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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  Just not a good value - 2016 BMW X1
  By Roy Simpson - October 3 - 3:24 am

  Ok small SUV, but noisy on the freeway, some cheap bits in the interior and harsh ride. Dealers are not willing to move of MSRP much and its just not worth the purchase price. Poor value for the money.

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  Garbage reliability - 2008 BMW X5
  By Colin - September 9 - 5:34 am

  Nothing else drives like a BMW! Really its pretty good, great view out, great seats, comfortable and wonderful to drive... When it works.. I also really like towing with the car and its hitching alignment features where the rear view camera helps you align the hitch shank with the trailer hitch. Plenty of room for all of my equipment. The downside, these trucks have garbage reliabilty. Ive replaced the alternator, the CCV system. The sunroof wont close from vent, the engine leaks oil and burns it due to crap valve stem seals. The control arm bushings die every 60K miles depending on the road conditions. The heater valve has failed, the engine bay rain tray craps out. The oil seals around the alternator bracket fail. Lots of poorly made parts that are like $5 but cost $1000s in labor to replace fail. These cars are garbage reliability, only buy one if its low miles, or you plan to wrench it yourself. Man, Ive never had a car have some many things brake, they arent hard to diy, but shouldnt fail in the 1st place. Really oil seals leaking at less than 80K, common BMW.

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  Never Again - 2000 BMW 3-Series
  By aaprop - June 29 - 2:00 am

  I loved this car until it went out of warranty 6000 miles ago - Ive now spent $6000 on repairs at the dealership. An independent repair shop said my repairs are typical of problems they see with both the 3 and 5 series. And they gave me a list of other things that will likely need fixing in the near future. I have never owned a car that required so many costly repairs. I assumed the high price of the car meant higher quality and fewer long term maintenance problems. I was wrong -- and Ill never make this mistake again.

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  Who asked for iDrive and runflat tires? - 2007 BMW 3-Series
  By quidycat - May 19 - 3:56 pm

  I have had 2007 335cic for a year now. The hardtop has been repaired once. The engine malfunctioned and was in the service dept for 2 weeks for repair. Seat belt didnt retract and had to be replaced. iDrive freezes up periodically and BMW service dept cant fix it because they couldnt reproduce the same problem. Run flat tires are expensive, short lasting, and dont handle well compare with regular tires.

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  BMW DUD - 2005 BMW 5-Series
  By pranch - April 23 - 1:03 am

  I have had my BMW less than a month and it has already had to be at the dealership 4 times to be repaired. It is stil not fixed. I dont know how this vehicle gets a 9.2 rating on this web-site. I have driven this car approx. 360 miles and 260 of that has been to the dealship to get it repaired. Think long and hard before you buy one. I called BMWNA (customer relations) and they told me to take the problem up with the dealership, they werent trained to handle this kind of problem. Since I bought this car I have yet to find anyone that owns a BMW that says they have not had multiple problems with their car. Beware.

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  Too bad . . . . . . . . - 2003 BMW X5
  By PAX5formerowner - April 22 - 2:00 am

  I loved my X5 and purchased with all available options including the Nav system. Loved to drive, loved the look, but many, many quality problems. Had it in the shop 13 times for numerous problems. Traded for a Toyota Highlander and glad I did. Feel I came down a notch as far as looks and loved the feel of the bemer, however too inconvenient taking it for service every month. Need dependability and found it in the Highlander.