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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  Dont buy the 2003 BMW X5 junk junk junk - 2003 BMW X5
  By Mayormiller - February 9 - 2:28 am

  I dont know if BMW is still making the X5, maybe they corrected the problems but I know their customer service sucks they will not address the problems with the transmission shifting on its own on flat land going up a hill is cool going down and hell put it in neutral but Im flat land is going to shift 3rd to 2nd 4th the 2nd 3rd to 2nd 4th second drives you crazy surprised the engine didnt explode in the one of the engine leaks oil everywhere

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  Couldnt be happier - 2006 BMW 5-Series
  By wagonguy - February 8 - 8:53 pm

  Never thought that I would be driving a wagon but this is by far the best! The room is great, the net for dogs is great and the panaroof is great! The bluetooth system in this car surpasses those of pretty much any other maker. It completely syncs your phone book and automatically puts voice tags on all of them! I am very happy with my purchase. I think it is much more practical than the sedan. The iDrive is very easy to use once you learn it.

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  Maldive Blue - 2003 BMW Z4
  By MaxZ4 - February 7 - 4:02 pm

  Bought the car in August 2006, great car. First BMW, as I was told many times, every little detail is thought through. Automatic windshield wipers, automatic lights, on board computer etc. Was a little disappointed with performance, could be faster in straight lines, but very impressive in curvy roads. Love the stability control, really helps the rear from staying where it should. A great fun car with no backseat. I love it.

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  I THOROUGHLY ENJOY MY NEW X5!! - 2017 BMW X5
  By BMW Montoya - February 6 - 5:58 pm

  I love this vehicle more than any of the many BMWs that Ive owned--including the 5 series. Its a beauty of a beast.

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  BMW IS IN TROUBLE WITH THE 7 SERIES - 2003 BMW 7-Series
  By BMW Done!! - February 6 - 2:00 am

  Edmunds wont print this do to advertising,,however for the heck of it. BMW 2002 and 2003 7 is an absolute disaster. Every single day on drive to work, something else electrically is broken. Forget about the so called I - Drive difficulty, you cant read it anyway due to the video screen showing blank XXXXXXs and OOOOOs. This entire car needs to be totally scrapped and redone very quick. BMW will not listen,,,until they begin to tank over this piece of $70,000 junk. Dealer has been great, and received very little help from Germany. This is horrendous.

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  Bad Service - 2003 BMW 3-Series
  By chim - February 6 - 2:00 am

  Great perfomer, when not in the shop. I have had 4 - 3 series cars (88,93,00,02). The last two have had consistent major and minor mechanical and electrical problems. Two dealerships have been horrible to deal with as they keep car and then dont actually fix the problem. Have had car 5 months and its been in the shop for 3 weeks and going back in again. BMW has to produce a trouble free car before releasing to the public. Service staff poorly trained and understaffed for the high sales that BMW has. Service problems not worth the price of vehicle. Think twice before buying.

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  great - 2003 BMW X5
  By darnell - February 6 - 2:00 am

  this car is the greatest car i ever drove

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  What was I thinking? - 2008 BMW X5
  By Jenny - February 5 - 10:22 am

  One year ago I bought this car for about a year it ran wonderfully at 110,000 miles As soon as I went over the 110 Mark issues began to happen new alternator AC valve problems battery went dead just no longer felt safe in this car This is supposed to be a supreme luxury vehicle I did not expect these problems till at least 200,000 miles Im going back to my Lexus RX thank you

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  This IS the Ultimate Driving Machine!! - 2007 BMW 6-Series
  By CrisFlip - February 5 - 3:09 am

  This is my 2nd BMW 650i I had purchased 2/2/2007. I traded my 2006 650i coupe for a 2007 650i convertible. Since the sun roof did not slide back on the coupe I got the convertible instead. I am very happy and pleased with the convertible. This car has the perfect package: comfort, luxury, handling, performance, agility, and beauty inside & out. The color of mine is Alpine white with the new upgraded leather beige. Mine came fully equipped with all options except HD radio, which you cannot have if you have the real-time traffic for the navigation. This is an awesome feature to have. iDrive is not difficult to use, as long as you are willing to learn! People stop complaining!!

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  Best BMW I ever owned! Autobahn Proven!! - 2007 BMW 5-Series
  By Verdery - February 4 - 2:40 pm

  The car is wonderful! I picked it up in Munich as part of BMWs European Delivery Program and subsequently drove it 1,000 miles on the Autobahn throughout Germany and Austria this past December. It cruises at 130 mph just as easily as it does at 65 or 70 mph. It is actually more comfortable to drive at higher speeds. As with my past BMW, it has a tendancy to want to pull you faster down the road - like a race horse always wanting to go ever faster - be careful to keep an eye on the speedometer! The interior is very nicely appointed and well equipped. The iDrive is not as cumbersome as others have claimed. I think the iDrive becomes an issue for those drivers who are not tech savvy.