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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  I love the BMW Z8 - 2003 BMW Z8
  By Nathan Hansen - July 16 - 2:00 am

  Its impossible to describe! I just love to be in my Z and drive it around anywhere. I love to drive it fast!

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  This is a truly amazing car - 2003 BMW 7-Series
  By BMW745Li - July 16 - 2:00 am

  Ive heard the rumors that the technology is way too complicated but believe me it only takes a few hours to learn everything that this car has to offer and thats alot of stuff!

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  Best 4 door Sports Car Ever.Period. - 1998 BMW M3
  By ///M - July 16 - 2:00 am

  World class performance with 4 real seats. Extremely stable at 140mph+.

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  Love-hate relationship with my E36 - 1998 BMW 3-Series
  By Andy S - July 16 - 2:00 am

  I love driving my 328i. The steering, throttle response, pedal placement, driving position, etc. were very well done. The down side is the know list of "common E36 problems" that I keep having to fix. Expect to replace front ball joints and rear shock mounts. Also, its just a matter of time before some component of the cooling system will fail.

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  530xi Wagon review - 2007 BMW 5-Series
  By Gino - July 15 - 6:20 pm

  The car is solid but the front seat is a bit deep and the back of your legs at the knee will touch the seat and forces you to slouch forward for clearance or inflate the lumbar support feature to move you forward and clear the behind the knee issues. You see, for a 57" adult like me and my wife is 5 foot even the rear seats are too deep and makes small adult legs float and not reach the carpet which makes your legs numb after awhile. But the car is solid handler so it washes out.

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  BMW does it again!!! - 2004 BMW X3
  By kohi - July 15 - 10:00 am

  I love everything about this truck. From its tight-handling to its panoramic sun-roof!! It drives like a dream....like a 325 on stilts. This is what separates this sporty SAV from the rest of the SUV pack. The interior is typical BMW - functional and not too flashy. There is enough room for a family of 4 with all their gear. Its not the most spacious, nor the most powerful, nor is it the most brutish SUV on the road. This is the perfect SUV for those who plan to drive (like most of us!) most of the time in the city.

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  5 regrets - 2007 BMW 3-Series
  By Richard Fink - July 14 - 1:06 pm

  Notwithstanding the following, the 328 Touring is great automobile, but in the hopes that these comments may come to BMWs attention, here are five criticisms: 1) the rear hatch requires some effort to open; 2) the direction signal is overly electronic and can miss the off position; 3) the radio control is based on some old DOS format and is awkward to change from cd to tuner; 4) the car produces a large clunk over potholes; 5) the transmission spends so much time seeking gas savings its slow to down shift (and the sport mode is way too nervous). These should be all easy to correct. But perhaps most disturbing is that the cars ride is drifting towards that of Lexus and away from BMW.

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  03 M3 - 2003 BMW M3
  By rossm3 - July 14 - 2:00 am

  Great build quality. Great handeling, complete performance package without being offensive.

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  Have another car - 2000 BMW Z3
  By Techshark - July 14 - 2:00 am

  While this car is fun, it needs to visit the dealer about every 6 to 8 weeks, so make sure you have another car to use. So far weve had breaks, new seat belts, plus a host of unknown "service engine soon" requirements for which it needs to go in each time. We are afraid what this will cost us with it comes off warranty.

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  BMW Z-3 1.8 - 1997 BMW Z3
  By Dan D - July 14 - 2:00 am

  All in all, an inexpensive sports car drive for a BMW. Good gas mileage but very weak pick up. Good for cruising, not much more. Build qulity definitely not up to BMW standards. Many problems widely known by BMW on this model that they leave owners hung with to pay. Mine also has a manual convertable top which is a bit of a pain.