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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  Truly is the Ultimate Driving Machine - 1995 BMW 3-Series
  By David N - March 3 - 12:16 am

  I bought this car in 1999 with 95,000 miles on it. From commuting back and forth from school I have racked up 240,000 miles on the car. Since then the only real problems I have ever had with it was thermostat, rear shocks (from lowering the car), left rear wheel bearing, and the fuel pump. These are basically all wear and tear parts. I owned a 1985 BMW 325e and it had over 250,000 miles on it. I got into a wreck with it and the officers pulled the badges off the car, gave it to me and said,"This car saved your life. If you were in any other car you would have been seriously hurt or dead." I upgraded BMWs to the 1995 so far this car has served me well. 240k with no eng/trans problems.

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  BMW 2008 X3 - 2008 BMW X3
  By pat - March 2 - 11:21 pm

  This has been a great car! Minimal issues over the 8 years.

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  Awesome Car... Just Awesome! - 2002 BMW 3-Series
  By Adam - March 2 - 11:23 am

  Okay, granted I have only had this car for a few days, but I driving it back from Kentucky to Atlanta, I got to know it pretty well. The car is unbelievable! Extremely smooth, stable, quick, predictable, quiet (no squeaks or rattles even on bumpy roads), and most of all.. FUN! I had one small problem with the door weather stripping that I knew about when I purchased it, but BMW fixed it under warranty, so now no problems. I could never buy another vehicle than a BMW. This car gets so many looks too, no matter where I am. Its just a beautiful, awesome car. I love it!

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  A drivers car - 2003 BMW 3-Series
  By Super Duper - March 2 - 10:00 am

  I recently purchased my first BMW. It is a 325xi 4dr sdn. It has more than met my expectations. I love to drive, and this is truly a drivers car. It is right where you put it. The journey is as important as the destination. This car makes the journey an experience. I can never go back to an "ordinary" car...

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  MyBMW - 2000 BMW 3-Series
  By jhong - March 2 - 10:00 am

  Very fun to drive. awesome driving machine

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  The best driving machine around - 2003 BMW 5-Series
  By moreno - March 2 - 10:00 am

  Had dreamt about owning it for a long time. Finally my day came and after 2.5 years, I still have the same excitement feeling about owning. I look at it in awe. Athletic, safe, roomy, and humble at the same time. If you buy one, I suggest the European delivery program so you can see how this machine performs cruising at 150 MPH in the autobahn. Very tight, and and hear the engine purr at that speed!

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  I can see why "World Car of the Year" - 2006 BMW 3-Series
  By Ken Westphal - March 1 - 6:13 pm

  The handling, styling, cornering, etc. This car was just named World Car of the Year and I can see why. The Ultimate Driving Machine.

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  Bavarian Cream - 1998 BMW 3-Series
  By Colin - March 1 - 3:47 pm

  After years of BMW hating, my girlfriend finally convinced me to take one for a test drive. I drove an E46 325i (which I loved but did not find the price very inviting) and then my now E36 328i. Never have I experienced a car that is so connected to the driver and is able to "read" what I am doing next. For roughly $13k for a nice, low mileage example, there is simply no better car to buy than an e36 BMW. What a car! Much like an old Z, this is a car that I am kicking myself over for not discovering earlier. I bought mine from the dealership for an excellent price (With a 100k mile warranty included!) as a one owner, full history car. For those of you without one, you are truly missing out!

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  Endless driving pleasure - 2004 BMW 5-Series
  By jlbl - March 1 - 10:27 am

  I have owned my 2004 BMW 530d for one year now. I am fully satisfied with it. I like driving, and driving this car is an endless pleasure. I look forward to do it everyday. The engine is diesel (turbocharged, 3 l, 6L cyl, 218 hp/4000 rpm, max speed 152 mph/4000 rpm, max torque 369 lbft/ 2000 rpm). My mileage is 20.7 mpg on downtown streets, 34.5 mpg on a mixture of highways (90-95 mph on average) mountain road. No problems to date. i-Drive is very useful in order to set preferences and leave yourself to deal dayly with only a few choice of buttons in the dashboard or the steering wheel. Brakes are efficient to the most. Last, the car is solid like a rock when it comes to a bump.

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  V12 powered 750iL - 1991 BMW 7-Series
  By kikis - February 28 - 4:18 pm

  Bought the car with 45,000 miles on it in 96, had it ever since, great car with huge hp and torque. Down side is the maintenance cost and the problems it has as it gets older, spent around $10,000 in the last 20,000 miles.