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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  PASS ON THE X5 - 2004 BMW X5
  By PETERb - May 10 - 2:00 am

  Car is not worth the dealer hassle. My X5 lease exp. and the plan was to get another one. UNTIL my turn in exp. 2 dealers Bob Smith,& Century both said the car was perfect. I also asked the pick up dealership to precheck the car. They didnt. Finally dealer picks up the car charges $1200 for a variety of small issues. I had a fit, called up BMW,they then came up with an enitrely different list but still 1,200! If known, I could have repaired all items for alot less. I tried resolveing with BMW corporate, no response. Theyre to many other good choices out there to put up with this nonsense. I just bought the Volvo SUV and Im happy.

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  Best handling sedan - 2006 BMW 3-Series
  By David - May 9 - 8:03 pm

  Details: Auto + Prem Package. No Sport Package. The 3.0L engine of the 325i is very powerful and responsive. I personally it is very enough for road driving. No need to get 330i unless you are speed freak. Acceleration is very fast and linear. It feels faster than the IS300 and G35. The solid steering with DSC make driving this car fast very easy. The suspensing is firm but somehow it can smooth out the rough road when needed. Amazing. The auto transmission is very smooth with no jerking at all. The steptronic is responsing much faster than the one in IS300 and G35. I like the E90 styling as it is more modern and the head lamp has aggressive stance.

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  No regrets, but..... - 2016 BMW X5
  By Tulsa man - May 6 - 3:51 pm

  Its a solid vehicle with good performance and quality. However, for such a premium SUV (SAV per BMW), they have omitted or neglected a few features. The tail gate will not open by waving your foot under the rear bumper for a completely heads free experience. This feature has been standard on all 5 series since 2012 and is especially useful for an SUV. After years of developing and updating idrive, iPhone text messages are still not displayed on the screen (BMW blames it on Apple). Somehow The Japanese have figured it out on much less expensive cars. Why are the front turn signals not LED like the 5 series sedans?

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  Delighted - 2004 BMW 7-Series
  By grandview - May 4 - 2:00 am

  I purchased this car with trepedation after hearing of the horrors of the I drive software system. The test drive closed the purchase. The 2004 is complicated but paatience gets you into a system that has a treasure trove of information. I like the styling and the performance of the car is just awesome with rapid acceleration and excellent gas mileage: I get 24 mpg at high speed on the highway and 20 around town. I had one fit and finish problem that was addressed by the dealer (a mismatch fit for the air vent.) The rear seat is cavernous with legroom for a Knick.

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  so far so good - 1997 BMW 5-Series
  By Georges81 - May 4 - 2:00 am

  the car handle well, its fun to drive, and it gives a nice driving pleasure. The only thinks you are scared of, is that you dont know if you will arrive to your destination with out having a small technical problem.

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  love car, hate all its problems - 1990 BMW 5-Series
  By alliehhhh - May 2 - 2:00 am

  love car, hate all its problems. Many electricl problems. Battery always stalling. BMW dealership outragous!!!!!!!!

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  Great car...Many problems! - 2004 BMW M3
  By G- - May 2 - 2:00 am

  For starters this M3 is my 5th beemer and my 2nd M3..At delevery many things were wrong...All taking up to a year and a half to get under control...Here is my list, New clutch not from abuse! the car refused to go into first gear... Front end and noise problems...The car sounded like it was draging chicken wire underneath...At 10.ooo miles the differential was replaced twice...around the same time the car refused to recieve gas something was wrong with a senseor on the gas tank...also the cars locks often lock me in the car so I have had to climb out the window.."Hans" and his factory staff were not out partying the night before they made my 3

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  X5 - 2002 BMW X5
  By landlind - April 26 - 2:00 am

  Great driving vehicle. Terrible electronics. Always something wrong. Automatic settings for seats, mirrors,etc. only work 50% of the time. Been back to several dealers many times - no one can fix it.

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  head turner - 2000 BMW 5-Series
  By ravenfan52 - April 24 - 2:00 am

  After 18 years of driving many different vehicles, my 540i with the sport/M package is by far the best car Ive ever owned. I recently test drove a M5 and honestly, it feels only slightly faster than my 540i. The car is now 4 years old and still turns heads at stoplights! Especially fun is blowing away the kids in the ricers they dont know what theyre up against! : )Id definitely buy one again..

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  poor plain Jane dashboard - 2004 BMW 7-Series
  By Chris Kent - April 23 - 2:00 am

  It is really a gorgeous car on the outside but they messed up the dashboard and oversimplified it they thought. The older BMWs looked great on the inside. They completely striped it all out destroyed it. Look at the interior of the 97 - 2001 740s and it has a gorgeous interior. The triptronic shifting is a joke. It is on the steering wheel. At least mercedez got it right in that department and still keep it on the stick shift lever.