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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  Glad I finally went BMW - 2006 BMW 3-Series
  By Erin - November 30 - 7:00 am

  I debated on spending the extra money on the BMW versus our old reliable Honda and Toyota usual purchases. I am completely glad I spent the extra. I love my car, every time I drive it I enjoy it more. My husband, who is a truck man, loves to drive it, and now argues with me over who gets in the drivers seat. The performance is great. I wanted a sedan with some sport, some get up, great looks, and reliability with solid build quality and this fits the bill.

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  Great car spoiled by Reliability Issues - 1999 BMW 3-Series
  By vikas - November 29 - 9:28 pm

  I bought the BMW 3 series new in 1999. The car drives incredibly well however, the reliability is far below competing japanese makes and maintenance costs border on the obscene. In the 84k Ive had the car, Ive replaced all of the window motors, changed the AC compressor (twice), replaced parts of the front suspension, repaired several fluid leaks and replaced the thermostat (twice). In addition, a new battery was $250, since you cant go to WalMart and buy a battery. The dealer wanted $1,200 for a normal brake service and over $1,000 to change the belts (I went elsewhere, but still expensive).

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  The Best Compromise Sports Car for the $ - 2005 BMW M3
  By Screamingelvises - November 29 - 7:40 pm

  This car loves to rev and is very, very fast! It also turns heads like no other car I have owned (I have had two other non-"M" BMW coupes and nothing has drawn so much positive attention like this!). The ride is not as bad as I had feared it would be (two friends complained about theirs). Fuel economy is about what I feared (hense the positive ranking)! I just hope I can keep my license long enough to enjoy it!

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  Awesome car - 2005 BMW M3
  By BigMoney - November 29 - 12:43 pm

  This is a sports car stuck in a luxury cars body. The performance of this car is comparable to that of the Mercedes SLK 32 amg but has the refined luxury that you expect from a BMW.

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  Best car Ive ever owned - 2004 BMW 5-Series
  By dtpi - November 28 - 12:18 pm

  I traded up from a Merz C-Class to the 525. Both cars are great cars but I needed a little more room. The 525 offers that and more.

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  New Used 530i - 2002 BMW 5-Series
  By 3cats - November 28 - 11:23 am

  Sport, Premium, Xenons, Split seat, ColdWeather, Comfort Seats, Manual Tran. Very easy to drive in town, can stay in3rd and accelerate from 1500 rpm. Easy to stay in 3rd or 4th on highway and forget to shift because the engine is so smooth and quiet at high rpm. So an automatic would probably save gas for me! So easy to drive and sport suspension is still OK for comfort. Feel the road with bumps on expansion joints but the suspension absorbs them so you are aware but not punished. Trunk is not so large but squared off so I hope it holds enough for my trip south. Got 28 mgp ontrip of 1200 miles. Get 24 mpg around my small town driving. A lovely, solid car. Comfort seats are OK.

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  The BMW 6-SERIES - 2005 BMW 6-Series
  By ADRIEN - November 28 - 10:52 am

  I am loving this car more and more every day. The sound system is amazing, the handling at high speed on corners and curves is the perfect adrenaline rush, and yet the ultimate in safety. The leather seats conform to your body and contrary to the editors remarks, this car is very sexy and its lines grab all the attention on the road. Even from those "elite"...not mercedes benz owners ( since the editor is so bias to those old-man vehicles). thank you. The next thing for me will be the M6.

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  AS LONG AS I CAN DRIVE ONE I WILL - 2001 BMW 7-Series
  By SEO - November 27 - 6:17 pm

  The 7 Series is not my first BMW just my first 7. This car is combination cruiser and sports car all in one. This car growls when the throttle is pressed but yet very smooth and quiet when driven on the freeway.

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  Personal Evaluation of BMW Z4 - 2005 BMW Z4
  By ken hilbert - November 27 - 3:33 pm

  Fine automobile. Absolutely no problems thus far.Very smooth drive train. Performs extremely well.

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  Great Car!! - 2005 BMW X3
  By Happy X3 Driver - November 27 - 12:50 pm

  I really love this car. If you are a fan of the squishy soft ride of American makes and lots of interior clutter marketed as luxury, this is NOT the car for you. This car is clean and uncluttered. It drives like a sports car! It is a little pricey, but so are its American "tank" cousins cleverly disguised as SUVS and IT IS a BMW with all the engineering superiority that comes with it!! The X3 is so solid! The steptronic transmission is outstanding in bad weather. It looks great and is truly a drivers car. I cant say enough about it. I love it!