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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  Awesome Machine - 2003 BMW 3-Series
  By David - February 23 - 10:13 am

  Have had this car for three months now and it is the best car I have ever owned. Before test driving it I always wondered if it cost more for the status and badge. I was very wrong. This drives like no other car I have driven.

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  Love it ....but.. - 2005 BMW X3
  By SONYA - February 18 - 4:20 pm

  Great to drive, well built, but way to complicated gadget wise. If one were to learn to operate everything this vehicle has without repeated references to the manual, one would be qualified to pilot a 747. Setting radio stations required over an hour of poring over the manual. Give me an AC system where I can set the vents and fan speed and not have the computer change it every minute. My husband was seriously considering buying one for himself, but has now changed his mind.

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  Not disappointed!!! - 2005 BMW 5-Series
  By Tennesseean - February 18 - 4:06 pm

  Just had my Beemer for a week now. I am totally satisfied so far. Great ride...compared to Jaguar S-type, Lexus 300, Mercedes E-class. No Comparison for price. I drove a 1998 525-i and it was good. This care is awesome!!!!I cant wait to put it onto open highway!!!

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  awesome! - 2000 BMW 3-Series
  By vicsta - February 18 - 2:00 am

  The most fun to drive car out there for the money... highly recommended.

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  2003 BMW 325xi - 2003 BMW 3-Series
  By dave k - February 18 - 2:00 am

  As an 18 yr. old this is the first car i have bought in my life. The pennies that i saved as a child have now given me one of the best cars on the road (the only cars better on the road are other bmws). The car works seamlessly as one entity, precisely navigating every turn with a simple nudge in the right direction.

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  You love it..Your hate it - 2003 BMW 3-Series
  By gde - February 18 - 2:00 am

  Its a very sporty car. Great acceleration and handling. For a compact car, its build very solid. Standard safety features likes side air bags, head curtains etc are great. The clutch burnt out 1/2 mile from the dealership. Dealership fixed it and the clutch burnt out again after 500 miles. Dealership fixed it again. Anyway, so far(1500 miles), the clutch works fine. The automatic temperature for the AC/heat never worked.Although I had a very scary new car experince, I would still drive this car just of its sportiness.

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  QC falls off for BMW 325i - 2003 BMW 3-Series
  By shmern - February 18 - 2:00 am

  Towed back to dealer at 20 mi, 100 mi, 2000 mi. Doesnt have the zip of other BMWs Ive owned. Lots of little things were wrong (couldnt change the clock). This car is not up to BMW standards.

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  good car - 2001 BMW 3-Series
  By coupequattro - February 17 - 3:57 pm

  The car is fun to drive. Handles well in dry summer driving. Im not impressed with the all wheel drive in DSC mode. My 1990 Coupe Quattro could run circles around the 325xi in snow. With the DSC shut off the car is very unsafe unless you have a good snow tire on it. I also removed the CDV which made a HUGE difference in clutch/shifting performance. If you have a manual get rid of the CDV and save your clutch... I also dont believe in the 15ooo mile oil service. Take oil filler cap on your valve cover after 7k miles and look at the yellow and white sludge in there... Change the oil every 2500-3000 miles and you will not see that build up. If buying used have the car inspected at indep. shop

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  Asks much of you, but very rewarding... - 1996 BMW M3
  By sirimiri - February 17 - 2:00 am

  First and foremost, be warned that when an M3 breaks, the repairs can quickly add up. This is a drivers car, it asks a lot of you (stiff clutch, low floorpan, long doors, etc.) so getting in and out, plus driving it around the city is certainly more of a chore than, say, an Honda Civic automatic. But once you are ensconced in the cockpit, be ready to grin and say to yourself many times "I cant believe I just pulled that maneuver" or "watch this!". Truth is, the car doesnt weigh all that much by todays standards, so even with only 240 HP at the crank, this car will scoot quickly. Great lowend torque, but drops off quickly. Rear drive differential makes high speed cornering very easy

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  Superb - 2006 BMW X3
  By dharods - February 13 - 6:12 pm

  Its surely the Ultimate Driving Machine. It has a very quiet ride even at high speeds. All the controls, switches, cup-holders are very thoughtfully placed throughout the interior of the vehicle. I get 21 MPG on highways which is comparable to any other of its class.