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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  Incredible automobile - 2006 BMW Z4
  By swantz - July 3 - 3:38 pm

  Dreamed of owning one of these for a long time. Finally traded my Jeep Wrangler for this certified used Z4. What an incredible automobile. Handles like a dream and Im stared at and asked about it 24/7. Handling, fuel economy, and styling is like no other.

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  Blast Your Socks Off - 2008 BMW 1-Series
  By LovenMyBMW - July 3 - 9:43 am

  Bought mine as a leftover 08. Got a great deal. Idrive, Nav, Cold Weather Pack, Sport Susp, Convert, Sport Seats, Active Steer, and whatever else they can add. Owned 3 weeks, rear quarter window switch went out. Replaced w/o a problem. Dealership is excellent! Gas mileage is a little poor. But I cant keep my foot out of it. This is a great little car for fun. Works well as an everyday driver. This car is amazing. Speed, handling are crazy. Do yourself a favor. Drive one and you will be SOLD. And resale is great.

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  Everything Id hoped it would be! - 1997 BMW M3
  By Sammyzuko - July 1 - 10:46 am

  Ive owned my M3 for 5+ years now and couldnt be happier with her. I havent had any major problems with her. You do have to replace basic wear items if you expect these old cars to drive like theyre intended to*. I still enjoy every moment Im behind the wheel of this car. The aftermarket is full of options to keep the E36 driving as good or better than new. *items like bushings that would need to be replaced on any car, but the average person driving their Corolla into the ground doesnt typically care about these items or getting optimal handling out of their daily driver.

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  Incomparable car for its time - 1997 BMW 3-Series
  By Johnny in NY - June 30 - 11:49 pm

  The 1997 328i was my first German car and well, theyve made a convert of me. My experience with this car, despite its age was extraordinary. The handling was like nothing I had experienced until then, even surpassing cars 10 years younger. Mechanically, I never once had a problem with anything, save a brake replacement, but that was due to my driving more than anything else. My praises for this car are too many to list, but it does come with a few warnings. 1. The car is very reliable, but expensive to maintain and repair. 2. The cup holders are useless. 3. The car handles very poorly in snow and ice, as is to be expected from any RWD car. Do not be mistaken though, the BMW is amazing.

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  Best of the best - 2006 BMW 5-Series
  By GeorgeW - June 30 - 8:02 pm

  This car is truly the ultimate driving machine. Powerful, confident, amazing handling and comfortable. This car is just fun to drive in all conditions. The all wheel drive handles in all conditions. Car looks great, the leather seating is comfortable and the stereo sounds terrific. Acceleration is impressive also.

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  Great Sports Car! - 2006 BMW Z4
  By GC - June 30 - 2:32 pm

  We leased our BMW Z4 3.0i to be able to afford it, but not sure we would lease again. Leasing does get you in the car, but nothing to show for it when the lease runs out. BMW does make things easy to lease but will find out in August how the transition goes- buy or re-lease something else. Would love to buy it. Love the car!

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  Whats not to like! - 2003 BMW 7-Series
  By Tom Zimmer - June 30 - 12:30 pm

  This is my fourth BMW, second seven series. They just keep getting better and better! The seven rides like a dream and handles like a tight sports car. The crowd at BMW truly define the Ultimate Driving Machine!

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  Not as Great As Expected - 2004 BMW 5-Series
  By chgomo - June 30 - 10:00 am

  While I love the styling of the new design and its overall road handling prowess, the performance of the 525i is less than expected. Not much guts in the low end of each gear, but once it ramps up its fine. I can only imagine how poorly it must perform with an automatic transmission; good enough for little old ladies on a Sunday afternoon, I suppose. Cup holders are of very poor quality and the i-drive system had to be replaced in the first 3 months of ownership.

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  Former E-Class Owner - 2004 BMW 5-Series
  By pdaddy - June 30 - 10:00 am

  After owning two E-class MBs (420 and 430 Sport), I was ready to get a third until I saw the new 5 series. The new E-class is nice, but the 5 series is more masculine and sporty looking, notwithstanding the bashing Bangle has taken. While Mercedes has made all of their vehicles look more generic, there will be no mistaking the 5 series for a 3 or 7. I have received more compliments about this car in a month than I got in a year in the Benz. Overall, the car performs very well, looks good and is a great daily driver. I was concerned about going from a 275 hp motor down to the 3 liters 225 hp, but the performance is good enough and I have avg 27 mpg.

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  Lemon? - 2001 BMW 3-Series
  By bhunter - June 30 - 8:16 am

  Have loved driving the car, although as mentioned previously, the sound system is lame, the defroster is 100% fullblast or nothing, and we too have had tire/wheel issues. We have had it in the shop 16 times in 3.5 years for various problems, almost every other month since we bought it.The service managers say, "Its a high performance vehicle", to which I reply,"Its a high maintenance vehicle." What about that famous engineering? Id never buy another, its not that fun, and the reality is, most driving is commuting in heavy traffic, little chance to enjoy the performance within.