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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  oh yeeeeeaaah - 2002 BMW 3-Series
  By monte - December 24 - 10:00 am

  bought for my wife, but i keep finding excuses to drive instead of my 5 series. considered x5 but we really liked the way this car drived, plus wanted to avoid putting another suv on the road.

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  Fun to Drive! - 2016 BMW 3-Series
  By Marc Walther - December 24 - 8:47 am

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  A fun ride - 2001 BMW 5-Series
  By Barry - December 23 - 11:42 pm

  This is a great car if you dont need to haul any extra passengers or misc. gear. The trunk is smaller than previos 5 series that I have owned and the back seat is cramped as well. One other questionable feature is the cup holders, or lack thereof. There are none in the back and the front ones are worse than useless. Other than that, a fun car to drive and excellent performance.

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  Best Vehicle I Have Owned - 2004 BMW X5
  By Roland - December 23 - 12:57 pm

  This is the car that you find a reason to drive it. Great looks and plenty of comfort features set this vehicle above others of its class. We have found the X5 to be a very safe vehicle ... my wife survied a front-end impact that resulted in severve damage to the vehicle, but without injury to herself.

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  Sophisticated, Fun, and FAST - 2017 BMW 5-Series
  By Matthew Randazzo - December 23 - 11:16 am

  Excellent vehicle with first class build quality. The six cylinder engine is exceptional and wont leave you wanting for any additional power.

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  Extremely Impressed - 2007 BMW 3-Series
  By kvanriper - December 22 - 9:40 am

  Very impressed with this car. Handling, engine are excellent. Absolutely no complaints.

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  Superb! - 2003 BMW X5
  By Loren Reuter - December 22 - 1:26 am

  Handles like a sports car.

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  Still waiting for something better - 2004 BMW 3-Series
  By onthefence - December 21 - 11:52 pm

  I really had a tough time choosing this BMW over a similar-priced G35. What finally clinched it was a two-day rental I did on a business trip. The G35 was a great car to test-drive, with killer acceleration and handling. But over the course of two days, driving about 200 miles per day, I noticed that: it had a rough ride and hates potholes the auto transmission is never sure what gear to pick and always has a lag the seats are uncomfortable (why do all Japanese cars have way too much lumbar?) and I simply could not get past how cheap the interior felt.

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  Needs Minor fixes on Design - 1998 BMW 7-Series
  By Sandy - December 21 - 11:03 pm

  Probably one of the best driving cars on the road in its category. The engine /power and stability is excellent. Like a mistress , it is expensive, stylish and requires constant attention. Brakes are the best .. comes with the cost of replacing the rotors and pads very frequently. Tire alignment is a problem- so there is uneven wear of tire and they needs to be replaced more frequently. Automatic power windows are problem. They break very easily.. apparently there is a plastic part attached to the cable that breaks very easily.

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  You gotta drive it to believe it - 2003 BMW Z4
  By DropTopZ4 - December 21 - 7:15 pm

  Long story short, I was so enamored with the styling and performance numbers that I ordered my Z4 3.0i via phone without a test drive. Its an awesome car that draws attention everywhere I go. To really feel the power, put it in Sport Mode and punch the throttle. If DSC gets in the way, switch it off. The stereo kicks too. Even the exhaust note sounds as if the engine is bigger than it really is. The automatic top is a crowd pleaser. Handling is solid and stable, and the ride is firm due to the sport suspension and run-flat tires. Test drive one or do what I did and just go buy one!