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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  3 Years of Mostly Fun - 2001 BMW X5
  By AML_BMW - October 12 - 2:00 am

  After 3yrs of driving, experience has been mostly good. Fun to drive, decent fuel economy. Biggest problem has been window lifts! Every lift has been replaced once, driver door twice. Have been told by dealer this is a weak point in a number of BMW products. Other problems have been peeling door handles, gas tank sensors. Dealer has been great, taking care of us. Thinking hard as to whether to lease another one. Window lifts are biggest concern to us on an otherwise good experience.

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  Small problems, but good car overall - 2006 BMW 3-Series
  By Keekee - October 11 - 2:46 am

  Ive had my new car since May 2005, and each few weeks there are new small problems. The car came to me out of alignment, the stereo completely broke after 2 weeks, the Blue Tooth works part of the time, one cupholder broke, and there are about a dozen other small things that have broken over the 5 months that Ive owned this car. Its frustrating to have to keep taking my car back to the service department when its a new car and shouldnt have these problems. My advice? Wait until this new model gets all the kinks worked out before buying it! Great car, it just needs some reworking.

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  Love it, but ... - 1999 BMW 5-Series
  By Stibift - October 10 - 2:00 am

  Love the performance, the look and the handling of the car. So much fun to drive. Really enjoy leaving others at the stop light, the car moves away to effortless. Disappointed with the reliability. Both rear power windows broke, one after another, had also problems with the windshield molding deteriorating, water pump was an expensive repair.

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  New 3 Series Good Looks Hard to Live With - 2006 BMW 3-Series
  By Bryan Banks - October 8 - 7:46 am

  The new 3 Series handles great, the engine and trans. are excellent. There are several design flaws. First it is hard to get into and out of because of the location of the B pillar and the lower seat height. Starting and turning off the car is a a three step process that just isnt natural. Visibility is poor when trying to look back.The cup holders in the front are located very poorly and will spill. The speed control is poorly located under the turn signal.The turn signal is a two stage process, it will have you trying to turn off and signalling the wrong way. Brakes grab. The sunvisor hits your head if turning it to the side. The radio is unreadable with sun glasses on. Traded it in.

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  Run flat tires - 2007 BMW 3-Series
  By John Mihm - October 8 - 3:00 am

  I have had six straight BMWs and havent owned anything else for 20 some years. My problem is the run flat tires. The vehicle handling was acceptable when I purchased it but has gone steadly down hill. The dealer is resisting doing anything about it but the noise is gotten to be unacceptable. My air pressure sensor has come on twice and after checking the tires the pressure is within acceptable limits. Something wrong here and its definitely the tires. Dont take a chance on these tires. My experience proves it. Dont accept the run flats.

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  M5 great! - 2002 BMW M5
  By none76 - October 8 - 2:00 am

  Best car I have ever owned.

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  Nothing Even Comes Close - 1999 BMW 5-Series
  By Ufgator31 - October 4 - 2:00 am

  True car nut here. I have owned and driven just about every vehicle on the face of the planet. Its true what everyone says: the BMW 540i is the best 4 door sedan $ can buy. My 99 540i with the M packages and dealer installed Dinan Stage III is an everyday driver that behaves like an exotic.

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  Fast, Comfortable, Safe - 2003 BMW M5
  By Goody4 - October 3 - 2:00 am

  Its amazing how vault-like the M5 feels when you get inside and close the door. The interior feels great, the seats are the best Ive ever had. I find the dash--with its silver aluminum trim and black padding--a litte too Teutonic for my tastes. Its a (dark) look Im slowly getting used to, but not really warming up to. Surprisingly, the car is quiet under all conditions, even full throttle is a bit subdued. Its absolutely effortless to drive. It doesnt handle as well as my M3, but with 800 more pounds, I guess it isnt meant to. Still, its no slouch going into the twisties. It feels so composed under all conditions.

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  1998 318ti with Sport Suspension - 1998 BMW 3-Series
  By jobu - October 1 - 2:00 am

  Handles and looks great. Has been very reliable except for some bizarre problems for considering the age of the car. Catalytic converter went at 50k mark and we also found out that it was loosely connected so there was constant rattling from early on which no one could diagnose. Drivers window assembly collapsed at 40k mark. Gas cap has been a problem since early on...doesnt seem to fit well after a while causing a check engine light to appear as a result of a poor vaccuum.

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  Beta machine - Not ready for prime time - 2003 BMW 7-Series
  By h9 - September 29 - 2:00 am

  BMW is now in the software business. The iDrive is not ready for consumer use. Constant problems. Have had car in monthly for bug fixes. They are not being truthful to the buyer.