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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  My worst nightmare! - 2003 BMW 7-Series
  By bogiedreamer - July 7 - 2:00 am

  This car is the worst mistake I have ever made. The car has been at the shop 5 times in 7 months. The electrical system is a total joke. I am trying sell trade in this piece of junk ASAP. DONT EVEN THINK ABOUT IT.

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  Awful vehicle, worse service - 2003 BMW 7-Series
  By Rfreundmd - April 23 - 2:00 am

  fuel pump goes at two weeks, electronics go at 2 months, transmission problems at 4months, front window with stress fracture at 5 months, computer updates, tires blow at one year at 2am- 24 hour roadside assistance is not available until 10 Am. Dealership could not care less!!! Buy Japanese.

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  BMW 745I THROW IN THE TOWEL. 2003 STINKS - 2003 BMW 7-Series
  By Tim Docken - April 16 - 2:00 am

  Dont do it. Dont do it. Dont do it. Dont do it. Germany leaves USA dealerships completely in the cold. My dealership tried like hell to fix this car nearly 1 week per month 4 months. FREAKING IMPOSSIBLE TO WORK ON OR FIX THIS NEW BMW. SOFTWARE IS AN ABSOLUTE NIGHTMARE. Any adjustment to the seats,,automatically shoots the headrests to highest electric position. GLITCHES GALORE. KEYFOBS GO DEAD. SCREEN GOES TOTALLY DEAD. RADIO Will NOT SHUTOFF,EVEN WITH NO KEY IN IGNITION. AUTO TRUNK MOTOR BURNT OUT TWICE!! 15,000 MILES AND AN UTTER HUNK OF JUNK. USA DEALER was great however. BMW absolutely has to scrap this LEMON.

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  M-3 smg is slug - 2003 BMW M3
  By john d - April 14 - 2:00 am

  Car with SMG is a slug from standing start. Leaves line at 900 rpm to low for performance. Bogs and cannot spin tires until it gets RPM up, cannot be considered high performance. Other owners report same lack of starting line power with SMG. Car has terrible ride with 19" wheels seems like solid tires on smallest crack in pavement. Car doors are very hard to open, latch snaps back if not fully depressed. Saleslady though SMG was an automatic with manual shift, did not know what a Getdrag was. Very disappointed in BMW and dealer. Traded car at one month and 800 miles for C5 Corvette convert, very happy with Vette lots of power at any rpm.

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  BMW 3 series a bust - 1992 BMW 3-Series
  By CABMW - February 19 - 2:00 am

  There are so many things wrong.Dont know where to start.Plastic radiator lasts maybe 3 yrs at best.Always in the shop.Never buy BMW again!!!

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  BMW X5 is a lemon - 2002 BMW X5
  By hatedx5 - February 14 - 2:00 am

  Goes back to dealer monthly for electrical problems

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  PRESTIGE DOES NOT A CAR MAKE! - 1994 BMW 5-Series
  By IGEG - January 15 - 2:00 am

  I HAVE A 94 540 AND 97 328.THE TRANS AND DOOR RUBBER HAVE FAILED ON BOTH MAINTENANCE IS INCREDIBLY HIGH ON BOTH AND IT SEEMS THEY BOTH NEED IT OFTEN I DONT SPARE EXPENSE TO KEEP THEM RUNNING YET I AM GETTING TIRED OF THE $ HOWEVER THEY ARE BOTH FUUUUN TO RUN AND STILL TURN HEADS

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  Very Disappointed in this car - 2004 BMW 3-Series
  By mikmat - December 13 - 10:00 am

  This car has had too many problems and BMW service have not done a good job at addressing them. I am tired of hearing that they cannot duplicate the problem. At about 4K miles the rear differential had to be replaced (with a rebuilt one). Car stalls at idle. One dealer replaced the ignition coil as a fix, but problem occurred within 30 minutes after the fix. Another dealers claimed that there was no problem, but finally admitted that it was an engine software problem for which a fix does not yet exisit. Shifting into 1st gear is hard at times. Speakers rattle. There is excess wind noise at hwy speeds. window regulator had to be replaced. A disappointment.

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  Poor Quality - 2001 BMW X5
  By rusty_chambers - November 18 - 2:00 am

  I have had a very poor experience with this vechicle. It has spent most of its time in the repair shop, with a wide range of problems. I would not recommend the 2001 version to anyone.

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  07 328i 4door - 2007 BMW 3-Series
  By Disappointed - November 7 - 5:46 am

  What a disappointment this vehicle has been. I now have 22,000 miles on this car and it had to have the rear differential changed, the seats had to be re-painted, whiplash on take off and various other issues. Cant lemon law this vehicle because it hasnt been in the shop enough. You would think when a large component like the differential going they (BMW) would step up and recognize the actual defect.