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 - 2001 BMW 3-Series
  By Caduceus - May 21 - 10:00 am

  Awesome car. My wife and bought this car in May and love it. We fight over who gets to drive it. I also own a Corvette and can honestly say that the 2001 BMW 330i is more fun to drive!

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  Lucky to have found one - 2004 BMW 6-Series
  By wbhouston - May 21 - 2:00 am

  I just traded in my 5 series for the 6 series coupe without ever seeing the 6 series in person. The driver that delivered it said about 200 people honked at him between Ga. & Tx. with a thumbs up sign. The engine "RUMBLES" like a race car at same time the car drives like a dream. And finally, cup holders that work!

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  Car Review - 1998 BMW Z3
  By Ben Franklin - May 21 - 2:00 am

  This car is awesome

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  Fun but costly - 1998 BMW 7-Series
  By vac5588 - May 20 - 2:00 am

  Great looking, fun to drive, lots of power but what a headache to maintain. Would never buy another.

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  A bargain supercar!!!! - 1991 BMW 8-Series
  By Juan - May 20 - 2:00 am

  I wanted to have this car from the day that it came out. This is not the fastest car, not the best car of its time. But this is a car that still turns heads. People even ask me if it is a bran new BMW. It does have a great design, and it still has fetures that are top of the line. Performance is superve specially at mid speeds. I can drive at 120 MPH and feel like I am doing 70. The torque on the V 12 is amazing. Well, the down side is the MPG, it gives me about 13 MPG average. But as a weekend car, you cannot beat the price of this rockets, for what they represent.

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  Its gonna change your life - 2001 BMW 7-Series
  By GeorgeB - May 20 - 2:00 am

  I have had for only two months and I cant believe the overall quality and the ride experience. I probably will never drive any car other than a BMW for the rest of my life.

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  Almost Perfection - 1999 BMW 3-Series
  By JakeAdams - May 20 - 2:00 am

  BMW has never failed to impress me with their cars. This 323is is my favorite, so far.

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  6 Series Convertable - 2004 BMW 6-Series
  By orthobonz - May 20 - 2:00 am

  An extremely comfortable automobile with fantastic lines both inside and out. The car responds very well at both local and highway speeds. The triple lined top is unusually quiet its operation a snap. With the front seats brought partway forward, the rear was able to hold my petite daughter and six foot son. In two weeks of ownership, I have been stopped four times by complete strangers remarking on its beauty.

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  Gift from the automotive gods! - 2004 BMW 6-Series
  By spngd - May 20 - 2:00 am

  This car is elegant, muscular, and sexy. The fit and finish is world class. The exterior angles are unique and eye catching. The drivetrain is..well BMW all the way. I can sleep, just thinking of it in the garage. The Jet Black is gorgous!!

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  330i - 2003 BMW 3-Series
  By AVRed - May 19 - 10:00 am

  Shopped around for months and finally bought the 330 over the Infiniti g35 and Lex IS300. The overall package of the BMW was better, it handles great, looks even better (esp with the sport package) and is a blast to drive. Gets tons of looks from the ladies (jealous guys too!)