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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  2000 323i 5-speed - 2000 BMW 3-Series
  By smithse - December 30 - 2:00 am

  Tops in the "fun-to-drive" department. Dont miss out with an automatic - the 5-speed is the only way to go. It really is the "ultimate driving machine". Perfect weight distribution, rear-wheel drive, incredible road manners and stability, silky smooth power. It exudes quality inside and out. Not "bang for the buck", but a complete automobile - performance, comfort, reliability, safety, fuel economy, superior resale value - in a word, solid. You can barnstorm the back roads, then go to dinner in quiet, understated style. No gimmicks, plastic, or excessive electronics. Drawbacks? If you need a big trunk, look elsewhere.

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  Not what I expected - 2007 BMW 3-Series
  By DHB - December 29 - 5:33 am

  Always wanted a BMW 3-series with 6-speed manual. Fell in love with the 2007 coupe, but way past that now. Underwhelming acceleration and torque below 2700 RPM. Tranny has been big disappointment. Maddening HVAC and radio controls. Poorly shaped and sized storage cubbies. Cant see instrument lights with sunglasses. Under 3K miles had to replace driveshaft. At 4K, weird vibration in clutch pedal. Dealer diagnosed bad throwout bearing and replaced whole clutch. The vibration got worse! Now they tell me itll "break-in" after 10-15K miles. Its hard to enjoy my "drivers car" when my clutch foot is tingling, and Im being tortured by diabolically illogical controls and wretched ergonomics.

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  Know what you are getting into - 2007 BMW Z4 M
  By joe - December 25 - 3:16 pm

  I sold my 06 330i with the knowledge that the M coupe I was about to purchase was very far removed from the 330i in both comfort and performance. The car is a rocket, but you feel every bump on the road. Also, the "premium" sound system in the M is sub-standard at best. Again, know what you are getting into before you buy. If you are willing to sacrafice comfort for performance, then this is the car for you. It was for me.

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  Good car...some minor problems - 1992 BMW 3-Series
  By rojo - December 24 - 2:00 am

  Really fun car to drive...I bought it for my son and I love driving it also..I have a new audi a4 and the BMW still rides as well. Have had all the typical 92 bmw problems. water pump, rear shocks, thermostat, hoses...but, overall a great car...I do wish the labor was cheaper...car mechanics see BMW and charge you acordingly...they see ya coming...

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  BMW 535i - 1990 BMW 5-Series
  By washburn6394 - December 22 - 2:00 am

  We bought this car used with over 100,000 miles on it. So far, we have had to do only minor repairs (maintenance). The car is fun to drive, FAST, and still gets a lot of looks even though it is 14 years old. This is a fun, showy car thats still safe and dependable enough to drive around with my kids and not feel like an old lady!

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  Great Pre-Owned Vehicle - 2001 BMW M5
  By Idwinc - December 22 - 2:00 am

  Great drivng experience. Power available when needed along with great handling. Almost becomes too easy to drive. Gas mileage a minus unless all highway driving. Always receive compliments from true driving/car enthusiants.

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  Great car - 2007 BMW 3-Series
  By rmc100 - December 21 - 3:46 pm

  Ive had my 328xi for a few weeks now. Ive been a loyal X5 driver (3 of them!) over the past 10 years. I decided to get better gas mileage and cheaper car payment, but didnt want to sacrifice BMW ride. Ive not been disappointed. The car is fun to drive and handles great. Even though it doesnt have the high sight lines of the SUV, the coupes big doors actually give you a wider field of view. (Im tall, so I sit back far from the wheel, so even in the X5, I could see the side posts in my blind spot.) The car is light, so the power of the smaller engine feels stroner than the X5. Sure, theres less room all around -- but with the seats folded down, it carries a nice load.

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  Hard to Replace - 1993 BMW 3-Series
  By gborana - December 21 - 2:00 am

  I stretched my finances when I bought this car and Ive never regretted it for a second. Ive got 190,000 miles on it to date -- many of them hard driven miles -- and I still look back to admire it after Ive parked it. Yes, I have had more repairs than Id like, most were things that cant help but wear out with such miles, but some are not, such as the mechanism that changes the air flow from floor heat to defrost. Also, I was in an "accordian" accident (front and rear end) about a year ago, and that lead to several problems with the passenger window. But the engine itself still purrs and operates beautifully.

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  LT2s Z3 - 2000 BMW Z3
  By LTT - December 20 - 2:00 am

  Beautiful car in all aspects. Tremendously fun to drive. Plenty of power, corners like its on rails. Very comfortable, plenty of leg room. Youll fall in love with one.

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  X1 Beamer - 2016 BMW X1
  By Scott - December 19 - 5:19 pm

  The reason I only gave 4 stars and not 5 is purely due to the fact weve only had the car 3 weeks. I test drove and researched similiar models for over a month and it came down to the X1 and Q3 Audi. In the end, the dealership made us a fantastic offer, and were just more attentive to us as the customer. The X1 just felt better behind the wheel (side not - we own an Audi) and the little extra HP in the X1helps with these 4 -cyl engines.