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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  Not what I expected from a BMW. - 2005 BMW X5
  By 1stBMW - December 6 - 1:25 am

  I have just about 14,000 miles on my X5. Not aerodynamically designed... if it is windy and im traveling faster than 70 miles, there is a whistling noise coming from the front of the windshield. The luggage compartment cover is also rather annoying due to its rattling. This is not what I had expected from a BMW.

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  The Ultimate TRASHY Screaming Machine - 1999 BMW 3-Series
  By RS - September 3 - 8:04 pm

  I always had very good impression of BMWs, but everything changed since I actually bought one. On an unfortunate day I bought a used 99 BMW 323i with 70K miles, got it inspected by a BMW dealer who said "This car is really good, buy it". Then it started costing me almost $1000/- every month on some trashy problems keep on occurring. Worst part is it has no warranty on it. It started running sluggish, CHECK ENGINE light keep coming and dealer has been fixing some thing or other every time it comes on and still it comes almost every 2 weeks with a new problem. Now Im going to trade it in that for a much more reliable car.

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  Buyer beware!! - 2011 BMW 5-Series
  By AJ - August 3 - 8:59 pm

  If youre considering buying this car, please look into the N64 customer care program for this car. There are about 20 engine components that were essentially recalled. Depending on when, or if, your 550i went through this program will determine the number of components you may have had replaced. Initially, BMW changed out these components, one at a time and each time you had a check engine light come on the would replace the next most commonly malfunctioning part. Eventually, they started flat out replacing all the components since they would eventually fail (I believe due to the heat and pressure they are placed under with the twin turbo. This added up to owners paying for their vehicle while they spent months in the shop. While BMW did cover the costs of the replacement and extend the warranty, having engine issue undoubtedly will lead to transmission issues. This was the case of the most recent 550i owner I met at an German auto shop while getting another vehicle pre purchase inspected. He said he spend over 10k on transmission work and eventual replacement while he owned the vehicle for only 6 months, 2 of those months was spent in the shop. These repair costs were not covered by BMW. Some sleazy owners, will not mention this program/issue at all to you when selling the car (which was what happened in my case). Luckily the deal fell through in the 11th hour at the bank when the vehicle failed state inspection (due to worn out tires and brakes in this case). Owner claimed that both tires and brakes were replaced within the last 6 months. Some owners and used car salesmen are doing whatever they can to u load these problematic vehicles. Buyer beware!!!

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  Should NOT have the BMW badge - 2014 BMW X1
  By JW - June 18 - 6:32 pm

  I have the 2014 xDrive28i model. The seats are cheap and not comfortable for a long drive. The acceleration is more like a Ford Escort than a BMW. The sales guy said it is because it is a 4 cylinder. No excuse. The BMW engineers should be ashamed of what they created. The navigation is ok, but feels more like my 2004 Infiniti G35 than a 2014. The steering and suspension are stiff. This is good for me. Its very loud on the road. You hear everything. The tires wear down very quickly. The dealer was telling me to replace them at around 13,000 miles. Ridiculous. Anyone, besides my kids, who gets into the car has a little trouble, no matter how I position the passenger seat. Ive taken the car to the dealer a dozen times over the past 2 years for different problems (wiper blades not contacting windshield, bluetooth wouldnt connect, valve cover leaking oil onto intake manifold, and the list goes on). Thankfully, I only have one year left on my lease. It kills me to have to drive this car for that long, but its the commitment/mistake I made. I feel like I got taken by the BMW logo. Wont happen again.

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  3.0 Diesel Disaster cy - 2011 BMW 3-Series
  By No BMW for me anymore - May 27 - 4:33 pm

  Never, EVER buy a 3.0 6 cylinder diesel BMW. Fortunately, I purchased the 5-year, 100K factory extended warranty for my 2011 BMW 335d, and boy-of-boy did I ever have to use it -- A LOT! This diesel engine is absolute crap. Had every fuel injector replaced at least once (a couple 2x) before hitting 45,000 miles. The car was out of service so often that I got to drive a number of other BMW products from dealer, most of which were no where near as nice or had performance as good as my other vehicles (Jaguar XK, Chevy Tahoe Z71 4x4, Jeep GC Overland 4x4 diesel). I bought the 6 cylinder BMW diesel based on a recommendation from a friend, in England ("John"), who told me that loved his (at the time). However, several months after I bought my diesel, John told me that his 6 cylinder BMW diesel engine had blown up (literally!) while traveling about 50 milers from his home, and this just a few days after it had been "serviced" by the local BMW dealer. His vehicle had just gone off warranty, and neither BMW nor the dealer would givr him any compensation or other assistance for the defective engine. Again, STEER CLEAR of any BMW 6 cylinder diesel engine -- they are "junk".

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  lemon - 2002 BMW 3-Series
  By frankie - May 13 - 10:00 am

  i am so disapoint to purchase this car. small space inside, poor audio system and speaker.

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  not worth it - 2003 BMW 3-Series
  By Robert Pelton - May 2 - 10:00 am

  not worth the badge.

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  This is a bad car - 2002 BMW 7-Series
  By Irvin Chuck - April 21 - 12:06 am

  I bought this car but now i love Mercedes S-Class, which i thought i hated, but now i love compared to this PIECE OF JUNK!!!

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  3 Series: Slow, Weak, Poor Handling - 2002 BMW 3-Series
  By bobby23 - February 15 - 2:00 am

  I made the mistake of buying a 3 series. Should have bought the 5 instead.

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  BMW Certified Program means, well, Nothing - 2014 BMW 6-Series
  By Frank - December 30 - 6:20 am

  I purchased a 2014 BMW under a certified program.  I picked up the car and the service alarms were on.  I returned the car, then the facia wasnt connected and some of the service was not done.  Then I finally got to drive the car and the engine was over 2 quarts low on oil.  I asked for a copy of the inspection report from the service manager, nothing.  I contacted BMW USA nothing.  Buyer beware.  A Certified BMW means, nothing.