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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  A Powerful Machine - 2004 BMW 3-Series
  By S.K.V. - December 10 - 10:00 am

  The steering performance and ride quality are excellent. With sports and premium package the experience is wonderful.

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  Stunning! A Dream Vehicle For Me... - 2004 BMW 3-Series
  By Jonathon - December 10 - 10:00 am

  What an amazing vehicle. So much fun, so much pride, so sexy... Yet what is most important is how reactive this automobile can be in case you get into trouble and need to really stop on a dime or accelerate your way out of trouble. It handles every sense of your commands. Often I feel like it is pre- anticipating my every move just before I accomplish it. It is so very sure of itself that you drive her with little effort and with total ease and control as though you were a pilot on a Boeing airplane.

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  Best car ever owned - 2004 BMW 3-Series
  By TriciaJ - December 10 - 10:00 am

  This car was the car of my dreams before I leased it and remains that still. Other convertibles I have owned are noisy. Not this one. The top is a thick cloth material that not only keeps the noise down, but also helps contain the interior climate. In the desert, a convertible can lose air conditioning quickly. This one cools down fast and stays cool. And the convertible mechanics - the way the top folds down -- are just plain fun to watch. It handles like a dream. It has great acceleration. And it has fairly good trunk space for a convertible.

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  Fun finicky car - 2005 BMW X5
  By scrosby - December 9 - 7:31 pm

  Kids got older and wanted a luxury smaller SUV for me. The X5 fit the bill perfectly. It is a sexy, fun, powerful vehicle with plenty of room without feeling like a truck posing as a SUV. BMW thought of everything with this vehicle with a few exceptions. The CD is in the back, therefore I never use it.The tires wear awful! Can not be rotated. Had transmission issues since day 1, and just had replaced by BMW. It would not engage upon takeoff at times and would feel as if you had been rear-ended when it engaged. No problems since. Would not be particularly comfortable for four adult size people. My teenagers get nauseated riding in the backseat.Otherwise I LOVE my X5, would recommend!

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  Fun at First - Then the poor quality - 2004 BMW M3
  By Frustrum - December 9 - 4:05 pm

  Had a lot of fun with the top down, great acceleration and speed -- loved the SMG. Not enough space for all the bad. Twice transmission died on the freeway at 90 mph, flying in neutral. Manage to get to the side, tow-truck guy says "these have been dropping like flies." GPS never worked. Took into different dealers totaling 5 times, everytime they said it was fixed. It actually works now. Intermittent glitch on windows rolling up, still not fixed. Tire pressure light is on now and wont go away (tires checkout). Took to dealer and they said it was fixed, drive it away and light still on. Anyway, tons of other basic quality issues. Frayed steering wheel leather.

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  330Ci Showoff - 2002 BMW 3-Series
  By Paulo - December 9 - 3:23 pm

  The overall fundaments for me to purchase this car is the exterior design, which catched me and so many others. The overall maintenance is very good. The major problem for me is that I did not have much choices to choose unless I wait at least 2 months to get the options I desire. In another words, there isnt many of this cars in stock.

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  Okay... I guess... - 1999 BMW 3-Series
  By js - December 8 - 9:08 pm

  I drove an 06 330 w/ sport pkg for a year, which is the greatest car Ive ever driven outside of a Ferrari. I thought Id ditch the new one for a used to avoid payments. Dumb. The 99 falls very short of my expectations. Sure, it drives great, when Im not under the hood. 125k miles, and Ive had to do "normal" wear and tear maintenance (control arm bushings, shocks, rotors, brakes, tires, battery, alternator, ac compressor, alignment, fluid flush, tune up, and a secondary air pump). Seems a bit excessive for "normal" wear and tear ($5300). My only fear is whats next?! Oh, and the stereo stinks! 8 speakers, none of which put out any bass! New stereo a must.

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  Just Not Worth the Money - 2008 BMW X3
  By Marc - December 8 - 9:33 am

  This is my 2nd X3 in 6 months. I had so many problems with 2007 that BMW bought out my lease and I ordered another one (would not let me totally out of the lease). These are overpriced and not up to par with Japanese vehicles. Problems-- transmission does not mesh with engine, hesitation, brakes grab, OEM tires were AWFUL in snow last few weeks, took them off before slid into something. Navigation system is archaic. Radio even upgraded one just does not provide quality sound. This is definitely not the ultimate driving machine. I would never recommed an X3 to anyone else. I do not know how other reviews are favorable. Guess just taken away with BMW emblems all over the car.

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  Severe problems in manual mode - 2007 BMW 6-Series
  By yohjo - December 7 - 10:31 pm

  The 650 has what BMW calls an "inherent characteristic." If you drive in "manual" shift mode the vehicle is prone to stuttering when coming to a stop. Imagine your head bobbing back and forth like a doll on the dashboard. The vehicle is also prone to severe lunges when driving in m1 (such as you might in a parking garage looking for a spot or while moving forward in a metered freeway on ramp) and to a lesser extent in automatic. The lunges are dangerous and you must drive defensively at 4 miles per hour. BMW states the problem is with the software-it thinks the engine is stalling and the computer gives the engine throttle. BMW wont fix the problem. Stay away from this vehicle.

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  Liked all the loaner cars! - 2004 BMW 7-Series
  By marali - December 7 - 8:28 pm

  Loved the car at the dealer but spent most of the 10 months of ownership driving loaners since it was in the shop most of the time. In over 7 times for 14 different problems in 10 months. Warranty covered it all but have since filed a lemon law claim and am trading it in as soon as we settle. I was a big Japanese car fan for 15 years due to reliability and husband has been a BMW owner for 20 years but now we are running back to the Japanese cars. Dont buy this car unless you want to try all the BMW loaners out there and hope your dealership has really good snacks and coffee cause you will practically live there, that is, if they CAN schedule you in for service.