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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  the 5 series beauty - 2004 BMW 5-Series
  By Bryan Johns - June 20 - 2:00 am

  Love the design, both inside and out. Ordered the car in Oct., came in with different seats (less comfortable) than the car in the showroom....wish it had the GPS, not available for a while. Corners like a Porsche...awesome! Cruises fast and firm, and has a really tight turning radius. The most beautiful sedan on the road.

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  Great car - 2004 BMW 5-Series
  By JMF - June 20 - 2:00 am

  Great handling combined with nice looks and interior comfort

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  Great Drive and Fun - 2004 BMW X3
  By DFLerner - June 20 - 2:00 am

  Quite fun to drive, nimble and responsive handling, confident acceleration, powerful braking. One feels safe and in control of their driving environment.

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  Improved in many ways - 2006 BMW 7-Series
  By Mike S - June 19 - 11:26 pm

  Many improvements over my previous 745Li - bluetooth, nav system, steptronic etc.

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  Great Car nuts machine - 2011 BMW 3-Series
  By Richard Ernst - June 19 - 10:35 pm

  If you enjoy long road trips and driving on twisty mountain roads this is the car for you ! The 6 cylinder motor is the smoothest I have ever experienced. I have always been a Honda fan until I owned this car. I now would never own anything but a BMW.

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  We need more hatchbacks like this - 1999 BMW 3-Series
  By Dave - June 19 - 6:27 pm

  Americans would like hatchbacks more if there were more hatchbacks like this. A great mix of practicality and luxury. And it packs a lot of interior room into a not very long car. Very easy to park at only 166 inches in length, yet its cargo capacity can carry a full sized dresser, fully assembled.

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  best damn car built = 325i sedan - 2002 BMW 3-Series
  By wm. priff - June 19 - 10:00 am

  car is fun and easy to drive and very comfortable for a 61" driver and if necessary no car has any better acceleration in its class and price.

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  Should NOT have the BMW badge - 2014 BMW X1
  By JW - June 18 - 6:32 pm

  I have the 2014 xDrive28i model. The seats are cheap and not comfortable for a long drive. The acceleration is more like a Ford Escort than a BMW. The sales guy said it is because it is a 4 cylinder. No excuse. The BMW engineers should be ashamed of what they created. The navigation is ok, but feels more like my 2004 Infiniti G35 than a 2014. The steering and suspension are stiff. This is good for me. Its very loud on the road. You hear everything. The tires wear down very quickly. The dealer was telling me to replace them at around 13,000 miles. Ridiculous. Anyone, besides my kids, who gets into the car has a little trouble, no matter how I position the passenger seat. Ive taken the car to the dealer a dozen times over the past 2 years for different problems (wiper blades not contacting windshield, bluetooth wouldnt connect, valve cover leaking oil onto intake manifold, and the list goes on). Thankfully, I only have one year left on my lease. It kills me to have to drive this car for that long, but its the commitment/mistake I made. I feel like I got taken by the BMW logo. Wont happen again.

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  Best car - 2005 BMW 6-Series
  By 6 series - June 17 - 11:04 pm

  The car is wonderful when you’re just cruising, it makes a little purr but when you put it in the sport mode and accelerates, it’s extremely loud. When the roof is up it doesn’t make too much noise. And with the roof down it doesnt make those annoying noises that other cabriolets make. The interior is very elegant with its ambient lighting.

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  great drive and looks but poor quality - 2005 BMW 3-Series
  By mikeo - June 17 - 9:01 pm

  While I love the performance and looks I will never buy another BMW. The quality is poor from interior lining peeling, excessive tire wear, rough ride and poor electronics. I wanted to look at 06 330 sedan but decided on a Lexus. Not as sporty but quality is there. Why else does BMW offer 48 months maintenance free except to cover their poor quality.