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:

• 

  1994 325 i - 1994 BMW 3-Series
  By mike r - July 10 - 2:00 am

  A very solid ride with good handling and great power. Best car I have ever had.

• 

  LOVE my Car!!! - 2006 BMW 3-Series
  By glorious1 - July 9 - 2:26 am

  Everybody should love the adventure of driving their car like I do every day of the week. I enjoy every minute of being in this "drivers" car. If you love to drive, this is the car. What a sexy thing. Its a drivers dream. Nothing like punching that gas and passing anything in sight. Whips around corners and hugs the road. If you are on a straight away watch out. Before you know it youre nearing 100 mph if youre not careful. Such a CLASS car! Ill get another one.

• 

  Loving every mile - 2001 BMW M5
  By thegooch - July 9 - 2:00 am

  I was hesitant when I first drove the car when I bought it. Very soon though I came to realize that this was a savage machine able to withstand far more then I can dish out. Most at home on a track at high speeds, it is a super tank. Hanldes much better than this family sedan should and the overall performance is phenominal. I made a couple minor upgrades for the days the car is on the track, but these in now way interfere with my everyday commute.

• 

  New car with defect parts - 2008 BMW 5-Series
  By Unlucky Owner - July 9 - 12:00 am

  I had a bad experience with 535xi purchased recently, which was customer ordered from BMW manufacturer. With less than 100 miles, the car has been found to have two defective parts: 1. failed tire presure sensor; 2. faulty engine cylinder injector. They showed up in this brand new car, and malfunction signal displayed on the panel. I am really disappointed with that. Having other new cars and I never have such bad experience. Maybe this just bad luck.

• 

  For those who loves to drive ONLY! - 1998 BMW M3
  By mkfryrice - July 8 - 2:00 am

  Drive one and you will understand! This car is just so efficient - on EVERYTHING! Resell value is also better than most of the compititors!

• 

  Great - 2003 BMW Z8
  By xtreemg - July 8 - 2:00 am

  The best car I have ever bought. Worth my money. Nice sleek design

• 

  First one in Alaska - 2008 BMW Z4 M
  By niall86 - July 7 - 4:16 pm

  So I have the first BMW Z4 M coupe sold in Alaska, bought it in September, now there is only one other one up here. I have had it for about 5 months and still love driving it everyday even in the winter. People are always looking at it and telling me how cool it is. Just got the windows tinted. Thats the only thing I would ever need to do to this car. Amazing machine.

• 

  Its not an MG Midget - 2000 BMW Z3
  By argonaut - July 7 - 2:00 am

  My first car was a 76 MG Midget. It wasnt fast, but it was 1800 lbs of light, nimble pure fun. Like the MG, it is small with a slightly claustrophobic interior and the top comes down. But, this is not a light toy, and weighs in at a thousand pounds heavier. It is reasonably quick, very responsive and just plain sexy. For a reasonably new car, it has had way too many mechanical problems, such as the heater fan breaking, and the seals all needing to be replaced so it would not leak. That being said, the car is lots of fun and well worth the money. This is a very refined true cloth top roadster. And its way cool to have heated side view mirrors.

• 

  the best car ever - 2003 BMW 7-Series
  By drewboo - July 7 - 2:00 am

  this car is the ultimate car i have ever, owned, it accelerates like a beast and handles so perfectly.

• 

  My worst nightmare! - 2003 BMW 7-Series
  By bogiedreamer - July 7 - 2:00 am

  This car is the worst mistake I have ever made. The car has been at the shop 5 times in 7 months. The electrical system is a total joke. I am trying sell trade in this piece of junk ASAP. DONT EVEN THINK ABOUT IT.