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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  No issues . . . maybe Im lucky? - 2008 BMW 5-Series
  By nitch - November 12 - 11:31 am

  I seem to have gotten the opposite of lemon. Got the car as a CPO and drive it about 15k miles a year combined city and hwy driving. I have done zero maintenance other than brakes (once), tires (three t8es) and oil changes (every 10k miles). The only caveat is this car will chew through tires - youll get about 30k out of a set no matter what you buy - and because of the AWD, you have to replace all 4 at once. It drives like a dream - especially on the back roads. After a snowstorm once the seal around the rear window got dislodged and water got in the trunk and down into the well under the spare. BMW stupidly put some electronics there and the TPM monitor control until got wet and shorted out. I dug it out of there, dried it off and let it et in a bag of rice of for a day or two. plugged it back in and it worked fine.

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  Fine tuning your X5 is an Art - 2003 BMW X5
  By Jim Fischer - November 12 - 5:12 am

  Ride quality with a 3.0 W/Sport. Bouncing of the ride is extremely annoying for the passengers and driver at factory settings. The tire air settings on the drivers side door do not represent the dynamics air pressure has on this vehichle at all. I have 255/55r/18" tires Michelin mxv M&S. Mileage was 13 mph to 18 at very best. I looked on the sidewall of the tire and a pressure of 51 lbs. I put in 47 lbs of pressure on all 4 tires. Ride is incredibly smooth, over bumps smooth freeway. The extra pressure gives the SAV 20.8 mpg aggressive driving all day long. 26 MPG @ 60 MPH with cruise. Much faster, better cornering. The solution to bounce. Start at 51 go dn 37p

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  Not exactly perfect - 2000 BMW 3-Series
  By aaron - November 12 - 2:00 am

  This car had 1/4 mile on it when I picked it up. Xeon headlights have been completely replaced 6 times. The auto-adjusting driver and passenger window hieght is newer correct, so your windows leak. Electrical system sucks. My friends 3 series behaves the same way. Dont buy the car unless you get the sports suspension and 17 inch rims. Youll hate the ride with the 15/16 inch rims.

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  For the M purist - 1990 BMW M3
  By ray - November 11 - 2:31 am

  Ive owned other BMWs and this is the "Ultimate Driving Machine" like they say it is. I enjoy driving it around town and long trips both. It has never left me stranded yet. Parts are still readily available too. There are faster & better handling coupes out there, but this is just a fun car to drive. With the price of fuel rising, I think Ill keep her.

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  Somebody Stop Me (From Having So Much Fun) - 2016 BMW X3
  By Robert Schulte - November 10 - 11:08 pm

  What a great car ! My wife and I are older and used to have BMWS when we were younger and it was easier to get into her Z3 and my 330I. After a few back surgeries, retiring to our beloved northern Minnesota, and not having a dealer close by for service, we traded the Bimmers in for Hondas. They are great cars too ! Her CRV and my Ridgeline are wonderful, but she is so short that she had a hard time driving the Ridgeline. We traded the Ridgeline in on this car because she can drive it easily and I missed the handling and just plain fun of a BMW. Nuff said . We have to go to Minneapolis for service ( its 200 miles away ) but , we dont care. Driving it there is a blast ! We have the 3.5l M ! For us, its doesnt get any more fun or comfortable !

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  Beware of Z4 deficiencies! - 2007 BMW Z4
  By Not Happy - November 9 - 8:39 pm

  This review focuses more on the bad... fragile paint (scratches too easily), mostly plastic (cant wax out those scratches), annoying beeper (wont shut up for 1 minute, no chimes!), seat belt cant be adjusted (irritates neck), runflat tires sensitive (added air twice in 4 months), 6 speed manual doesnt shift smoothly, doesnt hold value (depreciated $13K < 4 months, so Im stuck!), steering keeps driver way too active, ride quality on rough roads is unacceptable (feel every imperfection!), noisy with roof up, rattles. BMW engineers have ruined this car! Our 2003 Z4 was superior! Yep, I have high standards, especially when I pay $47K+ for a new BMW!

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  Time to trade - 2000 BMW 3-Series
  By Jill - November 9 - 2:58 pm

  While my 3-series wagon was under warranty, all was well. I didnt mind the repeated trips to the dealership to replace every motor in each of my power windows, or my power steering leak, or a regulator in my AC. However, once the warranty expires the out of pocket cost to replace a transmission, along with lengthy list of repairs that accompanies each regular check up becomes quite irritating. The door panel inserts became dislodged and even the BMW logo on the hood came off. . . TWICE. Too headache and expense for "the ultimate driving machine."

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  Zippy new BMW X1 - 2016 BMW X1
  By Michele Mcdonough - November 9 - 2:06 pm

  Sporty, fun to drive X1. Roomy "trunk" area.

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  What a wonderful SAV by BMW - 2008 BMW X3
  By BMW4Life - November 8 - 6:56 pm

  Just got our 2008 X3 two weeks ago with all options except servotronic. Its been wonderful so far. We have the alpine white with sports performance package which comes with 19" wheels. This is a must have if you want the best looking X3 out there, it looks so much better than the rest. The color coded aero kit makes this car look even better (no more black bumpers/moldings. It drives like my 540 and it also has the cargo space to haul our weekend gears. We have two kids and my wife can sit between the two car seats for our two our trip last weekend, and shes 58", it is almost the same size as our 01 X5, but it is much quicker because its 800 lbs lighter and it is also fuel efficient

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  One great small SAV - 2008 BMW X3
  By BMW4Life - November 8 - 3:44 pm

  Got my 08 X3 two weeks ago, have all options except servotronic steering, sports performance package is a must, the 19" wheels look so much better than the rest. Alpine white exterior is the best color choice by far. Automatic headlights is cool. It drives like my 540, but with enough cargo to haul our weekend gears. We have two kids and my wife can still sit in the middle between the two car-seats for a two hour drive. It is almost the same size as my 01 X5, only quicker and more fuel efficient.