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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  Electronic Gremlins - 2003 BMW 5-Series
  By veinr - September 4 - 11:07 pm

  I bought this car a little over a year ago and have spent approx. 2K in repairs. The radiator is plastic as is the water pump impeller motor. It had several oil and hydraulic leaks which I had repaired. The rear tires wear on the inside quite rapidly due to camber settings with the independent suspension. The battery burned a hole in itself and Ive had several turn signal issues, lights burning out, shorts etc. Right now Im getting a low oil pressure light at idle even after replacing the sending unit. The cupholders and interior buttons are very cheap. Other than that, this is a really fun car to drive. The motor is bullet proof. I got 23mpg on a recent trip with 3 bikes on the roof rack.

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  Not quite a sports car - 2002 BMW Z3
  By Neil - September 4 - 9:48 pm

  My Z3 runs great and has been very reliable, BUT when the finish peeled off the wheels BMW told me the warranty only covers if the wheels dont go round. The seats move forward and back as I speed up or slow down. I did have an Austin Healy in the 60s and this car does not measure up. The shifter gating is vague, the seats are not comfortable for any distance (I guess that is why I never need to worry about fuel range), the interior fittings are always falling apart. Even the logo washes off of the emblems. When I have to wait SIX WEEKS for a ABS sensor that I cannot drive without I am not happy. I can get parts for My TR8 quicker and that is more fun to drive.

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  Sport, yet refined - 2009 BMW 1-Series
  By james - September 4 - 11:25 am

  Went from a Honda civic, so naturally am impressed with the handling of this well made auto. It has plenty of power, with excellent cornering and braking. Everyone in the family says it makes me look younger!

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  Arguably the best convertible ever - 2003 BMW 3-Series
  By Dr.D, - September 4 - 10:00 am

  Head turner with the top down (Light blue with grey leather interior and dk blue top). Super to drive and smooth as silk. Good air conditioning for german car and (at last) adjustable steering column.

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  Nice Car - 2003 BMW 3-Series
  By Brian 007 - September 4 - 10:00 am

  Four passenger sport cars are hard to come by, but my 2001 BMW 330CI sure fits the bill. I wanted a convertable along with the option to carry passengers. Shopping you just dont find any other car that can offer high preformance, sleek styling, comfort in the drive, and four seats.

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  excellent machine - 2003 BMW 3-Series
  By glad - September 4 - 10:00 am

  Excellent car. Safe and fun to drive.

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  Great exterior, dodgey interior......... - 2003 BMW 3-Series
  By Steven Zimbelman - September 4 - 10:00 am

  I love the exterior styling of my 325 CI! Unfortunately the interior stylists were not as talented. Power window controlsa are place uncomfortably. Passenger powerseat controls are inconveniantly places for the driver to operate and the seatbelts constantly get hungup on the seat release levers. A subtle reshaping of the sunvisors would allow them more upward movement. The coin holder is a rediculous and ill- located design. The armrest covers one of the cupholders unless lifted up.... Not well designer on the whole. The Japanese have it better thought out.

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  my 6th bimmer - 2003 BMW 3-Series
  By Eddie Pena - September 4 - 10:00 am

  this is my 5th bimmer, and over all all of them are very good, not excellent. leather seats its poor quality, they break and crack in less than 3 years old,and carpets they are not very good either, engine is very reliable.

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  0-60 in less than 7 secs- Way less! - 2003 BMW 3-Series
  By Dedi - September 4 - 10:00 am

  This is the most fun car I have ever owned - it is true about BMW drivers - you do drive more aggressively - and it is because you can. It holds the road and excellerates very fast - I never fear that I can pull out onto a road and get my speed up quickly - When taking sharp bends it holds the road as if it was on a track - and going down hill if you down shift it does not freewheel out of control - I never have to hit the brakes on each bend - It is easy to shift and the clutch is like butter - anyone could learn to drive in it -

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  bobs toy - 2003 BMW 3-Series
  By R. Shook - September 4 - 10:00 am

  mst looking car-holds the road on the road-convertible tops is flawless-191- 20 mpg-ride can be hard-back seat uncomfordable for full size adults- glove box too small-needs deeper storage bin between seats-fast and steady-corners well-be carefull pulling up to concrete parking strips as front end catches on concrete and pulls out (off) of front end and is expensive to fix-service at dealers excellent-will buy new on in 2004