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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  Very Poor Reliability - 2010 BMW X5
  By emc - February 25 - 6:42 pm

  Very poor reliability. I am not going to say much other than if you buy one you were warned. Maybe because they are build in the states and not Munich. Maybe because they have so much electronics that no one knows how to fix when it breaks but mine has been nothing but problems. Climate control issue, leaking of fluids and high battery discharge than can leave you stranded and has twice. The sedans seem fine and I should know as I drive loaners of 1, 3 and 5 series more than my SUV. Do yourself a favor and look elsewhere.

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  Poor Reliability - 2007 BMW X5
  By emcman - February 22 - 10:15 am

  Lots of power, great handling and lots of quality issues. In less than 36 months it has been in the shop a good 1.5 months. Two dead batteries caused by flawed electronics, non working air among other things. Completely dead twice so not a trust worthy car for a trip. Also issues take a long time to run down issues so it is out of service for a week or two at a time. This SUV is made in SC and not Germany and is far from reliable. When it dies it dies as everything is electronic. You need a special tool even to get it into neutral.

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  malfunctions, no help from BMW - 2010 BMW 3-Series
  By Forest H. - February 3 - 4:49 pm

  The satellite radio does not work, never has. The dealer says they cant fix it, nor can BMW, that its just a problem in these cars. The USB port will not accept iphones. It works with ipod, but ipods are now integrated into iphones. No fix for that either. The speedometer is 4-5mph off, so youre not sure what speed youre going. I determined this from two different portable GPSs. No fix. BMW removed the electrical outlet from the bottom of the dash board, now theres only one outlet and its in the console. But if you plug something in there (GPS for example) the wire runs all along your console next to your gear shift lever plus, the console lid will not close. No fix for that.

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  BMWs are VERY Over-rated - 2001 BMW 3-Series
  By shoo - February 1 - 6:57 pm

  Found a 2001 BMW 325I with only 34K miles on it! Thought I had found a steal! Found out I was robbed! Had this car less than a year and have had to replace headlight assembly, front grille trim, rear window motor. Oil light comes on randomly! Worst of all, when it rains the interior leaks so bad it would make a great fish bowl! No one can find where its coming from! Biggest piece of junk Ive ever owned! Now I know why it only had 34K miles on it, no one wanted the piece of junk! My first and last BMW!

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  I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER BMW! - 2007 BMW X5
  By Coleman - January 28 - 1:38 pm

  The BMW X5 is my second BMW and my last. I have nothing but issues since about month 6 of ownership. I have experienced faulty transmission, engine, brake, DSC errors. The dealership was very pleasant, when I brought the vehicle in for service. Yes, I have a lot of miles on my vehicle, but a luxury vehicle should last longer than 10,000 miles. If could turn back the clock, I would have kept my 525i. This vehicle is not fun to drive because the errors occur while driving.

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  BMW X5 Owner In Southern California - 2008 BMW X5
  By ocbmwguy - January 26 - 8:05 pm

  After 5 BMWs the poor quality of my X5 4.8i will be my last. Ive had problems with the fuel gauge, satellite radio, brakes and compared to the previous X5 I owned, the re-design from the original X5 is bulky and not as fun to drive.

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  No More BMWs - 2005 BMW 3-Series
  By Joe - January 22 - 1:45 am

  Day 1: Check engine light came on. I had to take some time off my work and took it to the dealer. No loaner. I had to rent a car. They called me and they could not really found the problem after swapping coils and injectors between cylinders. After owning the car for 3 years (60k now), I can assure you that these are the most unreliable cars. The main problem, in my opinion, is the buggy engine management software that cannot function without problems for long. Basically it throws these errors and lights all the time in your face. Mine is 6 years old now and the dealer for the last two years could not figure out why I am getting a misfire on cylinder 3, 4, etc.. Avoid

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  Good but miss expectation - 2010 BMW X5
  By lbc - January 18 - 1:49 am

  Got the new X5 for a very good price. With just a few hundreds over invoice and factoring in the $2500 rebate, great deal. Had a BMW 330i with ZHP before. Expected a similar "best in class" dynamic. Was quite disappointed. The vehicle is close to my outgoing 2001 MDX than the 330i in terms of performance and handling. Dont know about the turning radius myth. Where my MDX could make a straight U turn, I have had to do w/ 3 point turns. Big gaps in the doors letting dirts in. Tires are run-flat only. Hugely expensive as BMW disallow repairs. A small nail had cost me $400.

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  Not good quality for this model - 2004 BMW X3
  By horacio - January 14 - 2:55 pm

  Needs a lot of maintenance, on brakes, tires are expensive, the moon roof does not work. It will cost like 2500 to fix, the first gear jumps really bad I scare to drive it now, and the ac compressor went out! Not a smart buy I have 99,500 miles on it.

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  DO NOT BUY THIS CAR - 2000 BMW 3-Series
  By broken hearted - January 14 - 2:35 am

  Love the car. This car has way too many repairs. Transmission problems 5000, windows 350 cooling system 1600 sensors 300+ cracked head 4000 and on and on. This car is so unreliable? The reviews are either great car or terrible car. What is their problem? They just cant make the car 100% ??