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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  The X3 Better Than Expected - 2004 BMW X3
  By hjones - October 7 - 10:00 am

  The handling, fuel economy, build quality, transmission, 2.5 liter engine are terrific. This is a great machine! The negative review items are not evident in my X3.

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  tonys x3 - 2004 BMW X3
  By tony conte - October 7 - 10:00 am

  typical BMW quality and reliability

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  One great car - 2004 BMW Z4
  By WillT - October 7 - 10:00 am

  a lot more than one would expect with over-engineered everything...with a few add-ons, this baby will crank nearly 230 hp, runs around 6 in the qtr and tops 150+. Stylish, not cheap to operate (93 oct)but roads very nice.....

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  Ultimate Citiy/Suburb Road Warrior - 2003 BMW X5
  By EP - October 5 - 10:00 am

  The 4.4i X5 is the ultimate commuter SAV for the 21st century. Its tremendous acceleration and tight handling makes it one of the best performing SUVs. It tops the Mercedes ML class easily. The X5 can get out of ANY situation in the snow, from 2 inches to 3 feet, it is almost impossible to get this car stuck. The allwheel drive system is wonderful and makes the car stick to the road and travel deeper into corners than you thought possible for such a heavy car. If you dont mind spending the money, the X5 has the best combination of comfort, with a perfect seating position, and style, with sleak bodylines from every angle.

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  Ultimate Citiy/Suburb Road Warrior - 2003 BMW X5
  By ep - October 5 - 10:00 am

  The 4.4i X5 is the ultimate commuter SAV for the 21st century. Its tremendous acceleration and tight handling makes it one of the best performing SUVs. It tops the Mercedes ML class easily. The X5 can get out of ANY situation in the snow, from 2 inches to 3 feet, it is almost impossible to get this car stuck. The allwheel drive system is wonderful and makes the car stick to the road and travel deeper into corners than you thought possible for such a heavy car. If you dont mind spending the money, the X5 has the best combination of comfort, with a perfect seating position, and style, with sleak bodylines from every angle.

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  Almost Perfection - 2002 BMW 3-Series
  By iDragonite - October 5 - 10:00 am

  Ive had this car for one year now and has been a blast to own. This car hugs curves like no other car. The accelration is great. A five speed manual transmission is suggested (you save 1,000 or so bucks on the car, plus the car is funner to drive).An added bonus, this car is a giant chick magnet on wheels. If you get this car I suggest you special order it and take off things you dont need or want. Saved a few thousand by not getting the packages and just picking and choosing what I wanted from it. I highly recommend this car.

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  AWESOME - 2001 BMW 3-Series
  By TALCOTT - October 5 - 10:00 am

  I DROVE THEM ALL......NOTHING CAME CLOSE, HANDLING SPORT PACKAGE A MUST! TRY S TURNS IN SNOW, NOTHING DOES IT LIKE THIS BMW.

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  BMW 330 - 2006 BMW 3-Series
  By Jay - September 30 - 3:36 am

  This is a great car and gets great gas mileage for the performance! The styling is much better than the 5 or 7 series. This one has more room than the outgoing version and Sport package is not as harsh either.

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  Glad I bought it - 2007 BMW Z4
  By BigShow - September 27 - 4:19 pm

  My 4 th BMW 2007 conv auto - base model - very pleased- had 69k- pd 11k at a dealer- clean and checked out- lots of fun , comfy enough, quiet enough-storage surprises you. I drive it like I stole it, smoooth and reliable- Im 5-11 200lbs/ fit fine.

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  Its all about the performance - 2008 BMW 3-Series
  By BLove - September 27 - 3:00 pm

  After waiting over 20 years, I finally purchased my first BMW and it has been everything Ive ever wanted. The turbo charged engine is what ultimately sold me the 335 over the 328. Living in a city with steep winding hills I wanted a car that I could depend on to deliver the necessary power and handling and the 335xi delivers. I bought the car for the driving experience it provides, nothing more! If you want fancier gadgets then buy a lexus, but if you want the top of the line driving car, then you have to buy the BMW!