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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  Simply the best bmw! - 2007 BMW 3-Series
  By Jonas Bickford - January 26 - 10:29 pm

  Our 2007 BMW 328i (3.0 litre I6) is one of the best cars out there! The 3.0 litre I6 hasplenty power! The 230 horses has gotten us to 105 EASILY! The only problem weve had so far is an oil leak...that costs about 1k to fix...but its worth having the car! Im not a huge fan of the fake wood on the dash and panels but whatever. Im actually kind of glad we dont have iDrive because ive heard up until 2009 models, iDrive has sucked. The BMW professional sound system is great! Rear seat room is ok...front seats are comfortable enough. Luckily German cars have a lot of pop-on parts. One of the coolest features is the BMW flashlight in the glove compartment! This car is great! We bought it for 8k, but it was really priced at 14k. We bought it in December of 2015. But resale value on BMWs is horrible. This car is GREAT!

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  wowilovethe X3! - 2004 BMW X3
  By X3summerwntrfall - January 26 - 5:43 pm

  Well I got this car in June, for my 16th birthday. i liked the X5 but my parents thought it was too big so I got this. When I saw it online I was thinking wow, with these options and 5,000.00 more you could have an Escalade. Well the dealers incentives are pretty good so then I got the car. It is black with grey leather and has the Sport pckg., Prem pckg., Prem. Snd, xenon lights, cold weather package, and steptronic plus navigation. WOW I am so impressed. It has adequate power for what I need and feels very safe. It takes corners 50- 55mph like a dime. It seems small on the outside but the inside is great. Spending the summer in this car was awesome! we just had a winter snow storm, was great

• 

  First BMW - 2001 BMW 3-Series
  By jmyers - January 26 - 11:58 am

  This is my first BMW, and I am very pleased. The response is good, gas mileage is around 23 in local driving. I have the optional hard top which is great for the winter months and makes the lines of the car look fantistic. Interior roominess is lacking and rear seat passenger leg room is tight. The car is fun to drive and handling is excellent. I may opt for a 7 series in the near future.

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  Love my Bimmer - But Im a hands-on owner - 2004 BMW 6-Series
  By Ken Allewelt - January 26 - 9:21 am

  Unless you have deep (very deep) pockets, or are comfortable doing routine maintenance on a high-tech vehicle, the 645ci probably isnt your best choice unless youre able to purchase an extended warranty. I drove a 1984 633csi for about 20 years -- thoroughly loved the car. When work required more travel, I upgraded to the 2004 645ci. I was able to pick one up a 2-owner with 85,000 miles for right around $13K. Financed through the credit union and added a $3,200 3-yr/36K bumper to bumper warranty; total price $16.5K or so. (warranty paid for itself the first trip to the shop when the transmission started leaking -- $5,300 expense; I had to pay a $100 deductible). The Bimmer is a FANTASTIC touring car on the road and fun to drive around town... Has plenty of power and a beautiful and unmistakable design.

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  X5 - 2003 BMW X5
  By Al Ward - January 25 - 2:15 pm

  I am very pleased with my X5. I came from a new Tahoe Z71 which I was lucky to get 13 MPG. The X5 is fun to drive and quite snappy. We drive to Idaho in the summer and find the car very unique.

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  excellent car - 2005 BMW Z4
  By Steve - January 25 - 11:18 am

  Since buying my Z4 in Sept. ( its a 2004), Ive put on 3000 very fun miles. Plenty of power and lots of compliments on the car. The only problem was the auto-darken rear view mirror failed and had to be replaced.

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  Pay the Piper - 2000 BMW 3-Series
  By cookieman - January 25 - 10:26 am

  BMW sure has their act together in terms of building a car that performs flawlessly, is a gas to drive and is comfortable on any length trip. Ive driven up to 12 hours at a pop in my 328 and get out feeling great. The engine is increadbly responsive and the handling is impeccable. Ive driven it for nearly 37,000 miles and the driving experience has been excellent.Unfortunately, BMW doenst seem to know how to build a reliable car. Ive had problems with door lock mechanisms (couldnt get in the car), the throttle body (car quit on the interstate at 80 mph), the door trim and now it needs $1000 worth of front end work (control arms, control arm bushings and front stabilizer link).

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  The Perfect Car - 2005 BMW M3
  By blueflame - January 25 - 1:29 am

  The best all around car for the money in the world. Handles like a go-kart, but reasonably comfortable ride. Even Subies and Vettes back down. People open their windows and strike up conversations at traffic lights. Children wave, old people smile, young women want you, young men want to be you.

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  Damn, the babys coming! - 1999 BMW M3
  By Steve - January 24 - 9:44 pm

  Ive owned my M3 for almost 2 years and I dread losing it, but Im afraid a car seat is not going to work too well in this car. Car has amazing handling - I was told a while ago that the best way to find your cars slipping point is to go to a wide-open parking lot after a rain and try to spin it out. It took going 45 and JERKING the wheel to do it! The M3 has sneaky speed, like a slingshot. Once you get the RPMs up to around 4500, hold on. The boy racers may get you off the line, but theyre dust in the 1/4! Overall a fun car that Ill badly miss. BTW, this is also a much more practical car than it gets credit for. Go ahead, take the jump to M3.

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  Damn, the babys coming! - 1999 BMW M3
  By Steve - January 24 - 9:44 pm

  Ive owned my M3 for almost 2 years and I dread loosing it, but Im afraid a car seat is not going to work too well in this car. Car has amazing handling - I was told a while ago that the best way to find your cars slipping point is to go to a wide-open parking lot after a rain and try to spin it out. It took going 45 and JERKING the wheel to do it! The M3 has sneaky speed, like a slingshot. Once you get the RPMs up to around 4500, hold on. The Japanese vehicles may get you off the line, but theyre dust in the 1/4! Overall a fun car that Ill badly miss. BTW, this is also a much more practical car than it gets credit for. Go ahead, take the jump to M3.