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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  Disappointed! - 2001 BMW X5
  By Unhappy X5 Owner - February 3 - 2:00 am

  Purchased a 2001 X5 3.0 and it came with the pre-owned certification. Sold my Grand Cherokee and bought this and have total regrets. X5 only had 23000 miles when purchased and it has been back to the shop 3 times in the last month. Many little mechanical and electrical things wrong with the car. Fortunately Classic BMW in Mentor, Ohio has been fantastic and has fixed everything with no problems, but I wish I took my $35k and bought a new Volvo or Acura. Do your homework before you buy this car! Read the reviews, the problems people are having are real!

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  Great car to drive but major problems - 2004 BMW 7-Series
  By uncle george - February 3 - 2:00 am

  Bought an 02 with many software failures and engine that was replaced. Then got an 03 which has had transmission problems at 20,000 miles. Software and iDrive have been improved, but are still clumsy to use. You need to allow a lot of time for frequent dealer repairs.

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  I love it!! - 1998 BMW 3-Series
  By k1llahbabe - February 2 - 2:00 am

  I love my 318ti, the only thing about it that i dont like is how you cant move the steering wheel, i can never get confortable but other then that its a pretty nice little car!!

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  The best of the small sport sedans - 2006 BMW 3-Series
  By T - January 31 - 2:00 am

  BMW 325i version with limited options, automatic, luxury package is a good value and still priced higher than the rest. It is the best for driving experience especially at hwy speeds and gets 32 MPG.

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  disappointed - 2004 BMW X5
  By ROE - January 31 - 2:00 am

  WE HAVE HAD THIS VEHICHLE FOR 3 YRS & IT HAS BEEN A NIGHTMARE IN THE FIRST 6 MTHS WE GOT STRANDED, BATTERY DIED SINCE THEN THEY HAVE CHANGED IT 4 TIMES & JUST HAPPENED TODAY AGAIN.NOT TO MENTION THE SQEAKING STEARING WHEEL, THUMPING SUSPENSION, 2X BROKEN CLIMATE CONTROL, 3X REPLACING DOOR HANDLES & POWERLOCKS, DRIVERS SIDE WINDOW BEING STUCK,EXT.SHOULD BE BUILT IN GERMANY LIKE THE REST OF BMW

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  X5 3.0 Blk on Blk Sport! - 2002 BMW X5
  By dinoC - January 28 - 2:00 am

  I love everything about this SUV. Except for its electronics. I have winter, sport, navigation, dsp ... etc. I have 30K on this SUV, and so far its been a disappointment. My passenger sideview mirror fell off, my door does not open and close at times, windshield special wipe doesnt work properly, radio/dsp doesnt work (NO SOUND!!!) Doors, warning flasher, reading lamps comes on for no reason when driving. 2002 X5! What a disappointment! Dont buy this SUV!

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  Buy a different car! - 1997 BMW 5-Series
  By Diane K-C - January 27 - 2:00 am

  I thought that a BMW was the way to go after running my Honda Accord into the ground at 235,000 miles. The total amount of money that I had spent on repairs that I had done on the Accord were just about what I have spent on repairs in just one month on this car! It is ridiculous...I am in the shop literally every other month and there are still things that I need to get done to it. I was impressed by the "name" and safety record of these cars, but am now just figuring out how to get rid of it!

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  love it, but..... - 1997 BMW 7-Series
  By glfahlcron - January 25 - 2:00 am

  this is the ultimate driving vehicle...the only problem i have is when i have to put it in the shop for repairs. expect to dig deep... nevertheless, when i get back behind the wheel it seems all worth it.

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  Death by cupholder rage - 2002 BMW 5-Series
  By thassarodge - January 24 - 2:00 am

  Best car there is. I bought it in Germany, took it down the Autobahn, got it up to 140 mph. Car sat on the road rock solid and seemed to say to me "Now what?" It wanted to go faster but speed limiter said no. This car is awesome and the curves are gorgeous. The blue color looks wonderful at night, but kind of blah purply in bright sunlight. The seats are comfortable and the instrumentation is logically placed. Only bad thing is the cupholders are absolute crap. Wont even hold a soda can - BMW should not have put them in if they couldnt design them right. One of mine is alread broken from holding my narrow-based coffee cup.

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  Fun to drive, have an extra car - 1996 BMW 3-Series
  By buddy916 - January 24 - 2:00 am

  I have had this car for about 2.5 years. It drives very well-lots of performance & power, but the usual Beemer electrical crap occurs. Repeated problems with the power top and power locks. Got locked out of the trunk a couple of times too.