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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  Electrical/Computer Problems - 2004 BMW Z4
  By Shayen George - April 1 - 10:00 am

  These cars are prone to electrical computer problems relasted to the Idrive system. If you search the Internet you will find hundreds of stories like mine. My Z-4 has stalled out unexpectedly at total of six times. The EML (Engine Malfunction Light)light came on, and I could not get the RPMs up for sufficient power. On 2 occasions this created life threating situations.

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  BMW - 2004 BMW 3-Series
  By ARMANDO - April 1 - 10:00 am

  ITS CHOPY,COSTLY,NO FUN. THE CRAFTSHIP INSIDE IT GREAT, BUT THE REABILLITY IS BAD. I HAD A LOT ISSUES WITH THE A/C,THE ELECTRIC SYSTEM. NEXT TIME I WILL TRAY A SAAB 9-3 OR AUDI A-4.

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  Whats not to like. - 2002 BMW X5
  By jdk - April 1 - 2:00 am

  I was asked if I like my X5 and my reply was "whats not to like". As in true BMW form the X5 is a fine automobile. I have nothing bad to say about this car and mostly superlatives when talking about it. The 4.4i engine is responsive and fast. The transmission is smooth as silk and matches perfectly to the engine.

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  greg - 1994 BMW 7-Series
  By greg boggan - April 1 - 2:00 am

  Car has plenity of power. On board computer can be a bit bothersome at times. Will warn you about any low fluid levels, blown bulbs, etc. Computer will keep the warning light displayed until filled or fixed. A little slow on the take off, but once in second gear this car really excelerate.

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  The Good, Bad & The Ugly - 1995 BMW 7-Series
  By K-Ray - April 1 - 2:00 am

  The Good: Love the styling and performance, and friendly service people. It will all be over in 2 more months. The Bad: Hated all the service problems and service is over-priced (e.g., too expensive - new battery- $300+ Brakes- $600 annual servicing $600 2 new tires at 35,00 miles-$430+ headlamps brake-lights new belts, etc - too frustrating to list all problems). The Ugly: Salesperson lied about cost of service and maintenance("$50 maximum up to 100,000 miles). Service and maintenance costs were totally unexpected.

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  Fun car, but problems, problems - 2000 BMW Z3
  By Mark in CT - March 31 - 2:00 am

  No one can question that the Z3 is an awesome driving machine - pure fun to drive. My problem is that the car spends a lot of time being towed to the dealer for repairs. Three times the throttle assembly has failed, requiring a tow and average of about one week to fix. And now it appears it has happened again. Lemon-law? Tried that - but the problem started after 20K which is beyond lemon-law consideration. In short: BMW has not responded in a professional manor, and this is the worst car experience of my life. No more Beemers for me.

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  A Simply Amazing Car... - 2002 BMW M3
  By EricM - March 30 - 2:00 am

  Looking for the ultimate 4-seat sports car? Here it is. Nothing else approaches it. Power, handling, & braking, plus style, comfort, quality, safety - its all here in a big way. Manual transmission (or the clutchless manual SMG) keeps you in control, as a sports car should. Blazingly fast: only extreme, dedicated sports cars can overmatch it on the track, and yet practical & civil enough to be a daily driver. Its our only car! Wife drives it to work I drive it on trips and just for fun. Appearance sleek but not over-the-top. Only drawback: harsh ride on crappy roads.

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  Walter BMW Review 2002 - 1994 BMW 5-Series
  By Walter Dunson - March 25 - 2:00 am

  This is a fun vehicle to drive. It appears to be very strong and durable. I really enjoy driving this car.

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  BMW 318ti Hatchback - 1997 BMW 3-Series
  By M&C - March 24 - 2:00 am

  Fun to drive. Lots of zip. Holds lots of cargo.

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  Impressive but still a ways to go! - 2002 BMW 7-Series
  By talentwave - March 22 - 2:00 am

  Im having problems with the software, mostly. The Nav. system came written in German, I lose my settings frequently, the passanger door locked up on me with no way to open it, the trunk locked up on me with the e-mechanics failing, the comfort seats have some intrinsic glitches such as the headrest goes up if you move the seat forward or back, so its mostly the added features and the computers software that need improvement. The Nav is archaic compared to the rest of the car. Lets get DVD soon, OK?