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:

• 

  Love at First Sight - 2003 BMW Z4
  By IAGasMan - July 9 - 2:00 am

  This car makes every trip, even a run to the grocery store, a good time. Handling and acceleration are superb! The ride is what youd expect in a BMW and a roadster - very firm, with an excellent sense of exactly where you are on the pavement. The interior is comfortable, although with the top up, a bit of effort is required to fold myself in. The exterior styling, which has been a subject of controversy, was love at first sight at our house!

• 

  Fun to Drive and Attention Grabbing - 2002 BMW Z3
  By rpsloanes - July 9 - 2:00 am

  Bought this roadster new and it has been a thirill to own. Great handing if you can find a curvy, open road. The gearing is very low, even in 5th gear, so theres always plenty of torque without downshifting. Brakes and steering are first class Lots of strangers admire it.

• 

  Perfect sports sedan - 1992 BMW 3-Series
  By Skimmer - July 9 - 2:00 am

  Was, remains the first quintessential sports sedan. The unassailable benchmark. Superb in every performance and handling respect, except high speed sweepers. Lithe, tossable, and possible to drift & steer with a throttle, though its glue-like grip makes it necessary to speed to break away. Its flaws: a cheap looking interior much improved in later model years, and many flawed materials. Problems I have had in the first five years included a broken radiator tube a leaky gas tank a broken rear spring a broken window lift two leaky oil pan gaskets inability to start due to plug fouling and, twice, loud exhaust due to total loss of muffler baffles.

• 

  2000 740i Sport - 2000 BMW 7-Series
  By Blue Chip - July 9 - 2:00 am

  The car is new to me - but has exceeded my expectations in every way, peroformance, ride, and handling are outstanding. The Sport Pkg stiffens the ride and the seats are fairly restraining - much more so than the non sport pkg - but thats why I bought it. Classic lines and enough room for 5 people. Nice exaust note as well. I shopped the Audi A8, Mercedes E500, Lexus, and Infinity - each time, I came up with more value and more car for the money with the BMW. Would only buy this car though with the Sport Package (Steptronic). Much more fun to drive!

• 

  BMW believer now - 2004 BMW X5
  By Intocars - July 9 - 2:00 am

  Best looking SUV for this size on the market. 20" rims, super-wide low profile tires, deep exhaust tones make this combination unbeatable. Performance almost equal to my AMG Mercedes. Build quality unsurpassed. Cannot wipe the smile off my face when driving it. Purchsed the Imola Red so this is even more rare (everyone has black or silver). Handles so well Ive had to set the speed reminder to let me know when I pass 80 mph (which is often). If you are performance minded and want a good looking high quality vehicle, this is the SUV for you.

• 

  Ultimate Driving Machine? You betcha! - 2006 BMW 3-Series
  By Andy - July 8 - 1:26 pm

  Well, being the frugal type, I searched for my 1st bimmer, a pre-owned 325i and have to say its all that and a bag of chips too. (Wont buy new, depreciates soon as you drive off the lot.) This babys pretty much got everything: active steering, adaptive light control, xenons, moonroof, dynamic cruise, dakota leather, sport and premium pkg, voice activated nav, iDrive, sunshades, multi function steering wheel, htd seats, pwr folding rear-view mirrors, rain-sensing wipers, and of course steptronic. Sheesh, only missing adaptive cruise and comfort access! Ive never driven a car that felt so one with me. Im amazed @ the way it does everything so well. Im speechless What took me so long??

• 

  Love my X1 - 2016 BMW X1
  By Heather D - July 8 - 11:41 am

• 

  Great Vehicle - 2002 BMW 5-Series
  By kaja222 - July 8 - 2:00 am

  Outstanding car experience all around. Of course the cup holders suck, and the middle arm rest is ridiculous, and they put the horn in the front bumper so it gets smacked easily, and its a guzzler. BUT: it is simply amazing to drive in every respect.

• 

  Awesome! - 2004 BMW Z4
  By Peggy - July 8 - 2:00 am

  I owned a Z3 for 3 yrs then trade in for the Z4 in Oct 2002, and Im totally in love with this Car! even though I would love it to have more performance, (maybe if it were a 3.0 would help, but I got the first Z4 out of the dealer and only 2.5 was available at that time), A lot more confortable than Z3, love the reliability, the design, the futuristic features like rain sensor, automatic lights, etc, that for sure make my life a lot easier, It is definitaly a better version,Handling is sharper and ITS A LOT OF FUN !!!! (not counting all the looks you get while in it! :)

• 

  simply awsome - 2004 BMW Z4
  By waht - July 8 - 2:00 am

  had the car for 4 months now and I still love driving it like I had it the first day. It is quick off the line, and glues to the pavement around corners. Ive looked into the Porche BoxterS and Mercedes SLK320 and I think this is the best buy of the bunch. The 18 inch wheel and stiff suspension may make the ride a bit rough, but it is a small compromise given the overall quality.