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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  Run Flat Tires are No Good - 2007 BMW 3-Series
  By beverly5534 - February 26 - 2:13 pm

  I love my new 328i wagon. Plenty of room for two little dog crates even with the back seat up. Get decent MPG, certainly better than my x5 got. Handles wonderfully, rides GREAT, iDrive is fun, GPS is amazing, and I get lots of compliments on the color combo (barbaro red with tan interior). The thing I hate are the run-flat tires! I have my second flat in the 4 months I own the car. Not the cars fault, but I now need to take hours to drive to the dealer, wait for them to sell me another tire. I dont have time for this, not to mention the cost. I want to be able to change/fix the flat and get on with my life.

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  Again - 2007 BMW X3
  By DVL - February 25 - 7:02 am

  Ive just changed my 2005 X3 for a new one. The 2007 feels more comfortable, cleaner in style and a bit more powerful. Same old leatherette in the seats, but a sturdy more easy to manage leather steering wheel. Lets put it this way: a nicer a gentler car!

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  wow - 2004 BMW Z4
  By armani - February 25 - 2:00 am

  a woman magnet, sharp interior and exterior. superior ride, smooth carefree transmission.

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  Best SAV on the Road - 2004 BMW X5
  By Brett Merrington - February 25 - 2:00 am

  I love this sav, I had a 2000 4.4 and love my new 2004 4.4

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  Nice practical car - 2002 BMW 3-Series
  By Axe - February 24 - 10:00 am

  Compared to other 6-cyl AWD wagons out there, my XiT: 1)is good value (and is fairly cheap) 2) drives very well (Audi with sport suspension, summer tires and 2.7T engine is better - but not on snow, and everything is a compromise)

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  THE ULTIMATE DRIVING MACHINE - 2002 BMW 3-Series
  By Jesse j - February 24 - 10:00 am

  I just purchased my 330ci and it is just a blast to drive. It handles better than any car I have ever driven. Their is no comparison to any other car out their in the 35-42 price range.

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  The Silver Bullet - 2002 BMW 5-Series
  By fdelmonte - February 24 - 10:00 am

  This is the best car I have ever owned! Powerful, luxurious, stylish, fun, (did I mention fun?), delightful. There are not enough superlatives to describe the wonder & engineering on this car. For the acceleration & power of the car, excellent gas mileage (18 city, 21 freeway) and its not through the break-in period (remember, this is a 8-cylinder wonder - I was only getting 18.5 mpg in a Volvo S80 T6 - there are no comparisons between the cars). Yes, the cupholders are worthless, but that is not the reason you buy a BMW. A must have if you truly appreciate well engineered cars.

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  I love this car! - 2004 BMW 3-Series
  By Sean Diesel - February 24 - 5:56 am

  This car is a true drivers car. It is very fun to drive, has EXCELLENT handling. The engine is powerful and sounds very powerful, and the interior is very stylish and luxurious. This car is the perfect car for a mix between luxury, performance, and economy.

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  BMW X5 - 2002 BMW X5
  By Ted - February 23 - 5:03 pm

  Great car runs well, build very good, exterior design the best, interior excellent, mileage good, performance excellent.

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  The best sedan I have driven - 2007 BMW 7-Series
  By drjbmw - February 22 - 8:17 pm

  This the fifth BMW 7 series that I have bought. 1987, 91, 96, 01 and 07. I can drive any car that I want but I keep going back to BMW. I also own a 2004 645 Ci that I truly love to drive when the wife and kids are not around.