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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  Great Automobile! - 2003 BMW 3-Series
  By brott - November 21 - 2:00 am

  Loads of fun.....a great car overall!

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  The Best Driving Sport Sedan - Period - 2008 BMW 3-Series
  By Bryan W - November 17 - 3:36 pm

  I have owned many, and most recently test drove them all - G35, M35, 08 C- Class, TL, Audi A4 (2.0 & 3.2), A3 (3.2), Passat, A6, 530i (2005). Nothing even comes close to the feel of the BMW. If driving enjoyment is your top priority, this is your only choice (save the 5 series, but youll spend a lot more). All are excellent cars, but the 335i has something extra that you have to drive to experience. No probs for me with the run flat tires

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  The Way it is Meant to be Driven - 2003 BMW 5-Series
  By WillP - November 16 - 10:00 am

  European delivery on this new car, drove it throughout Bavaria and Austria on a recent trip. Handles the autobahn and small roads with ease and comfort. Handling excellent, showed it responsiveness and braking smoothness in an emergency situation on the Autobahn at high speed avoiding a breakdown in the passing lane. Beautiful driving in the country where it was built.

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  Cute cubby car - 2007 BMW 3-Series
  By luv_bmw4ever - November 10 - 7:10 pm

  This is my first BMW car and now I understand why it is called German engineering. This car has great driving performances. The turns are sharp and the body itself is kept close to the ground. On the freeway it feels very steady and not floating. This car is very low and has a thick side skirt compared to other sedans. The navigation is also very useful but a bit slow, and it has shut down once, then which I had to reboot the car to start it again. Overall, the exterior of the car looks really cute and a bit chubby compared to the coupe which looks slim and sporty. This car is worth the money because of all the features and the driving experience.

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  having fun - 2003 BMW 3-Series
  By ftlftl24 - November 10 - 10:00 am

  it is an unbelievable confident feeling to drive a car that you know can handle any twisty-windy road and wow-give me a straight away...see ya. it is so comfy and not to crazy windy with the top down. there isnt anything i can say bad about my 330csi bmw. when i,m having a bad day, all i need is to drive my car (sometimes just looking at it,cures the blues too--shes beautiful)

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  M3 Sedan - 2011 BMW M3
  By Dustin phillips - November 7 - 4:48 pm

  My previous car was a 2011 Mustang GT w/ 420 HP. The specs are similar for the M3, but the handling is what sets it apart. The M3 is a blast to drive, but you need to be careful as you will be going 100 without realizing it (be sure to set the speed warning). If you are considering getting one that is out of warranty, consider purchasing an aftermarket one, repairs are costly (2x a normal BMW), and there are a few known weak points (throttle actuator valve, bearings) that are quite costly.

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  BEST CAR IVE EVER OWNED OR DRIVEN - 2017 BMW 7-Series
  By abacomike - November 7 - 10:32 am

  Its a very big car that takes time to get accustomed to. The technology is very advanced and takes an even longer time to master. Its quiet, smooth riding and handles like a sport sedan should. BMW has a team of "Geniuses" in each dealership that walk you through the technology. They schedule appointments a few days after taking delivery of the car to review your experiences and reintroduce all the technology. This is the smoothest, quietest and most luxurious car I have ever owned. I strongly recommend the Executive Pkg, the Drivers Assistance Plus Pkg and the Drivers Assistance Plus II Pkg in order to take advantage of the best safety features available as well as great luxury features. A truly magnificent automobile! Ive had the 740i now for 8 days and have driven it 450 miles. I cant believe that I have mastered 95% of the technology thanks to several sessions with the BMW Genius at my dealer. I am awed by the Audio System - Harman Kardin - even though Ive had many Mercedes vehicles with the same brand, BMW and the Audio Manufacturer have done a magnificent job in creating the best reproduction of high, lows and mediums I have ever experienced in an automobile. I especially like the choices available for ride and handling - there are at least 6 settings available to the driver for adjusting the way the vehicle handles on interstates and freeways and around town. I am averaging 27.8 mpg on the highway and 21 around town. Having the "surround 3D" cameras to guide the vehicle straight into parking spaces, nose first, is a must. It enables the driver to maneuver the vehicle equidistant to the parking lines so you pull in and park straight instead of at an angle. The wide back-up panorama camera is also a must when backing out of a space so you can see cars and pedestrians coming from either side of the road you are perpendicular to. The interior is plush yet sporty. The legroom in the rear passenger part of the cabin is phenomenal and provides more than enough stretch-out space for passengers who are well over 6 feet tall. UPDATE ON OWNERSHIP AND DRIVING EXPERIENCE as of 2/27/17 Ive owned this car for almost 3 months now.  I have just over 3000 miles on the odometer.  Last week, I took a 600 mile round trip to visit with family driving on Turnpikes and Interstates all the way.  I averaged 36.7 mpg each way at an average speed of 75 mph.  The car hugged the interstate.  I used my adaptive cruise control and active steering most of the way which made driving the "yacht" so much easier.  Thanks to the adaptive lane tracking and blind spot monitors, I was able to avoid several close calls with cars cutting me off.  The car responded quickly by braking itself and then resuming when it was safe to do so.  My average fuel economy at this time is about 24.3 mpg combined city/highway.  I had to drive to my the new car dealership to pick up a front sunshade.  I used the ECO PRO setting which provides the best fuel economy.  I averaged 65 mph and fuel economy at the lower highway speeds was 42.3 mpg.  That was amazing to me.  You can use that setting only for highway driving.  At higher speeds (over 65 mph), Comfort Setting and ECO PRO setting provide about the same fuel economy.  I continue to be impressed with the handling and performance of this car.  I have adjusted to the long wheelbase and the size of the car.  I continue to be more and more pleased with this 740i(L) the more I drive it.

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  One of the best cars in the world - 2007 BMW 3-Series
  By Chip - November 4 - 1:30 pm

  I just bought my 335i coupe and I cant begin to tell you how good this car is at EVERYTHING it does!! The turbo six pulls like a huge V8, the comfort is fantastic, the build quality without peer, the styling is polarizing, the technology amazing!! I got her fully loaded to experience all the tech BMW has to offer. Previously owned a 2004 E46 330i, but this is a whole different kind of animal. Once you drive this car, it will be extremely hard to consider purchasing anything else. I cant believe its a 3-series, BMW really stepped up to the plate with this one. I am amazed how good it is.

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  Dont listen to the Naysayers - 2004 BMW 5-Series
  By bcoops - November 4 - 2:00 am

  This car is definitely the ultimate driving machine. I know there are people who havent driven this car that are keeping the rating down. This car is so smooth, so smart...the I- drive has been simplified compared to the 7-series. Its a breeze to operate. I dont have the nav. system, so I dont know if those complications will develop. The car has enough pickup that I dont have to shift into steptronic unless I need that kick after the light turns green.

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  Love Struck - 2004 BMW Z4
  By Sophia - November 4 - 2:00 am

  As with all BMWs quality is tops with the Z4 roadster. Its a fun ride, very responsive maneuvering, and its speed is impressive. This is not a car, its a machine.