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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  Overall a good deal - 1998 BMW 7-Series
  By stanley kowalski - August 22 - 5:33 pm

  Dirt cheap to buy for what you get. Incredible 12 cylinder model is if anything, more reliable than the 8, and well worth the small premium. Basically its been reliable with only one unscheduled repair in 2.5 years. Still, maintenance costs are considerable, but viewed as being in lieu of car payments, overall affordable, especially for those of us who do not put huge mileage on a car. Its not a headache car. Merely high maintenance.

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  3 years Later - 2006 BMW 3-Series
  By jray - August 22 - 12:58 pm

  This is the second BMW I have owned, the first one is a 1986 325es still driven with 295,000 miles on it. Unlike my 1986 this car does all of the driving for me and initially it was a shift to go from a pure rear wheel drive to an AWD car. I take the corners sooner rather than later in the new car. The only problem I had with the car was the bluetooth pairing and it was fixed by the dealer. I have been the owner of this car for two years. Even though there are a few things I would change about the car, this car is amazing and I would buy another in a heartbeat...only after 300,000 miles of course.

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  My Birthday Present - 2010 BMW 5-Series
  By Dave Marshall - August 22 - 12:03 pm

  I have wanted to own a BMW for most of my adult life but thought that they were woo expensive. I have owned three Acura TLs and always thought that they were great cars. Two things happened this year to make my decision to get a 535i. First I turned 65, and secondly the new TL is ugly so I sprang for a BMW for my birthday. Thinking that if I was ever going to get a Beemer and enjoy it, I needed to do it this year. I picked it up two weeks ago yesterday. It is great. The ride is quick and positive. Steering control is excellent and balance is great. BMW even put the interior that we wanted in the car. This was a special order and filled without complaint or extra cost. I love it.

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  Drive It Like You Stole It! - 1992 BMW 3-Series
  By The Stig - August 21 - 8:38 pm

  I bought this car at 150,000kms and Im now approaching 250,000kms. I expect the bimmer to last much longer - car is in excellent condition. Although not as quick as its 6-cyclinder counterparts its an economical bimmer with enough juice for spirited driving and great handling. Overtime Ive replaced many parts which are known to be weak in this model including: water pump, head gasket, strut tower mounts, ball joints...(all preventative maintenance, not broken) otherwise car has run with few problems over the years. Only failures: bolt in clutch linkage broke at 224,000kms ($10 part, $300 tow to garage) fog light connection a little loose... the bracket broke off in cooler weather.

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  I still love it - 2003 BMW Z4
  By Stephanie - August 21 - 1:15 pm

  My car has 125000 and I still LOVE the Z4 after 5 years. It is comfortable, has good gas mileage (31 mpg on highway) even though I am low to the ground, I feel safe on the rainy, winding roads. The only problem I have ever had is not mechanical, the front skirt is so low to the ground that I had to change it twice because it broke. It is so reliable and fun to drive that I will drive it until the end!

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  dual personality: driver / track toy - 2001 BMW 3-Series
  By thrak-rhatt - August 21 - 10:00 am

  one must take this car to a drivers school to appreciate the brilliant work the bmw /M folks did in the suspension tune. superb handling. the track is the only place one can sanely extract the performance this car offers, which is considerable: i chased down a pair of itb racers in my run group who were leaving me for dead on the straights. better still, the car does not beat you up day-2-day, offers quite good fuel economy, is reasonable to insure, and is drop-dead gorgeous to look at. the price of admission is high, but in this case you do get what you pay for.

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  2003 BMW Z4 Premium/Sport Everything Rvw - 2003 BMW Z4
  By Jermy1304 - August 20 - 9:39 pm

  I was shopping for a sports car and shortly after driving this car I fell in love with it. The handling is amazing and its got some "get up and go". I will warn you, IT IS A HIGH MAINTENANCE VEHICLE. I bought it 4 months ago with 62k and have had to do 10x as much work as I ever did on my Toyota Tacoma in 2 years. Convertible top doesnt work, Tire sensors were malfunctioning, Turn signal went out, Windshield Wipers malfunctioned, cant jack it up because it is so low, inconvenient access to almost everything, chews up tires because negative camber is set at 3% stock (change to 2% at next alignment )...and still, I am planning to buy a 2009 Z4 because they are THAT FUN! Warning: Chick Magnet.

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  So glad I bought it! - 2010 BMW 5-Series
  By serfup - August 19 - 3:23 pm

  Bought my first BMW, a 535ix about 2 months ago. Took a test drive and that was all I needed. Amazing to drive, the handling, road feel and acceleration are second to none. The interior is classic beauty without overkill. I found the i drive to be easy to use and makes getting to anything I need simple. I do not see what the fuss is with the cup holders, they offer no problems I can see and who cares the way this baby drives. I am in outside sales and the Park Distance control is great when you have to do a lot of back parking. The premium sound system is great and I must have at least 80 cds stored on the hard drive. This car exceeded my expectations. How often can you say that?

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  platinum325ci - 2004 BMW 3-Series
  By icedout23 - August 18 - 10:00 am

  I love what I drive

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  Just loven it - 2004 BMW 3-Series
  By Whynvme - August 18 - 10:00 am

  You can ask for a better car than this one!!!