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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  Take A Very, Very Long Test Drive ! - 2004 BMW X5
  By Morgan Financial - April 13 - 2:00 am

  Horrible ride. The suspension system on this vehicle needs to be re- designed. You will feel every bump in the road from your toes up to your jaw! The back storage area is small. Also, the back seats are very cramped regarding leg room - perhaps o.k. for children and pets, but completely uncomfortable for adults. We could not get rid of this car fast enough !

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  Piece Of Junk - 2002 BMW 7-Series
  By jkky - February 19 - 2:00 am

  Ive had nothing but problems with the I Drive and the vehicles phone. The car has been back to the Dealer 11 times for the same problem

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  used value - 1994 BMW 3-Series
  By knudsonm - January 31 - 2:00 am

  These cars are ticking time bombs. Watch out!!!! Ive owned mine for less than a year and has cost me $2000 in parts alone with me doing all of the repairs myself and has been off the road for 4 months. I checked the car over with a fine tooth comb before buying and still have the problems. I shouldve boughten a Chevy!!!

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  This car is the worst - 2004 BMW 3-Series
  By Khryssie77 - January 2 - 10:00 am

  I have had my BMW for a few years now, and I have had nothing but problems with it. It is constantly in the shop at the dealership having parts repaired. I have brought this car in once a month for the past two years. I have had terrible experiences with BMW and have friends that have experienced the same problems. This is the last time I will ever purchase a BMW and I definately do not recommend this car to people who are considering it.

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  Lemonade Machine - 2004 BMW 7-Series
  By Lakewood - January 1 - 2:00 am

  I am very disappointed with my purchase. The car has been in for repair 10+ times. The idrive is painfully complicated and I am a gadget freak. I tried to get a value for trade in and was shocked at the depreciation.

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  The ultimate driving piece of **** - 2003 BMW 3-Series
  By johnj - December 19 - 10:00 am

  I bought a new 2003 BMW 330CIC. What a mistake! Within 2 months, I started having problems. First the warning lights would go on for no apparent reason. I would bring it in to the shop and they would "hook it up to the computer" and tell me nothing was wrong. Then my car started sputtering and they replaced the choke valve. Next, my car just stopped running. 2 more trips to the shop and 2 roadside assistances later, I finally unloaded this "ultimate driving machine." I had hoped to get another BMW thinking this was just a fluke, but dealing with the dealership and BMW headquarters made me see the light. I love my lexus!

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  HORRIFIC EXPERIENCE - 2004 BMW 7-Series
  By LEB - December 10 - 2:00 am

  I owned a 1994 BMW740i, and this car has given me some many headaches that i dont recommend anyone to buy it, and even less to buy it from VOB. Save yourselves a lot of aggravation and dont buy a BMW! My complaints were ignored repeatedly by VOB and by BMW of America.

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  The Dream Wedding of Vehicles... - 2008 BMW 5-Series
  By Blondeinabmw - December 4 - 2:02 am

  Every time you take this car in for service, it costs $1,000...except for when it costs far more than $1,000. Bought my gorgeous 535i (with the sport package and premium sound) as a special order, and it arrived with 3 miles on the odometer. Since I bought it, I have been plagued with problems. Admittedly, the first 4+ years were pretty much covered under free maintenance with the warranty, but since it went off the maintenance agreement, it has more than made up for the savings. My car is 8 years old and has 107K miles. During the time Ive owned it, it has required: - Three complete sets of tires plus two sets of rear tires (roughly every 20-30K miles) - A valve replaced in the engine (towed) - All six fuel injectors (limped in to the shop) - Walnut blasting of the intakes - A water pump (towed) - Computer software reinstalled (twice, took more than a week each time at the dealership for the reinstall to "stick") (towed) - Three fuel pumps (towed) - And now, the CCC is bad. This is a fancy acronym for the iDrive computer system that includes navigation, radio, bluetooth and all the cars controls. It also needs the hydraulics in the hood replaced, the xenon headlight has a malfunction (which requires the entire headlight assembly to be removed from the body of the car to change a LIGHTBULB, and if god forbid the ballast is bad, the bumper must be removed as well). For a change, it is actually driving fairly well, but this repair is gonna cost more than all the others yet! Ive not added it up, but I think this car has cost me at least $1,800 a year in maintenance costs since it went off warranty in 2012, sometimes more. I will say that the cupholders in this car are the stupidest thing ever designed. It also does not hold car seats very well - infant carriers have to go in the middle back seat or the passenger seat will have to be on the dash, and convertible front-facing seats dont leave a ton of room either. It drives beautifully. Handles like a dream. Is so comfortable. Feels like a beast when you want it to. Rides gracefully. Looks pretty. Has an amazing sound system. Gets pretty good gas mileage all things considered. SUCKS THE LIFE OUT OF ME.

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  Air Conditioning odors - 2003 BMW 5-Series
  By jag - November 1 - 2:00 am

  There is a terrible odor which is created by mold growing from condensation on the air conditioner. BMW has not been able to fix it. After futhur research I have found that this is a common problem on the 5 series. If you read the owners manual carefully you will see that BMW is aware of this problem, and has choosen to address the problem by saying that condenstion is normal. What a joke!

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  Overrated 325I - 2006 BMW 3-Series
  By Richard Lipp - September 7 - 5:13 pm

  By far the most overrated car I have ever owned. Interior is slightly above average. Craftmanship is fair to poor. Paint is poor. Tires (Bridgestone RFTs) are the worst ever. BMW NA is the least consumer oriented company I have ever dealt with. I would never buy another BMW again. There are many alternatives in the $35-50,000 range that are considerably better in many ways. Dont be sold on the "Ultimate Driving Machine" hype. Good marketing program but no substance.