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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  Truly the ultimate driving machine! - 2002 BMW 3-Series
  By nutty4gymn - May 2 - 10:00 am

  I have had this car now for a year and absolutely love it! It is the best vehicle that I have ever owned (this is the 14th car I have owned). The traction control in the winter made the driving a breeze on slick roads and the ABS brakes have saved my life a couple times. The speed control on the sound system makes driving with the top down fun since the radio volume takes care of its self. I would recommend this car to anyone!

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  Bmw is it really amazing????? - 2003 BMW X5
  By m heartman - May 2 - 10:00 am

  this bmw x5 is really an oustanding suv. This is my first x5 that i have been irested in and i believe i made the right choice. Before i had about 5 Jeep Grand Cherokee LImited and i always had problems with their reliability. The x5 has been outsanding on roads and i feel it is one of the most safest suv on the market today. The 6 cylinder drives like an 8 and i recommend this car to drivers who go upnorth or on high hills.

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  Satidfaction guaranteed - 2004 BMW 3-Series
  By Sagar - May 2 - 10:00 am

  great machine to drive and excellent control.

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  Great car...Many problems! - 2004 BMW M3
  By G- - May 2 - 2:00 am

  For starters this M3 is my 5th beemer and my 2nd M3..At delevery many things were wrong...All taking up to a year and a half to get under control...Here is my list, New clutch not from abuse! the car refused to go into first gear... Front end and noise problems...The car sounded like it was draging chicken wire underneath...At 10.ooo miles the differential was replaced twice...around the same time the car refused to recieve gas something was wrong with a senseor on the gas tank...also the cars locks often lock me in the car so I have had to climb out the window.."Hans" and his factory staff were not out partying the night before they made my 3

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  love car, hate all its problems - 1990 BMW 5-Series
  By alliehhhh - May 2 - 2:00 am

  love car, hate all its problems. Many electricl problems. Battery always stalling. BMW dealership outragous!!!!!!!!

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  People shouldnt buy BMW anymore - 2017 BMW X3
  By RONN - April 30 - 11:05 pm

  The car still costs the same, but the warranty drops from 4 years 50k to 3 Years 36K. Shame on BMW. I will Switch to a different model after my lease. I had already switched one of my vehicles. Shame on you again BMW.

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  wow!! - 1994 BMW 3-Series
  By bmw babe - April 30 - 2:00 am

  this is awesome it is the ultimate driving machine! i love this car

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  wow! - 1994 BMW 3-Series
  By bmw babe - April 30 - 2:00 am

  as a young driver i recieved my car second hand from my aunt which by the way was the best thing ever! this car is meant to be driven and it has been! but its still very relieable. and i love driving it everyday. the only thing i wish it had were cup holders! dang :( allwell we cant have it all can we?

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  A good investment - 2004 BMW 3-Series
  By noel factor - April 29 - 9:43 am

  After hearing about a friend who got injured in a head-on collision, it made me consider buying a safe car. DSC, HPS, Side airbags, confident suspension assure me that my family is safe inside this car. My first BMW is the most basic but the handling never fails to amaze me. Try entering a busy street at 40 mph while car is filled with people and groceries and youll see what I mean.

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  Not Up the Mark - 1995 BMW 7-Series
  By alg863 - April 29 - 2:00 am

  The BMW is called the Ultimate Driving Machine but the fine print should be "Between Frequent Trips to the Shop". We spent $12000 (yes, twelve thousand) in repairs in about 2.5 years on this car. We had the car for 5 years between 48K miles and 82K miles. Even during the warranty period the car had several problems. It had to be towed twice to the shop. In the end I lost confidence in the car and traded it immediately after spending almost $1500 in repairs. As a luxury car, it was not great. The automatic climate control was not up the mark - generating hot and cold air randomly. Even dealer experience was poor - nothing compared to Lexus.