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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  Fun to drive but controls not intuitive - 2017 BMW M4
  By joe maslar - December 18 - 4:12 am

  Beautiful Car and GREAT to drive. I ended up picking this mainly because I wanted a hard-top convertible with some power. This car drives great, is comfortable, and great with the top down. Overall, Im happy with the purchase but am a little annoyed by some things that dont make sense to me, a lot related to difficult function controls. Ive only had it about a month so part of this might be just adjusting to BMW ways. First of all, it isnt possible to put this car into PARK without turning off the car. So weird and annoying if you want to be SURE that it is in PARK. It switches to park automatically if turning off the car in Drive or Reverse, but otherwise you can only put it into NEUTRAL and set the parking brake if you want to sit idle, or turn it off and turn it back on. Also, the lack of touch for the screen interface is inefficient for entering addresses, and the finger spelling on the console control knob is not a good replacement--much easier to tap out a number on a screen than trace each individual number/letter. Also, the volume control is only on the dash or on the right side of the steering wheel--this means if you have your hand on the console knob controlling your nav/media, driving with your left hand, you have to move your right hand from the console knob to the dash or the steering wheel. The car has options for comfort suspension for daily driving but there isnt a way to make that a default--it always goes back to the more rigid SPORT option so that you have to reselect each time you start the car for COMFORT. There are other little things like the toggle for the hard-top requires you to pull BACK to put the top UP/Forward, and push Forward to put the top down/back -- just not intuitive. LOTS of media options but difficult to sort out. Anyway, Ill stop with these things since overall its a very nice car with AMAZING driving profile, which is what most people might be looking for and the little things might not matter. Its my primary car so the daily use things are a little annoying to me. As far as hard-topped convertible with power, I think this is the only good choice. I was considering going Mercedes C63 Coupe but didnt test-drive it since I still wanted the convertible.

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  Best choice of whats out there - 1999 BMW 5-Series
  By truckerit - December 16 - 2:00 am

  I shopped around between passat,a6,forester,e-class. i narrowed it down to the a6, 528, & forester. I really liked the a6, but West Broad VW/AUDI serviced my vw also was the only place that serviced audi here in richmond va. so being as they screwed me already on the vw I was trading in, I opted for the 528. Driving this car is such a joy. Its not the most mechanically sound auto. My car is about 5 yrs old now & things are starting to give. My powersteering died & ABS cpu died. Ive spent about $2500 in repairs after i purchased, but its a bmw, its got character.

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  535i sport - 1990 BMW 5-Series
  By 2blue - December 12 - 2:00 am

  what a great car built from granite super looking goes like your money in a bettin shop standard or with a few mods they look like there saying im here and here im going to stay if looked after will proberly out live you...

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  was it worth the money - 2004 BMW 7-Series
  By marcus pete - December 11 - 2:00 am

  oil changes are pricy.dashboard short circuited after 6 months.many digital malfunctions w/ pas. airbag,6 disk cd changr,complicated idrive system, like operating a computer & trying to drive at same time.pas. door didnt lock experenced many more minor problems,trunkdoor is motorized to open/close-broke in 5 months,nothing was covered by warranty,costly to pamper 2000 740il was just as fast & luxrous & easier to use on board computer,husband was taken by salespitch

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  Whats not to like?? - 2004 BMW M3
  By jeffnnj - December 10 - 2:00 am

  My favorite car by far so far!!

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  BMW X5 The best Off Roader - on the road - 2003 BMW X5
  By Chris Sheldrake - December 8 - 2:00 am

  Wanted : towing vehicle for a 2.5t boat trailer and a comfortable 4 wheel drive to go to the ski slopes. Off road performance was of no interest but handling on tarmac roads vital. Its perfect. Grip & handling are superb and its very quiet and refined at speed. For me, no other SUV comes close. If I needed off-road performance, a Range Rovers best

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  Fun fun fun til wife takes the bmw away - 2002 BMW 5-Series
  By shortyusa - December 5 - 10:00 am

  My 540i drives like its on rail road tracks. Fast, takes curves like no other sedan. Build is great. Sound of the engine can make a grown man cry with joy. Cost is only about 10k too high. But there is no car that comes close for less than 80k. Why could BMW not make a better cup holder?? Come on Herman it just has to hold a darn cup from McDonalds!!

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  Not too impressed!!! - 1999 BMW 5-Series
  By RickTurner - December 2 - 2:00 am

  First off, I will say this car has a nice exterior. The parts are of good quality but the maintenance on this car is a joke. Ive owned several high end cars over the years to includes a Mercedes, a Jaguar, two Volvos, and a Lexus. The BMW has been the worst for maintenance! This car needs more get up and go too for the price. Not impressed at all!!! The best cars Ive owned have been the Volvos. My wife has a 1999 Volvo S80 T6. Wow, that car is a rocket! Virtually trouble free and super low cost on maintenance.... not to mention, the most comfortable seats of any car weve owned. A much better choice than this BMW. Im going back to Volvo!

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  Bmw analysis after a year - 1997 BMW 3-Series
  By BMWExpert - November 30 - 2:00 am

  The handling of the 3 series is superb to say the least! When driving the car you feel every inch of the road! Its fantastically responsive and has great pickup and torque/horse ratio. However parts are very expensive and will put a dent in your wallet. Its not the mechanical parts that go its the very unreliable electrical ones. Unfortunately, BMWs more current cars are overloaded with un-needed and extremely flimsy and unreliable, electronic components. To further dismay, most of these components are incredibly expensive to repair/replace and will put a dent in your wallet.

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  Too good to be true? - 2001 BMW 7-Series
  By the doc - November 29 - 2:00 am

  This machine is truly beautiful(sports package 2001 740il-black on black). Had it in the shop quite a bit for how much paid for. Warranty covered everything. Fun to drive and everyone looks at it. In the snow not so good.