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 2nd BMW, 1st X5 - 2004 BMW X5
  By Bigjim - April 3 - 2:00 am

  Happy I waited for the improved new 4.4 engine, X-drive system and 6 speed auto transmission. Gas mileage has been a very pleasant surprise at average 19 mpg in the city and 22-24 mpg on the highway.

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  Best Coupe Available - 2004 BMW 6-Series
  By smprestdnt1 - April 3 - 2:00 am

  I just test drove both the coupe and loved it. Great power and handling. Although some dont agree, I love the appearance. It has strong elegant lines. I have one on order. It will be a blast to drive, but it is going to be hard to wait for arrival.

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  !998 328ia sedan - 1998 BMW 3-Series
  By Hotdog2020 - April 3 - 2:00 am

  Owned car for 2.5 years and still have a huge smile on my face! This is the car that keeps on giving. My wife (not a car nut like me)after driving the car for a short errand will enter the room and still comments "nice car". Excellent handling and power. Some cars may do better in other areas, however, when you take the sum of all the parts,handling,power,fuel economy,safety and resale value, nobody beats BMW. I could have bought a brand new Taurus and after 5 years what would you have.

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  7 car - a drivers delight - 2004 BMW 7-Series
  By robert g - April 2 - 2:00 am

  i really like the BMW 7 series repair history has been excellent so far this is my third 7-car, and my seventh BMW purchased since 1988.

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  Technology Hell - 2004 BMW 7-Series
  By DSNieman - April 2 - 2:00 am

  I love the road manners of the 745i. You cant beat the handeling and performance. However, the I Drive, I could do without. Its cumbersome and awkward. I would use the voice activation but it doesnt work when other people are talking in the car. The sound system is phenomenol but could BMW use an in-dash 6 disc versus a magazine? I still have not figured out how to program the key to link to my seat and radio settings. Lastly, my navigation system is not easy to use compared with Lexus and Acura. Periodically it showed me driving in water rather than land.

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  What a Car !!!! - 2004 BMW M3
  By JoeM3 - April 2 - 2:00 am

  This car is everything I expected and more, the Smg is awesome. The only bad thing is the speed limit in the USA

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  Finally A Grown Up Car!! - 2000 BMW 5-Series
  By pikesfish - April 2 - 2:00 am

  After owing two previous Toyotas I took a chance on a BMW and have not looked back. Impressed with safety record, handling, power and performance. Definitely would consider purchasing another one in the future. Cant say enough about the looks when I pull up at work now. Thanks

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  Fun in the Sun - 2005 BMW 3-Series
  By Richard - April 1 - 12:23 pm

  This is definetely a fun car. The engine (184hp) is plenty enough to move you forward and allows relaxed cruising while the top is down. I dont think there is a need to purchase the lager engine coming with the 330i. Quality is superb and it is amazing how stable and stiff the car is without an aluminum roof. Buy a wind deflector and you wont experience any draft while the top is down.

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  Wunderbar! - 2008 BMW 5-Series
  By Ed - April 1 - 3:23 am

  535i Sapphire Black/Black with Sport & Premium. Simply awesome. Very well built, comfortable, fun to drive, quiet inside and bloody fast. Test drove an A6 3.2 Quattro and an E350 Sport. The Audi was really nice but felt a little underpowered (after driving the 535i). The E350 is a great passengers car, not that great a drivers car.

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  Long time BMW owner - 2016 BMW X1
  By Beemer31 - April 1 - 2:28 am

  Ive had a 328, 528, and now a X1. I have the MSport pack (Estoril Blue), Tech, Cold Weather, and Driver Asst packages. The SAV (as Munich likes to call it) is/has everything I need in a car. Most importantly, I dont have to fold down the seats to put two golf bags in the back. My favorite attributes about BMW is the familiarity with the iDrive system and its the only manufacturer in this segment where the passenger can enter an address into the Nav while the car is in drive. I test drove Lexus/Audi and both required the car to be in park in order to enter an address into the nav (unless I wanted to use the voice recognition - which is always terrible)! Anyway, this car is typical BMW - high end interior parts and all of the controls are where they should be. Now I do have ONE gripe - the temperature controls only move in two degree increments and in even numbers only. I contacted BMW about this and its because the car is based off the MINI Countryman. Lets not forget, this is an entry level BMW, so its not the biggest deal for me. Overall, Im glad I got this SAV.