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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  My 540i 6-Speed - 2003 BMW 5-Series
  By J. K. Jackson - April 25 - 2:00 am

  This car is outstanding! You simply have to drive this car to get a better understanding of just how phenominal this car really is. You get it all-- performance, luxury, comfort, style, just for starters. You will not be amiss in owning a 540i.

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  Excellent Car - 2004 BMW X5
  By GREAN1 - April 25 - 2:00 am

  I love this car. It is fast,fun,great looking, and it is easy to keep clean.Nearly a year later I am still finding things about it I enjoy. I believe I am sold on BMW forever.

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  Great car - 2006 BMW 3-Series
  By Seth - April 24 - 5:00 am

  The car drives briliantly but I would give it back because of the seat belt idiot blinging chime. It wont stop, seat has pressure sensors. Bet European models dont do this. I wish I knew how to disable the blinging chime. Why is there no temperature/oil pressure gauge in a sports sedan? Handles snow great even with 18" sport tires. I would not order iDrive again not intuitive. BMW should beg Apple computer to design menues and interface.

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  head turner - 2000 BMW 5-Series
  By ravenfan52 - April 24 - 2:00 am

  After 18 years of driving many different vehicles, my 540i with the sport/M package is by far the best car Ive ever owned. I recently test drove a M5 and honestly, it feels only slightly faster than my 540i. The car is now 4 years old and still turns heads at stoplights! Especially fun is blowing away the kids in the ricers they dont know what theyre up against! : )Id definitely buy one again..

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  Sports car in an SUV body - 2003 BMW X5
  By InkyRusner - April 23 - 2:00 am

  This is a great vehicle. Power and handling are superior. I owned sports cars prior to this car and this is as much fun to drive as they were, but with room for golf clubs, skiis, sports stuff, luggage, etc.

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  Fantastic Car - 1997 BMW 3-Series
  By Indyrob - April 23 - 2:00 am

  Bought this car used...Awesome handling, good gas mileage, quiet, excellent pick-up in 5th.

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  poor plain Jane dashboard - 2004 BMW 7-Series
  By Chris Kent - April 23 - 2:00 am

  It is really a gorgeous car on the outside but they messed up the dashboard and oversimplified it they thought. The older BMWs looked great on the inside. They completely striped it all out destroyed it. Look at the interior of the 97 - 2001 740s and it has a gorgeous interior. The triptronic shifting is a joke. It is on the steering wheel. At least mercedez got it right in that department and still keep it on the stick shift lever.

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  Awesome Car - 2002 BMW 3-Series
  By Spiffy - April 23 - 2:00 am

  This car has been the best vehicle I have ever purchased. I have had only one problem with this vehicle since purchase and that was with the moon roof. It was quickly repaired by the dealer under warranty. If you want a car with room for four, it gets looks when I drive down the street (even after two years), great power (at least in my opinion) and if you love to drive twisty back roads, this car is for you. I have had this car driving through the deserts of Utah and the Rockies of Colorado and it performed flawlessly.

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  The - 2002 BMW 7-Series
  By netwalker4 - April 23 - 2:00 am

  After reading all of the material I could get my hands on I bought what I thought was the ultimate car. After owning the car I realized I had made the right choice. This car is all that is was designed to be. It was not designed to have the new I-Drive over shadow its performance stats in the major car magazines as the only lows they could find.

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  320,000 miles and still Love It - 1991 BMW 3-Series
  By TTest - April 22 - 2:00 am

  I have put over 320k miles on my 318I with only normal maintenance.30+ MPG at 70-75 MPH.Very comfortable with large trunk. I still love my 90 mile daily roundtrip in my BMW.