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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  My Performance Packaged 330 - 2004 BMW 3-Series
  By Durban - January 23 - 10:00 am

  Love to accelerate this one, when it throws your back into the seat. Great roadholding

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  2008 BMW 335i - 2008 BMW 3-Series
  By Dan - January 19 - 3:50 am

  THis the first BMW Ive owned. I always thought spending more than 25K on a car was a waste of money. I was wrong. This car is an absolute hoot. Acceleration, handling, braking are outstanding, like the racing go-cart I always wanted. It is scary fast. The seats are comfortable; dash well laid out. Stereo sounds fantastic. And its a damn sharp looking car.

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  The Ultimate Driving Machine - 2003 BMW 5-Series
  By bimmer530i - January 19 - 2:00 am

  Ever since I was 14 years old I always wanted a BMW, now Im 16 and owning a great 530i. You cant go wrong with this car; it has performance and great stability in tight corners. BMWs are truly the Ultimate Driving Machine.

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  Will buy another great car! - 1991 BMW 3-Series
  By Santi - January 18 - 4:25 pm

  Ive owned this car for just over two years now. I have looked into selling it to buy a new, nicer BMW 5 series and was unable to sell this old 3 series! It is a great driver, one of the funnest on the road that I have been in. 17 years old and its still put together well. This car is so small it can park anywhere, and with great gas mileage it is the perfect city car. I have recently put in over $7,000 to restore this car to like-new condition - ITS THAT GOOD. :)

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  nice ride - 2006 BMW 3-Series
  By TB - January 17 - 3:41 pm

  Love the car but had some problems with driver side mirror, driver side seat control and do not like the cupholders. They are flimsy and had to have one replaced and also do not like where they were placed. Also, there is nowhere to put sunglasses and CDs. Inside door handle on drivers side was peeling and had it replaced.

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  why to complaint - 2004 BMW 3-Series
  By TD330 - January 16 - 2:00 am

  Best car ever, fun to drive, don;t put attention to all those comments about window rregulators, and not well funded complaints. Botton line If youve got the bucks this is the way to go.

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  excellent ragtop - 2001 BMW 3-Series
  By jfe - January 14 - 2:00 am

  excellent car,my 3rd 3-series and the best by far. A great suspension--not too rough but very athletic. Top is a work of art going down and when it is buttoned up.

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  Exceeded my expectations - 2007 BMW 3-Series
  By hedhuntr - January 13 - 7:13 am

  Rarely in life do I find something that actually exceeds my expectations, which were quite lofty to begin with as this was my mid life, post divorce crisis car I waited for my whole life. I have had problems with the electronics already, namely the speedo which reads WAY too high, some tire monitor and other sensors that mysteriously appear and disappear and an overwhelming heat coming from the foot area. (I had been driving it incredibly hard on some world renowned roads and had to have the air on full on the floor in 50 degree temps to NOT sweat!) BUT.. this car is fantastic. EVERY TIME I get in it I feel great. It is the best driving, quickest car I have ever been in. Period.

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  A Year Later--Still WOW - 2006 BMW Z4
  By Bill - January 12 - 1:32 pm

  Ok, my first review was Feb 2007 and at that time I was wowed by this car. A year later, living in Germany, this car absolutely rocks. On the autobahn this ragtop can cruise as fast as the others (135mph our top speed so far). But we prefer to take the top down on a sunny day and slow- drive in the right lane as everyone looks. It is that hot. We knew we were coming to europe when we purchased but I can truly say that the Z4 was designed with the autobahn in mind and is super cool to drive. Its handling is absolutely on point. It is truly the "roadster" it is purported to be. Hands down, she wins!

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  Convertibles Rock - 1999 BMW 3-Series
  By Hammer - January 11 - 6:47 pm

  BMW must have made the convertibles much better because they seem to get much better reviews! I (and the previous owner) experienced NO problems other than routine maintenance (and I just passed 108,000 miles with no problems). Great vehicle - sure, it it stiff and tight, but its a sports car that rides and drives like a race car and get excellent gas mileage (average 24 mpg if I can keep my foot out of the fuel tank!). At 8 years old, the only thing I really need to upgrade is the stereo speakers. I did install a new top, but thats a given at the 6 to 8 year mark. Keep it clean and tuned up and the convertibles run fast, hard, and forever!