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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  Drivers and Mechanics dream - 2008 BMW 3-Series
  By FLMike - September 25 - 8:35 am

  Bought my 335xi AWD sedan as a CPO with 30K miles in 2011 as a "practical" commuter as too many miles on my 1995 Porsche 911S. Love the car but the maintenance costs are beginning to concern me. IMO the ONLY way to purchase / own a 335XI is under the CPO warranty program and sell it before the value curve falls off at 5 to 6 years. Maintenance thus far: Via recall: fuel pump, Under CPO: Both rear bearings, front transfer case, front bearing, all O2 sensors, idler pulley, main harness from battery to engine compartment. Maintenance not covered under CPO: rear window motor: $400 Now at 104K highway miles, maintenance out of my pocket: Electric water pump and thermostat ($1500). So I am estimating the cost to drive this driving machine approaching >$10k in 4 years. Ouch. Expected Maintenance in next 3 months: All fuel injectors: $1600, Rotors / pads $800. Turbos...? hope not.

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  Major Issues - 2009 BMW 3-Series
  By Disappointed - September 23 - 9:53 am

  Bought a 2009 328xi with certified warranty. Under warranty the engine fan needing replacement, the rear light assembly and the air conditioning unit. My warranty expired in March 2015. It is now September 2015 and I took my car in for an oil change and front brakes and they are now telling me my front differential needs repaired and I have a cracked valve cover. Mind you my car just turned 60k. These are all major repairs for a car that is basically 5 years old and very low miles. I am so beside myself that 6 mos after the warranty I have more large ticket items at the tune of $3k. to repair? I will probably never buy another BMW as I have vehicles over 15 years old at home that have never had to have major work or major repair bills. I took the car down to see what the trade in value is and its only $12k after paying $32k for it 5 years ago. Wow!

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  Extremely disappointed - 2012 BMW 3-Series
  By Gordo - September 9 - 8:14 am

  This is my second BMW my first was a MY 2006 325i that I bought new. This time I decided to get a CPO 2012 328i. I have had the car for about 45 days it has been in the shop for 15 of those days. It needed: A NEW TIMING BELT (after I was told that the blender-like noise the engine was making was "normal" until I took it back to the dealer to investigate it further), an new window regulator, a new seat belt latch, re-charged AC, and crack in the instrument panel plastic covering the instruments. A week later I had to take it BACK because the steering wheel was making a load groaning noise when turned, and the stereo intermittently recognizes that I have a CD in the player or my iPhone connected to the USB. Sometimes I have to go without music on the wonderful upgraded Harmon Kardon stereo until the system decides to reset itself. The dealership still cannot diagnose this issue. Also, the only way to drive this car is to leave it in "Sport" mode. The default "Comfort" mode makes the car feel like a 1980s-era Cadillac-all floaty and bouncy on the highway. Steering and handling are tops in Sport mode, though. Overall Im disappointed in the quality. I had the 2006 325i for 5 years, and had ZERO issues other than the sunroof not wanting to close from time to time. I put 102,000 miles on it and only did basic maintenance-no unexpected warranty visits. Thank tha LAWD I got the extended warranty with this CPO (Certified Piece Of _____). I had a Mercedes C300 and Volvo S60 in the interim of the BMWs and getting this car-sad to say, I think I may go back to either one of them. Beautiful car inside and out, though.

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  Not happy - 2015 BMW X1
  By Jim Smith - September 6 - 4:46 pm

  Number of things that bother me. 1. front door handles will pinch the fire out of your fingers if you are not careful. 2. after 600 miles the car only gets 18.2 mpg in Dallas traffic. 8 miles below what they say it should get. 3. not much of a pickup 4. wheel base porpoises a lot.

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  Where i went wrong - 2006 BMW X5
  By Larry - September 5 - 5:43 am

  Bought a 06 Bmw x5 6months ago within the first two weeks i knew where i went wrong BOUGHT A BMW Heres the thing about it Yes it runs rides and handles awesome but that doesnt make up for the lemon it is Within the first two weeks the mirrors started going crazy then the rear wiper wouldnt stop honestly it ran until it stripped the splines the headliner started falling and when i push nearly any button on the dash as soon as i lift my finger the buttons fly off at me then the driver window fell next the passenger fell followed by the right rear im like lmao $13k just thrown away not to mention burning a quart of oil every 1k miles As far as traveling yeah i trust it but im worried about the electrical system but who knows what part Will [non-permissible content removed] next By the way FOR SELL $8K My loss your gain

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  Expected Higher Quality - 2010 BMW 3-Series
  By Robert - September 3 - 12:11 pm

  Issues to date: Rear tail light assembly failed, front windshield rubber trim disintegrated, rear window trim disintegrated, rear view mirror retaining ring pops out making the mirror flop all over and not stay in position, rear seat stitching failed near headrest seam. These seem minor but they are all very irritating. Ive owned several Mercedes, a Jaguar, and my daily driver is a Porsche. This is my wifes car so I am constantly fielding these repairs. First BMW and I expected more.

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  Buyer Beware of problematic Air Conditioner - 2015 BMW X5
  By Disappointed Owner - August 5 - 5:43 pm

  I had to bring my car to the dealership twice for repair on the AC on 2015 BMW X5 with less than 10k miles. Essentially, this is the first summer using the AC on long highway distance at speed. Dealership had to contact BMW in order to come up with a modification to the (transistor???) as a solution, yet to be tested. My understanding is this does happen on other BMW models as well. Buyer be aware of this as we learned the hard way on a brand new $60K SUV with problematic AC.

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  poor reliability & expensive to fix - 2008 BMW 5-Series
  By Mike - July 29 - 5:38 am

  Great car when it is work. 77 kmiles, second owner bought at 50 k. so far I replaced, water pump, turbo,shift assembly,, battery , one bearing , low pressure fuel pump. If you have the money for this buy it if not...no. The only way I will buy an other BMW will be only if has CPO warranty ...

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  let down - 2008 BMW X3
  By jeff - July 28 - 1:48 am

  I knew what we were getting into with the car when purchased back in 2012, with 58k miles on it. But I was assured that BMWs last forever. Wasnt a full month and the car was in the shop. Spent hundreds on the vanos, which I later learned is German for "dont let your local non certified BMW mechanic work on your cat or you will spend hundreds of dollars repairs the vanos". Gas guzzling vehicle, but just never captured any value from the car. Just a big let down from day one. Oh and a bright orange light in the car was annoying as was the fact I could never pair the Bluetooth despite 3 "know how to do it" guys trying.

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  Love the car - Hate the headaches - 2005 BMW 6-Series
  By Robert Freeman - July 23 - 7:54 am

  Reliability is an issue - right now I need to take the car to the shop to get the engine gaskets replaced, the intermittent PDC failure analyzed, the trunk lock sensor fixed so that I can open it with the remote, the brake fluid flushed, the interior filter replaced, brake pads replaced, etc.