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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  Best car - 2003 BMW 3-Series
  By Devenishot - April 29 - 10:00 am

  this is a great car overall.

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  thank you god - 2003 BMW 3-Series
  By angee - April 29 - 10:00 am

  it a very good automobile specially on curves and hills

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  Love my Car - 2003 BMW 3-Series
  By MariaT - April 29 - 10:00 am

  I absolutey love my car! I dont think I would happier with any other car. It is the best purchase I have made.

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  Love my car! - 2003 BMW X5
  By kats - April 29 - 10:00 am

  My 2nd SUV and I love it. Drives like a car and has the BMW get up and go.

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  There is no comparison - 2002 BMW 3-Series
  By sshuit - April 29 - 10:00 am

  This is my 2nd 3-series BMW. The handling / drivetrain is impeccable. The exterior and interior finish is superb. I could go on for pages and pages about how fun this car is to drive but you simply have to get behind the wheel to know what Im talking about. Only bad points ? : Mediocre sound system. Had to install a short shift kit to get for a good precice shifter feel. Milage isnt great if you drive enthusiastically :-)

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  My dream car - 2002 BMW 3-Series
  By zenbob - April 29 - 10:00 am

  I upgraded from a 99 BMW 328i to a 2002 BMW 330i, so you know I was pleased with my 1st BMW experience. I bought a "program" car with 15K miles with almost all the options including Sport/premium package, Xenon and heated seats. My previous car did not have the sport package or Xenon. This model has auto-head lights. I would recommend this car to anyone who loves to drive with enthusiasm and likes "performance" driving, but not to someone looking for a luxury car. Cant wait to try it on the track! If you can afford it, get the Performance package.

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  Better this time around - 2009 BMW 3-Series
  By gyazman - April 28 - 8:37 pm

  Traded up from a 2007 BMW 328 to 2009 BMW coupe with leather, sport package, and sport seats. Car for some reason feel like it has more power than my other car. Got the space gray with gray wood. Very sporty and in manual mode is quick as a cat. This car with its larger and wider wheels grips the road and feels solid. Back seats are able to fold down giving more room for the trunk. 0.9% financing right now help me decide on the purchase.

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  Excellent SUV - 2004 BMW X5
  By Volkan - April 28 - 7:30 pm

  Drives like a car, great control, great handling, great brakes, great quality car.

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  Good for first 50,000 miles - 2008 BMW X3
  By JR - April 28 - 1:28 pm

  BMW should really be embarrassed about the long term reliability these little guys have. Someone said it right, they are BMWs (Big Maintenance Waste). At 90,000 miles, the X drive system with the incredibly cheaply made plastic gear (transfer case actuator - google it) went out, both vanos units went out, shifts hard and lunges on inclines, there was about $4,000 of other stuff that I cant even remember the details of and the thing requires 93 octane. Pros: It does stop great for an SUV. It is heavy and feels substantial. I think it would be good in a wreck. My suggestion: buy most any American made small SUV. While not as nice and lacking the two bar emblem, they are more reliable and present less worries about what problems are going to surface when I crank up today. Any Japanese small SUV is more reliable and better made. These American and Japanese models also use the cheapest rot gut gas you can find and you simply hammer down to get from point a to b. BMWs must be babied and the initial cost is truly only the beginning of the heavy cost you will get to experience with an X3.

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  DEAL of the CENTURY!!! - 2007 BMW 3-Series
  By redline8x1000 - April 28 - 12:08 pm

  I picked this car up last week as certified pre-owned and its the ONLY way to go with BMW! You get the benefits of a new car in terms of warranties for the price of a used car. I got a maintenance plan to cover up to 100,000 miles which is a MUST if you plan on keeping your car and not leasing. The one I got is fully loaded with every possible upgrade and the incredible thing is that I got it all for under $30K out the door! This car brand new with its options would have easily cost over $50K!!!