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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  BOOO Motor works - 2000 BMW 3-Series
  By bmwclarin - March 17 - 2:00 am

  I purchased my vehicle straight from the factory.The electrical and mechanical problems have been a nightmare, now my car has started to shutter and stall when taking off, still under warranty but apparently problem not covered, only 39,000 miles on it but looking to drive another car soon. No car of this calibur should have so many problems, already had the motor in sunroof, sensor, door seal, window brackets, lights, dash lights etc, etc replaced so much repaired I made a file for it. This car is not the ULTIMATE DRIVING MACHINE its a DRIVING NIGHTMARE MACHINE.

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  no excuses for Nav system - 2002 BMW 7-Series
  By Disappointed - March 11 - 12:02 am

  There is just no excuse for a CD based nav system so many of the less expensive Japanese cars have gone DVD based. They are using the same Nav system as from the 2001 model, which requires loads of clicks to do anything, is not ergonimic, and is not touch-screen. (The nav in my wifes Acura MDX by comparison is a star.) And, after speaking to BMW USA in NJ, they will not provide an upgrade path. Too bad....

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  Is it over yet? - 2007 BMW 3-Series
  By BStokes98 - February 24 - 5:20 pm

  Where shall I start? I park my car in the garage and never lock it, one day I went out, opened the passenger door to get something, closed it. The next morning the battery was dead. When you open the passenger door, the headlights dont go back out.... I have had about 4 sets of tires on the front, when you hit a pothole it feels like you were in an accident... Also 1 new set of rims... Engine performance is great. Navigation is a mess... The bluetooth works really well and the AWD system is flawless.

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  The Ultimate Disappointment - 2004 BMW 3-Series
  By Betty11 - February 18 - 10:00 am

  The ultimate driving machine was a big dissapointment. Very poor interior quality and design. Back seating lacks leg room and things have started to come undone on my car. Way over priced!

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  BMW 2 Months Old, In Shop 4 times - 2003 BMW 7-Series
  By Jason Langley - February 3 - 2:00 am

  Dont expect BMW service to figure out the blank screen, or zero electronic activation after you put the keyfob into starter ignition. I now have 3 new sets of keyfobs, and a new processor, yet car was dead after a 3 day airport layover. Very familiar with BMW roadside assistance, they are good! $68,789.00 Mistake.

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  Looks great but is always trying to break. - 2001 BMW 3-Series
  By Mo - December 28 - 9:59 am

  I bought this car in 2014 on June and boy was i happy. Loved the looks and performance. IT was always polished and detailed once a month since the start of time. 2 months after buying this from BMW dealer from a one owner the belts and pulleys went bad. I Took it to the shop and had it replaced with the OEM parts. "Note i only did OEM replacements for everything your about to read." My shop during the repair found out the front axel had gone bad as well as the engine mounts and transmission mounts. Reminder to those reading my shop is a very reliable shop in the Bay Area with 100+ cars a day. So after finding out bought the new axel with the mounts right away. Drove the vehicle for a month and everything was ok. Winter night decided to go get a Starbucks coffee before i took off to go flying, "reminder i am a pilot". As i walk back i notice severe smoke coming from the hood. I popped the hood open the and expansion tank was cracked. I had the car towed to the shop and had that changed right away. As they where checking the saw the hose was bad as well as the water pump and the radiator looked as though it was ready to go. Ended up replacing all the parts right away thinking id keep the car still. A month goes by after all that and i get a check engine light after driving from Los Angelas. I diagnose the code since i use to work on cars at one point and it was the O2 Sensors. Jeez Lucky me it was the month i had to smog the car. Again back to the shop and had the O2 sensors replaced. Very expensive. After driving back from the shop i notice smoke again from the hood. Look under Valve cover gasket was bad. Turned around and left the car over night till they replaced that. I drive the car for two months and again smoke from the hood. I check and again valve cover leak. I take it to the shop and it was not the cover but the valve cover its self that went bad. $300 is the cost of that cover. I said screw it ill deal with it. YES the valve cover was torqued correctly when i had the gasket changed. Another month goes by and on the free way i get a check engine light and the car down shifted harshly to send gear from 4th. Found out the alternator went bad. Ridicoulas. I was about ready to destroy this car. Note i did change the differential fluid and the transmission fluid right away when i bought the car due to this generation having transmission problems on the automatic version. 3 months or so went by from all the BS and i decide to go to the snow with my new continental DWS tires. When i got on the freeway and got close to lake Tahoe and to the snow the steering wheel got very very heavy.... Power steering killed it self. Regardless since it was gone i was already in the snow. Drove it and ill say despite not having power steering this car handles amazing in the snow. So when i got back i poured a temporary power steering fluid fix. Aprox a week went by when i put the fluid and i was rear ended by a jeep in traffic and i hit the car in front. The impact was very hard. The winch on the jeep hit me and i damaged the impala in front. The front didnt have a scratch beside the license plate frame damaged on my car but the impala was damaged from behind. The back bumper had a hole but over all it was a hard hit and it coped well. Two months later sold the car with bad power steering and shocks. Never again buying a new BMW. Now driving a 2006 C55 AMG Mercedes. Ive always owned Mercedes and never again will i buy a bmw. My relative had a 1994 318i and that was bullet proof, close to 400,000, parts original. Other relative 2000 528i with 340,000 miles. It was also bullet proof. Both cars great. Other relative had a 2004 530i and had problems with tranny and electronics. 2006 325i electrical problem. 2008 750li electrical and engine problems. Overall BMW is not the ultimate driving machine and they are problematic. I SPENT $6,000 in repairs in a little over two years! IT DID 14MPG combined. Only freeway it did 25MPG. WORST DECISION IVE EVER MADE BUYING THIS CAR!

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  Bad build quality - 2003 BMW Z4
  By Jacques - November 4 - 10:00 am

  The Z4 is a build in USA, with poor build quality. The car built in Germany is better.

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  Its OK, but too slow... - 2006 BMW 5-Series
  By Jerry Kadash - October 13 - 5:33 pm

  Ive had two problems, I can live with them till service. One is annoying with the sun roof. It operates, but BANGS/pops closing most times. Close once, bang, open close again, less bang. Seems most awful when hot, car parked. Anyway, Ive had 530s previously...very nice. My 525, I thought the quicker 6 spd autotrans, it would have more zip. Seems very anemic on the highway and byway! Bodystyle Ive grown to appreciate and like. The competition is copying it. Also I now know if I pass my bodystyle on the road, its an 04 or later.

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  BMW X5 makes my ear cloudy - 2007 BMW X5
  By Tamara Taylor - October 8 - 9:18 pm

  I het cabin pressure build up in mu right ear sometimes when I am driving my BMW X5D.

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  I read all these reviews before I bought - 2003 BMW 3-Series
  By alex1956 - September 22 - 2:00 am

  O.K I was almost sold due to my test drive. Poor reviews and Consumer Report reviews led me to purchase my Accura RL- S. Saved 15K thanks to your reviews.