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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  Buy one - 2006 BMW 3-Series
  By cdh bmw - March 6 - 11:09 pm

  Only had this car for a few days, for u BMW people I had an E36 m3 and this car is every bit the car that the old m was, but my wife is pregnant so I need a 4 door. This car with sport package and manual trans plus all the modern features is truly awesome. The only other car to look at was the g35 but got a great deal on a cpo car.

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  335i Coupe is Unreal! - 2007 BMW 3-Series
  By zimbim - March 6 - 4:00 pm

  This car is so much fun to drive. Its amazingly comfortable equipped with the sport package seats, iDrive is easy to use after a brief learning curve, voice commands are awesome, keyless go is tremendous and the handling and acceleration is superb. Outside of that, I hate the car!

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  Reasonably Practical Fun - 2008 BMW 1-Series
  By Richard Schollen - March 5 - 9:36 pm

  I took delivery of the car just prior to the summer and got to enjoy the full on summer experience but wanted to live with it through a winter before writing a review. The verdict: invest in good set of snow tires and the car is almost as much fun in the winter as in the summer. The DSC system is totally effective at keeping things under control on snow packed roads. Switch it off and its donut time. All year round the power is enticing - smooth and unrelenting -if you keep your foot in it you will be in road-side vehicle seizure territory in a blink. Yes, the cabin is a bit tight and you wish for a few more cubbies and a bigger glovebox but the overall experience is worth it. Practical fun.

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  SWEAT - 2002 BMW 3-Series
  By Andie - March 5 - 8:46 am

  It is a great car.

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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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  bimmer - 2003 BMW 3-Series
  By e28 m5 - March 5 - 2:00 am

  This car is a pleasure to drive and looks sharp. T he engine and manual 5sp are crisp while the s uspension is just perfect and balanced. Couldnt w ait for the performance pkg so I opted for the s port pkg with 18 mv rims. I could drive BMWs for the rest of my life and n ever yearn for another auto!!!!

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  Ultimate Texas Driving Machine update 2 - 2000 BMW 7-Series
  By raiderwes - March 4 - 10:08 pm

  I still have the car at 97,000 miles. Replaced air mass meter, PCV valve and head gaskets at 93k mi ($$$). Replaced Kumho Ecsta tires at exactly 30k mi with Michelin Pilot Sport+ ($$).

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  X5 diesel review - 2009 BMW X5
  By louis - March 4 - 7:49 pm

  The SUV while a little noisy outside is extremely quiet inside and comfortable with excellent power and very good fuel mileage.

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  Power Sedan - 2008 BMW 5-Series
  By stingers - March 4 - 2:58 pm

  I disagree with the prior reviewer. I too came out of an Audio A6 3.2 into a 550i sport, but think the BMW is a better car in every respect. I have had no problems with my car after almost 2 years of daily use, hard use. I drive this car hard and it delivers! The engine is something to be reckoned with, from 0 to over 100 there is power to spare, just punch it and hang on. The interior is solid as a rock... no squeaks or rattles almost 20k miles. Where the A6 is plastic this car is leather, a true luxury sports sedan. (my A6, my 2nd , was in the shop many times)

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  BMW-- Simply Excellent - 2002 BMW 3-Series
  By WarEmblem - March 4 - 10:00 am

  This is my first BMW, and by comparison, no car compares! I am excited about starting off with this level of vehicle. The transmission and engine are golden. I also am learning how to drive a stick--yes, I am learning on my brand-new Bimmer. Nice smooth clutch.