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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  3rd BMW Z car - 2007 BMW Z4
  By BHT - September 2 - 9:13 am

  Started with a 2.3 Z3, moved to 3.0 Z3 and now 3.0si Z4. This is the best one so far. Took me a few years to warm to the styling but now suddenly it clicked. The chassis is exceptionally stiff - as stiff as the Z3 coupe was. Makes a huge difference. The car feels of one piece and there are no rattles or creaks. Huge storage space in the trunk (for a 2 seater), excellent gas mileage, very powerful engine. A pleasure to drive.

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  First 1000 Miles Update - 2006 BMW 3-Series
  By DR - September 2 - 3:16 am

  Still very impressed by the vehicle. Drives like a dream, very quiet, smooth, a lot of fun to drive. Absolutely no problems so far. Would recommend it to everybody! Just a note about the price (for those G35 people), when you add the options to your G35 that base Bimmer already has, they almost cost the same, maybe $1k difference. I would pay extra $1k for a Bimmer any time over any Japanese (American, Korean...) car.

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  Best SUV in Class - 2007 BMW X5
  By Best SUV in Class - September 1 - 8:32 pm

  I love this car the ride is smooth, performance is outstanding. I have one word for this car, The Ultimate Driving Machine!!

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  Wow! - 2003 BMW M3
  By Ammalgam - August 31 - 1:39 am

  I just bought this car a couple of days ago. Black/Black and convertible. Let me tell you this car is amazing. Civil enough to drive to work but enough horsepower to totally blow away the 911 Carrera next to you.

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  Great So Far - 2006 BMW 3-Series
  By Zataquin - August 30 - 3:36 pm

  Great vehicle. Handles well, good ride and excellent take-off power.

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  Love my 5 Series! - 2005 BMW 5-Series
  By ChristiRae - August 30 - 1:56 pm

  Go buy yourself a 5-Series!! :) When I bought this car I thought "great - it looks nice, has free maintenance and oil changes, and its sporty but big enough to actually take 3 or 4 people with me." What I did not realize is that it is super fuel efficient (I got 36.4 mpg on the drive to and from Vegas from SoCal in overdrive, honestly!), its really comfortable, although its only a 6cyl. this car gets up and goes (especially in Sport Mode). The only complaint I have is the cup holders! I know its petty, but the drivers cup holder is way over on the passengers side :(

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  Ride is Tops - 2004 BMW 7-Series
  By newportjim11 - August 28 - 10:46 pm

  I bought this certified used car with 22K miles. Never disappoints. I put 25K miles per year and this car makes it worth it. I get home without being beaten up.

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  Fun to Drive Roadster - 2003 BMW Z4
  By Smooth Shifting Z-4 - August 28 - 10:00 am

  Ive had the car for a little over a month now and very happy I dicided to go with the Z-4. The horse-power is not bad for a 2.5 liter engine. I drive on Atlanta roads and as some of you may know, Atlanta is full of hilly and windy roads. Eight months of warm weather will make the soft top a joy for a good portion of the year. Love the fully auto top and smooth shifting 5-speed. After a couple of scrapes with the front spoiler, I finally adjusted to leaving more space pulling up to curbs. BMW is notorious for heavy brake dust and the crevise filled rims make it difficult to clean. Great car.

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  BMW X5 exceeds SUV expectations - 2007 BMW X5
  By david - August 26 - 3:28 pm

  Drives and handles superbly in comparison to the Mercedes ML350 and Lexus GX470. More features like run flat tires, xenon headlamps, etc., are standard equipment but on the others they are options nicer looking and zero cost maintenance warranty, the kind of warranty you used to be able to get with a Mercedes.

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  BMW 745 is an amazing car! - 2005 BMW 7-Series
  By Jim - August 26 - 10:47 am

  I just purchased a 2005 BMW 745 and I am very pleased. It replaces a Mercedes S430. The exterior design is gorgeous in my opinon, the interior has some of the Rolls beauty that BMW makes but misses the mark of equisite that I think the new S class has. I like the husky roomy bold look of the 745, and because I am a tall man, it is much more comfortable to drive than the benz. The seats are the best of any luxury car if you get the comfort seats with heated/cooled seats with 20 way adjustments & massager.You can even adjust the side bolsters in & out to fit your sides & adjust the lumbar up & down as well as inflate more or less! Drives like a BMW! New blue tooth module allows for new cells!