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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  Best AWD car today! - 2002 BMW 3-Series
  By rick h - October 20 - 3:43 pm

  The 325xi was my first brand new car and it is awesome! The first time I drove it in snowy/icy conditions I was more impressed than ever. BMW is a great car and I would buy this car twice again if I had to.

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  Fun to Drive - 2006 BMW 7-Series
  By BMW owner for life - October 19 - 2:12 am

  I bought this car with a huge decision on whether a Maserati Q, Lexus LS 430, Mercedes S Class or an Audi A8L. I am certainly glad I bought the BMW. The drive is second to none the toys are amazing and I learn something new everyday. This is my second 7 Series BMW. I loved my first and love this one even that much more. Satellite Radio is a must w/Premium Sound.

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  Perfect for anyone - 2006 BMW M5
  By Nick - October 19 - 12:23 am

  This car is a very well rounded car. Offers all sorts of modes and options to fit the drivers style. It has 6 different settings for the 7 speed transmission. Hold on tight on mode S6, the gear changes are extremely violent in this agressive mode. But when you want to cruise around town, the slower modes make smooth clean shifts. The 530i was said to be the best car ever tested, this is one step better, has everything the 530i offers, plus more, especially more power.

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  Sexy car - 2000 BMW Z3
  By Stealth - October 18 - 7:38 pm

  Women seem to love this car. I get "nice car" comments from women all the time. A friend of mine has a porsche... and he said he only gets that comment from guys. If I only had this car when I was 19 and still single. Oh well. Even without the fun performance of this car, the sheer enjoyment of being in traffic with the top down on a beautiful summer day is priceless. Makes traffic less painful.

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  From 7-series to 545 - 2005 BMW 5-Series
  By tom - October 18 - 6:22 pm

  Following 3 7-series BMWs (2 740s and a 745) I find this 545 to be a much more enjoyable car to drive. With Sport Package, road feel and handling are both outstanding, although I am not a fan of the Active Steering. The interior is at least as comfortable as the 7-series and acceleration is superior. Plenty of room for 4 large adults, icluding sufficient leg room in rear, but 5 adults should only ride for short distances.

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  Best of both worlds - 2005 BMW X5
  By Kristyn B - October 18 - 4:56 pm

  The BMW X5 4.4i provides SUV stability and versitility without losing the performance expected from a BMW. Whether commuting, car pooling, taking a weekend family trip (with the dog), or moving furniture from one place to another, the X5 is the perfect vehicle. Really recommend the 4.4 engine upgrade for better power transfer -- the gas mileage is virtually the same as with the smaller engine.

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  BMW 325i - 2006 BMW 3-Series
  By Worner Werks - October 18 - 1:53 pm

  Wonderful vehicle.

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  Alisa`s review and recomendation - 2003 BMW 3-Series
  By Zahid Masood - October 18 - 2:00 am

  Very FUN for my youngest 1!!!

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  Competing with pro review on 340ix - 2016 BMW 3-Series
  By Whoever - October 17 - 5:49 pm

  I thought it might be useful for someone to get a more detailed review of this car based on personal experience of owning it and at the same time comparing it with other cars owed or tested. When somebody tells me I love my car, its great it generally tells me very little. I heard that from the owners of KIA or Prius or Tahoe and other cars that I personally would try to avoid. They all have something good about them (if only the price) and are better than any car produced in India, for example, but that does not tell me exactly how these cars are really better or worse than others. And thats the only thing that really matters, for me at least. So here it goes. I bought my new 340ix about 1.5 months ago and have about 1500miles on it now. Before that I owned for 3.5 years 335is coupe, before that Mercedes 320 Sport Edition and my wife owns (so me too to a degree) new Z4 35i and before that z4 35 sport and before that z3. Before getting into 340ix, while thinking of either re-leasing or replacing my 335is I tried BMW 435i, M325, 335i, M3, Mercedes c450amg, Audi4 and 5 and RS, Hyundai Genesis and that are all the cars (not to mention my experiences with rental Toyotas, VW, Chevrolet, Nissan and bunch of others) that I can compare. First, none of the tried cars were worth switching to from my 335is. With exception of M3. Which would go beyond what I was willing to pay. So finally arriving of the new 340ix did it. It matched engine power with 335is, it had x drive which I found attractive (335is was not fun driving around ski resorts), it had a couple of luxury items Id like to have and it was a new car I could have for almost the same lease money. So what did I get? Considering I paid for M package, Track package, Park assist and ignored Navigation altogether. Actually, not one but four cars with very distinct personalities. Consequence of track and M packages that provide several different modes of driving which are really something very noticeable, not just on paper statements. On other cars I tried and on my wifes Z4 those are also present, nothing new, but while you can feel the difference on other cars I feel its rather much more dramatic on 340ix. So, starting with these modes: First, they indeed can be useful and I do switch between them in different conditions. Second, I cant say Im particularly happy about them. I would be perfectly fine with one perfectly tuned suspension and steering. Which was the case in my 2012 335iS, frankly having the ideally tuned suspension and steering, better than any other car I tried so far (better even than in M3 and maybe better than Porsche Boxter). I dont know how they managed that but they did with 335is - exceptionally smooth, absorbing all the major road imperfection and at the same time razor sharp with just heavy enough and firm steering to feel the road and keep things under absolute control. Simply a joy to drive. Why BMW would not just stick with it?? People just keep saying that new BMW cars generation lost this handling edge but BMW stubbornly ignores that. And these modes are: 1. ECO Pro - it could be even Eco Pro Pro or super pro or whatever else BMW marketing call them there would still be nothing Pro here. This mode turns your BMW into Toyota Primus. It reduces the engine response to the gas pedal and add a bunch of indicators on display to let you sort of play some computer game, giving some saved miles bonuses, plots and tips, etc. Warning if you press too hard on accelerator pedal or exceed some speed limits. I played around with it while breaking in the car but frankly I cant see what an idiot (pardon) would buy BMW to drive it in Eco mode. 2. Comfort mode - that mode is actually better than on 335 or Z4. It feels a little firmer and more steerable. But still not what I would consider providing a good BMW-like driving experience. It provides reasonable engine output (press the pedal and you really go) and its smooth but IMHO a little bobbing on bumps and the steering is just too overpowered and soft which makes you a little nervous on high speeds. I still use it in rush hour and maybe its OK to use on gravel roads or something. But its still nowhere close to the standard 335is experience, worse than Z4 comfort mode and I would even prefer Mercedes 320Sport driving to that. It reminds me Buick leSabre on steroids. The worst part of it - its a default mode. You cant change it. Why??? Both Audi and Mercedes let you choose whats default, its all software. Mercedes even let you customize the parameters of the mode to choose your preferences. Why am I forced to drive in comfort mode the car most would buy for sporty behavior? Thats plain stupid. Its the same on Z4. So if you bought the car not to show that you can buy luxury car but to indeed enjoy performance ride then you need not to forget to hit the mode button every time you start engine. That will give you a Sport mode. 3. Sport mode increases the responsiveness of the engine,

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  VEHICLE FOR THE ELITE - 2002 BMW 7-Series
  By clyde - October 16 - 6:43 pm

  Ive had the vehicle for over two weeks, and its been a joy to drive. The power is scary at times - technology is like nothing youve ever seen! Exchanged the 19 inch alloys for chrome and it sets it off!! Comfortable ride, although the Pirellis do not ride as comfortable as Michelins. Totally satisfied so far.