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:

• 

  i love BMWs - 2004 BMW 3-Series
  By Marianne Gray - March 1 - 2:00 am

  I have had a small sports car and an SUV and the BMW 325i is the best car I have ever owned! Its small enough to be the easiest to handle and park but it has a lot more interior room than expected! I have been able to fit a lot more in it than I thought I could

• 

  Best car Ive ever owned - 2001 BMW 5-Series
  By Sean P - March 1 - 2:00 am

  This is an exceptional car that combines true two-seater performance in a 4-door family sedans body. Like other reviewers, I smile every time I get in and head for an interstate.

• 

  A big change from an SUV - 2006 BMW 3-Series
  By jenny - February 29 - 7:20 am

  Ive enjoyed owning the 330i, however it has been a big change from an SUV. For someone who is taller it is much harder to get in and out of. You must fall in and climb out of the vehicle. Also, the sport package is great, until it snows. The traction control worked as long as you were moving. Once you stop you are stuck. It feels great to drive but the tires like to follow the grooves of the road and you feel every bump. The sport wheels are also very difficult to keep perfect as the rim is so low to the ground. It is very easy to ding and scratch your rims. All in all it has been fun to drive.

• 

  BMW X5 "Pinto in a 3 piece suit" - 2001 BMW X5
  By av8r07 - February 29 - 2:00 am

  What do you get from BMWs latest 50K+ SUV? I think of it as a Pinto in a 3 piece suit. Looks great, fun to drive but an absolute junker in terms of quality and reliability, not to mention some of the worste customer service I have ever experienced. BMW USA has proven to be horrible in terms of customer service and apparently have no problem leaving thier customers literally out in the cold. If your looking to drop 50K on an SUV dont

• 

  sporty roadster - 2001 BMW Z3
  By midlifecrisis1 - February 29 - 2:00 am

  If you are looking for a FAST roadster that can take sharp corners at 80mph, this is your car. At least test drive this car before you buy any roadster. BMWs Z3 is about the ride...great performance, great turning capability, surprisingly smooth ride even when not going at high speeds, and plenty of luxury for a sports car (mine has a power convertible top, power seats, heated seats, cd player). I also test drove an SLK and liked it for other reasons...but really, they are entirely different cars so test drive both and youll know how they are different.

• 

  One Heck of Good Automobile - 2002 BMW 3-Series
  By Road Racer - February 28 - 10:00 am

  This car has simply been the best car Ive ever owned. In terms of performance, there is no sedan on the road the compares to this car. Being a motorcyle rider all my life, I enjoy to open it up on the road sometimes as well has hammer a few corners here and there. Heres my advise, if you want luxury and dont want to miss having a sports car, this is the car for you. You will not be dissapointed.

• 

  3 years + review - 2008 BMW 1-Series
  By lfa951@gmail.com - February 28 - 7:35 am

  This car is reliable and overall low maintenance, the car pulls like a V8. there is a lot of low end torque and no turbo lag. The last 3 years I have replaced the tires, water pump, thermostat, front brake pads and rotors, radiator and battery. I did the oil change every 5,000 until I recently hit 80,000 miles, now I do the oil change every 3,000 miles because it has twin turbos and it burns oil quicker. The handling and the and the acceleration are its best features, the brakes are excellent as well, I like it because it is very fast and maneuvers extremely well in traffic. What i dislike is that sometimes the coils go bad while driving and it starts misfiring, aslo it runs really hot and the cooling system is weak. Be ready to regularly change coils and rear tires, other than that it is a great value

• 

  omg! - 2004 BMW M3
  By Achnonen - February 28 - 2:00 am

  Oh where to start? This is the second M3 Ive owned, the first being a 99 e36 coupe. This e46 m3 is the most amazing machine Ive ever driven! Im sure my next car will be an M3 as well...and possibly the one after that! When driving this car, everyday is as exciting as the first! -ST

• 

  Two Thumbs Up - 1995 BMW 3-Series
  By LB1 - February 28 - 2:00 am

  This is an incredibly fun car to drive and has had practically no mechanical problems in the 6 years Ive owned it. Tight handling, good gas mileage and sportier than many others in its class. Rear-wheel drive has never been a problem in the snow-belt due to the All-Season-Traction and investing in Blizzak snow tires in the winter. The dash board "oil change light" are great and on average Ive only needed an oil change every 10,000 miles! Over all, its been my favorite car Ive owned!

• 

  bmw - 2002 BMW 3-Series
  By jliebhardt - February 28 - 2:00 am

  great looking car inside and out and performs just as well