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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  Great Car - 2008 BMW M5
  By My M5 - September 3 - 8:43 pm

  Ive had the car for nearly a year. Great daily driver and an amazing track car. The M5 outperformes most cars and is very easy to drive. The SMG takes time to master but once youre used to it, its very smooth. You can launch the car using the smg as a clutch, very easy to do. Its the easiest car to drive. Just bad gas mileage. On the track its great. It can be driven very hard but it will overheat and the brakes will fade. Traction control cannot be totally disabled.

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  Great car if youre mentally prepared - 2007 BMW 5-Series
  By Paul - September 3 - 1:38 am

  I got this as a CPO in June 2010 and waited until now to write a review so I can report any potential problems. Well, this is a great car if youre mentally prepared for BMW(error messages can appear at any time, rattles could come and go, etc). I was prepared for all this before I bought this fully loaded 550i CPO(sport, premium sound, navi, cold weather, convenience, etc ). Coming from a Lexus, my intro to BMW was driving the car with a completely dead battery from the dealer lot. After being stranded, changing the battery, receiving the money spent on battery and cab ride from the dealer, the car has been trouble free and I smile every second I drive it.

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  Not as good as claimed - 2011 BMW 3-Series
  By Jack - September 1 - 9:16 pm

  The 335i sedan is not as good as claimed. The fact that the radio display is blanked out due to the incorrect polarization filter alignment is unforgivable. This is a safety issue, and BMW has known about it for years. The Infiniti G37 totally outclasses the BMW 335i.

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  Awesome when it runs - 2008 BMW 5-Series
  By Tom - August 29 - 7:54 pm

  Great car to drive when it runs. Can has been in the shop 8 times in 6 months. Fuel injector, fuel pump, electrical problem, dont trust the car anymore. Go figure buy a dream car and it is junk.

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  Good but not impressed - 2011 BMW 3-Series
  By mihabt - August 29 - 1:19 am

  I used to lease a 328i 2008, and just bought a 328xi 2011. The front and back style updates are nice, and the iDrive interface and navigation system is Awesome, finally you can search effectively. The performance is as impressive as the previous one, cant complain but I was pretty disappointed by missing the following in the 2011 model compared to 2008 one!!: 1) Head rest is fixed, cant adjust back and forth 2) missing ashtray in back 3) Missing net on back of front seats 4) Slower sync with phone contacts 5) Missing soft cover on trunk covered area 6) Very annoying missing cargo net mounting hooks in back only 2! cant use my old cargo net.

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  Glad its gone - 2009 BMW 3-Series
  By click click click - August 28 - 1:39 pm

  I have had my car in so many times I gave up on getting it fixed. No help at two different dealerships. The car was totaled in an accident, yes it may have saved my life but Im not buying another BMW. If they cant fix them why buy one. Five years 50k means nothing if you drive 25k a year.

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  Screamin - 2008 BMW 1-Series
  By rEddie2 - August 27 - 8:18 am

  My wife always wanted a BMW Convertible. We assumed the lease on this one from the original owner. We absolutely love the performance of this car, but have been a little disappointed with the quality. The tail-light assemblies have been replaced 3 times, the third brake light lens just shattered while driving down the road. Those were replaced under warranty, but it is disappointing considering.

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  Powerful, great on the eyes, gulps gas - 2011 BMW M3
  By BTN - August 25 - 10:01 pm

  Ive had my M3 for a little over a month now--only put on about 500 miles so far, but its a BLAST to drive. With the 414HP, V8 by far the most powerful car Ive ever driven/owned--esp coming from my 2007 IS 250. :) 14 mpg in the city no matter how easy you are on the pedals is a bit annoying, but you have to take good with the bad--kind of a "rare" car depending on where you live. Im in Houston and Ive seen 2 other coupes, and NO sedans so far, so its nice to stand out a bit. :) Had my M3 "stripped"--i.e. speed cloth, 6MT, no navigation, no EDC, but I dont miss a thing. Love every second in this car--hopefully it holds up after warranty!

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  Great Looking on the outside - 2010 BMW 7-Series
  By Vladsly - August 24 - 5:30 pm

  I Bought this car in the states and I didnt look at the car fax and when I was driving it back home in California from Florida, My transmission failed me. Outrageous prices! Doesnt look too good in the inside and dont think that just because it has a navigation system, that it looks good.

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  Got to LOVE IT! - 2003 BMW 5-Series
  By Viper1 - August 23 - 1:57 am

  I read some reviews that talk of the cup holders and other issues. We bought our 2003 525i and simply love it. The thing is on rails but also feels heavy but responsive. The weight is good for absorbing road imperfections. Just feels solid. Performance is nice, just need to hit the sport tronic trans at right rpm range. This car looks better than the newer model and BMW has changed it back to the E39 style with a more squat body. I had to change the alternator, but like our broken cup holder, alternator, and brakes, all of which I changed myself with the Bentley E39 Service Manual and the write tools and she is as tight as, well tight feels good. We Just Love Her, Silvia, because its silver.