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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  Now if only there were an M version... - 2003 BMW Z4
  By ervul - November 5 - 1:23 am

  This car is a pleasure to drive, even around town. I have the Steptronic automatic version as my wife doesnt drive a manual transmission. Overall gas mileage is about 24 mpg with a couple of long, mostly interstate driving, trips coming in over 30 mpg. We have taken this car down the Blue Ridge parkway from end to end and around Cape Breton Island, top down. Pure pleasure!

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  1999 528i i love it! - 1999 BMW 5-Series
  By pauljr - November 4 - 5:09 pm

  Bought this car used with 117,000 miles on it. Ive put almost 5000 on it since august. I love it! Ive had a Mercedes E420 a 1997, a 1992 911 carrera 2, 1997 911 C4S. This BMW drives like a cross between the others. The interior is by far the best of all the other cars. The 2.8 inline 6 gives just enough power to have a great time without the tickets you get in a Porsche.

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  Worth the wait - 2006 BMW M5
  By Kelly777 - November 3 - 6:59 pm

  Unbelievable car. SMG and iDrive are far better than I anticipated after reading several mixed reviews. Also being previous E39 540 owner. I never really cared for the new E60 5 series design before, the styling on the M5 is stunning. Needless to say I bought the car for its performance and it has exceeded every expectation. It can ride like a top of the line luxury sedan and with the push of a button, you will feel like you are in a race car ready for the track!

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  Bulletproof Bavarian - 2001 BMW X5
  By Rod - November 3 - 6:19 pm

  The X5 is, by far, the best vehicle I have ever owned. It still turns heads, runs like a top, and corners like its on rails. The only thing I can say thats bad about this vehicle is that the user interface on the navigation system is atrocious, and the CD changer is in the cargo area. If Im picking nits to this degree, you can see that Im grasping at straws. I wind up negotiating with my S.O. about who gets to drive it.

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  BMW just like Bob Marley& Jerry Garcia. - 2005 BMW Z4
  By JohnnyBSurfing - November 2 - 12:40 pm

  Turned in my beloved Mercedes-Benz C230 Kompressor at lease end and picked up the Z4 2.5i in Silver & Black with premium pkg. So far "Im lovin it" I have driven 3K miles in the first two weeks. My 8 yr old nephew says it looks like a shark and it just keeps getting better. I caught him showing it in the garage to the other kids from the neighborhood - cool!

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  is the m3 worth buying? - 2005 BMW M3
  By adam - November 2 - 9:14 am

  It has been the best car I have ever had, not only does it perform like a super car, it has 4 seats. The reason why it astonishes me is that other rivals who have built a car in the past two years havent come close to matching the performance and the frill of it. Just remember this is over 5 years old. And its soon to be replaced by a new model in 2007, I cant wait!

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  This is awesome - 2005 BMW 3-Series
  By BR - November 1 - 4:48 pm

  This is the most fun Ive ever had behind the wheel of a car. Top down is more fun than I can describe, top up, youd never know you were in a convertible.

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  Yes. Its umtimate driving machine. - 2006 BMW X5
  By clifford - November 1 - 3:36 pm

  4.4 with sports package and 19" wheels, it looks aggressive and really is. It can drive silky smooth, pass effortless in any speed, and stop on a dime. 3.0 is a bit lag from start, but 4.4 is really fast and fast. Cargo space is a bit tight, but who cares that in this driving machine. It drives like a sport sedan. Minimum body lean on curve. Panorama moon roof is fresh. Overall mileage is about 20miles/gallon which is not that bad at all. Im excited every morning when I sit on it. How many cars can give you this sort of excitement?

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  Ultimate Addiction - 2003 BMW 5-Series
  By Daniel - October 31 - 3:43 pm

  The BMW 5 Series (E39) is great - its a pleasure to drive I have on several ocassions got into the car - not because I had somewhere to go, but because I wanted to drive that baby. Cornering is amazing, the aggressive suspension will hug hairpin turns, body roll is almost non existent, I feel safe accelerating through the turns and whats more even my passengers feel secure, the brakes stop the E39 so quickly you have to watch your rear view mirrors because not many cars will stop as effectively. Key in ignition and the car recalls my preset steering, mirror and seat positions Yes! Its my car!! Almost aero road noise. At night the orange cock-pit lighting is just right. Well done BMW, kudos.

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  Excellent - 2002 BMW 3-Series
  By lw23 - October 31 - 10:00 am

  Ive had this car for over a year now and I love it. I drive it everywhere. To the city, to the mountains. Nothing beats taking a drive to the mountains with the top down.