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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  Awesome Car! - 2004 BMW 3-Series
  By Jints72 - January 10 - 10:00 am

  Traded both my 1996 BMW 328is Coupe and 2003 JEEP Liberty to get this car. The car is extremely powerful and drives with great handling. Everything one would expect from a BMW. Test drove an 330xi back in December 03 in about 6 to 7 inches of snow w/ no problems whatsoever.

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  Great Car fun to drive - 2004 BMW 3-Series
  By PeNut - January 10 - 10:00 am

  Ive had this car an lil over an year and i dont have much to complain about the ride is ok and the interior could use an lil more. I onwed 6 audis from the audi 5000 to the audi a6 the thing i rather be better on the 3 series is to have an "richer" interior, better sound system(conv only) an little easier on the bumps. by owning audis and test driving the lexus sc430, when i got back in my 330cic it seems plain on the inside but its looks ten times better the the infinite interior dont get me wrong i love the car it has enough power looks great tops open/close nicely i would highly recommend one

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  Very nice ride - 2007 BMW X3
  By 500lbman - January 9 - 11:56 pm

  Just purchased my 2007 X3 with 24100 miles on it a little over a week ago. This is the best handling SUV I have driven. Lots of power from the 3.0L straight 6. Very comfortable seats. Stereo sound quality is excellent. Much better than my 04 330ci convertible. I tried the sport package on another X3 and the ride was too rough for my taste. The aesthetic updates for 07 look great. Bluetooth is not always clear, but works okay. Also, the throttle tip-in is a little touchy and takes some getting used to at low speed. I was looking for a small SUV that was fun to drive, this fits the bill nicely. The Japanese companies cant compete with German build quality, ride and handling

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  Elegant Supercar - 2008 BMW M3
  By jwalker-Ohio - January 9 - 12:29 pm

  Drove a 2009 Porsche 911 with A/M before I drove the M3 6spd. The 911 didnt impress me. The M3 blew me away. Got it will all the options and brushed aluminum. It is very comfortable. Takes a little time to get used to shifting the manual. You can tell a major difference from M mode and regular mode. Fuel economy is almost the same in both so I usually just leave it in M. In M it is a rocket, in regular my 4-runner accelerates faster. Icontrol is easy to use and they seem to have thought of everything and put it in the right place.

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  Excellent after all these years! - 2002 BMW 5-Series
  By codysd - January 8 - 10:05 pm

  We have had ours over 3 years, purchased CPO. We have had several very high end cars, a new BMW 530 sedan now, etc., but this 2002 wagon is the one we will always keep. It is virtually perfect in every way, looks very sporty, drives like a rocket, is incredibly reliable and we NEVER get tired of driving it. It is a keeper!

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  No start - 2007 BMW X5
  By no start - January 8 - 8:43 pm

  Great riding car. Great design. Terrible starting problems. Have had 4 random no start situation. Two in garage, but two out on roads where tow truck was needed. Car has been in shop 8 days with this problem and have not been able to find problem to date. Scary, as you dont know when it will not start. Am getting rid of car now and will buy a Lexus for dependability. I have been a BMW owner for last 20 years. They have over the teched the car. Was told it has over 50 computers in it. Problem is, how many work properly. Do not buy.

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  awesone!!! - 2002 BMW 3-Series
  By philly - January 8 - 10:00 am

  put the top down and drive! that will put a smile on your face!!!

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  My Story....... - 2002 BMW 3-Series
  By MNFSTO - January 6 - 10:30 am

  I have been on a first name basis with my BMW mechanic. My 2001 BMW has been in the shop 5 times with one stint lasting a little over 2 weeks with only 4,000 miles on it! The auto transmission failed miserably, too many failures to list, and it still has problems shifting. The passenger air bag has been replaced along with the explosive charge. Some of my rattles have been fixed, and I found a new one today within the driver side door. This has been a nightmare.

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  Proud owner of an X5 - 2001 BMW X5
  By BMW guy - January 6 - 9:57 am

  I LOVE this "SAV." Its my third BMW. After owning a 325i and than a 330i, I was very resistant on getting an suv, it all went away after driving it. I love the performance, and its only the 6 cylinder! It handles great, the exterior is beautiful, and it very reliable. This is WAY batter than Mercedes ML class that I test drove. The best thing of all, after 120,000 miles, it still drives like I just drove off the lot.

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  new m3 convertible - 2008 BMW M3
  By BOZO - January 5 - 10:22 pm

  Just brought my new 2008 m3 cab home. Traded a 2008 P 911S cab. The M3 is faster and tighter with 19s and M drive. I am really juiced. Have had a 2007 P911 turbo, a bmw 645, and another P911S cab in the last 4 years, but this seems to hold its own with the turbo and beat the rest. More comfortable the the Porsche with incredible handling. M3 has satellite radio, something Porsche did not offer until 2009 and then at a very steep option price. And my insurance went down to boot!