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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  nice car - 2004 BMW X5
  By sssad - February 22 - 2:00 am

  very reliable car though it is hard to jump when the battery dies. A good interior design.

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  BMW SAV owner - 2004 BMW X5
  By dmkremr@aol.com - February 21 - 2:00 am

  Love the BMW style and performance. Fun car to drive and has tons of space. But very disappointed in the car phone and voice activiation unit. Was told "phone is as good as a land line" by salesman & that is why I purchased it.

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  pleasantly surprised - 1998 BMW 7-Series
  By bmwraf - February 20 - 2:00 am

  I seriously considered a used lexus before driving the 7 series bmw. This 98 had only 25K miles and was garaged. However, it needed some deferred maintenance and since has been terrific. Elegant and muscular, it is the perfect car for highway driving.

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  wonderful to drive nightmare to own - 2002 BMW 7-Series
  By ducati749 - February 17 - 2:00 am

  The car handles like sports car. the acceleration for such a large vehicle is remarkable. the i drive requires a college degree to operate. I think I have the car at the dealership more often than at home. I think a yugo is more reliable.

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  Great Car - 1997 BMW 3-Series
  By Buckeye Bob - February 17 - 2:00 am

  Great car. Handling is excellent, fun to drive, decent acceleration with 5 speed, fit and finish is perfect.

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  Expensive and Shoddy Build Quality - 2002 BMW 3-Series
  By sbcste - February 16 - 2:00 am

  Both my sister and I own a 2001 232ci and 2002 325ci respectively. Her car had a broken gas cover when delivered, after about a year the overhead liner began to fall off, the sunroof broke and the electric seat broke. When I took delivery of my car in early 2002 the a/c did not work and about six month later the doors could not be open from the inside. Where is the German quality I have read and heard so much about?

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  1997 BMW 328i - 1997 BMW 3-Series
  By bmsiii - February 16 - 2:00 am

  Read below for a brief summary.

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  fun, but unreliable - 2000 BMW 5-Series
  By seeker88 - February 12 - 2:00 am

  It looks good, a bit underpowered, but is fun to drive. However, its reliability is very poor, especially if you owned a Japanese car before. Also, the dealership is always busy, and with its reliability, you might as well onw a second car, otherwise youll be renting alot (the dealership never has any loaner cars).

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  Exceeds my expectations - 2003 BMW X5
  By Dan Bray - February 11 - 2:00 am

  Awkward ergonomics compared to Lexus...but thats no suprise. Superior handeling to any Lexus Ive leased (LS 400, GS300 & SC430). More solid build than Lexus. As comfortable to drive as Lexus and Mercedes. Most stylish and sophisticated SUV (Cayenne & Mercedes SUVs close 2nd). Awkward & noisy A/C. Worse-than-average SUV fuel consumption. Amazing acceleration. Excellent sound system, although quirky controls. DVD Nav is inferior to Lexus DVD Nav. Smaller cargo room doesnt bother me...and Im an interior designer. Always get compliments on its styling.

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  95 325i - 1995 BMW 3-Series
  By Joe Kuilema - February 5 - 2:00 am

  The stock sport package is terrific when you think youve hit the limits, you crank the wheel that extra bit and really carve up even the tightest bits. The engine lacks the low end grunt of the 328, but makes up on the high end. I spend over 50% of the time on road above 4000 rpm where it becomes surprisingly responsive for a 2.5 liter in a 3k lb car. I know for a fact the car can hit 60 in 2 gear well under the stock spec of 7.8. The brakes are able to stop from upwards of 100 with minimal to zero fade. This is a great car and can give you years of fantastic driving if you can spend several hundred a year in maintaining it.