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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  A Beautiful Car - 2004 BMW 5-Series
  By NewBMWOwner - October 11 - 2:00 am

  When I first saw the new 5 series I was hooked. This is a beautifully designed car. Despite the critics, I love the aggressive, muscular styling. I purchased a 530i in October and had just a little time to explore the car. The car handles great, so smooth and quiet. The interior is gorgeous. I really love this car.

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  Love it - 2004 BMW 5-Series
  By Wasabi - October 9 - 2:00 am

  Awesome. Thats all I can say. This car is the most fun car I have ever drivwen and I have driven a few. I would recommend this highly to anybody looking. The only drawback was I went with the 525 for my wife and I would have rather gotten the 530 for the extra power. Other then that no complaints at all. We got premium and Sports package and the car handles like a dream

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  great - 2004 BMW 5-Series
  By paolo - October 9 - 2:00 am

  great car i love it. it was worth every penni

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  BMW 530i SMG - 2004 BMW 5-Series
  By Cosme - October 9 - 2:00 am

  I got it on March 1st, It is so far the best car ever drove. Better than Audi, Benz, Volvo, etc. No doubt! I have the sport package with Active Steering (if you get used to it, you will never drive something else), roll stabilization. It is well built, strong, very stable, very much fun to drive. Much more fun than the 3 series. Good torch. I simply love it and dont regret ever having it.

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  big improvement - 2004 BMW 5-Series
  By amys kitchen - October 9 - 2:00 am

  Great improvements to an already great car

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  WOW! What a car. - 2004 BMW 5-Series
  By sigolfer - October 9 - 2:00 am

  My 530i is everything I hoped it would be,when purchasing a BMW, and more. The transmission and motor are smooth and quiet. I am glad it has a MPH warning setting that chimes when the set speed is reached because the car is so smooth and quite you can loose track of how fast you are going. The i- drive is a snap to learn after 20 minutes of practice.The fit and finish is superb and the ride comfort is exceptional.After adjusting to the new style I think it is the best looking car on the road. Great engineering, styling, performance and comfort, what else could you ask for? This is my first BMW and it will not be my last.

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  X5 in Texas - 2004 BMW X5
  By Bdwyer7 - October 9 - 2:00 am

  This is an SUV for people who have always loved driving performance cars! You will not feel like youve traded the fun of driving for the utility of an SUV. The car has an incredibly strong feel for the road and positive powerful control. The 4.4 sport package is exceptional, and worth the extra money.

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  Best I Have Owned - 2004 BMW X5
  By sdhol - October 9 - 2:00 am

  I have owned Lincoln Navigators, Jeep Grand Cherokees and other SUVs and this is by far the best overall.

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  I Like it alot and Ive had three of the - 2004 BMW X5
  By ken feingolod - October 9 - 2:00 am

  IVE OWNED THREE X5S. tHE FIRST WAS A 3.0 LITRE WHICH WAS REALLY COMFORTABLE, HANDLED WELL AND HAD GREAT BREAKS, MY NEXT WAS A 4.4 IS WHICH ALTHOUGH IT WAS AN EXCELLENT VEHICLE GOT TERRIBLE MILEAGE. IF TRADED IT IN FOR A 2004 4.4 WITH THE VALEVTRONIC ENGINE AND THE SIX SPEED AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. gETTING BETTER MILEAGE, BUT WHAT i LOVE ON THIS MODEL IS THE BIGGER SUN ROOF, THE COMFORT SEATS (PREMIUM PACKAGE) AND THE GREAT UPGRADED SOUND SYSTEM. tHE VEHICLE IS POWERFUL, COMFORTABLE, QUIET, ALL COMPETANCE AND GRACE WITH A KICK ASS ENGINE WHEN YOU NEED IT.

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  A great choice - 2004 BMW Z4
  By lecanp - October 9 - 2:00 am

  Ive had my Z4 for about a month now. Got all the options - Performance & Sport packages, Steptronic, heated seats. A little pricy, but lots of fun. The car drives extremely well and will behave as reserved as you want it to when in normal mode, but transforms into a real tiger when you push the Sports button or shift the Steptronic into sports drive. There is no comparison to the 2.5, which felt underpowered. It is a little bumpy with the 18" wheels, but not as bad as I had feared. Watch out for pot holes! It does not handle puddles very well (easily hydroplanes). It is a real eye-turner for young and old alike.