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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  Shockingly wunderbar! - 2015 BMW i3
  By Ted H - August 19 - 5:55 pm

  I have had my i3 for just one week and I am in love with it. I was impressed with the interior passenger space. More interior storage space would have been helpful. I moved into the i3 from a Chrysler Town and Country so the transition was difficult. But, the driving fun is worth the loss of cubicles. I have had no problems with the car and typically drive it about 60 miles a day. The Level 1 charger that came with the car is more than adequate to fill it up overnight. Living on the east coast, there are many charging stations nearby, most of them FREE! And, I didnt get the gas engine option because I wanted to just go plug-in. My one criticism would be the manual. It seems to be written in a computer translated English. I asked a friend from the UK about some of the terms and he couldnt identify them either. Further, the entertainment center has a handbook on-line but it should come with the car in print form. Have fun driving electrically!

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  Great looking car with performance that matches - 2006 BMW 5-Series
  By Lawrence Katzenstein - August 19 - 12:47 pm

  I bought this car three years ago and Ive generally been quite satisfied. It gets decent mileage overall and over 30mpg on the road. New passengers not aware of the brand will often ask what kind of car it is because its so comfortable. Since the car has had very little wear its frequently confused with a newer car since the basic body design remained the same until 2010. It does have some flaws. One of these is that the I-Drive computer occasionally doesnt boot at start up and leaves me without a radio until it does. The radar detection often takes a while to shut off after leaving a parking space. However in the basics like comfort and performance the car is great. I did purchase an extended drive train warranty, but Ive recently had a large number of systems fail in short order including the water pump, purge valve, and transmission pan and filter. Theres also the standard German oil leak which is so minuscule that Ive chosen not to fix it. My mechanic and I both think that this bad period will pass and that the car will remain reliable so Im currently still positive about it. Its a great machine.

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  Sport Hatchback that BMW doent technically make - 2015 BMW X1
  By Craig - August 18 - 5:08 pm

  I know that everyone is jumping in the small crossover SUV pool but the X-1 (in my opinion) doesnt really strike me as an SUV. What it strikes me as is a 3 Series of 2 generations ago, re-imagined as a sport hatchback. Ive had mine for a couple months and I really couldnt be happier with my decision. Mine is loaded: Ultimate package, X-Line package, Adaptive Xenon Lighting package, Cold-weather package, etc. but I bought it as a dealer demo with 6,800 miles on it so it was about $8,000 or so below sticker. We are empty-nesters and my wife has a Ford Explorer so I really could have gotten by with a smaller sport sedan or even a coupe (I test drove both). However, I am a cyclist and backpacker so having a bit more utility in the vehicle I drive every day kind of put the X-1 over the top for me. Plus the price was lower than a 3 series or a 228i AND I really dont feel like I gave up much in the way of driving dynamics. With 240hp and 260 lb/ft of torque, there is simply gobs of power on tap in this 3,500 lb car. I got the rwd version (we dont get much snow if any) so it handles like a true German sports sedan. Its shorter (nose-to-tail), narrower and lighter than the 3 Series wagon and its like 9 inches shorter (in height) than the X3 so it really is more of a hatchback than a wagon or SUV. I also like that it has 7" of ground clearance: not enough to introduce too much lean in the corners, but enough to not have to worry about hitting curbs and parking barriers in parking lots. Its a very nice touring car on your favorite 2 lane hwy (or even the interstate) and it scoots around town or back roads as zippy as you want to. It has plenty of headroom in front and back. Negatives? Leg room in the back is a bit tight for adults, only 2 will comfortably ride in the back (due to the transmission tunnel), and theres a bit too much wind and road noise on the interstate for a BMW (in my opinion--having owned BMWs before). All of that I can live with because the virtues of this car far outweigh the negatives.

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  Fuel sipping fury! - 2014 BMW 3-Series
  By Brian - August 17 - 2:29 pm

  This is a great car. I get 32 mpg in the city and over 50 on the freeway. I average just above 40 mpg per tank and in Los angeles Diesel fuel is a dollar less than regular gas. The ride is extremely smooth and comfortable. The steering is too light unless its in sport mode. The cabin is a little too loud at highway speed, the engine is quiet but the road noise is too high for a $40k + car. My only other complaint is that features like HID headlights, Bluetooth streaming audio, and backup camera are not standard features. But I am very happy with my purchase and highly recommend the car.

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  a headache from the beginning - 2004 BMW X5
  By Vanessa - August 17 - 6:56 am

  I felt in love when i saw this car at the dealer, i bought it used precertify. this suv is VERy VERy heavy to make turns and to park, its very tiff. I have oil leaking problem, doing my research turned out that most of them have the oil leaks problem after 100k miles or so, so every 2 week i have to add oil when its low on oil. Tires are not straight, they are a bit outwardd inclined, so,i had to change 6 tires in 1 year and 5 month period.,the left mirrow would always come out. Back light will go out often, either the turn, brake or tail light.. i had 2 windows regulator broken and the sunroof regulator was weak. The motor was burning too much oil, lots of smoke come out of pipe if i idle. One mechanic told me it need a tune up, another one says it needs a special oil, and the third says its the motor burning oil cuz of high miles(127k). I had to replace the battery once and it was a nightmate, and i have to replace the key cuz the remote control battery die and there is no way to get a new battery ,, the whole key need replacement. At the end i was getting the "trans safe program fail" light and the car was lossing power, i dont know if it needed another battery after changing it 4 months before that. But im glad i was able to get rid of that car before its brake down completely. I owned for 1 year and 5 month,

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  Seven in a row - 2015 BMW 5-Series
  By Joe - August 16 - 6:50 pm

  I have had seven BMWs ranging from a classic 1973 3.0 CS Coupe, to this new 528i. Cars in between included a 95 325is, 95 M3, another 95 325is, 2009 328i and my 2000 528i that i have driven every day for the last 15 years. My biggest skepticism was the 2.0 Liter engine. Initially, I had made up my mind that there would be no 5 Series in my garage with a 4 banger. I am a very traditional BMW guy that has always loved their turbine smooth inline sixes. I took one drive with the twin turbo 2 Liter Engine and 8-Speed Transmission combination. Sold! The performance is amazing. The attention to detail is incredible. I have not looked at a new car in 15 years, and this is by far the best I have had the pleasure of enjoying. BMW performance, luxury appointments and the bonus of incredible gas mileage for a car this size is a bonus no matter how you look at it.

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  25 YEAR OLD 735 - 1990 BMW 7-Series
  By scary71@gmail.com - August 16 - 6:35 pm

  I wanted one of these since I was 18. 43 now and finally found one. One owner. A literal barn find. Purchased in May of 2015. Stored inside, parked since 09. After an oil & trans fluid change, as well as general and thorough tune up, I gently started driving her around. A few quirks popped up right away...mostly electrical. After pulling the modules located in the engine compartment and cleaning all the contacts, all electrical oddness disappeared. These vehicles are very sensitive to incorrect voltage. Clean, clean and clean again all the connections you can get to. Good idea to check all your vacuum lines and fuel lines as well. Couple of complaints. ..by no means are these a deal breaker. No cup holders, no tilt wheel with the air bag equipped versions. Love the fancy cassette deck. Brightest darn headlights ever. Love the big cars. Grew up driving USA made 60s and 70s luxury barges, so this is right where I like to be. A bit more refined. Very quick and nimble for a 4000lb vehicle. Overall super cool. Steer clear if youre not a car guy though. These are older and will need work. Suspension for sure. Heavy cars=hard on your suspension and steering components. I could go on. ..and on. Again, overall super awesome and rad!

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  By far best car so far - 2014 BMW 5-Series
  By Bode - August 13 - 11:06 pm

  Love this car. Its a 2014 535d M sport with several extras. Engine is amazing. Everything is designed right. First car i would label as perfect, and i am critical. Fuel economy is excellent (doing 28.3 mpg in mostly city driving) and with diesel here between midgrade and premium it is nice to spend liitle on fuel every month. The exterior is beautiful. Have the M sprt version in carbon black. Interior also beautiful and i drive now working really well. Navigation display is big showing traffic and will propose alternate routes. I drive button now allows to write destination. Works very good. Dashboard, steering wheel and instrument panel are just beautiful. Heads up display works great and shows nav instructions very clearly. My wife has a 2014 Audi Q7, looks nice outside but is inside nowhere near the 535d. Recommend you drive this car, in specific the diesel, when you are in the market for a luxury sport sedan. Would highly recommend buying one. Everyday this car puts a smile on my face, like driving a new car from the lot daily.

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  BMW, never again - 2008 BMW X3
  By Ken Hardy - August 12 - 9:22 pm

  I have owned 5 BMWs over the last 30 years, 2 were good cars 3 were not, the current 2008 X3 is the worst of the lot. body water leaks, engine oil leaks, sensor failures, water pump failure, ignition coil failures, transmission failure, you name it and I have had to have it fixed all before the car reached 91000 miles. I purched the car from BMW as a certified used car and had trouble with it from the beginning. The Dealer was of little help they just kept telling me the transmission was fine UNTIL the extended warrenty ran out, then it was " It failed and you need to replace it " at a cost of 8 grand. BMW is not the Ultimate Driving Machine, they are the Ultimate Maintenance Machine

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  My First BMW - 2015 BMW 5-Series
  By debnmd@gmail.com - August 12 - 7:26 pm

  I treated myself after having an VW Passat, Acura TL, Acura RL, I decided to buy a BMW528i. It is by far absolutely the best car I have ever driven. I looked at the MB 350 and the Lexus 350 and came back to this sweet vehicle. My husband and I race to be first at the driver"s seat. He drives a old Toyota truck, now he is considering a BMW SUV. I am happy every time I look at or get in my vehicle. Add to that the awesome gas mileage and it is as close as you can get to perfection.