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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  BMW 330ci - 2004 BMW 3-Series
  By kiddent - September 22 - 10:00 am

  The 330ci is the best convertible in its class. It has the best engine, brakes, handling, quality of materials and reliability of all comparable vehicles. It is beautiful, fast, and has that unique "BMW" feel.

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  2004 330 ci Convertible - 2004 BMW 3-Series
  By Steven White - September 22 - 10:00 am

  Thius is the second BMW we own. The first was a 2001 325 ci Convertible...nice car, but no where near the performance of the 330....should have bought it back then! The 330 is really the way to go!

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  Ultimate Convertible - 2004 BMW 3-Series
  By bimfan - September 22 - 10:00 am

  Fun to drive. look forward to every trip.

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  LONG DISTANCE TRAVELER - 2004 BMW X3
  By TRAVELER - September 22 - 10:00 am

  WOW - What an automobile! Ive owned a bunch of rides but this one really stands out. Its quick, very stylish and about the safest auto built. To really appreciate all the safety and comfort built into this car I suggest reading the owners manual several times. It has a very powerful A/C, for example, but one must learn its features. In summary - I could have bought any automobile but thankfully I bought this one.

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  Youll Love It - 2004 BMW Z4
  By fit - September 22 - 10:00 am

  The manual 6 speed with the 3.0 engine gives pick up at high speeds that leaves everyone else behind. If you are boxed in with highway traffic you can get a clear shot from 60 to 80 and the traffic will disappear.

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  I LOVE it! - 2004 BMW Z4
  By JeffreyB - September 22 - 10:00 am

  This is my 2nd BMW... as they say, this is THE driving machine. I test drove several other car manufacturers convertibles... NONE of them thrilled me... but, just driving out of the dealers lot on the test drive was a thrill. I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this car.

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  BMW - 2004 BMW Z4
  By Annelisa - September 22 - 10:00 am

  Excellent vehicle, I recently purchased one as a gift for my husband, he enjoys it, loves the feel of the car, the interior, and the reliability of it.

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  6 Series - Buffed Elegance - 2005 BMW 6-Series
  By Sarge - September 20 - 2:54 pm

  Great car. With the sport package, this is truly buffed elegance. I really enjoy the interior and the exterior design. Great sound system. As for the much maligned iDrive. If you dont enjoy being challenged by technology, dont get the iDrive. As for me, I am a techy, so I find the iDrive very functional and entertaining.

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  windows elevator problems - 2001 BMW 3-Series
  By juventus - September 20 - 10:00 am

  great car! but already had 3 problems related to the windows. they get stuck! first it was the passenger side, then the drivers side now its the rear right, in that aspect it has been a nightmare! great car to drive though.

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  550i sport - 2008 BMW 5-Series
  By jamesg - September 20 - 8:20 am

  I recently moved from an e39 540i6 to this 550i sport automatic. This car is much more comfortable and "luxurious" while maintaining an even better balanced feel on the road (it is winter so i have not been able to push it real hard, yet). The iDrive requires some learning investment, but the payoff is real - you can set up a lot of the car features to your personal preferences. The back seat and trunk are larger. Only downside has been fuel mileage ~16.5 MPG in mixed driving compared with 22 MPG in the old car.