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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  2010 BMW 550i GT - 2010 BMW 5-Series Gran Turismo
  By Nick - December 7 - 5:15 pm

  I bought this car used on ebay motors from a Florida dealership. I knew nothing about this car before before I saw the auction. I fell in love at first sight. I did a little research, and bought the car the next day. I have had it since November 2016. Such a smooth ride, excellent transmission, engine, and suspension. This is the first German made car I have owned. and the quality is amazing compared to every "American made" car I have owned. With the proper maintenance, I expect this car to last a very long time.

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  Love the quiet - 2017 BMW i3
  By David Vener - December 7 - 4:27 pm

  Its been a great first month. The car has had no issues. Acceleration is amazing and the quiet is just sublime. Good sound insulation also protects the interior from external noise as well as the lack of engine noise. Weve had no problems; range is as advertised. Installed a 220 v 40 amp charger in the garage that is very convenient. Havent had to use the Range extender yet, though my wife told me she got a notification that the engine was cycling, presumably just to keep the fluids from settling too much. Enormous headroom; Im 64 and have another 2" beyond the top of my head. Visibility is excellent. The rear seats are quite usable but wouldnt buy it if we anticipated using them a lot. Lots of trunk space. Only gripe is that the BMW technology integration is a bit wonky and takes some getting used to. Would have loved to have electric seats, but I suspect that would have added significant weight. Carbon fiber body is really nice as is the interior wood. Seats are very comfortable.

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  Traded in the Porsche - 2007 BMW X5
  By markM=m - December 6 - 11:30 pm

  Traded in a porsche CS for the X5. The X5 is perky but not as fast as the CS. The X5 is nicer to drive on long trips and has features like bluetooth & ipod. Tire wear should be better and cheaper. The iDrive is a breeze to use as is the voice command function, very cool. Great suv but do your own homework.

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  One of the best cars in the market! - 2002 BMW 3-Series
  By Moawieh Abuhatoum - December 6 - 8:57 pm

  The car drives just fine, very quiet and fun to drive, very good gas mileage, corners very well, excellent acceleration, very well designed in and out!! Maintaning the car is an issue with the unlogical prices and labor charges dealer will charge just because it is BMW! You really pay for the name and not the part/labor! Very frustrating.

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  i love this car - 2007 BMW 3-Series
  By lori kaplan - December 6 - 12:45 pm

  i wont drive another car after having had a Volvo and then a Saab. This IS driving. Super fun car but with the safety of size.

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  Lost in translation - 2005 BMW X5
  By rem - December 6 - 3:52 am

  It may have been a great car. It may have been a great truck. But its neither. Very comfortable and decent performer with nice interior. Nevertheless, a very busy exterior, awfully heavy doors (watch your fingers), lousy electronics, bad rear visibility, gargantuan gas appetite, tremendous wind noise with open roof, unreadable computer display in most daylight and huge turning radius. Main forte - desirable name tag. Living up to the promised ultimateness - in chris bangles next life. We are walking away from it for. Thanks, munich, this was our last present to you.

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  A true dream come true. - 1995 BMW M3
  By Kyle - December 4 - 7:14 pm

  Ive been after an M3 for years. Found a superb example a year ago. Short of nothing but great. The faint of heart need not apply for ownership. All jokes aside the car is as incredible as I dreamt it would be.

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  Too Bad the Seats Are Vinyl - 2008 BMW 3-Series
  By Alex in MD - December 2 - 1:56 pm

  An otherwise fine car is marred by the standard vinyl "leatherette" seats that have no place on a luxury sports car. While "leatherette" may look fine, no matter what you call it, vinyl is hot, sticky and uncomfortable. Why dont they just offer and market honest cloth seats on the base model. BMW was remarkably uncooperative in addressing the complaint. While the seats could have easily been recovered in leather, BMW wanted a whopping $6,000 for the leather covers (when the leather package costs only $1,350 to order). The car is nimble and great fun to drive, but the standard seats and total lack of customer support are troubling.

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  Subtle changes make a difference - 2008 BMW 6-Series
  By Mark Yowe - December 2 - 9:41 am

  After much deliberation, I bought a new 650i coupe. I always liked it generally, but could not imagine a car at this price without an opening sunroof. You have to drive it to understand that the trade off is a beautiful panoramic experience through the roof glass with ventilation still available. The trunk area, which I always saw as ugly Bangle bungling, is subtly changed and now much more acceptable to me. The brake light previously near the back window is now integrated into the deck lid. It just looks better. People really rubber neck a nice extra.

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  GREAT CAR - 2003 BMW 3-Series
  By Danielle Fer - December 2 - 2:00 am

  FUN, Excellent look, very reliability, Great Interior and Exterior Design, So Comfort and VERY VERY VERY Fun to Drive