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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  M5 great! - 2002 BMW M5
  By none76 - October 8 - 2:00 am

  Best car I have ever owned.

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  Great fun to drive - 2003 BMW X5
  By JeanM - October 8 - 2:00 am

  This is the third BWM Ive owned, but the first X5. The X5 drives more like a sedan than a truck. It accelerates and coners great! A friend I took for a drive commented on how smooth it drove. He said he would be afraid if he owned one, he would get speeding tickets all the time because he wouldnt realize how fast he was driving. I considered buying the 4.6, but the salesman said Id have to buy snow tires for the winter and I didnt feel I should have to do that for an SUV.

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  Fun & Fast - 2003 BMW Z4
  By Bemmer 1 - October 8 - 2:00 am

  Reliable car, great inerrior space for car size, fun to drive, outstanding value, maintanance included!

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  great fun car - 1999 BMW M3
  By salligator - October 7 - 2:00 am

  This car has been the most fun of any car I have ever owned. The performance is perfect, handling, accelleration and braking are unreal. The car is very comfortable, and does not look like a barely restrained racing car. The top never leaks. You can hold a conversation at 85 with the top down.

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  Near perfect - 2001 BMW 5-Series
  By pmrobers - October 6 - 2:00 am

  Every time I drive it I smile. The perfect balance between ride comfort and handling/performance. Handles like my corvette but the ride is much more forgiving. This is close to being the perfect car.

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  THE BMW 740IL - 1997 BMW 7-Series
  By Jeerryy - October 6 - 2:00 am

  ITS A GREAT CAR

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  Best car I ever owned - 2003 BMW X5
  By D Gisby - October 5 - 2:00 am

  The best car I ever owned. This SAV is a star - fun to drive, classy, and most important SAFE. I have the sport version and the only thing i dont like is the fact the tires are different sizes and you cannot rotate them, so you must replace every 20k miles they are very expensive tires too! Im going to drive it until its wheels fall off!!!

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  Nothing Even Comes Close - 1999 BMW 5-Series
  By Ufgator31 - October 4 - 2:00 am

  True car nut here. I have owned and driven just about every vehicle on the face of the planet. Its true what everyone says: the BMW 540i is the best 4 door sedan $ can buy. My 99 540i with the M packages and dealer installed Dinan Stage III is an everyday driver that behaves like an exotic.

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  Bulletproof - 2000 BMW Z3
  By Mike33 - October 4 - 2:00 am

  I have owned my Z for four years. I have driven it hard daily. I have had it back to the dealer once and that was for an oil change. I still love the cars looks and enjoy driving it in all kinds of weather.

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  Upgrade from X1 to X3 - 2017 BMW X3
  By Jim - October 3 - 7:12 pm

  This is a wonderful car to drive! I was looking at the X1s first. I did a lot of research, read all kinds of reviews and took several test drives in the X1. I had made up my mind and had an order all written up for the color and options I wanted. The dealer was shooting a commercial on their 2016 service loaners with big markdowns and under 5K miles. I asked its they were leasable.... not the 2016s but they had a couple 2017 service loaners that were..... for the same lease price as the less equipped X1! I took one for a test drive.... so much nicer and more comfortable than the X1. I changed my mind and leased the X3 right then and there! It is a comfortable, quiet and really fun to drive SAV. Plenty of power and good gas milage too.... amazing! Some long trips coming up and this will make them much more enjoyable. Just go drive one! I came off a Ford Escape lease and moved up to the X3. The price difference really isnt that much for the big step up in comfort, quality and drivability.