfortable in. You also loose the heated stering wheel with the sport package.

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  Was this a Good Choice? - 2004 BMW 6-Series
  By misniki - October 12 - 2:00 am

  I love my car. I love that fact that you dont see one everyday. My problem is my car has been back for service 4 times 4 mths. 4x for the flat tire monitor. Its in the shop now and has been there for a week. My A/C comes on by itself, sometimes the window goes back down when you roll it up and the radio has frozen up three times. This car was not ready to be sold. I love the power and performance. Heads turn everywhere I go. If BMW can get the computer system under control, this would almost be the perfect car. Even though its a sports car, the convience package would be nice to have for the price. I cant wait for the M6.

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  should have ordered the sport package - 2004 BMW 5-Series
  By larrycurlymo - October 10 - 2:00 am

  the sport package test drive was the hook in my purchase. who would have thought there would be such a differnece in performance? had to bring the car back to the dealer 4 times because of the iDrive glitches. should have waited a couple of months to work out the kinks.

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  Beware the Electronics Demons - 2002 BMW X5
  By HokieMan - October 8 - 2:00 am

  I have been a BMW buyers for over 20 years. This is a good hybrid of a SUV and a sports car. Interior is functional and comfortable with only a few annoying problems. Interior door handles are coated plastic and had to be replaced in the first year when paint peeled. Radio constantly fades in and out even with local stations. Gas pedal is too small. Rear leg room is minimal if tall occupants are in the front seats. Electronics are constantly on the blink. Been an ongoing problem for over a year now. Dealer cant seem to fix. Brake warning and service engine lights stay on all the time. Dealer is 2 hours away and day-long trips to try and fix are getting tiresome. Cargo storage is minimal.

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  Rides like a 5 Series sedan, NO WAY! - 2004 BMW X5
  By GregM27265 - October 7 - 2:00 am

  The X5 will leave most other SUVs in the dust including the VW Toureg, especially climbing up a twisting, winding mountain road. However, it will bounce you along like an 18 wheeler. Fun to drive, yes; on a long trip though, it is pure agony. Styling, it excels. Safety, that is one of the primary reasons for buying it. Would I do it over again, no way, not since I have driven the VW Toureg V8. Although the Toureg is not as fast, it rides like a car, handles like a sports car, and unlike the Porsche Cayenne, it has better trim, and cost tens of thousands of dollars less.

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  Now to be critical - 2002 BMW X5
  By Jeffram - October 7 - 2:00 am

  Now for the rest of the story... Sports pkg...Dont ask for a rotation because tires smaller than front. Darn expensive tires with less wear than normal. As a result you get "cupping" which creates road noise after 1/2 life of tire. Electrical...Bulbs go out like crazy. Lost Pixels in the lcd displays had to have element replaced window silinoid (sic)...I have had 2 replaced. You sort of get used to the "gunshot" sound when the windows drop for no reason at all. Wont roll up until silinoid is replaced. Dont plan on getting good service if you live in DFW. There isnt a dealer in Dallas that seems to care about your business. Are you listening Huzanga? or John Roberts?

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  Great Z4 - 2004 BMW Z4
  By sdb8 - October 7 - 2:00 am

  Great fun car. Automatic roof is great. Smooth acceleration, nice cruising (though the engine revs a little fast on the highway). I have driven it over 500 miles in a day and was comfortable (61", 230). I took a db meter on my test drive, and with the top up it was just a few db higher than my Acura RL.

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  x3- good deal - 2004 BMW X3
  By fross - October 6 - 2:00 am

  This is a great value for anyone wanting higher ride than a sedan, a Euro import and fun car. Have had mine for a month and with the exception of a belt that needs to be tightened all is well (knock wood. Spend time with your salesman though... there are may variatons of the X3 and it wasnt until after delivery that I realized there were options I would have liked. On the other hand, do you need radio controls on the wheel, fog lights etc. I saved some $$$. Buy this car if you want this size suv... hands down its best deal out there

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  Puts the "U" in SUV - 2004 BMW X3
  By oldvanhalenrules - October 5 - 2:00 am

  Was looking for an AWD vehicle that had comfortable seats for long drives to Yosemite and Lake Tahoe. Aggressive (high residual) factory financing from BMW lease promotion made this the logical choice over the 325xi sedan or wagon, or competitors vehicles (yes, its a minivan more than it is a sports car). Interior materials are better than what should be expected in a "utility" vehicle. Pretty quiet at highway speeds. Looking forward to testing in the snow this winter. My X3 replaced a Jeep Cherokee I dont expect the X3 to go off-road. But with all maintenance covered for 4 years, I dont expect unforseen maintenance expenses, either.