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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  Its a keeper - 2003 BMW 3-Series
  By savvyd - May 22 - 2:00 am

  This is my first BMW. Most definately not my last. Cant wait to hop in the car to go to work. My boss is much happier with me now

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  Amazing X3 - 2005 BMW X3
  By Alex Ciocilteu - May 18 - 6:00 am

  We purchased the X3 as a familly vehicle. We regularly transport our 2 (young) children in it. The reason we chose it is that we do not need a third row yet and we wanted as much as possible to get a vehicle that handles like a car without getting a station wagon. As you can imagine we also wanted at all costs to avoid the dreaded van. The X3 is just large enough not to feel cramped and yet remin nimble for city driving. The build quality is excellent; however the texture of the dash is questionable and the door handles could stand to look less like they were made in China. Handling is simply amazing: the truck handles like a (sports) sedan. We have found it comfortable (no sports package).

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  Quality problems - 2006 BMW 3-Series
  By singh - April 20 - 6:00 am

  I own the BMW for last 11 months and drove 12000 miles. It is creating troubles for me steadily. During the first month I had to replace the ball bearing of the front right wheel, the left window pane started making noise and was replaced. Navigation went down and was replaced this month. I have to change wipers every 2nd month. CD player and even parking sensors also got replaced with navigation. Now steering wheel has started making a ticking noise. Air noise also started inc. day by day. Dealer says axle problem so need to be replaced. My car is under warranty so I am getting these treatments free of cost. I just cant imagine what would happen after the warranty ends.

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  Dont get to close - 2004 BMW 3-Series
  By Juno Boy - April 19 - 10:00 am

  Front paint chips easier than most cars. Dealer tacked on $1K as "Total vehicle protection" on the sticker which was a total scam. Very little thought put into cup holder placement. No leg room in rear seats even for kids. Get the 330xi(T) for the performance!

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  THE BMW - 2003 BMW 3-Series
  By Adrian Brault - April 10 - 2:00 am

  well the bmw is much better then my other bmw which was a 2000 roadster. i like this model much better

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  Still Fun - 2001 BMW 3-Series
  By J. B. - April 4 - 2:00 am

  I love my BMW, but I too experienced the aux. fan failure two months into ownership. In my instance, I was left stranded in 95+ heat with two very young children. BMW Roadside Assistance took over two hours to arrive and sent a hook! I refused and one hour later a flatbed finally arrived. The dealership provided a 5 series loaner for almost six weeks...until they finally had aux. fans that worked. Since that time(18 months) the car has never missed a beat and is a wonderful car to drive. It is not "just another car."

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  325Ci Sport/Premium Package - 2001 BMW 3-Series
  By Earl Grey - March 30 - 10:00 am

  I purchased my 325 coupe in December 2000. I presently have 32,000 miles on it. The only problem I have had is with the window molding on the interior. I have heard that this has been a problem with almost every coupe. The dealer fixed it with no problem at all. The dealership also changed my brake pads for FREE. They said that they were not up to specs. This is by far the best handling car that I have ever driven. The sport package is a must. It gives you a tighter suspension and it hardly compromises the quality of the ride.

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  First BMW - 2017 BMW X1
  By Harry - March 30 - 1:52 am

  We shopped around for quite some time looking for a small/midsize crossover. We test drove literally dozens of vehicles: Mazda, Audi, Benz, Honda, Ford, to name a few. We were between the Volvo XC 60 and the Hyundai Santa Fe Sport. We loved the Volvo but the price at $52K out the door was a little more than we were willing to pay. We were about to settle on the Hyundai (even though it didnt drive especially well) when the night before I read an article about the X1 and figured well go check it out before settling on the Hyundai. To our delight, we loved the way the X1 looked, drove, and its interior is bigger than it seems from the outside. The trunk was the biggest surprise to us with the underneath compartment. We loved the car. We compromised on the base X-Drive model MSRP of $36K but got them down to $33K. We took it home that night and have been enjoying it ever since. Nearly 1 month later, we have gotten a good feel for the X1. Our biggest complaints have to do with some basic features lacking in the base model which we knew going in. The fully loaded Hyundai had all the features Im talking about i.e. LED Headlights, XM Radio, Blind Spot monitoring, Sunroof, backup camera, adaptive cruise, forward collision warning, integrated sunshades, heated seats, navigation to name some big ones. The X1 does have some of these features if you elect certain packages but the price will quickly climb into the 40s and beyond. Ultimately, we chose the BMW because it drove 100 times better than the Hyundai and at the end of the day, no matter how much you dress up a Hyundai it is still a Hyundai and drives as such. Weve been averaging 25MPG combined which is better than all the other vehicles we tried especially with an all-wheel drive. Besides our lack of options our only other complaint really is the suspension. As expert reviewers have stated, the X1s suspension is very stiff and you feel it when you go over speed bumps or bumps in the road. But I still prefer the stiffness over the squishyness of the Hyundais body roll suspension. Another weird thing our X1 lacks is the ability to control the rear dome light from the rear. Its an odd design flaw but well get over it. Ultimately, we are very pleased with our decision.

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  A true roadster... - 2008 BMW Z4 M
  By Trevor - March 16 - 2:06 am

  Just as advertised, this is a true roadster. Great styling outside and in, power, balance, great to drive fast both straight and around the curves. Take note however, as a second car, its fun, but not recommended as a primary mode of transport. It is a sports car. The M version has a stiff suspension and low MPG... a car to be driven for pleasure, top down, in fine weather. To leave garaged until one feels the urge for fun.. If one were to drive it every day, it would soon lose the fun value. Stiff suspension, firm seats. This car is designed for racetrack performance, not for around town comfort and convenience. Fit and finish is as you would expect from the brand. MMMM... did I mention fun?

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  Ultimate tanning machine - 2001 BMW 3-Series
  By Snik - March 12 - 2:00 am

  It looks great. Handling is superb. Beautiful styling. Power is not optimal but adequate.