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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  328i convertible 07 - 2007 BMW 3-Series
  By phil le - May 10 - 6:03 am

  I own a BMW 328 convertible 07, in 2 months it been sent to dealer 3 times. First problem was brake warning, second times it has same problem.Third time,both rear power windows broken,have to order parts,and then shift warning problem,parts ordered is in back order.This car is just a piece of junks,it is a waste of money and time.Not only that,it is frustrated too.I feel nervous every time hearing alarm warning sound.My car still sitting at dealer now waiting for parts.I will get rid of this BMW car as soon as possible and never BMW again

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  Disappointed - 2005 BMW X3
  By alex - April 21 - 3:39 pm

  The car is not built very well - it has developed all sorts squeaks, creaks and rattles. The ride is very firm, even a slightest road irregularity gives you a hard jolt. The cargo capacity is surprisingly low, although the car does not look too small. I would not buy this car again and would not recommend it to anyone else.

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  Too many kinks - 2002 BMW 7-Series
  By tom - April 19 - 10:13 pm

  I liked the exterior design and smooth engine, but iDrive is slow and needlessly complicated. Many kinks in the car: 1) window lift mechanism poor as when it malfunctions (happened twice), no way to close the window. 2) key gets stuck in ignition. 3) if park too close to curb, rims hit before the run flat tires. 4) mobile phone connection flimsy

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  Indeed not the Ultimate Driving Machine anymore - 2017 BMW 3-Series
  By DLBedfordNH - April 10 - 4:44 am

  I wasnt even thinking about the BMW 3 series -- I was looking at the GS350 FSport (MT gave it a glowing review!), the Giulia (CRs example seemed to live in the shop from day one), S6 (close to M5 speed but much less expensive), ATS-V, GT350, used Cayman. My goal was to replace my RX-8 R3, mainly because I want to have my family of 5 all fit in the fun car, and the RX-8s constant need to downshift was not fun anymore after 5 trouble-free years. Therefore I quickly ruled out the Cayman, GT350, as well as then ATS-V sedan (kids still need boosters, and most have a very wide bottom). I drove the S6 first. Its such a quick car, the dual clutch was fast and smooth, and the interior was such a nice place to be! However, it is realistically a $78k car with some options, and it did not feel like a $78k car. Then the GS350 FSport -- it drove like a slightly updated version of my 2009 G37 -- little more numb, cool new gadgets to play with, same acceleration, ridiculously difficult to use "mouse" controller. It wasnt even that quiet cruising on the highway, which was supposed to be THE highlight of a Lexus. Then I thought Id go for the M3, but happened to see a 340i xDrive at the same dealer, with a STICK! It was $64k sticker, with red leather, M Sport Trim, bunch of driver aides and tech stuff. Edmunds own long-term 340i seemed to garner mostly positive reviews, so I was excited and tested it. I wont bore you with all the details of the purchase experience, but they knocked $9k off (nobody knows how to drive stick anymore?), decent deal on the RX-8, and made me wait over an hour to "prep and detail" the car. The biggest impressions so far, after about 500 miles: 1. The M Sport steering wheel is VERY nice, looks great (I stare at it far more than the exterior of the car, so exterior styling ranks very low in my book) and feels nice in the hands. 2. The clutch uptake is lazy (I am coming out of an RX-8, so this may not be fair to the BMW, but I hate it). 3. The gearing is wayyy too tall (performance of the manual tested elswhere is quite a bit slower than Edmunds long-term 340i auto), so despite the mountains of low-end torque, it doesnt give you that "kick" on takeoff. 4. The suspension is MAGICAL -- it stays relatively flat in corners but still soaks up bumps well. In contrast, the G37s suspension is firm enough to make the ride uncomfortably busy on New England roads, but does not keep it as flat while cornering. The GS350 is slightly better. Only the S6 is similar. 5. Getting on the gas out of a corner is so much fun, and the AWD system inspires a lot of confidence! 6. The steering is the same for the 340 as the S6 as the GS350. They are all pretty accurate, all very numb, and the "sport" setting just add effort without making it any more accurate or giving it any feedback. I agree with another reviewer here about the huge difference in handling compared to previous generations of BMWs -- I drove a 2009 328 xDrive when it was new (first time driving a BMW), and immediately was knocked over by the handling! I realized what all the fuss was about! 7. Nobody ever compliments the 3 series for how quiet it is inside. In then end, I went for the 340i because it felt like it was at least 80% as capable as the S6, had the same bland handling, had a manual that wasnt available with the S6, so it was a much better value. Again, the ATS-V was out of the question because the back seats are too small for 3 kids with boosters; the Giulia consistently showed major quality issues that will ruin your driving experience (MT had an article about stranding in the middle of an intersection!!!); every other 5-seater had the same boring steering; so, I never thought Id say this, but the BMW was a great value!

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  You love it..Your hate it - 2003 BMW 3-Series
  By gde - February 18 - 2:00 am

  Its a very sporty car. Great acceleration and handling. For a compact car, its build very solid. Standard safety features likes side air bags, head curtains etc are great. The clutch burnt out 1/2 mile from the dealership. Dealership fixed it and the clutch burnt out again after 500 miles. Dealership fixed it again. Anyway, so far(1500 miles), the clutch works fine. The automatic temperature for the AC/heat never worked.Although I had a very scary new car experince, I would still drive this car just of its sportiness.

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  The Ultimate Disaster Machine! - 1998 BMW 7-Series
  By Lucian - January 30 - 1:51 am

  Looks can be deceiving! Lets see, purchased car at 58k, coolant sensor broke at 59K, tire alignmnet at 60K, fuel pump 61K, cat converter at 63K, sealant around windows at 63K all that in one yr. That yr i only put on the car 8k miles in hot weather! It has been nighmare after nightmare. Thanks BMW i hope ur happy in Stuttgart. Hire new engineers? That would be a good start.

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  Owner review - 2003 BMW 7-Series
  By Richard - January 26 - 9:43 am

  Imagine on a 36 month lease, shop time in excess of 45 days! One and half months out of 36! Three days to "re- program" the computer, replacement parts always available, but not the same day. Two repairs to the trunk lid, an engine hood that doesnt stay open. This was my second 7 series car and a total disappointment relative to reliability. After the dealership initiated a daily rate for a loaner car I chose to take my business elsewhere. Imagine paying for a loaner for the second repair to a warrantee covered item - on a car in this price range.

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  STAY AWAY - 2006 BMW 7-Series
  By brainey - January 21 - 11:43 pm

  I bought a 7 series thinking it would be very reliable by price/bmw rep. While the car looks nice and is fun to drive it has had so many problems. I have had fault lights going off monthly, there is a problem with the moonroof whistling - BMW states this is common for their cars, my speakers on the logic 7 crackled for 10 months before they could locate the problem (at least 5 visits to the dealer) and my tires went bald at 16,000 miles and cost $700 to replace. This is not anywhere near the relaibility, function, performance one would expect form an $80,000 car. I had less problems with used cars in the 80s. 15 trips to the service dept in 16 months has been inconvenient to say the least.

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  Never Again! - 1999 BMW 3-Series
  By T Gillespie - January 12 - 8:24 am

  After owning this car for over 5 years I can honestly say it is the most unreliable & expensive to repair vehicle Ive ever had. Everything that could go wrong has and at a huge cost to repair. Anyone thinking of buying one of these cars should think again! Ive endured complete brake replacements every 15K miles, had to replace almost the entire front suspension (worn ball joints can not be replaced by themselves), the mass air flow sensor, all 6 ignition coils, cam shaft sensor and a whole host of other "should be reliable" electronic components have failed. If someone gives you one of these cars - sell it!

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  Not impressed AT ALL - 2003 BMW X5
  By naddymutt - January 11 - 2:00 am

  I sure hope people read my review before they think on buying the BMW SUV. Yes, I bought it for the name and I am really regretting it. For the money, it surely isnt worth it. It was MUCH louder inside than my Ford pickup truck and the performance is adequate. I must say...before you buy or lease the BMW, PLEASE take it from me and look at the GMC Denali...there is so much more you will get for your money...the performance alone on the Denali blows away the BMW as well as the fit and finish. Dont be suckered for the BMW name.