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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  Safety v.s Fun - 2003 BMW 3-Series
  By Teresa2 - May 30 - 2:00 am

  My first BMW & well worth the money! I feel safe knowing my children are well protected but yet it is still oh-so-fun to drive! You can feel the craftmanship from the tires to the windshield wipers. I have driven across country in it & this car is very comfortable (even for many hours). The only thing that would make it perfect would be the engine noise when going about 75 mph.(It sounds a bit stressed.) I would buy another one in a heartbeat & encourage anyone to do so as well.

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  My second Z3 - 2001 BMW Z3
  By bhtongue - May 30 - 2:00 am

  I owned a 00 2.3 for 3 1/2 years and just moved into the 3.0. In all that time Ive never found a vehicle that can beat it for fun/ performance/value. Heres to another 3 years of driving pleasure.

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  RIDE/DRIVE/DESIGN - 1994 BMW 3-Series
  By AL GREGG - May 29 - 2:00 am

  EXCELLENT PERFORMANCE AND LOTS OF FUN TO DRIVE.

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  Quite possibly the perfect car - 2003 BMW M3
  By JoeParnes - May 29 - 2:00 am

  Lets see. 50k, Supercar performance, seats 4 comfortably, looks like a million bucks, handles like a dream, usable trunk. It may seem difficult to associate this car w/ value, but I do. By the way I can not miss an opportunity to say that I replaced a Saab Viggen w/ this car, and that Saabs are absolute crap, there incredibly poor quality only surpassed by their invredibly incompatant dealer network and "cst service". Absolute junk. But the M3 is "The Car".

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  BMW X5 4.4I - 2002 BMW X5
  By danny valcourt - May 29 - 2:00 am

  this is the best vehicule, that i have been driving in the past 10 years handeling and quitness is howesome, performance is great. i would recommend this vehicule to anybody this is not a true SUV but a hybrid, i would no use this vehicule for off road. this as great handeling in rain great fiture like rain sensor, smart remote, drive like a sport car but it is a SAV.

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  Classic Sports Roadster - 2000 BMW Z3
  By Larry Fink - May 28 - 2:00 am

  Great summer time fun car. Mine has never seen snow. Never leaves the garage with the soft top up. Either topless or with the hard top when ever going out.

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  bmw 850 csi - 1996 BMW 8-Series
  By abruzzo6969 - May 28 - 2:00 am

  a really very fast car.... excellent acceleration... presice brakes also... the style looks very classy too

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  Total package - 1999 BMW 5-Series
  By Wonder42 - May 27 - 2:00 am

  Sold an Audi S4 to get into the 540i. Yes, I certainly miss the Quattro in the winter but, in nice weather, the 540i provides an unsurpassed performance driving experience - gobs of torque, great brakes, unflappable suspension and super accurate steering response. All of this - combined with a quiet, luxurious cabin with room for five - cant imagine the M5s capabilities!!

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  Excellent automobile - 2003 BMW 7-Series
  By Yépez - May 27 - 2:00 am

  When Im bored on the weekends, I sit for hours on end in my 745Li. Everything in the cockpit gives me a sense of accomplishment. The 745Li is a refined automobile I had the 740iL, and power delivery is much smoother. You can really feel BMWs adaptive ride control/roll stabilization on clover-shaped onramps. Power can be applied at will.

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  An Inexpensive Luxery - 1991 BMW 5-Series
  By Elebaster - May 27 - 2:00 am

  After having this auto for 6 months, I have no regrets. It is comfortable, reliable and has enough power to navigate big city traffic with ease. The only problem is that it goes around 20.0 MPG and requires premium (93 octane) petrol.