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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  Best car I have ever owned - 1995 BMW 5-Series
  By Jeremy F - June 16 - 11:12 pm

  I have owned a lot of car ranging from ford probes to blazers and everything in between. but this has got to be the best car i have ever bought with over 236,000 miles on it starts right up and will still cruise at over 140 mph with no problems, by far the best vehicle i have ever bought. and to top it off it was even in a front end collision and still runs like new. anyone looking to get a BMW i highly recommend the 95 5 series best BMWs ever built. again the best car i have ever bought for 1200 dollars still looks like new shiny paint and all.

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  Update of 2002 Review - 2000 BMW Z3
  By GaryA - June 16 - 10:56 pm

  I wrote an earlier review of the Z3 and mistyped V6 when I knew the 2.5 L engine in the 2.3 model is an inline 6. Anyway, have now put on around 80k miles and this car still drives like new. Just as tight, no rattles or body noises. Great car.

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  Perfection - 2003 BMW 5-Series
  By dino - June 14 - 10:06 pm

  Im a former racer, but this is my daily driver. A blast yet still "practical" with two kiddos. Have yet to find a better new or used car.

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  2011 improved more than just engines - 2011 BMW X5
  By JJ - June 14 - 5:21 pm

  I traded directly from a 2009 X5 35d (built in July 2009) to a 2011 35d (built in May 2010) and noted significant differences even though the diesel engine and transmission are unchanged. The vehicle is quieter. Road/engine/exhaust noise are less intrusive into the cabin and the suspension is more supple. Highway ride is more composed. The media joke that most of the 2011s 4,000 new parts must be in the engines, but clearly more than the drive train and bumper styling have changed. This X5 feels like a luxury SUV now. The gravelly sound of the diesel engine is just a distant murmur except on hard acceleration, which is to be expected from BMW.

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  Sports car with 4 doors - 2007 BMW 3-Series
  By BMW fan - June 14 - 2:29 am

  Amazing handling! This is like driving a true sports car, but it has 4 doors and seating for 5. Mine has the sport package, which firms up the ride, but makes for great handling and flat cornering, and still is pretty smooth. I thought that I would miss the power of the 335, but the 328 is pretty fast, and gets much better mileage than the 335 (Ive gotten between 22-30 mpg so far). I love the sport mode with the auto transmission shifts happen faster and hold the gear longer.

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  Best toy Ive ever owned - 2011 BMW M3
  By John G - June 13 - 11:39 pm

  Just picked up a mostly base M3 last week. Manual transmission, leather/cloth interior, no Nav, no tech package. I had an Audi S4 on order, and the BMW people basically sold me on the M3. I was hesitant, but after 350 miles, I am SO glad I went M3. The engine is absolutely silly. It just wants to go. And the rest of the car feels like its carved out of a block of aluminum, just so solid. Im still in break in period, but even adhering to the rules, this thing is amazing.

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  Cross Country Drive - 1994 BMW 3-Series
  By GHdz - June 13 - 12:09 am

  I had been wanting a 325i Convertible 4 yrs, finally got it in excellent condition w only 81,000 miles!! Flew out 2 sunny LA, CA to pick it up, had it serviced - new plugs & a hose & I was off cross country fm Cali 2 CT - Thx God a smooth ride all d way. LA 2 Palm Springs, PS 2 Dallas, TX 2 Smokey Mts, NC, Smokey Mts 2 PA, PA 2 CT - 4 Days - Coast 2 Coast! Thx BMW 4 such an awesome sun tanning machine... (:-)BTW: D one I got looks just like d 1 in d picture above xcept Blk interior. Life was good, Now Its Great!

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  A Classic in all Respects - 1997 BMW Z3
  By PotomacBob - June 12 - 6:17 pm

  While in college in the late 1960s, I owned an Austin Healey 100-4. The Z-3 I purchased in 1997 had all the elements that I loved about the Austin Healey. The 6 cylinder in a must for the Z-3 and frankly the only color to consider if you are an aficionado is the dark green with tan interior and top. Any one who reports that there is insufficient power or that the top is too hard to put up is not a roadster devotee. Boys, step aside and let the real men tell you what constitutes a genuine sports car. Thank you BMW for bringing back a car that is in the lineage of the Austin Healey, Morgan and MG.

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  1998 740IL - 1998 BMW 7-Series
  By AS - June 11 - 9:20 am

  Love this car. This is my first BMW and I must say I am so pleased. Big car, Big V8, and Big smiles. I have owned a 08 Lexus ES350 and I would choose the 1998 BMW over it any day. Repair cost are no more then Lexus repair and the drive on the BMW is superior.

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  BMW does it again! - 2011 BMW 5-Series
  By nowake - June 11 - 8:48 am

  All I can say is you owe it to yourself to drive this car. I have owned many cars and have never been happier with a vehicle. Do not listen to what you read on here. get out and let the car do the talking!