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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  2007 328i - 2007 BMW 3-Series
  By ATLbmw - January 31 - 1:13 am

  This is my second BMW, and remains the ultimate driving machine. The vehicle is response, tight, fun to drive.

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  Ultimate Sports Sedan - 2006 BMW 5-Series
  By Tony - January 31 - 12:56 am

  Tried every sport sedan out and was a loyal Lexus buyer. Owned several BMW in past and missed the sporty drive in BMW. One test drive in the 550 was all it took. GS430 and Infiniti could not match the combination of both luxury and sport. Took one year to testing cars to finally buy BMW 550. HUD is the best thing since sliced bread. So far no problems and puts smile on face every time I drive it. I-Drive is so easy to use dont listen to people that have not learned the system it took me two days to master it, once you do you wont go back to anything else.

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  Best Luxury Sport Convertible - 2006 BMW 6-Series
  By Jack B - January 30 - 11:10 pm

  This by far is the best vehicle I have driven, and the best looking. I have had the Nissan 300z turbo and test drove the new Mercedes CLS and the SL 500, there is no comparison the performance and luxury you get with the 650I. The iDrive was confusing until I took about two hours to learn it while parked in my driveway and now it is easy. The voice commands also eliminates a lot of manual functions that comes with the iDrive.

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  Cabrio 4 ever - 1991 BMW 3-Series
  By 325i Cab - January 30 - 9:02 am

  I find this car fantastic, its fun to own and drive besides minor repairs it has been very reliable and not expensive to run and maintain. It still turns heads and is almost 16 years old!!! Good style BMW. The car has a split personality and will be very docile if left to its own devices but will become a beast if you demand it of it which brings me to the only thing I could do without is the relatively flat power band until the engine speeds over 3500RPM from where it just rockets to the red line with a fantastic engine sound that just encourages you to keep your foot down. I would advise anyone interested in such a car to buy it, if in good nick, and you wont look back

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  The Ultimate Disaster Machine! - 1998 BMW 7-Series
  By Lucian - January 30 - 1:51 am

  Looks can be deceiving! Lets see, purchased car at 58k, coolant sensor broke at 59K, tire alignmnet at 60K, fuel pump 61K, cat converter at 63K, sealant around windows at 63K all that in one yr. That yr i only put on the car 8k miles in hot weather! It has been nighmare after nightmare. Thanks BMW i hope ur happy in Stuttgart. Hire new engineers? That would be a good start.

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  Great car--except... - 2005 BMW X3
  By 05 x3 3.0 - January 29 - 5:06 pm

  Great car, except it is tight in the back with three adults. Drives perfectly, and handles more like a sedan then an SUV. This is a bigger and more fun version of the 3-series. Same great handling as the little 3 but with all the fun of an SUV. Haven`t tested it out too much in the snow, but I am looking forward to the challenge. 4 years free maintenance is ALSO great..

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  Excellent - 2005 BMW X5
  By smith - January 29 - 12:50 am

  This was one of the best cars I have ever driven. I reccomend this for all suv drivers thinking about buying one of the safest cars out there and also with a little speed built in to it to. German built cars is the way to go with their quality performance and styling.

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  Information - 2004 BMW 3-Series
  By Bob - January 28 - 11:42 pm

  I moved from a 1986 Acura Legend (first US model) to the 325i Bimmer due to a favorable military overseas purchase price. The BMW is what they say it is but it is not perfect. I find the layout of buttons regulating windows (in the center console) to be awkward compared to almost all other cars with controls mounted on the door armrest area if you live in a gated community, the frequent use of this item can be a nuisance. The trunk is too small for more than one set of golf clubs! Otherwise, this machine is impeccable in construction and the performance is outstanding, especially at high speeds!

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  Pure fun and excitement - 2005 BMW X3
  By S. Young - January 28 - 8:49 pm

  A family of four, we live at 9000 feet in the Colorado Rockies. This vehicle has plenty of power, top end speed, and cornering ability. Very sure footed on ice and snow. The hill descent control works great on steep and winding snow packed roads. The cargo area, while small, holds a surprising amount of stuff. The xenon lights are great for illuminating elk and deer along the road and peeking around corners further than normal lights. It makes the 70 mile round trip to work everyday through a winding canyon a pleasure. I would highly recommend this car for the mountains. The body of an SUV and the soul of a sports car.

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  Superb Drive - 2005 BMW M3
  By phil - January 27 - 11:32 pm

  This car could sell on looks alone, but fortunately it goes like stink, has awesome stopping power, and handles far better than you can drive. You should be sure to drive an SMG before you buy it I hate them and the Gertrag double clutch system is WAY better. Go with the 6 speed and save $$ and complexity. The ride is harsh on uneven pavement, be sure you want to pay that price for the performance you cannot legally use. The BMW "free service" is insufficient for a performance car, review the previous recommendations (before the free service plan was initiated) and follow that if you plan to keep the car very long. the power is above 4K revs, this car is NOT torquey the way a big V8 is.