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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  Love My 325, Bunta, Torrance, CA - 2005 BMW 3-Series
  By Bunta - March 15 - 3:16 pm

  I love my 325, more everytime I drive it. I have the leatherette interior, works for me because of my active life style. Stock springs are too soft, and the shifter is vague. I miss 2nd and hit 4th once in a while. Handles like a dream, doesnt lean and with rear drive it assume the classic neutral tail out just a little when pushed thru the twisties. Oh yes the wonderful song of the engine at full song. It has much more room than I am used to, after stepping out of a two seater. Lets see, dont I have an errand to run today? Cant wait to go for another drive. LOL

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  1992 525i - 1992 BMW 5-Series
  By dmoss - March 15 - 2:00 am

  This has been a great car! The car is built like a tank, and it is still solid at 11 years old.

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  X3 and I have one - 2004 BMW X3
  By quaddies - March 14 - 10:00 am

  X3: tall seat and handling. Why not M3 or Lexus? Or, as C&D mocks, leave the "sports car on stilts" and buy a wagon. Hey I want to sit a higher and enjoy sport handling. Some people get off on creamy leather, glossy veneers, bum warmers and dont want to feel anything -like say the road. ItÂ’s not the leather, veneer and truck feel of the X5 or Lexus that I want. I am from the BMW old school and not the fat cat who wants their BMW to be an ideal Lincoln. The wagon is great, but dont dismiss the X3 because it is not European. Europhiles state wagons are big sellers in Europe and the X3 is a nod to the US market. Wise up. UK presold their allotment for 2004.

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  I Love BMWs - 2003 BMW Z8
  By rondog23 - March 14 - 2:00 am

  It was fantastic. Ive never had a better car in my entire life.

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  Best Driving SUV on Road - 2002 BMW X5
  By Pleased as Pie! - March 14 - 2:00 am

  Ive read through some of the reviews and am very surprised to hear about numerous electrical glitches. Ive owned my 3.0 since 7/02 and have put about 11k miles so far. I have not had ONE electrical (or other)problem with the car. Even though the Xs are built in America, it is by no means an American SUV. It is still German driving, through and through. There is no American SUV that can come close to the absolute driving pleasure this car brings. Even with the AWD, the car is deceptively quicker than you think. Have driven other SUVs and this is completely solid at any driving speed. I feel safe and in control in this car. LOVE IT, LOVE IT, LOVE IT!

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  So this is what heaven feels like... - 2002 BMW M3
  By scipio1 - March 13 - 2:00 am

  Ever since I made the mistake of giving up my 1997 M3 for a 2001 330i, Ive been itching to get behind the wheel of the E46 M3. Its been well worth the wait. With the 330 goin back at the end of its lease, I decided to indulge in a new M3, this time the convertible. What can I say? Every time I take a corner or shift a gear, I cant help but break out in a big [well, you know what]-eating grin. Life could not be any better than this. Comparing it to the old M3 does the E46 no justice. The new M3 is a beast, a snarling, roaring animal of a car that will frighten old women and small children on the sidewalk as it prowls past.

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  Solid engine, solid tranny, solid car! - 2001 BMW 5-Series
  By PTS - March 13 - 2:00 am

  Paid $32,000, 2 years old and 29,000mi. Drives like a dream, especially love the engine together with the Steptronic, so willing to take RPMs and shift. Adaptive feature great in mountains, better than normal auto tranny. Manual shifting is great for downhill control. Interior feels solid and luxurious. Wagon has some nice features with the bar that allows you to close off the trunk, put up a net to prevents pets from using leather seats, even when rear seats are down, the bar can be moved in front of the rear seat and still have preventive net, great engineering.

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  I cant part with it. - 1999 BMW 5-Series
  By TimC - March 13 - 2:00 am

  Ive owned a 99 540 iA w/ Sport Pkg. for 4 years now. Had a 95 540 before that. Ive been looking hard for the last couple of months for a new car replacement. I cant find anything I like better...except a 2003 BMW 540. So the decision was made...Im keeping the 99 for my wife...ordered a new 2003 for myself. I couldnt be happier...I just wish Id kept my 95 too. Theyve all been exceptional rides in every detail.

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  Best Sedan Ive Ever Driven - 2002 BMW 5-Series
  By SemiNo.1e - March 13 - 2:00 am

  It responds to your will. I smile every time I drive it.

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  Not perfect, but very, very good! - 2009 BMW 3-Series
  By JAD - March 12 - 4:36 am

  Would have given it all 10s but couldnt because of the flimsy exterior mirrors, the bad cup holder design and, worst of all, the run flat tires. These have to go, and as soon as I have the time I will get rid of them and replace them with regular high performance tires. The RFTs make the ride rough and the cost of replacing them is ridiculous. These tires are my biggest drawback about the BMW. Fuel economy isnt as good as Id like but Im not complaining about that because the performance of the car is excellent. Test drove the C-class, but once I drove the BMW I knew right away that its a much better car. Too early to tell about reliability, but so far its looking like a keeper.