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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  Mixed Bag - 2003 BMW 7-Series
  By meredith - February 17 - 2:00 am

  For all thoose that dont like the I- Drive use it over time it becomes very user friendly. As for the looks it is much better looking in person then in pictures. It is the best looking car on the road. The bad the car lurches at stops. Has a horrible shimmy from 45-60 and the computer somtimes has a mind of its own. BMW should have tested the car before sending it out on the street.

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  A Poor Choice - 2002 BMW 7-Series
  By AlmostEXBeamer - February 13 - 2:00 am

  The yellow caution flag unfurled shortly after I took delivery of a 745i in May, 2002. The clock lost time, the sound system developed a roaring hiss and the navigation system intermittenly stopped working. The clock module, the computer screen, and the navagation system were replaced. The car lost battery power once. Last autumn, an engine malfunction developed. The alloy coating the valve stems flaked off. One cylinder was scored, so the ENGINE was replaced! Did I mention a defective ignition coil after 9000 mi? I think the dealer did as best as possible. No matter how much sugar you put on a lemon, you are still left with a sour taste in your mouth.

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  fun, but some cheesy features - 1997 BMW M3
  By howtomb - February 12 - 2:00 am

  I bought a 1997 M3 five months ago, and Im happy with it -- its a blast to drive -- but some interior features have a ticky-tacky feel. Plastic bits have broken off, for example. Some BMW dealers, meanwhile, seem to think that actually servicing my car is beneath them. To add to the frustration, many spare parts cost a bloody fortune.

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  I like my Cabrio - 1991 BMW 3-Series
  By John Jackie - February 12 - 2:00 am

  My wife and I purchased a 325 cabriolet last year and could not be more happy. The only repairs after putting 15,000 miles on the car have been the brakes and a oil change. I asked her if there is anything we would change on the car and she answered which I agree with is only one thing the wind noise when the top is up on the freeway. Since it is not overall fast around town the car encourages you to drive within the speed limits (a good thing). We had a Saab 900 turbo convertable prior and this car is much more refined overall. The quality is tremendous. We plan to keep this car for many years to come.

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  Massive Torque BMW 540 - 1998 BMW 5-Series
  By Big Bad BMW - February 11 - 2:00 am

  This is the car for those who enjoy driving and driving fast and this is important...under CONTROL!!

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  Swap the tires for regular ones - 2006 BMW 3-Series
  By Langly Wickersham - February 8 - 7:53 pm

  Once I ditched those terrible runflat tires, the car changed dramatically. It is now very quiet and the ride is much smoother. The runflats make the car ride rough and loud, but swap them out for a regular pair of tires and you will notice the difference immediately. I know how loud, noisy, harsh those tires can be at only 15 thousand miles on them. I almost wanted to trade the car in on a Lexus, but then I changed the tires and am in love again. Give the car a chance with new tires, you will love it. The tire pressure system still works with regular tires, dont listen to the dealers.

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  Euro 3.8L - 1993 BMW M5
  By JBH - February 7 - 2:00 am

  This is one of those great motor cars that as soon as you drive the first mile you can sense its motorsport background. Free-reving engine, tight steering and suspension, sport seats, and the deep exhaust note all tell you this is something special. It is not cheap to own - despite being simple in design by todays standards, the car has a number of very advanced features that are great when they work, but when they dont, the cost to repair them can be high. For example, this car has the Nurburgring suspension - with its dynamic dampering system it sense cornering loads and adjust the shocks to compensate - cost of replacement about $4000.

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  Good Car But! - 2001 BMW 7-Series
  By Dont Get the Tan - February 6 - 2:00 am

  As with most BMWs the horror of the onwership is dealing with the Dealers Service Department. This time my experiences have been no different. While I love the ride and fun of the car, things just dont work. In 20,000 miles I have replaced the Dash Pixels and Sunroof liner. Trim on the door sill and rear passanger door and left front kidney trim fell off.

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  I WANT MY MONEY BACK - 2001 BMW X5
  By primoFOODS - February 2 - 2:00 am

  LOVE THE LOOK AND FEEL OF THE CAR. LOT OF FUN TO DRIVE, I LIKE IT AS MUCH AS MY 911. BUT THE CAR IS IN THE SHOP EVERYOTHER WEEK. IT HAS BEEN IN FOR SMALL PROBLEMS AND FOR LARGE ONES, SUCH AS IT DOES NOT START UNTILL THE 3RD TRY AND PARK AVE BMW (WORST SERVICE DEPT EVER) CAN NOT FIX IT. THE NAVIGATION SCREEN GOES BLANK AND SOMETIMES THE BLINKERS STOP WORKING FOR A WHILE AND COME BACK ON. AND THAT IS JUST THE TIP OF THE ICEBERG. BUY SOMETHING ELSE!!!

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  In the shop again! - 2002 BMW 7-Series
  By uscdentist - January 31 - 2:00 am

  This is my 8th BMW. It is by far the most unreliable one I have owned. Today I had to drop it off at the dealer after the ENGINE MALFUNCTION light came on. The one thing I didnt expect to go wrong in this car was the engine. I guess the suspension is next.