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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  bmw 541 - 1998 BMW 5-Series
  By yd - October 21 - 2:00 am

  this car is fun to drive but takes a lot of gas.

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  poor selection never again - 1997 BMW 7-Series
  By emeadows - October 5 - 2:00 am

  in discussions with many other 740 buyers i have yet to meet even one that was happy everything breaks the cup holders at 500 dollars 3 times radiator transmission both exhaust pipes at 2 grand each seats on drivers side crack check and you will find this on half even the lcds burn out on dash

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  No more German cars - 2011 BMW 3-Series
  By grant faria - September 15 - 2:37 pm

  As a car guy my whole life I always heard how great BMWs were. So after years of Japanese and American cars with no complaints I decided to buy a 3 Series I could finally afford. Unfortunately I learned a BMW is no better (and in may ways worse) than a car that costs car less. It is a terrible value with poor fuel economy, higher than average insurance costs and unreliable parts that cost FAR more than a regular car to replace. I will never buy another German car after owning this car.

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  Pretty & fun car but unreliable! - 2002 BMW 3-Series
  By T.Mk1 - September 3 - 2:04 am

  This car was fun to drive and pretty to look at. HOWEVER, the frequency of breakdowns was relentless. I didnt mind the repair costs, but the fact that this car broke down so many times was stressful. I was stranded on the road 3 times! I did the repairs myself, but the parts I bought for it added up to be $3000. If labor was added, it wouldve been close to $7000. Here is a list of things that I remember I had to replace on this car: Vacuum lines, secondary air pump, secondary air valve, vacuum solenoid, crankcase valve, control arm bushings, antifreeze reservoir, auxiliary fan, radiator fan, blower motor resistor, 2 window regulators, windshield wiper motor, windshield cowl, fuel filler cap, MAF sensor, camshaft sensor, DISA valve. It was also burning oil every 2000 miles. All of these parts failed within 1 year of owning this car, it had only 120,000 miles. Its true what they say, they are endless money pits. You have been warned. Lesson learned.

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  Looking for another brand next time - 2000 BMW X5
  By mf - August 24 - 2:00 am

  Many small things have gone wrong or broken in the vehicle, which meant many trips to the dealer to have them repaired. There were two major recalls, one regarding faulty acceleration, I almost gone plowed over by a tactor trailer when the truck did not accelerate through an intersection. The other for the braking system. Not a very pleasnt BMW experience for me and I was a tried and true customer. This was my third BMW. I am looking at other brands for my next SUV! Check carefully the cars history if you buy one used.

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  528s Are BAD NEWS - 1997 BMW 5-Series
  By felgar - August 5 - 2:00 am

  I bought this car as a lease return with an after market warranty. It has constantly been in the shop. The last major problem was a blown head gasket and warped head - BMW took no ownerhship in the problem and cost me $5K. These are very unreliable cars and I will never purchase a BMW again. Great looks but Big Money Wasted

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  The most unreliable car Ive ever had - 1998 BMW 7-Series
  By Just say no to BMW - June 13 - 2:00 am

  This is the most unreliable car Ive ever had. Too many problems to mentions. The biggest mistake!

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  4 Cyclinder BMW - 1997 BMW Z3
  By Snowie - April 6 - 2:00 am

  16 Valve 4 cyclinder is rough, noise and lack of power, Japanese makes better 4 cyclinder engine. Poor chassis, very dangerous for fast driving. Chassis twise during hard corning. Poor quality seat, it moves back and forth due to wear out of seat rail. POOR!!!

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  bye bye Beemer - 2005 BMW 3-Series
  By ElDriver - February 15 - 7:26 pm

  I have hard far too many problems. After 2000 miles an annoying buzz developed in the dash. The dealer acknowledged the problem but was under to fix, told me this is part of owning a Performance Car. Air conditioner quit working in the middle of the summer. After 8,000 miles it refused to start, leaving me stranded out of town. The firm, sport suspension grows tiring on any thing other than short trips. I expected much more from this car. I am very disappointed.

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  I might have gotten a lemon, but a money pit - 2008 BMW 5-Series
  By DHecker - January 19 - 1:35 am

  The most telling example of the problems Ive had with this car is the following. The BMW has warning signals for many different things, including that the outside temperature is now 37°. However, it does not have a warning signal to say that for whatever reason a seal in the transmission has blown and all of the fluid is leaking out. Leading to the need for a new transmission. I have had innumerable problems with the engine, electronics, lights, you name it. There is now once again an engine warning light on. I bought the car in 2011 with only 25,000 miles on it. If I have not spent $15,000 in repairs since then, I would be shocked. Dont waste your money. On the positive side, when it is working and especially on the highway it is a lot of fun to drive. It gets mediocre mileage around town (it is quite heavy). But it gets somewheres around 33 miles per gallon on the highway.