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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  One happy fellow - 2003 BMW 3-Series
  By Joseph - May 12 - 2:00 am

  Ive owned more expensive cars than the 330i. Nothing is like it. Addicting!

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  One happy fellow - 2003 BMW 3-Series
  By JOSEPH - May 12 - 2:00 am

  Ive owned more expensive cars than the 330i. Nothing is like it. Addicting!

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  T.U.D.M. - 2003 BMW 3-Series
  By habkarkfl - May 12 - 2:00 am

  excellent sports car for value. Very nicely design.I will buy another BMW product in future.

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  SWEEET - 2002 BMW 3-Series
  By JDM - May 12 - 2:00 am

  My wife fell in love with it on the show room floor. I fell in love on the great River Road. This is by far the best car I have ever driven.

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  Unbelievable! - 2007 BMW 3-Series
  By Seth - May 11 - 11:06 pm

  First time owner of a BMW. This car is just amazing! The 328xi drives like butter! I picked it up about 5days ago and I have already put almost 600 miles on it. I just cant stop driving it. My car is fully loaded. The only option I did not order was the window shades. All I do is drive. The other nitty-gritty details like wipers coming on when they have to, slowing down when approaching a slow moving car, opening doors without keys, getting directions are all taking care of by the cars huge brain. I cant wait to drive it in the snow.

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  A year of driving my 2007 328i Coupe - 2007 BMW 3-Series
  By mrpaul - May 11 - 6:26 pm

  Car is stunningly beautiful. Power of the 3.0 liter rivals a V-8. Fuel economy surprised me, 25 in town and 32 on the highway. No negatives after a year of driving. It handles so great on the road. No body sway at all on sharp turns. Handling is a dream.

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  Reliable for a Eurocar never go back.. - 2002 BMW 3-Series
  By ojc - May 11 - 2:00 am

  The car is much more than I would have expected. Souperb fit/finish. The most precise car ever. Not Toyota reliability but under free maintenance and easy loaner-based service, who cares? There is nothing like this car. You must oown it to believe it (and I was always skeptical about those owners that said the same thing!)

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  Some Practical Advice - 2000 BMW 5-Series
  By nycdoofus - May 11 - 2:00 am

  Great car, solidly built, nimble at high speeds. Monstrous brakes and the Stability system has saved me more than once - getting itself out of an understeer. There is only one real weakness - the tires. Once I upgraded the tires (wait for them to go on sale, $150s per tire every now and then, though i paid the full 200) i could not have been happier. Now I dont need to endanger all of my neighbors and strangers by driving a car-crash-incompatible SUV and menacing the roads in general. Last winter (a doozy of one on the East Coast), I drove 364 out of 365 days and that the vast majority of rolled-over and road-side crashed cars were trucks like the Explorer and Blazer.

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  M3 - 1998 BMW M3
  By BMWBob - May 11 - 2:00 am

  Flawless and Faultless. Amazing handling backed with all the power any fool should need. Granted a few straight line junkies might need more power, but on a real road this car offers more than enough to get in trouble. The car is a delight to drive and while I have a manual, I have driven the automatic and feel you give up much lees than you might imagine on the switch.

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  Im Lovin It! - 2004 BMW 6-Series
  By pvh1 - May 11 - 2:00 am

  I owned a 2003 MB E500 (and an SL500 before that) and I got tired of the electronic problem in the E class. Went to the BMW dealer, drove the 645, fell in love, went back the next day and purchased. This is the nicest car Ive ever owned, hands down. It has it all over the SL500 which is not a true sports car!! The SMG tranny takes a little getting used to but is more powerful than the automatic. And I love, love, love the exhaust note!