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! - 2006 BMW M6
  By Pennsylvania Rebel - October 3 - 9:23 pm

  A pleasure to drive. The automatic transmission seems sluggish. Using the paddle shifts improves performance significantly. The heads-up display, which includes not only speed, shift spectrum and gear, but also the cruise control information. Gas mileage is less than EPA figues, my onboard computer calculates it at about 9 miles per gallon around town.

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  Fun to Drive - Nav System a Bit Off - 2007 BMW 5-Series
  By djinn - October 3 - 9:08 pm

  Great car - got the manual transmission - full loaded - fun to drive. iDrive complicated but easily learned - just need to sit with the book. Only downside thus far is Nav System - I found the maps to be outdated when compared with my Garmin C330 GPS - interestingly both BMW and Garmin get their maps from the same source (Navteq). Hoping a new and better map will come along soon. This is a peppy and fun car to drive. Cant wait to test the AWD in the winter. Highly recommend the stick shift.

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  Worth the extra money! - 2006 BMW 3-Series
  By David - October 3 - 12:56 pm

  I just traded my 02 3 series, and BMW has done it once again! This is a drivers car, the perfect balance of road feel vs. luxury. My advice is buy the car because it is beautiful in design & awesome to drive. Also, you have to get some toys. if you find your self looking at stripped ones, dont bother. You have to pony up the extra money for the premium package at least. I think the sports package and xenons are worth it too. Satellite radio is an option, but it is awesome.

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  Best Car Ever - 2009 BMW 3-Series
  By Southeast - October 3 - 10:36 am

  I had had some really nice and fun cars but nothing could top this. The interior is comfortable with great controls and great looking. Surprisingly quiet for a convertible. The exterior is sleek like the coupe with the top up and with it down, well, beautiful. Be sure to get Comfort Access with the vert and the iPod adapter. Would also recommend the Premium and Sport packages.

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  Z4 - 2004 BMW Z4
  By Bill - October 1 - 10:14 am

  Excellent handling very responsive. Classic design. Trunk will fit two soft bag golf clubs. Love the power top. Seat adjustment is superb over my ex 99 corvette. I am able to stand when exiting the car rather than rolling out of it with the corvette. Very quiet ride with the top up and with the windscreen in place with the top down. Quality craftsmanship both in the exterior and interior desgn. After all, it is the ultimate driving machine.

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  Fifth x5 in a row - 2017 BMW X5
  By Debbie Field - October 1 - 4:39 am

  The caption above should say it all. I am very happy with this car and though I was tempted by the q 7, I know I made the right decision.

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  My BMW journey started in 1980 - 2003 BMW 5-Series
  By Bill in Nashville - October 1 - 12:36 am

  at the age of 17. The father of a close friend of mine purchased a 1980 528i and was kind enough to on occasion let me drive it. The experiences driving that car ignited a passion for German automobiles that I have today some 26 years later. For various reasons though I have never owned a BMW... until last week. Test driving the 525i last week was like traveling back in time. From the distinct engine sound and scent of BMW leather to the almost identical cockpit like instruments I was hooked all over again... this time, though, a picture on the fridge wouldnt do. BMW engineers developed decades ago a sensory attacking machine that words cannot describe - one must drive it to understand it.

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  BMW 3 Coupe - 2003 BMW 3-Series
  By Cat - September 30 - 2:00 am

  This car is bad ! ! ! !

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  325Ci Review - 2003 BMW 3-Series
  By superman74 - September 30 - 2:00 am

  I absolutely love this car...fun...fast..stylish...what more do you want!

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  LOVE IT! - 2001 BMW 3-Series
  By Stefan - September 30 - 2:00 am

  LOVE IT EVEN MORE EVERY MINUTE!!!!!!!!!!