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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  Ultimate Driving SUV - 2005 BMW X5
  By birdman - June 23 - 11:55 pm

  Ive owned 4 Jeep Cherokees in my life and have really enjoyed the layout and size. But Jeep service dept. and reliability is very bad. The X5 is the next step up. Very similar size, and layout inside, so I felt comfortable right away in the new BMW. The jump from a Cherokee to an X5 is like going from Coach to first class. Its not just a little nicer, its a whole different world. The car feels like luxury, and drives like a sports car. Im looking forward to puting it to work in the snow this season. The weight and stability of this SUV is impressive, unlike any other Ive tried. The only downside so far is the towing cabability is weak.

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  Instrumentation Disaster - 2004 BMW 5-Series
  By sparcusa - June 23 - 10:38 pm

  This iDrive thing is an abomination. My minivan radio has more capabilities. The iDrive has a nice color screen, looks cool but essentially does nothing. Really! Shockingly disfunctional and distracts from the overall driving experience. It constantly displays a warning that essentially says "DONT LOOK AT THIS WHILE YOUR DRIVING". If I cant upgrade this thing, I think Im going to trade it in. really, really disappointed.

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  e30s Rule! - 1991 BMW 3-Series
  By scott hasbrouck - June 23 - 7:26 pm

  Buy one

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  Excellent Job - 2005 BMW 5-Series
  By Rich - June 23 - 6:21 pm

  Ordered this 545i (still built in Germany) car and got it in 4 weeks. Excellent power and nice new interior with the Dakota Auburn Leather. Good solid fit and finish. Had an 02 540i and I like this one even more. Exterior styling they got mostly right, still looks determined and stout.

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  Love It - 2006 BMW 3-Series
  By Larry Rosenberg - June 23 - 10:43 am

  Only downside to my two years is the run flat tires only last 25000 miles. I just installed my third set at $1000 each set. I am debating going over to a regular tire and pray.

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  BETTER THAN THE REST - 2005 BMW X3
  By Noah - June 23 - 2:53 am

  Really love my X-3. It is the right size for me. I hate large SUVs and the other SUVs in the size category can be seen everywhere!! I went to the mall one day and came out only to find five Black Infinity FXs in the same row!! Love the look of the X-3. I get alot of stares. The power is perfect and I can still park in all garages. Quality of the craftmenship has been great. Buy something else if you want ugly styling or an SUV that nearly everybody has(i.e the Lexus.) This is my first BMW and I wont be going to any other brand in the future!!!

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  Man and machine , , , - 2000 BMW Z3
  By acedoc - June 22 - 8:52 pm

  This is a beautiful convertible which drives and handles beautifully. It has lots of power and grips the road well.

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  A damn good car, but "ultimate"? - 2002 BMW 3-Series
  By Sean - June 22 - 6:10 pm

  BMW prides themselves as the ultimate driving machine, and while this may be true in comparison to some cars on the market, I can certainly say that ive driven plenty of cheaper and more thrilling cars on the market, my wifes 2004 Honda S2000 being one of them. Overall this car has been great outside one annoying problem, the drivers side door handle. Twice since Ive had it now it has broken to where the door could only be opened from the inside (thank god for auto down windows on the remote). Other than that little issue, this car is both a joy and pleasure to drive. Coming from a former Acura CL Type-S owner, I will say that this car performs just as well, without the tranny woes

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  Not Like the Older Series!! - 2006 BMW 7-Series
  By Ron - June 22 - 2:38 pm

  This new car was well advertised, but has so many design flaws that I would get rid of it tomorrow. The computer system is VERY distracting on the dash to the point of dangerousness. The controls are poorly done and hard to maneuver while driving. The hands free phone is constant trouble. Ride is just fair, and gas mileage is very poor. The worst of the 6 BMWs I have owned.

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  A fun roadster to drive - 2005 BMW Z4
  By Pierre Dupont - June 22 - 9:56 am

  We have SMG transmission on our Z4. That option gives us more fun than with a traditional manual gear system. Bumpy drive on bad road surface but we expected that. A real fun factor in a very sporty drive.