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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  Mike Bs Z8 - 2003 BMW Z8
  By Mike Bosworth - August 29 - 2:00 am

  Once I got rid of the run flat tires, the vehicle handling and ride went up about three notches. If you have a Z8, get ride of the run flats.

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  M3 rocks. - 1998 BMW M3
  By arcanadana - August 28 - 2:00 am

  This is the best car Ive ever had. Its incredible well balance and poise makes it hard to scare yourself, even in spirited sport driving. Its great around town, and especially in sedan form, its a sleeper. Unless someone knows what an M3 is, it looks almost exactly like a 328. I got the sedan version because Im tall and it has an extra inch and a half of headroom, which makes it enough for me. How many other sports cars do I fit in this well? Zero. Ive had quicker cars, but its quick enough, and the handling will keep pace with ANYTHING. Its my everyday e-ticket ride.

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  Amazing - 2003 BMW 7-Series
  By dlinca - August 28 - 2:00 am

  Picked the car up in Munich and it founds its way through Germany, France and Austria. Amazingly stable, smooth and secure on the autobahn. Excellent ride quiet, comfortable. Very nble for its size. Looked strange at first now looks stylish and distinctive, with comments from strangers on what a beautiful car it is. But mostly, the joy is in the driving.

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  Wow!!! - 2004 BMW 3-Series
  By brahimza2000 - August 27 - 10:00 am

  This is my second BMW and I am very happy with my choice. I got the performance package which I highly recommend, for those who love the sportier feel and added power, makes a world of differnece, the only issue with the performance package is, you lose a bit of comfort in your ride. The only other thing is it gets a little bit lower gas mileage than my old E36 328I.

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  BMW in Kauai - 1999 BMW 3-Series
  By kalapakipaul - August 27 - 2:00 am

  This is the everyday commuter/shopper/beach car on the North Shore. Very reliable with only small problems (seat belt retractor, windshield washer nozzle). Excellent mileage with only routine service.

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  Greater Than The Sum of Its Parts - 2006 BMW 3-Series
  By MyBMW - August 26 - 8:06 pm

  Ive been waiting for BMW to build this car! The design is masculine and evolutionary, exactly what it should be. The interior- beautifully tailored and comfortable, materials are excellent not cheap like you find in the competition. Still very much the drivers car its renowned to be...but better. Stereo - awesome and standard equipment in this car. Xenon lights also standard with the look of its older siblings - very cool. Excellent six speed transmission. 32.1 mpg with just 100 miles on the odometer!! Take a lesson Infiniti, Lexus and Audi - you can add all the horsepower you want, but youll never be this good. Excellent execution!

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  Ah, back in a wagon again - 2006 BMW 5-Series
  By john f - August 26 - 4:30 pm

  I went from a Mercedes wagon to a Volvo XC90 to the BMW. Had never driven a BMW before so wasnt sure what to expect. My wife and I looked in the dealer lot after a return from a second honeymoon and she said "This is nice". Had ordered the new ML500 and she "hated" it. Test drove the car, was really impressed, bought it a week later. Very high tech, great ride and love the heated rear seats. I am a car junkie so I researched many vehicles. Promised my wife I would keep this one. Everything on this car exudes quality. Just cant say enough good things about it. Great looker, awesome headlights, solid build.

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  325xi wagon - 2006 BMW 3-Series
  By robola - August 26 - 4:03 pm

  This car comes as close as I could imagine to an ideal all around car. It is entertaining to drive, exceedingly competent in all weather conditions and has attention to detail and build quality that are both beyond reproach and a source of joy everytime I drive the car. The wagon version gives a lot of flexibility to configure the space behind the driver and front passenger to accomodate a variety of gear and from my perspective the rear hatch is actually more attractive than the trunk on the sedans.

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  Outrageous - 2003 BMW M3
  By CCB - August 26 - 2:00 am

  Its been a year now, I a still get surprised by the power this little in- line six puts out. My wife still wont drive the car due to the tight handling and head jerking snaps between gears. Ive had it up to 135 for about 30 minutes across the Mohave desert (in train with a TT and A8) and fely I could have out accelerated them at any moment. Yeah, the price tag with the SMG tranny is high, but my kids will understand that Junior College is OK, once they get there.

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  BMW M3-GREAT PERFORMANCE MACHINE - 1995 BMW M3
  By BMW CCA MEMBER - August 26 - 2:00 am

  I HAD BEEN LOOKING TO PURCHASE A GOOD USED SPORTS CAR FOR A FEW MONTHS. AFTER EXTENSIVE RESEARCH AND REFERALS(I WORK IN THE CAR BUSINESS) I DECIDED ON A 1995 BMW M3. WHAT A BANG FOR THE BUCK! THE RETAIL NUMBERS ON THESE CARS CAN BE WAY TO HIGH BUT I FOUND A CAR GREAT CAR AND BOUGHT IT AT WHOLESALE. MY CAR CAME EQUIPED WITH THE SPORT PACKAGE WHICH IS A GREAT OPTION. FULL POWER SEATS, WOOD ACCENTS AND M COUNTOUR 17 WHEELS THAT LOOK GREAT. I HAVE INSTALLED A DINAN STAGE 1 CHIP THAT GAVE IT A SLIGHT BOOST IN POWER AND A NICE 200-300 RPM BUMP. KEEPING IT STOCK HAS HELPED IT STAY VERY RELIABLE. THIS IS A GREAT FUNCTIONAL SPORTS CAR!