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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  Surprising satisfying 3.0 inline 6 - 2003 BMW X5
  By Hoss Moini - June 1 - 1:43 pm

  Overall a quality vehicle built in the USA!!!! The inline six engines performance was a positive surprise against my expectations! It has been a very enjoyable experience owning this SUV! Did not know if I was going to regret not getting the 4.4 V8 at the beginning! turned out just fine.

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  Best Non M 3 series - 2004 BMW 3-Series
  By DVanos - June 1 - 3:45 am

  This my 3rd BMW in 10 years so im no stranger I have a 2004 330 ZHP sedan and i just LOVE IT! Personally to me the BMW 3 series is the best car in the world. It doesnt do one thing perfect, it does everything very well. Performance, handling, comfort, good looks, and safety in one package. If your in the market for a sports sedan look no more than the three letters, BMW has set and still holds the benchmark for the sports sedan and truly lives up to the "Ultimate Driving Machine" slogan.

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  X3 BMW Beyond Expectations - 2005 BMW X3
  By H. Jones - June 1 - 2:51 am

  I just turned 19000 miles. My gas mileage in light to moderate traffic is consistently between 20 and 21 mpg. On the road the mileage is consistently between 26 to 27.5 mpg. The handling is great few cars handle this well! I think the 2.5 is enough power and transmission shifts nicely. I live in mountainous country and the 2.5 is just fine on steep grades at altitudes from 4000 to 9000 feet. It is great in the snow, on wet roads and even muddy conditions. The X-drive works almost instantaneously. You can spend more but I dont think you could buy anything better. No I dont like the clutch and break pedals so close together.

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  ZED vs BOX - 2003 BMW Z4
  By REDZ Z - June 1 - 2:00 am

  Well, whatll it be? The ZED or Boxster? I wanted to buy a "high-end" roadster for my wifes birthday recently. The Boxster has an uncanny sense of balance but, the ZED is faster, has much more torque, more responsive, more civilized, newer design, has more safety options, and plain sexier than the Boxster. Topless in the sun, tunes blasting from the absolutely fantastic audiophile Carver sound system. What could be better therapy? Sunshine, Miles Davis tooting his horn, top down, and high-speed corner carving on one of the Car & Driver?s Top Ten Roads, in a drop dead gorgeous Sterling 3.0 litre with the Sport Button engaged!!! Is this a great roadster or what?!!!

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  Commuting just got FUN! - 2006 BMW 7-Series
  By Mike A. - May 31 - 6:05 pm

  This car is awesome all the way around! Makes my 60 minute commute to work more enjoyable. The responsiveness and handling are incredible (and should be for the price). Im 69" tall and the interior room is incredible...more drivers headroom than my wifes Suburban. Theres so much room in the back seat that my kids can actually get in the car without climbing all over the seats. I read numerous negative reviews on the i-drive. Dont listen to the critics. This thing is so easy to use. I mastered it in a couple of hours.

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  2DR Missile - 2007 BMW 3-Series
  By Brock - May 31 - 4:26 pm

  Researched for 6 months and waited for 3.5 months for the delivery. Nothing compares to this car for the money! Great combination of power and design. I traded in a G35 sedan and I could die in this car. BMW thought of everything.You will feel like a child at Christmas when you grab the wheel. I now have a dreams of dry pavement, winding country roads, and the sun shinning. Police officers beware!

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  Updated Review - 5 weeks later - 2006 BMW 3-Series
  By Laurie...again - May 31 - 3:26 pm

  Just hit the 5-week mark and my new- found love for this car has intensified! Ive owned Hondas, Toyotas, a Buick, an Infinity, and a Lexus... NOTHING compares to this car! I look forward to every moment I get to drive and STILL am looking for excuses to keep taking it out. BMW hypes the "feedback" you receive when driving their cars. Theyre 100% right -- EVERY single thing you do translates to the cars handling. Unquestionably the most responsive car Ive ever driven! The sport shift mode is a blast, too! My little rocket and I are officially best buddies now. The Premium package adds a lot of comfort to this charming and confident racer. Best car Ive ever owned!

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  Careful with this one - 2017 BMW X3
  By Alfo - May 31 - 7:32 am

  Technology controls are counter intuitive, hard to get used to and learn. Miles per gallon 12? A bit low expect high gas bills. Not all options working as they should and cannot be tested. Car is supposed to be highly customizable but isnt for some desired features. Why should dealer tell you tires are run-flats that cost $200 only after the car was sold.

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  Ultimate Commuting Machine - 1999 BMW 3-Series
  By Thomas+ - May 30 - 9:43 pm

  One fun car! Brake dust keeps you busy cleaning every weekend. Covered maintenance was awesome. Uncovered maintenance a bit expensive. Brake job quoted as $1200 by dealer, did it myself for $220 worth of rotors. Main mechanical problem was the typical control arm bushings @$600. In dash CD has problems ejecting. Adding CD changer in trunk solved that. Stereo is weak on Bass end. Havent had window regulator problems others describe. Maintenance still a lot cheaper than my wifes Taurus. Overall, very happy.

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  Could be better - 2004 BMW 5-Series
  By JMZ - May 30 - 8:13 pm

  Like the looking and performance. Marked 225 hps but feels stronger than Infiniti G35 during the acceleration, which claimed 280 hps. Navigation system works better than my portable Garmin one, particularly the voice reminder, split screen: one for map and one for arrow direction. Parktronic and adaptive headlight are good features. The basic stereo sound is already better than the Bose in my previous Infiniti i30. Things I do not like: the interior looks cheaper than most of the same level cars in the market. IDrive is ok but not much advantages. No mp3 playable although the manual said so. No DVD playable in parking like Infiniti M Series.