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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  1995 740i engine problem - 1995 BMW 7-Series
  By puzzled - August 12 - 2:00 am

  Excited about finally owning a BMW 740, when a year later the car stopped running. Since then, the car has been parked in my garage waiting for an $8,000.00 engine replacement. I learned that there is a problem with the engine which looses compression due to corrosion in the cylinders (this became a problem only in US because of the additives added in gasoline). BMW didnt take responsibility and should have replaced my engine free of charge. In fact, dealers which have BMWs with 4.0 engine that date from 94-96 should not sell them until they replace the engine. What puzzles me is why is this information hidden from the consumers?

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  Dependability Is Needed - 1998 BMW 3-Series
  By fred harris - August 9 - 2:00 am

  Found this car to need repairs on an every other month basis. Repairs on this car are very expensive so be ready. Get one thing fixed and something else goes out. Will not buy another BMW. Im back to an easy to repair Mustang.

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  Buyer Beware - 2004 BMW 7-Series
  By Gurneyman - August 9 - 2:00 am

  I bought the 7 Series because I had good luck with my prior BMWs. The car is comfortable and the gadgets are intriging, but beware, this care is incrediby unreliable and has been in the shop almost a whole month now or for 7 visits (including 3 tow ins) to date. Also, BMW does NOT back their car, they refuse to admit there are obvious problems including electrical, ride and other problems.

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  Poor Performance - 2003 BMW 3-Series
  By J-man - July 20 - 10:00 am

  Ive had the car for 14 months and it has broken down 4 times and had to be towed each time. Asked to be let out of my lease because the car continues to have service problems and BMWs response is that this does not qualify as a buy back in their company. To me, that is poor customer service to tell someone sorry, please drive a car that does not work. I would not recommend the car on the experience I had with the vehicle and BMW North America.

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  sorry I bought it - 2004 BMW Z4
  By xplanemd - June 26 - 2:00 am

  not worth the price compared with other vehicles for performance.

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  head bolt failure - 2011 BMW 3-Series
  By GVunhappy - June 14 - 8:07 pm

  BMW knows about the problem with the two aluminum head bolts that fail but will not assist customers when failure is out of warranty. Also quality of materials used in the interior is cheap. Leather does not hold up and plastic trim on doors actually melts.

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  should have bought a lexus..... - 2004 BMW 7-Series
  By bmdoublepooh - May 26 - 2:00 am

  Horrible experience. Salesperson did not know her product. Car did not live up to my expectations, check engine light eternally on, engine misses at 25-35 mph. Service only temporarily fixes problem then comes back within days. BMW should be ashamed. Should have bought a Lexus like all my associates did.

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  People shouldnt buy BMW anymore - 2017 BMW X3
  By RONN - April 30 - 11:05 pm

  The car still costs the same, but the warranty drops from 4 years 50k to 3 Years 36K. Shame on BMW. I will Switch to a different model after my lease. I had already switched one of my vehicles. Shame on you again BMW.

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  Worst B-Day Present! - 2003 BMW X5
  By omanx5 - April 25 - 10:00 am

  I have had nothing but problems with this vehicle. My folks bought my x5 4.4i for my 21st b-day and boy was I up for a surprise. 2 weeks after driving the vehicle, my engine and electrical systems shutsdown while 120km/h on the highway and having no control of the car. Where I live there is is no actual BMW body shopy you have to send it to, the Acura Dealership. I have had nohting but complaints about this car, just recentley my brake linings have had to be replaced and i dont even live in the city. And again my engine cut off! I end by telling you that in my experience BMW is purly a STATUS symbol.

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  Worst car Ive owned - 2004 BMW 7-Series
  By billmclain - April 17 - 2:00 am

  This is a terrible problem plagued car. And it has awful resale.