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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  Former M3 Driver - 2003 BMW 5-Series
  By A pleasure to drive - March 3 - 10:00 am

  As a former M3 owner, I was concerned about this cars performance. Not anymore. Equipped with the sport package and 5 speed Steptronic transmission, understanding that this car is not a hot rod, acceleration is excellent, while handling is formidable. Fuel consumption overall has been 21.1 mpg according to to vehicles computer. This car provides for me what is necessary to be considered a true sport sedan.

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  The Best Sedan - 2000 BMW 3-Series
  By john schomer - March 3 - 10:00 am

  Go Drive one. This car blows away any sedan you have been in. The Audis are no comparison, the 5-series are for old folks.

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  Love it, love it, love it - 2007 BMW 3-Series
  By Sharon - March 3 - 12:30 am

  Just picked up my 328xi a few days ago, and I look for any excuse to run errands so I can get behind the wheel. I added the sport package, cold weather package, and the iPod adapter, and am pleased with all of my selections. This car handles like a dream - it loves to hug the curves and go fast. Very tight and responsive, and the 6 spd manual is silky-smooth. Fit and finish are great. The metallic paint is flawless.

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  1999 750iL - 30 month review - 1999 BMW 7-Series
  By Scott - March 2 - 9:46 pm

  Bought @ 50K miles for $29K out the door. Needed major service, thrust rod bushings & sway links. After $2,100 all good. Since then: battery x 2, climate control fan motor, radiator repair, tires, repair hood latch, replace oxygen sensors, new front pads & rotors, new electronic thermostat, 2nd major service, added new center armrest & ashtray coin tray, replaced cup holder & console wood trim, replaced outside mirror pass. side, replaced map light rear pass. side, replaced two side windows pass. side & rear driver side, several scheduled maintenance visits & replaced one ultrasonic parking sensor. I may be missing a few things, grand total $13K. Present mileage 100,400. BMW: Break My Wallet.

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  Love the x1 - 2016 BMW X1
  By Juju - March 2 - 4:49 pm

  Great visibility , handling , breaking , comfort , small and easy to drive ! Difficult criteria to find all in one vehicle , I found it in the X1

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  If only it didnt have RFT tires.... - 2006 BMW 3-Series
  By rrl - March 1 - 4:46 am

  BMW dropped the ball on this car. They equipped it with (no choice) run flat tires and no spare. The ride on these tires is downright frightening with each bump in the road being bone jarring! No kidding... hit a pothole and you could lose the fillings in your teeth. It should be a dealbreaker for anyone considering this car. The push button start/stop switch is an unecessary joke. do not even think about leaving the car with a valet... he wont be able to shut it off or if he does the next shift wont be able to start it. Ive actually posted a sign with instructions when I am forced to valet park. This is my fifth and last BMW unless this arrogant manufacturer replaces these tires.

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  Perfect except fuel economy - 2006 BMW 3-Series
  By jerry - March 1 - 3:46 am

  This is my second BMW and this one is hands the best I have driven. The complete redesign is incredible, I like this one better than that 5 series and the old 325 Xi I had before this one. The only thing that keeps this car from perfection is the fuel economy but there is no way to have this performance with fuel economy.

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  The Perfect Car - 2004 BMW 3-Series
  By BeemerGuy - February 27 - 10:36 pm

  I have a bad habit of changing out cars every year. But when I found myself in my first 325, I knew that BMW was the company for me. I love these cars, they are amazing.

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  Humming along at 10 years of ownership - 2003 BMW 3-Series
  By doug wilder - February 27 - 5:41 am

  Anything worth having is worth taking care of. We bought a 2003 325xi sedan in November 2006 with about 60000 miles and apart from regular maintenance have been very happy. The fuel pump died and that required a tow. My water pump went out 4 blocks from my mechanic and he said drive it there now. Brakes, tires, cv boots, wheel bearings. Still has original engine, transaxle and radiator at 252,000 miles. It averages to cost me $1000 to drive from a repair standpoint. When it finally does die, I will buy another BMW, likely the i3, but another older 325xi with under 150k miles would be worth considering.

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  Underpowered - 2007 BMW X5
  By Frank - February 26 - 4:49 pm

  Bought new 2007 X5 sight unseen. Ordered in October, picked up car in January. In gently rolling area the X5 3.0 seems underpowered. The transmission is constantly shifting and feels like it is straining. If you really put your foot on the gas, its not as noticeable. Love the design, in fact am trading in for the X5 4.8. Its going to cost, but my mistake.