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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  well... - 2004 BMW 3-Series
  By Nano - December 24 - 10:00 am

  My wife loves it. It is very important.

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  Stay away from 545i - 2005 BMW 5-Series
  By Robert - December 20 - 1:55 am

  Great handling but there it ends. One of the most unreliable cars Ive owned (and Ive had Italian cars!). Some of the problems the dealer has been unable to fix because they are fundamentally flawed: radio (because of terrible computer in the car), transmission shifts. If you need to find it, look in the shop.

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  My last BMW - 2006 BMW 5-Series
  By Shelly - December 18 - 9:24 am

  This is the familys 5th BMW in 10yrs. I gave up a low miles 01 330i sport to upgrade. There was a reason why someone traded it in with only 35k miles on it. It shakes and shudders while idling, the Traction control goes berserk around corners, no pick up, drives like my grandmas Volvo S80 which was a fraction of the cost. The BMW svc ctr says its a flaw in the engine that makes it shudder, BMWNA says no such flaw and now the svc ctr is angry that I called BMWNA and I cant get a diagnosis. This is insane for a car that initially sold for $45k with the prem & cold weather pkg. Never again. If I want a volvo sedan- Ill buy one.

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  Poor reliability - 2006 BMW 3-Series
  By Freshies - December 11 - 2:15 pm

  Ive had my BMW since 10/2005. Though I LOVE the way the car drives, that love does not offset the dissatisfaction I get from living with this car. It cannot last more than a few months without some problem that needs to be resolved at the dealership. Ive had a bad fuel line, grinding noise in the front suspension, failed power locking mechanism x2, failed power window regulator, broken front headlight washers x2, peeling paint from the interior handles x2, random steering wheel locking, active cruise control faults, and more. Ive never had a car with so many problems, and Im terribly disappointed in it. My dealer is not the most helpful either, which compounds my dissatisfaction.

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  Eh - take it or leave it - 2007 BMW 5-Series
  By Brad - December 8 - 2:21 pm

  Very jerky in 1st gear. NO storage, idrive is wacky. At 6 3" I should have purchased the 7 series. I dont actually know what all the fuss is about. Great brakes though!

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  OVERRATED - 2003 BMW 3-Series
  By beemer - not - November 23 - 6:46 pm

  Bought new in 03 and always garage kept. Just turned 36K miles with all easy driving. My feeling is that you pay more for a better quality car with the expectation it will hold up better - WRONG!! Had to replace front/back pads & rotors (mostly highway miles) ignition wires, window trim parts, coil spring (never hit a pothole)+++. I really feel the BMW is overrated. The ride is hard especially in rear seat and people complain its hard to get out of the seat because of the lack of leg room in back and door pillar on side. Also the resale value drops like a bomb after a few short years. All things considered, I would not buy another BMW.

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  1.5 Year Update - 2008 BMW 1-Series
  By Paul - November 22 - 2:04 pm

  I have been leasing this car for about 1.5 years and I am severely disappointed. Since I began leasing the vehicle I had the fuel pump replaced, the interior trim is starting to chip off, Ive had the rear brakes replaced and I am almost on my third set of tires. Free maintenance yeah right, the treadwear on the runflats is far below average and if you drive aggressively expect to pay more than $1200 a year in maintenance just on the tires. I have already begun to experience more problems with the car stalling and failing to start. The ipod hook up frequently has problems and my passenger seat belt warning goes off with a bottled water in the passenger seat.

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  Fun car when its not at the dealer - 2007 BMW 3-Series
  By BGDC - November 20 - 1:11 am

  The 335i offers an intoxicating engine and a very good chassis with near perfect balance. Sadly, the engines got a common problem burning through fuel pumps, the chassis is upset easily by the poorly conceived RFTs and the cars balanced but 400 lbs too heavy. I picked up a CPO 335i ZSP as a family car that could offer some space that my Cooper S lacked. In that regard it does fine. No, Im not getting 30 MPG now (more like 22), but I do have room for the baby in the back and a good sized trunk for family outings. Perfect, if not for: weight (unavoidable), RFTs (replaceable) and engine/turbo malfunctions (Ive had nearly all turbo-related parts replaced over 16 days at the dealer).

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  My 5th BMW in 4 years 09 BMW 328i coupe - 2009 BMW 3-Series
  By My fifth BMW - November 15 - 11:04 pm

  I am a disappointed buyer of beautifully sculpted 3 series coupe. I have test driven everything that BMW made the last 4 years and I do own four BMWs currently all bought new. So, here are the probs I had so far with current mileage of 12,500: 1. before 2000 miles, my car needed alignment. 2. Averaging once every two weeks, my BMW constantly requires air on two rear tires. 3. 8,700miles - replaced my left rear tire. 4. 9,800 miles - engine light came on and had to take it in. 5. 10,900 - my engine light came on again after it was fixed. 6. 10,000 miles- called BMW corp and made complaint. 7. 11,500 - they told me they will call me back & its been two weeks with no return call. Shame on them.

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  Enjoy it while you can, before bankrupt - 1999 BMW 7-Series
  By SP - November 13 - 4:21 am

  A great car I am sure when new. Bought in 2009. 10 yrs old. Main module computer replaced, radiator, air-cond, headlight, deadpixels, worst, unfixable petrol smell, told a leak is there and the seal replacement is expensive. Great to enjoy it but when comes to maintenance, well, you know... I make sure I get the best out of it before my bankruptcy if I keep it. Once in a lifetime experience, may even get another one when the right encounter occurs. What a love-hate relationship!