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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  What were they thinking???? - 2002 BMW 7-Series
  By MTM - May 18 - 2:00 am

  I went from a 740 to a S430 and needed to get back to the performance of a 7, if your a real driver the S class wont cut it. I was the first on my block and the dealership for that matter to pick up this car and loved it UNTIL the problems started. Remote problems, telephone keypad went, Nav. system from 5 years ago which stopped working all together. The dealer cant fix all the problems just patch them for now, all in all the i drive system stinks. BMW rushed this car to market before fixing the bug and are lucky loyal customers are still around. BMWs lucky it drives like no other or they would certainly loose market share to other companies.

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  Great Car - 2002 BMW 3-Series
  By Patreon - May 17 - 3:45 am

  Im a single college student got my baby straight out of high school with 130,000 miles my car had 220,000 miles on it before I was in a accident and outside of normal wear and tear I never had any problems. Great for traveling, amazing on gas. This car handles amazingly and hugs the road. BMW truly lives up to the name the ultimate driving machine.

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  Its been a ride - 1999 BMW 5-Series
  By moth123dd - May 15 - 2:00 am

  Great performance, fun to drive, dont live in New England, however. Bad in snow/ice, even a very little. Interior design is good, love the radio controls on the steering wheel. Cup holders have broken off five times, windshield wipers have stopped working in the rain, front molding has fallen off.

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  Love It! - 1992 BMW 3-Series
  By mkear - May 6 - 2:00 am

  This is a classy high performance car that is a pleasure to drive. Excellent performance in the winter and the summer. Makes people jealous (even though you spent less on it than they did on their Honda!)

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  X5 - 2005 BMW X5
  By Paul Hyland - May 6 - 1:50 am

  Passes everything but a gas station

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  This is my first and the last BMW. - 2007 BMW 3-Series
  By lunixlack - May 4 - 5:53 am

  This is my first and the last BMW. I had Mercedes cars before (used and couple new ones) and I thought that BMW has a better quality, but this is not the case. Ive got my 335i miracle on September 5, 2006 as 2007 model. In two weeks fuel pump went down on a highway road. It took one week to repair. In January 2007 Ive got an engine malfunction on the car dashboard. The car dealer reset the light and BMW HQ said too much alcohol in the US gas?? In the same day Ive got the light again. Now the car is on my dealer repair shop a second week already and BMW HQ still canÂ’t fix it. One time more of the same light and the car can be classified as lemon!!

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  Excellent Car with minor issues. - 1995 BMW 7-Series
  By Rolly64 - May 2 - 2:00 am

  This car is fun to drive, lots of room and plenty of power. My issues is the rear shade not working and needs to be replaced (according to dealer) and the passenger side view mirror does not move when you go to reverse. So, do I get them fix for over $1,000 or leave it alone?

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  RW 92 525i - 1992 BMW 5-Series
  By Richard Wamboldt - May 2 - 2:00 am

  Caris basically excelent,however, numerous mechanical problems have been encountered: 3 burnt exhaust valves between 96000 and 123000 miles, A/C compressor failure at 82000, water pump total failure at 90000, fuel pump failure at 97000. The clutch, which I drove for 104000 required replacement recently and then, only the throwout bearing actually required replacement. The car is in excelent condition, no body damage and the leather interior is clean and undamaged. All functions are working.

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  BEWARE OF SMG PROBLEM - 2002 BMW M3
  By oettinger - May 1 - 2:00 am

  First time M3 buyer loved the car for about one week. After that it was pretty much a nightmare. The SMG starts to do funny thing like switch gear from the current gear to neutral, while in motion. The problem is due to bad hydraulic causing the gear to switch from gear to neutral. The car is still at the dealer WAITING for the part to arrive sometimes this week. I am just hoping this problem wont happened to anyone who is consider buying this car. This is a great car to drive but not its reliability. If you are consider of buying one do think twice before purchase it. Dame should have got myself a C32 AMG instead.

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  1994 325i - 1994 BMW 3-Series
  By rgbraith - April 30 - 2:00 am

  If you love to drive and truly appreciate what that means, you cant find a better sedan for the money. The E36 chassis with a five-speed is superior to many of the sport sedans that are sold new in the US today. The car will do an honest 150, 60 in second gear, and gets 26 mpg in all around driving. I live in Wisconsin, and with snow tires it handles better than a front wheel drive car with average tires. Note, a stock 325i will not perform on par with the above, my car has a Dinan chip and B&B exhaust that increase the horsepower/torque to 210/210 (a rather conservative estimate), raise the rev limit safely to 7000 rpm and eliminate the top speed governor (normally 128 mph).