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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  2008 535i Black on Black - 2008 BMW 5-Series
  By gvitalik - November 9 - 6:53 pm

  Was considering several cars like Mercedes C350, E350, Lexus GS350, Infiniti G35, BMW 528i sport. After driving all of them, the 535i with sport, premium, navi, xenon blew them all away. Great transmission with 2 sport modes and paddle shifters. Car is glued to the road. Active suspension almost eliminates body roll. IDrive is functional just takes some time to learn all the menus. Picks up speed instantly, no turbo lag. Very fun to drive. My 1st BMW and now I know why its called ultimate driving machine. Other premium brands dont come close in road feeling.

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  Love it - 2006 BMW 3-Series
  By Eagle 1 - November 8 - 6:26 pm

  Im really enjoying this car. The handling is sweet. Transmission is smooth. Interior is comfy. Getting lots of envious looks from people at work and passersby.

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  Luxury at its Best - 2018 BMW 7-Series
  By E.Faye Parker - November 8 - 4:36 am

  I can not give this car the review it deserves. But so far this car is phenomenable. It is new and I have not had time to evaluate everything you want me to answer. It does everything but drive itself. I am still learning the many capacities of this vehicle. If I did not check Great-it simply means I have not gotten that far tested or evaluated that aspect.

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  New X5 SUV - 2004 BMW X5
  By edgardaniel - November 7 - 1:00 pm

  we were looking for an SUV and this was really the only option with this much to offer...all the american models were out...poor quality and the others available just did not cut it....lexus, porsche and Land Rover...excellent car for the money..too bad they sell them all and there is little room to negotiate the price down..but anyway well worth the cost...

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  love this SUV - 2004 BMW X3
  By mfeder - November 7 - 12:58 pm

  We have owned various Jeep Grand Cherokees, and the Lexus RX 300. By far, the BMW is the superior car. I have no idea what reviewers are talking about- we got ours for the low 30s, not the mid 40s, and love the vehicle. We specifically got it with just black interior- no silly wood, very teutonic, and love it. The ride is superb, stiff- not like a caddy, fortunately... It is undeniably the best SUV on the road for us. To test drive one is to love one.

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  BMW X3 2.5i - 2004 BMW X3
  By fedenybaires - November 7 - 10:00 am

  Amazingly fun to drive. excellent compromise between exterior size and interior room

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  Made for driving - 2004 BMW 5-Series
  By midnightsighs - November 7 - 10:00 am

  It is "The Ultimate Driving Machine". This car was made for those who love to drive. From the moment you enter, as you accelerate past everyone, till you regretfully exit, you know that youve had a unique driving experience. No wonder BMW owners are lifetimers! How can one drive anything else? Doesnt have as many interior features as maybe Lexus. Its all about the drive, the way it steers can only be experienced, difficult to articualte how responsive the steering and handling. Reputation well deserved.

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  Get the comfort seats - 2004 BMW 5-Series
  By JJROGE - November 7 - 10:00 am

  Took European delivery and loved it. 135 mph on the autobahn with plenty of power to spare. I feel bad that this car wont be able to be driven at the speeds it was designed for, but its still fun to drive in America. I got the sports package on this car. Would reccomend the comfort seats, as sport seats are a little uncomfortable. I Drive is fine, no problem. Upgraded stereo system rocks. This car is smoooooth and powerful. Anti roll stabilization and active steering are fantastic.

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  330CIC BMWer - 2004 BMW 3-Series
  By Golson - November 7 - 10:00 am

  The 330CIC is not only fun to drive, it is also a sharp looking vehicle that turns heads. Excellent pick-up, highly recommend the 5-speed trans. Quality is flawless which is typical for German- built vehicles.

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  BMW X-5 2018 XDrive 50-wolf inside a sheep! - 2018 BMW X6
  By DR FREDRICKSON - November 6 - 3:56 pm

  Originally I was looking at the X-6 as I had a X-5 back in 2007 that I drove for nearly 5 years-longest vehicle I have owned and driven! As I usually get bored and trade every 2-3 years. When I saw the X-6 the lines were nice but the hatchback style was a turn off for me. Then they brought out a white pearl 2018 X-5 that was loaded and when I drove it felt better than I remembered as to ride, quietness in the cabin, controls layout. Personally I have never had a problem w/BMWs control dial. Now you just speak and it does what you ask! The X-5 w/xdrive and the 465bhp twin turbo V-8 provide all the oomph you want from a dead stop. I went on YouTube and a regular X-5 V-8 w/the M options-same as mine was rocketing off from a dead stop faster than an X-6M class. I knew there was no way the X-5 w/the V-8 could out pace the X-6M and after about 6 failed attempts from the X-6M driver- the X-5 driver finally started them both off again and told the X-6M driver how to set his launch control. Then it was over. The 550 +bhp M class X-6 shot out front and the X-5 stayed close to about 80mph and then the X-6M opened up a huge gap. I do not need 550+bhp (would I like it? you betcha!) but I am not going to be challenging any M class BMWs as the X-5 is decked out w/all the options I wanted including the various M class upgrades but it is still a BMW X-5 Xdrive w/a twin turbo V-8 and that is just fine by me. The vehicle is glued to the road. Cornering is nearly like being in a high end sports car- as you can feel the the suspension taking the cornering in stride and adjusting accordingly. With the Xdrive you do not burn rubber- you take off! Dodge Ram trucks w/the semi v-8 -Ford Raptors are in your rearview before they knew what happened. The 2018 X-5 is not a racing or track SUV but it certainly sends you off and down the road quicker than you anticipated! The rear tires a sight to behold! The front of the X-5 is 76" wide, the rear of the X-5 w/the twin turbo V-8 is 86" wide! Those huge fat tires on the back end would provide one heck of a launch if you chose to do that as it does have launch control in the Sport ++ setting. I will not even think of trying that until I have 1,000 fairly pampered miles on it-the owners manual says 200 miles and after you can do launch control but it is a real wear activity for your vehicle and I would not recommend it more than a half dozen times a year-if you plan on keeping your vehicle past the 4 years of warranty. Very impressive and greatly improved from my 2007. All the various adjustments that come w/the M option include the 20 way adjustable seats so you can have the bolsters on the sides hug you and you feel firmly planted in your seat. And the looks of that metallic pearl white, the rumble of the factory exhaust, those beautiful rear tires-causes fellow drivers to really eyeball your vehicle. Sweet ride, excellent performance, outstanding sound system that I can hook my iPod up to; BMW made a superb SUV in the 2018 X-5 w/Xdrive to the point where you want to go the long way or find a reason to head to anywhere as on the highway it is so quiet...no wind noise at 100mph and it just wants to cruise at 80+ mph! No third row seat(yeah!!) unless you order it. Have fun driving responsibly and enjoy the panoramic roof!