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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  Great to Drive...but ugly!!! - 2006 BMW 3-Series
  By BMW driver - June 12 - 9:06 pm

  Great driving car, power, handling is second to none in this class. But the car is bloated looking and the rear is hideous. Interior is not up to par with a 40K plus car.

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  Save your money! - 2006 BMW 3-Series
  By Carol - June 5 - 12:33 am

  I bought this car new 3 weeks ago. I am not satisfied at all. First, let me say that I also own a 2003 BMW 330i so I do have some BMW ownership experience. The 2006 330i is unsatisfactory, in my opinion. Ive already had it back to the dealer because it is hesitating noticeable when starting from a stopped position. Of course, they said they couldnt find anything wrong. If you floor it, and then let up on the gas, the RPMs stay up for a coule of seconds even after you take your foot off the gas like the car cant figure out what to do next. It also needs a front end alignment which I noticed immediately when test driving it, but they dont have the specs to repair that yet.

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  OK Car but you can get a better car for that money - 2006 BMW 3-Series
  By Juan Benitez MB - June 4 - 7:21 am

  We bought the vehicle on june of 2015, we owned 3 previous MB GLKs (totaled 2) and a C240. We had great expectations about this car since supposedly is the Ultimate Driving machine. Steering wheel is extremely stiff, I know thats how german cars are but this was beyond any other VW or MB I have driving before. Brakes are great, and acceleration, oh man, pfffew, IT GOES!!!!!!! It is super fast. Fuel economy is OK for a 3.0 engine. X Drive works good in the snow but its height does not compensate the 4x4. The bad, YOU WILL HAVE A MISFIRE! For sure, ignition coil will go bad any time after 50.000 miles, for some reason most of them burn oil even with low mileage. That is what I have been told. BMW dealer maintenance is really expensive. HID bulbs cost about $300 in the dealership plus $100 labor. I know crazy! Oil change about $300. The interioR quality is HORRIBLE, It just feels cheap. The plastics, even the wood trim. As of 2/16 we ended up getting another MB GLK 350. And now we have the car for sale. Overall, OK car. Better than any Jap car, not as good as other european.

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  Not so great - 2007 BMW X5
  By kays - June 3 - 9:11 am

  This is my 3rd X5, and was, I thought, a no brainer to purchase. Wrong! Part of my disappointment may come from the fact that my previous X5s were 4.0s This car feels underpowered and slow in many situations. The seats are very different from my old X5. I have yet to find a comfortable setting have driven 10,000 miles so far. The X5 has changed its size slightly, but enough that it is difficult for a short person to enter. My runflat got a flat at 5,000 and they would not fix it, only replace it for $400+. Car has had some computer glitches got towed away DEAD at 3,000 dealership never could figure it out. The info screen goes dead sometimes for no reason. Not a great BMW.

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  Problem since day 1 - 2003 BMW 3-Series
  By elizabeth - May 26 - 9:00 pm

  I will just list the problems: 1. "service engine soon light" came on while driving home the day I purchased this car with only 20 miles on it. 2. starter replaced. 3. sunroof malfunction. 4. transmission thumping when coming to a stop - dealer reprogrammed computer. 5. Driver door handle broken. 6. Remote on key stopped working (couldnt unlock door). 7. Interior moulding around doors falling down on driver and passenger side. 8. Engine/ignition coil caused engine light to come on - recalled item. 9. Currently in shop for multiple other mechanical problems. The most frustrating part is that most of these problems each required several trips to the dealer to be fixed correctly. Very disappointed!!

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  Buyer Beware - 2007 BMW X5
  By bmw - May 17 - 9:19 pm

  This car has issues. Please be aware that i-drive software is buggy and still a work in process. Many of the features do not work. Stupid stuff like tilt steering, brightness on display, push buttons for radio stations. Biggest issue with this vehicle is the problems many are having with the transmission. High revving and thump upon slow down. Car will spend much time in the shop.

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  next car wont be a bmw. - 2000 BMW 3-Series
  By himmy - May 16 - 2:00 am

  i had a datsun 280 zx with 73,000 miles for 18 years. never replaced anything but one window motor and tires. with this bmw, the right front turn signal light burned out, all four electric window motors and assemblies had to be replaced, as did the sunroof motor - oh, and lets not forget the two new tires i had to buy at only 25,000 miles! also, my car was towed and the alarm never went off! a cheap little rental chevy cavalier i was driving was attempted to be towed, and that alarm blared - go figure. if you bought my car, it would probably be fine because of all that i have had to have repaired. i am so disappointed.

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  Hugely disappointed - 2004 BMW X3
  By chris935 - May 16 - 2:00 am

  Went from a 325 to the X3 and boy am I disappointed. The ride is atrocious - I could have saved myself the money and bought a Ford Explorer. It bounces around the street so much that I dont feel in control at all - and that sense of control is what BMW is supposed to be about. It rattles all over and the interior design is not consistent with a $40+ vehicle. It shows no originality (unless you count rain sensing wipers!) - seems to be just a hodge podge of the 3 series and an X5 and it doesnt work! BMW should be ashamed of this one.

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  Not a good experience - 2007 BMW 5-Series
  By Disappointed - May 14 - 9:27 pm

  One of best purchase experiences of many cars over 40 years of driving. Car has its problems, mostly electrical. Especially iDrive is a bad idea. Poor execution. Drivers seat adjusts forward and up on its own. Screen display blanks, iDrive inoperable, no GPS, no radio, no access to system functions or warnings. Reprogrammed multiple times, reverts to same problems in short time. Electronic key replaced 3 times in attempts to cure Comfort Access issue. Nothing.

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  3rd & last - 2007 BMW X5
  By Steve L - April 7 - 9:09 pm

  My 3rd & last BMW (two 7 series and this X5). With 1300 miles on my 4.8 X5 it had to be towed to shop while I was 800 miles from home when the electronic transmission would not shift. Computer updates were no help. As I write this from my motel room after 2 days of waiting, the factory folks are still scratching their heads. Other than the reliability issue the car is very rough riding. Wind noise is too pronounced for a luxury car selling at this price point. The ventilated seats are superior in overall comfort to the hard buckets which are standard. The runflat tires cost abt $500 each to replace and should be an option not standard!