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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  Awsome - 2004 BMW X5
  By milano-michigan - June 14 - 2:00 am

  Truly magnificent.Smooth ride as one can not imagine.Powerful engine that is great on the highway and in the city. Fun to drive...one feels "at home" right away. getting 21.5 MPG on the highway, around 15 in town, only 500 miles on it. You need to watch yoyur speed, though ...since you dont realize how fast you are going.

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  Too good to be true! - 2004 BMW 3-Series
  By Waiter - June 13 - 10:00 am

  This was a car I thought would be very good. I was wrong. It is truly superior to any car I have ever driven or owned (this is my 12th purchase). The car handles perfectly. The engine has more power than I will ever need. I can barely tell when the auto changes gear. The steptronic adds some excitement as well. A true 9.9 out of 10!!!

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  best car i ever had - 2004 BMW 6-Series
  By bruce8499 - June 13 - 2:00 am

  all i can say its unreal

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  Whole new BMW - 2004 BMW X5
  By BMW happy - June 13 - 2:00 am

  i used to own a 80s BMW and hated it. never looked at another one for 2 decades until people convinced me otherwise. things definitely have changed for sure. as the result, i just purchased a X5 and it drives beautifully and turn heads all over the place. my percepton on BMWs have changed completely. X5 has plenty of power, smoothness of american cars, solidness of european made cars, looks of japanese cars, and its own class of BMW! just drove 400 mils on a road trip and it is awesome!

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  BMW, X5 3.0 - 2004 BMW X5
  By wingersoll - June 13 - 2:00 am

  I went to the BMW Center at Spartanburg to pick up the vehicle. It is a great experience and I had the opportunity to drive an identical vehicle on both the road track and off-road track at whatever extremes I had the nerve and capability to handle, so I can guarantee it is stable and will peform as I have come to expect from a BMW. It is exceptionally smooth for an SUV.

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  Das Auto!! - 2003 BMW 5-Series
  By T Embich - June 12 - 9:07 pm

  Purchased our 2003 530i a little over a year ago. Got it for $5K and at 130K miles. I do most of my own repairs and Ive never seen such awesome engineering on a car. Its a pleasure to work on if you are into car repair. Driving it is a real thrill that never gets old. Weve taken it on several long trips and it just loves the open road. Seats are amazingly comfortable. Usually back seats are a weak point in most sedans but this BMW has very comfortable rear seats. Gas mileage on a combined city/highway commute is about 25 mpg. For a 24 valve 6 cylinder that is very good mileage. Hope to keep this beauty for the foreseeable future.

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  M3 convertible rocks!!!!! - 2004 BMW M3
  By vegasstyle - June 12 - 2:00 am

  The handling and power is exhilarating!!!!! This is my fourth BMW and it is amazing!!!!!

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  M3 Hard to beat - 2002 BMW M3
  By JWSmith - June 12 - 2:00 am

  This is an amazing car that is fun to drive. 0-60 in less than 5 seconds. A real head turner.

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  Great Car - 2004 BMW 7-Series
  By KyleY911 - June 12 - 2:00 am

  Great car really just fantastic

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  Get the Sport Package!!!! - 2003 BMW 3-Series
  By usualsuspect - June 12 - 2:00 am

  As with many of the reviewers I test drove everything in the class. Infiniti G35, Saab 9-3 Vector, Volvo S60, Benz 240, Audi A4. The deciding factor for me was my second test drive in the BMW that had the tighter suspention and sport package. Without the sport package the field is a lot closer in my opinion. With the sport package the BMW handles significantly better and provides a more aggressive performance ride. The 17 inch wheels are much better looking also. I will be a BMW owner for life if they continue to produce attractive looking cars with this level of driving performance.