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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  I love my wagon!! - 1999 BMW 5-Series
  By rbud - March 12 - 2:00 am

  Other than lousy cupholders, this car is the best I have ever had. Solid, safe, reliable and fun to drive. Great visability. Lots of cargo room (I haul our two labs from time to time). Snappy features, such as tool kit hidden in the hatch panel, red safety lights on doors & hatch. Quality fit and finish. Airbags, side bags and head curtain ahad of anybody.

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  V8 s/b more fun - 2001 BMW X5
  By ciaomingming - March 12 - 2:00 am

  great vehicle. wish it is as powerful as the v8, especially with its fuel economy.

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  EconoHunk - 2001 BMW M3
  By Coquin - March 11 - 2:00 am

  Performance bargain of the century--prodigious power, grip, braking. It makes my E36 M3 daily driver seem weak kneed and wobbly. And the exhaust note is Wagnerian. If a Ferrari 360 sounded like this car, it would sound better.

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  Totally love this car! - 2014 BMW 3-Series Gran Turismo
  By tawmus - March 10 - 10:28 am

  I was looking to go from my 2007 X3 (which I loved) to something with a bit more refinement. I also dont want a car that is very common. The 3-series is very common place in SoCal but the are very few GTs (of any type). I just purchased a 2014 dealer loaner (loaded) for a sweet price and thats why I gave this review a 5 for value. Ive had the car for less than a week and have had numerous folks commenting on the beauty of this ride. Shout out to Penske BMW of Ontario, CA!! Amazing team.

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  A Corvette for the family - 2001 BMW 5-Series
  By booger - March 10 - 2:00 am

  It is way better in the snow than most front wheel drives. It handles and rides like a luxury car but when challenged can perform like a sports car. The best car I ever owned.

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  It is sure the best - 2003 BMW M5
  By WKA - March 8 - 2:00 am

  It is the best car that I have ever driven. If you want to feel that you are really driving a car thatÂ’s mean you have to drive it otherwise IÂ’m not sure that you are driving. It gathers both sporty and family car. This car is truly impressed me.

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  2001 BMW X5 3.0 - 2001 BMW X5
  By larryone - March 8 - 2:00 am

  Handling and build quality are the most outstanding features of this vehicle. Aside from the limited space aft and poor AM/FM radio, the X5 exudes a sense being sure footed and coveys confidence in its ability to cope with any all-road conditions, be it ice, snow, standing rain, etc. The most stable , best handling vehicle in the catagory that we have owned, (Jeep Grand Cheroke, Ford Explorer, Pathfinder SE).

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  Love it - 2016 BMW X5
  By Judy Parketon - March 7 - 12:16 pm

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  Out of control - 1998 BMW 5-Series
  By Hong Kong - March 7 - 2:00 am

  I dont know what it is. When I decided to get a grown-up car, it was between a beemer or a benz. The Beemer won because I was only a grown-up, not yet a geeser. Im in Hong Kong where there is a 120% tax on cars so my 3 year old 523i came in at US$30k after I beat the dealer down (who had it on consignment) by about 5 grand. But its been a dream. During the 1st couple of months, I couldnt wait for Sunday mornings when I would take it out on the hilly back roads here to push the envolope on the corners. Its great. Theres no other feeling. Oh, BTW, the 5 has room for the wife & kids.

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  Fair Assessment - 1999 BMW 5-Series
  By C Krebs - March 7 - 2:00 am

  This is the third BMW 5 Series that I have owned, and I have bought all of them used about 2 years old. My specs for buying each of them have been to get a black 4-door, 6 cylinder, manual transmission with less than 50,000 miles on it. When I sold my first two BMWs, each had more than 200,000 miles on it, got great mileage (27+ MPG on the road, and both were running extremely well. Current model(1999)feels heavier, but gets better mileage, and a BMW is fun to drive.