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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  Overpriced - 2003 BMW 3-Series
  By lushan - August 6 - 10:00 am

  Overpriced. Hyped car! Acura much better for the price.

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  Certified what - 2001 BMW 5-Series
  By golfbimmer - August 6 - 2:00 am

  I bought my 2001 530i in January and have been to the dealer 6 times for different problems. I live 80 miles from the dealer and when something goes wrong, I have to wait 10 days to get a free loaner and service. I am looking for a different car. This is my second Bimmer and I hate to say maybe my last.

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  7 series is great! - 2003 BMW 7-Series
  By sharpe411 - August 6 - 2:00 am

  I just leased a 745i and the interior of this car is like nothing I have ever seen. Although the exterior takes a little getting used to, the car is an amazing ride. The fuel economy is somewhat of a problem as every time I fill the tank it costs me $50. However, overall,this car is great

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  m3 convert. - 2003 BMW M3
  By rob knapp - August 6 - 2:00 am

  An incredible car-much more than I ever imagined.I love the smg and the navigation.

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  Tough Love - 2001 BMW 7-Series
  By rmarvjr - August 5 - 2:00 am

  I have owned BMWs, Audis and Mercedes so when I picked up my new 740il I was excited. Two weeks later, I returned it to the dealer to find out they did not install the "black box" for the phone. While a little slow off the line, it cruises extremely well. The cornering ability was supposed to be legendary.After three complaints and shop visits, my front tires were worn and the front end was noisy. It turns out the dealer had left the shipping spacers in the front and rear suspension. Mind you, it took three visits and 14,000 miles to correct this. Not a good track record for a premier automobile.

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  greatest 6 cylinder wagon ever made - 1994 BMW 5-Series
  By wcpink - August 4 - 2:00 am

  After exhaustive research,I bought my used 1994 silver wagon with over 35,000 miles on it from the BMW dealership with warranty still in effect since this model and 740 shared the same engine block which had a defect.BMW changed all the engine blocks on the 740s and 530s for those manufactured between 94-97. Great looks inside and out, leather interior beautiful wood, power windows, fold down second row, sunroof opens over the front passengers or second row, and cargo net in the back. This car drives beautifully, never had any serious repairs. This car now has over 95,000 miles and I still love it.

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  the M5 rocks - 2003 BMW M5
  By clayton__ - August 4 - 2:00 am

  I love my BMW M5. It is so fast. It also looks hot. I do not want to have any other besides the BMW M5.

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  The best roadster par none - 1998 BMW Z3
  By John Defiori - August 4 - 2:00 am

  Bought a 1998 BMW Z3 Roadster with the 2.8 six and automatic transmission. Flawless built quality, strong flexible engine, unmatched reliabilty (My Porsche has been back to the dealership three times for "repairs" since Ive owned the BMW. The only problem with this car is I cant get it away from my wife!

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  Concerned over interior. - 2003 BMW 7-Series
  By JJR919 - August 3 - 2:00 am

  The 735I in grey insisde has problems with the plastic trim on the doors. The color peeled of for no aparent reason. I recomend any new buyer to pay for the extra special fornt seats. The standard seats are not as comfortable and the hight of the head rest cannot be regulated at will. The car drives beautiful even at very high speeds 120mph+. However, I nted it has a tendency to skid in very tight curves, the type you found in European mountains.

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  The Good, the Bad and the Ugly - 2016 BMW X1
  By Roberto D. - August 2 - 11:16 am

  Let me preface by saying my last three cars were Hondas. I wanted an upgrade with more pep and more luxury. So here goes - The Good: Acceleration - Amazing, Interior Space - Amazing (overall same length as my Honda Civic but the interior feels MASSIVE), the Technology package with bluetooth, handsfree phone etc. - Great, the Steering - Fantastic. OK The Bad - After two weeks the tow-hook cover in the front fell off, never to be seen again. Rear Visibility: Not great. Parking Assist - I live in LA and you really have to hurry your parking cause theres always someone behind you. The parking assist is either slow in figuring out theres a spot or it never figures it out. Pointless. Fuel Consumption - Not Great At All, I have it on Eco Mode most of the time and my average after 4000 miles with about 1000 highway no traffic driving is 22.3 mpg. The Ugly: The seats are TERRIBLE. The Ride is also TERRIBLE probably due to the runflat tires and maybe the suspension. I started researching how to replace the seats and the tires. Yes, its that bad.