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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  FunFunFun! - 1999 BMW Z3
  By WireWheels - October 13 - 10:17 pm

  Most fun to drive Ive ever had. This is my sixth BMW and makes me feel good every time I look at it or drive it.

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  BMW 330i - 2005 BMW 3-Series
  By Ryan - October 13 - 4:36 am

  Great sport performance car to drive, which makes long trips enjoyable. The seat extension for under the legs is awesome and very comfortable. The tight road handling is ideal for upper end highway driving (speeding!). Net - net awesome car that makes you want to run errands.

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  Yes, friends, its a wagon ... - 2000 BMW 3-Series
  By BMWGuy - October 13 - 2:00 am

  We love BMWs, and bought this because my wife thought 3 series wagon was cute. That may be, but its also a rocket. Get the sport package, put on your driving gloves and hang on! Great on the highway, fun on the backroads! The usual solid BMW build quality, etc.

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  Ahhhh! - 2004 BMW X5
  By mrd - October 12 - 11:20 pm

  An excellent vehicle. Limited cargo space if you want to move an apartment, but in normal daily living it is more than adequate. Responsive steering, good pick up, fun - everything you would expect out of a BMW.

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  awd 325 - 2003 BMW 3-Series
  By bill c - October 11 - 10:40 pm

  This has turned out to be the ultimate experience, great comfort on long trips you arrive refreshed, always looking for back twisty roads for the handling.

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  Love the car - 2008 BMW 3-Series
  By RS328Xi - October 11 - 6:16 pm

  The day you get to pick it up, you will never be the same after driving such a great car. Handling, speed, gas mileage, fun to drive is on top of the list. I never thought driving could be so much fun, I hate my 2 hr commute to work but now its actually fun to drive. I highly recommend the vehicle, the base model is good enough but if you can afford it get the fully loaded bad boy! Love my BMW! Great car.

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  Follow-up Review 1 Year Later - 2004 BMW 3-Series
  By TechJunkie - October 10 - 10:41 am

  The driving experience dramatically improved after I replaced the stock Continental tires with Pirelli PZero Nero. The cold start issues I had were resolved with a software update. The flickering trunk light was resolved by replacing the locking mechanism. The felt next to the weather stripping on both doors were replaced as the original glue did not hold. The moon roofs sliding shade was replaced as the plastic clips broke off. Im currently getting 27 MPG on the HWY with conservative driving speeds. I have put over 43k miles. I took it on a cross country 6.2k mile road trip, and received compliments at gas stations and in Canada.

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  Sold on X5 - 2004 BMW X5
  By Niels Leppert - October 10 - 3:28 am

  I am sooo pleased with my 2004 4.4 X5...Got the Sport pack with 19" wheels...if you are a Town Car person, you may find the sport package too stiff. Great looking body is rattle-free, the brakes and steering are well sorted and it handles like a vehicle half its weight. Tons of sooth awesome-sounding V8 power mate to a tight Steptronic tranny. Articulating xenons are terrific at night. Premium sound with DSP is killer! Panoramic roof is way fun. The Nav takes a few days to sort out if you cant grasp it, stay home.

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  Super Little Coupe! - 2005 BMW 3-Series
  By Niels Leppert - October 10 - 2:35 am

  Positives: Smooth and steady power, silky gearbox, and better than advertised fuel efficiency. Dead solid road manners, cat-like road stance...A/C holds up to the Florida summer heat, wipers and xenons take care of the Florida rain...my wife is sold on her little coupe...and no trips to the dealer for silly stuff. Thumbs Up! Negatives: You gotta reach waay back to grab the seat belt.

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  First BMW - 2001 BMW Z3
  By Brandon - October 9 - 6:47 pm

  I recently bought and certified this car. This is an ultimate driving machine. Not only does it run and feel like a roadster should, it comes with the looks and ladies too.