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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  Worth the wait - 2004 BMW 3-Series
  By Toni Visoky - June 11 - 10:00 am

  I have always purchased American made vehicles, until now. I fell in love with the design at first of the BMW 325i but never thought I would be able to afford one. Guess what, it is almost the same price as the American vehicles I have looked at. I have 2 children under the age of 6, they have plenty of room in the back seat. Besides that, I feel that this car is designed so well that each time I get going on the road...I am sure I will get to where I am going without any trouble. This 325i BMW is just what I have always wanted, and it looks sharp as well. I chose Black on Black with a 5-speed. It was worth the wait coming over from Germany.

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  Best car Ive owned - 2004 BMW 5-Series
  By higg12345 - June 11 - 10:00 am

  The comfort and handling is excellent, perforance is watch your speed on the highway I set the limit on the I control to tell me when Im going over 90 mph I love this vehicle.

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  My favorite BMW yet - 2004 BMW Z4
  By Advantyper79 - June 11 - 10:00 am

  Pick up my Z4 3.0 last weekend, all I been doing is driving ..driving ..and driving.. the car is amazing, handling is superb.. much more solid than my 330i. The only complain I have is the trademark BMW "THUMP" when you close the door is gone and the door handle feels cheap like a honda or something.. and the mousetrap sunvisors are not too good when I pay over $45k for the vehicle. But the performance, handling and all the ATTENTION you get with the car is well worth every penny... The more I drive it the more I loved it...

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  Fun Forever - 1993 BMW 3-Series
  By Eric - June 11 - 9:12 am

  Bought it new. Now 15 years old, 120K on odometer, well make 200k easy, the ultimate keeper. Still looks great, inside and out. 20 mpg city - 29 mpg highway, low ratios keep T/E mileage down. Classic lines, never out of style. Lots of bolt-on go fast available. Any BMW over 5 years is a DIY car, dealer rates and parts will kill you.

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  M3s little brother - 2012 BMW 3-Series
  By Frank Bodoni - June 11 - 4:57 am

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  Stay with the E39 - 2000 BMW 5-Series
  By Sim Simma Bimma - June 10 - 10:00 am

  Ok, this is my second Bimma. 1st was an 84 325e that saved me a couple of times. I bought this 528i in 06 with only 35k miles on it. Only issues were the typical stuff that I had my dealership fix. The reason I am writing this review is to state that I just got 620 miles on 1 tank of gas. I am no "hiper-miler" but thats outstanding. That equated to 34 mpg. Just installed my own cd player and a sub. 10 speakers and still no bass. great thing is that my radio charges my bbery curve.

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  Meant for the Autobahn - 2004 BMW 5-Series
  By jeeper3 - June 10 - 2:00 am

  Silver-Grey 530i w/sports package, cold weather package, rear heated seats, and xenon lights. I absolutely love this car. I have wanted BMW for almost 20 years now and I must say the 530i was well worth the wait. The handling is tight (best of any sedan, bar none), acceleration smooth and reasonably fast for a 6-cyl sedan, xenon lights are awesome; lights up the night like mid-day, heated seats a must w/leather here in Germany. Cant wait to take it back to the Rockies where I can put the adaptive steering through its paces. If youre able to, spring for the sports package...the added features and "ride like its on rails" road handling is amazing.

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  X3 Makes Me Young at Heart - 2004 BMW X3
  By kimkim - June 10 - 2:00 am

  I love my first BMW - X3. It is incomparable. The handling is super!! the best!!! I traded my old RX300 and drove the new RX330:the drive are the same. The new RX330 had some minor detail enhancement and thats all. I was not impress at all and to think that Ive worked at Toyota in Torrance for more than 6 months. I know fully well that after owning the RX300 for 5 years which that the X3 is really different. The fuel consumption are about the same with my old car, but of course Ive been driving the freeways.

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  awesome - 2004 BMW 3-Series
  By leah shifflett - June 10 - 2:00 am

  this car is the greatest car ive ever owned,, i encourage everyone to have one.

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  BMW 3 Series - 2004 BMW 3-Series
  By nkalu - June 10 - 2:00 am

  Excellent drive, excellent ride.