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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  Beat BMW Ive Owned Yet - 2006 BMW 3-Series
  By racerx330 - February 6 - 10:56 am

  Exhilarating to drive. Fun, fast rides on rails. Stereo sounds great. Very quiet. Fuel mileage better than all of its nearest competitors. Clearly the best yet to come from Munich. Keep up the good work BMW!

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  My wife hates it??? - 1998 BMW 5-Series
  By L. Lindahl - February 6 - 2:00 am

  This is the finest car I have ever owned. Recently we moved to NC where almost everyone drives a truck, so of course I talked my wife into trading in her 94 Volvo 850 turbo wagon in on a new Tundra which I now drive, giving her the privledge of driving the BMW. She hates it??? She claims the most comfortable seats in the world are hurting her legs, and the dash controls are too complicated. I keep offering to let her have the truck, but she doesnt want to drive something that big everyday. We will soon be trading in this beautiful classic for a new Cross Country, breaking my 18 year streak of owning BMWs. Its too bad the truck is so practical.

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  The snow plower - 2003 BMW 3-Series
  By TACruiser - February 6 - 2:00 am

  I put on my 04 330XI only 2,300 miles so far, but I just have to say WOW!!! This car is built so solid, and the looks are killer if you put window tints on it!! The snow storm I was in last night was a joy to ride in in this car, for I passed by every vehicle like nothing with limited slippage. The power is good, and the steptronic is fun to pose as a manual driver. Excellent car!!!

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  Cant beat a BMW - 2001 BMW Z3
  By brocoli - February 6 - 2:00 am

  Sorry to Honda and Infiniti and all other cars, but nothing beats a BMW.

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  Outstanding - 2003 BMW 3-Series
  By dvd - February 5 - 10:00 am

  A pleasure to drive - just enough power to make it fun. Features are "classy" - much better than the G35 Infinity....

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  Fast as a lighting - 2003 BMW 3-Series
  By chungachguk - February 5 - 10:00 am

  Ive had an old BMW M3, and I can tell you that my new BMW is a lot better, and faster.

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  2004 330CI 6 spd - 2004 BMW 3-Series
  By jpf - February 5 - 10:00 am

  Have had car 3 wks. Everything is as advertised (not just by BMW but by independent reviewers).

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  Best of the Best - 2004 BMW 3-Series
  By lovemydroptop - February 5 - 10:00 am

  This is the best quality you can get for the price. Tight, stable, quick and turns heads. Solidly built especially for a drop top.

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  95 325i - 1995 BMW 3-Series
  By Joe Kuilema - February 5 - 2:00 am

  The stock sport package is terrific when you think youve hit the limits, you crank the wheel that extra bit and really carve up even the tightest bits. The engine lacks the low end grunt of the 328, but makes up on the high end. I spend over 50% of the time on road above 4000 rpm where it becomes surprisingly responsive for a 2.5 liter in a 3k lb car. I know for a fact the car can hit 60 in 2 gear well under the stock spec of 7.8. The brakes are able to stop from upwards of 100 with minimal to zero fade. This is a great car and can give you years of fantastic driving if you can spend several hundred a year in maintaining it.

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  EXCELLENT PEICE OF MOVING MACHINE!!!! - 1999 BMW 3-Series
  By Ramesh - February 5 - 2:00 am

  I bought this car jan 25, 2002 since then i drove 10k miles so far, most of them are long drives. this car drives dream. excellent & exceptional handling. impeccable driving manners. very sporty. 0-60 miles in 6.6 sec! fantastic & beautiful external look. simple & wonderful & luxury internal look. these are the pluses. Minuses: It SUCKS in snow (RWD). i currently live in michigan, it performs really really bad in michigan snow. mileage/gallen is less, also premium fuel (expensive). maintenance are really expensive, i did a level 2 service and brake pads changed for 1500$.