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:

• 

  This is the worse car I have ever owned - 1995 BMW 3-Series
  By mimi - April 5 - 7:15 pm

  Bought this coming off of lease and have spend major $$$ from day one. Everything from steering to air conditioning problems. I have needed new brake pads almost annually and there is a strange loud noise while driving. Most of my problems started on day one but got continually worse as 100K miles.

• 

  Not worth the payments - 2005 BMW X5
  By Lauren Collins - March 15 - 5:32 pm

  I bought this car expecting a luxury product. The car has not run correctly since driving it off the lot. It has been at the dealer 5 times in 6 months. Customer service is condescending and not willing to offer any kind of compensation to back up their product. I would never buy another BMW product not worth the payments. Also BMW assist can not help you unlock your doors, better off buying a Chevy.

• 

  Lemon!! - 2016 BMW 7-Series
  By Nate K - November 16 - 7:39 am

  Sometimes we can not change sat radio stations, was on a two hour car ride and was stuck on Pitbull radio. We can highlight another station, use the scroll wheel on the steering wheel, finger gesture to skip to the next station it will not select or enter. I called the service dept multiple times and finally got through. She said to restart the car. The last 5 or 6 times this happened it took half a dozen to a dozen restarts. I had to turn it off and get out, lock it to put it in hibernation and restart. This is happening more and more with this car. Other issues: -Cruise control will shut off completely on the expressway when you hit a bump. Have to turn it back on and set it again. -moonroof rattles and squeaks, sounds like a ten year old clunker. Have to vent it to stop the noise. Closing the sun shade muffles the noise. -cameras fail for parking. 360 and either front or back cameras. "camera fault" black screen. -safety systems fail and have faults, lane keeping, side monitoring stop working. -adaptive cruise has failed a few times, fault and will not work. sensor fault. Close call with the car in front of me stopping!! -display key locks up a lot. Gets stuck under sub menus and will not go back to main menu. Have to hold the power button for 30 seconds to reset it. -Display key will not show the correct info on the car. Car is locked and it shows on the key car is unlocked. Will show moonroof or windows are open when they are closed. Had to run outside to double check. -says key battery is dead on the display in dash. Display key is above half full battery. -I played with the auto park feature and it ran the car into the curb twice. -Samsung tablet will not connect to the car for back seat passengers, have to restart a lot or reconnect the tablet to the car. Will not control anything if you can get it beyond the connecting scrolling circle. When the car was delivered to us the BMW genius had issues with the tablet, I could not leave the dealership for a while until he figured it out. -Voice control says it is not available a lot when you hit the button on the steering wheel. Example: I will try to respond to a text message through voice and it will not work, "the function is currently not available" The dealership has been horrible to deal with, cant get it in for two weeks!!

• 

  Worst car EVER! - 2003 BMW 7-Series
  By R. Fata - November 8 - 11:52 am

  This is my 5th BMW and my last! The car is in the shop all the time. The company will not even try to help. The interior design is all wrong. The idrive is the worst crap ever. They need to put the shifter back where it belongs. If they wanted the idrive to work they should make it a touch screen. Lexus has a better system. I have never sat in such uncomfortable seats in all of my life. Racing cars have a more comfortable seats. There is nothing good to say about this car. I know 34 people with this car only 3 like it, 2 can stand it, and the rest HATE it like me! This BMW is not a car to walk away from, RUN!!!!!!!!!!!!

• 

  Z4 was the worst car i have ever owned. - 2004 BMW Z4
  By Z4BMWZ4 - October 22 - 2:00 am

  I bought my car brand new with 6 miles on it. Ive had it a year and has 11,000 miles on it now. I had to bring it to the show 8 times. The instrument cluster needed replacing twice. The passenger side power seat went out. The gas cap lid cover fell off at the gas station. The passenger side window fell out. The dealer would not take it back. BMW America would not do anything, but they "made a note of it" In 2003, the domestic cars had less complaints then the european cars. Makes you wonder why. I should have bought a cadallac.

• 

  Save your $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ - 2003 BMW X5
  By mchockey - October 20 - 10:00 am

  41000 Mile And had to put in a new transmission. The first year i got stuck in 3" of snow!!!!!The inside door handles are flaking!!

• 

  disappointment - 2005 BMW 7-Series
  By SF_John - October 11 - 2:00 am

  the car so-so but stay away from Weatherford BMW of Berkeley this was a horrible experience. I will never go back there again. I dont think Ill ever buy a BMW after dealing with Weatherford BMW.

• 

  I Got A Lemon - 2007 BMW 3-Series
  By Dr. P - October 1 - 1:56 pm

  this is my third BMW 3 series. I truly went with the slogan, "the ultimate driving machine", until now. My 328i is sluggish on pick up. Once going its jerking me into a whip lash. beleive me, this is no fun. maybe too much technology? Once going, its Ok.

• 

  Fair Warning.... - 2004 BMW X3
  By 1st BMW & last - September 12 - 2:00 am

  Although we generally like the vehicles ride, handling, and the sporty design, the constant trips to the dealer (once a month for each month weve owned it) for fixing of constant defects clearly make this $45k car a waste of time money.

• 

  An expensive disappointment - 2004 BMW M3
  By elizabeth bonan - August 24 - 2:00 am

  Excited, I turned the ignition in my carbon metallic black on black, loaded M3.After a long test drive, I was ready for all the performance and style.Behind the wheel, the thrill turned to FEAR OF STOPPING. Taking off at a light, from 1st to 2nd to 3rd gear the car morphed into Linda Blair in the excorcist. I dont mean the hesitation as SMG mimicks manual. The car bucked hard until I depressed the accelerator as behind me cars honked and screeched to avoid colliding. This still occurs randomly, with different drivers, in all drivelogic programs. BMW claims that this is normal for SMG. If so, the M3 is unsafe to drive in normal traffic.