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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  IT WILL NEVER BE A PORSCHE - 2003 BMW Z8
  By Dr G - December 8 - 2:00 am

  It is a cool looking car, very stylish but you will get bored were soon, kinda boring to drive. People look, but performance and fun factor is no big deal. I have a 2002 911 turbo which is the best sports car in the world, and this new one cannot even compare. Eventhough the $ is close.

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  Flying car - 2008 BMW 5-Series
  By Flying Car - December 6 - 11:30 pm

  I would have rated this car very high if it was not the hesitation in acceleration from full stop and location and size of control buttons

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  terrible reliability - 1998 BMW M3
  By M3er - November 12 - 2:00 am

  so far this has been the most unreliable car I have ever owned. The CPO warranty is pretty worthless also, as BMW has many loopholes that allow them to deny coverage of failures. I am sorry I bought the car, despite its performance.

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  Save your money - 2002 BMW 5-Series
  By TeeMo - October 21 - 2:00 am

  Reading the other reviews,I wonder if I was sold a completely different car. First,the seats are so deeply contoured that the left bolster interferes with comfortable shifting. My leg goes to sleep after about 30 minutes. If I get the steering wheel in a comfortable place, I can no longer see the instrument panel. The shifter is sloppy and the clutch has no definite point of engagement. The upper gear ratios are so close that it is hard to tell which gear I am in. Combined with that is the fact that 1st gear is so tall that I am at redline not much above 20 mph.

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  Lemon law - make them eat it! - 2002 BMW 7-Series
  By BadBMW - October 14 - 2:00 am

  Purchased my 745i one week ago. CONTINUAL battery problems (car left me stranded twice in two days). Nav system poor, phone has terrible voice recognition. Dealer reported that the problems with the nav system required a software upgrade. Why didnt they check everything before delivery? Maryland has a 7-day lemon law which Im taking advantage of ot of desperation. Really bad for a $70+ car. NO MORE BMWs for me. A new Mercedes will be delivered to my door on Thursday. Maybe BMW should have waited one more year beforw putting this engineering on the market. Sorry I didnt read these reviews before wasting a lot of time hassling with the car.

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  Hole in the wallet - 1992 BMW 3-Series
  By BisForBummer - September 24 - 2:00 am

  Worst designed BMW ever. From plastic radiator to plastic fins on the water pump blade to a computer that does not adequately drain when the car is taken to a car wash such that is floods and shorts out.

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  Never again! - 2002 BMW 7-Series
  By Bjncfo - August 29 - 2:00 am

  2nd BMW Ive owned and this will be the last. All of the great features of this car are offset by the endless number of bugs. Software problems, transmission problems, etc. Who wants to drive a car with the radio on when it skips through the preset stations constantly? Car has been in to the dealer four times. Latest visit is now for more than a week. Back to Lexus for me!

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  Reliability and performance over-rated - 1997 BMW 3-Series
  By Brian Johnson - August 25 - 2:00 am

  I overestimated the BMW brand when I bought my 97 328i. The exterior design is distinctly BMW and it is a great "image" car for young professionals. The biggest challenge is reliability... hundreds of sensors constantly break and any visit to the shop will run at least $300. If you are going to buy one anyway - pass on the Inspection I and II checkups - which are serious waste of money. Overall, performance was less than stellar. I actually had more fun with my 97 Acura Integra, which really surprised me.

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  Lemon??? - 2003 BMW 3-Series
  By Crunch - August 24 - 10:00 am

  So far Ive been back to the dealer for: bad smell coming from the A/C, Alarm not arming, Passanger one-touch window not working properly, Trunk opening by itself, Rear tow hook loose, passenger seat belt not locking, turning signal light loose, panic alarm malfunctioning, Jack broke while changing flat tire, remote keys not functioning the vehicle also staled out a few times, the car sometimes shakes alot when first starting and lasts about a minute, I had to bring the car in for a recall on the electronic control unit, and a few other things.

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  Awful Experience!!! - 2002 BMW 5-Series
  By JakesShop - August 16 - 2:00 am

  I have a 2002 530i - sport-premium package. The first 4,000 miles were like a dream ... incredible. Then began the vibration, and the "shimmie"ing of the steering wheel. The dealership tells me that is normal for a sports-premium 530i. I cant beieve it. This car shakes! You can feel the vibration in your pant legs ... even on the smoothest roads. I have loved BMWs for a long time. This one, my very first, has been such an awful experience, I can barely look at BMWs anymore!!! Hate is a strong word. Its the only one that fits my experience to this point. BMW - if you rad this please help!!!