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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  Did I buy a lemon? Tastes bitter! - 2008 BMW X5
  By Jimmy - March 27 - 8:52 pm

  Bought X5 a year ago tomorrow and will be taking to dealership again. This time a repeat 4x4 and DSC warning. Last time fault blamed on us leaving a battery powered XM radio plugged into the receptacle inside the armrest storage that caused the battery level to drop?! Today same problem while driving on the highway. Cant wait to hear next excuse. Have taken car in at least 5 times for loud noise when taking out of park. In December Parking Brake would not disengage while 700 miles from home. BMW Assist could not tell us how to manually disengage brake but wanted to drag it onto a flatbed. Dealer told us how. Start-Off Assist jerks back on flat ground!! This is normal? Otherwise great car.

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  What was I thinking? - 2009 BMW X6
  By Buyers Remorse - March 10 - 4:29 pm

  It is far too expensive. Acura MDX is half the cost and, although not as fast, a better car. I hope I grow to like it, but right now I cant help but thinking that I could have had more for so much less!!!

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  Great ride, but weve had a few issues. - 2007 BMW X5
  By Lea Family - March 8 - 4:59 pm

  I love this car. It drives great in every weather condition. Breaking is awesome, acceleration is moderate, but the steering is pretty restricted. Any BMW feels heavy to drive, which is good, but my Toyota Sequoia has a better turning radius and its a monster. Also, the rubber material on the handle of the driver and passenger door has melted off from the heat (granted, I live in southern Georgia) and the plastic around the gear shift is ripping. Im guessing the material just isnt high quality. The car has also given us a few scares on road trips when it starts shutting itself down, and the repairs have been expensive for that. Its unfortunate that our BMW has had so many problems because they are fabulous vehicles! One thing I particularly love about our BMW is the sun roof. If you can get a sun roof, you should. The thing is massive so even the passengers in the backseat can see the sky.

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  3.0 BMW X5 - 2004 BMW X5
  By ezimm - March 5 - 2:00 am

  I have had the truck two months now and am fairly disapointed to the point I am looking for another car already. First the acceleration with x drive is amazing for a V6, and the handling couldnt be better. However for a $50K car there are more rattles then you should have in a car costing half as much. It has been at the dealer twice in two months for a loose bracket on the exhaust and for a loose sleeve on the steering system. There are loud rattles from the rear gate and the dash that make the car seem very poorly built. The ride on a bumpy road is very uncomforatable.

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  750 LI - 2006 BMW 7-Series
  By Lloyd - February 23 - 10:33 am

  This car really let me down, just got it, and not even a month, and the transmission needed to be replace. It only has 37000 miles, my Nissan Maxima has more mileage and runs better. Thank God i still have warranty.

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  Worst Car I have ever owned in 30 years - 2003 BMW 3-Series
  By Moore - February 22 - 11:40 am

  Worst Car I have ever owned in 30 years! When I fist bought this Lemon I loved it. But after 9 months and 6 times in the BMW dealership repairing this turkey I am through with BMW! Mt first Bimmer was a 318ti that I drove almost 300 thousand miles with the same timing belt. This thing has had no less than 3 alternators in the past 2 months at $500.00 a pop, cannot fix the radio $600.00, idleing pully $700.00 and its still not fixed. Do not purchase one of these cars without a warranty!!!!

• 

  Its no Saab - 2017 BMW X3
  By Rob - February 15 - 8:35 am

  The menu system on a BMW dashboard is not intuitive - it’s just a random annoyance that’s the most consistent feature of this vehicle for a driver. With three clicks, you can turn it off, but it won’t stay off. Every time you start the vehicle, it will come back to annoy you – first with a legal disclaimer and then an array of meaningless menu choices. It’s impossible to make the screen display something useful like a digital clock (a Kia will do that, but a BMW won’t). I’d settle for a BMW logo on the screen, but even that’s not an option. The menu is loaded with choices leading quickly to lots of useless information, but changing the audio source for the stereo is 3-4 clicks and a couple of knob-spins away. You’ll find the FM/HD radio choice is in a different section of the menu than the CD player and Bluetooth devices. Perhaps it’s just German humor. Info that’s more easily accessed includes the owner’s manual (should you be reading that on the dashboard while driving?) and contact info for the BMW complaint center (maybe BMW owners use that one a lot?). You can also schedule a service appointment with a random BMW dealership with just a couple of clicks. But they can’t fix your menu. Want to “search by picture” and learn more about “screw thread for tow fitting” on this car’s front bumper? That’s literally choice #3 of 12 on an image of the vehicle, just two clicks and a quarter-spin away. But once again – is this info you should be using while the vehicle’s moving? However if you need to call your spouse, plan on pulling over to the side of the road and scrolling through the alphabet, because the “favorites” from your iPhone will not upload to this system and the voice-dial feature is erratic at best. I like a lot of things about my 2017 BMW – great steering and acceleration, quiet and steady ride, nice lines, quality trim everywhere. But the stupid, amateur-designed, useless menu stuck in the middle of my dashboard is a daily irritation that won’t go away. Yes, I’m a little obsessive – but how many non-obsessive people buy BMWs? I owned three Saabs. This is my first BMW and my last.

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  Dead Battery - 2009 BMW X5
  By Don - February 13 - 8:03 pm

  Huge problem with the battery system. The push start system has no accessory mode, therefore if the engine is not running and you turn it on to use the radio, phone, DVD, etc. The battery will drain in 15 minutes. No indicator, no warning, just dead battery. The dealer service departments say they have to put the car on a charger just to work on them or the battery will be dead. The BMW answer is you have to have the engine running "all the time". Forget the after engine turnoff heat, you cant use it. Forget the DVD player that logically you cant use while driving, but you have to keep the engine running. If you expect to use your car a lot like I do, forget it.

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  YOU WANT HEAD ACHE BUY IT - 2007 BMW 3-Series
  By peacewu - February 7 - 5:53 pm

  Nothing but a headache. Its been to the dealer 4x for the same problem, stalling, stalling, stalling and stalling. Piece of junk - bought it brand new, barely 13K miles. I hope BMW will see this, take your car and give me my money!! Its now scheduled to go another appointment on the same problem, stalling, squeaking, loud thug when backing up, put on manual mode and wont default to 1st gear at full stop. When will BMW take care of the stalling. My confidence on this car is below "zero". Never, never, never will buy another BMW.... unsafe car.

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  Lots of Issues - 2008 BMW 5-Series
  By 535xi-texas - February 4 - 9:58 pm

  My 535xi 2008 has been in shop for two months out of the last 12. It has gone back for rough idle and rough ride 4 times for the same problem. They have replaced the master computer, oxygen sensor and possibly other stuff. BMW and the dealership do not seem to work well together to solve tough problems. Symptoms are loss of power, similar to a missing cylinder combustion i.e., jerks. Situation is not constant. I get engine malfunction light on my dash but the car computer says all is OK. It is totally a frustrating experience.