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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  The Ultamate driving machine - 2003 BMW X5
  By dsheli - April 17 - 2:00 am

  This baby is one hell of a cool car. I love mine adn every thing about it!!!

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  Hi Tech Fun - 2003 BMW 7-Series
  By sandhobo - April 16 - 2:00 am

  Drives more like a sports car than any other luxury sedan. Great acceleration and braking. Has all thwe comforts one would want.

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  BMW 745I THROW IN THE TOWEL. 2003 STINKS - 2003 BMW 7-Series
  By Tim Docken - April 16 - 2:00 am

  Dont do it. Dont do it. Dont do it. Dont do it. Germany leaves USA dealerships completely in the cold. My dealership tried like hell to fix this car nearly 1 week per month 4 months. FREAKING IMPOSSIBLE TO WORK ON OR FIX THIS NEW BMW. SOFTWARE IS AN ABSOLUTE NIGHTMARE. Any adjustment to the seats,,automatically shoots the headrests to highest electric position. GLITCHES GALORE. KEYFOBS GO DEAD. SCREEN GOES TOTALLY DEAD. RADIO Will NOT SHUTOFF,EVEN WITH NO KEY IN IGNITION. AUTO TRUNK MOTOR BURNT OUT TWICE!! 15,000 MILES AND AN UTTER HUNK OF JUNK. USA DEALER was great however. BMW absolutely has to scrap this LEMON.

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  Good Stuff - 2002 BMW 5-Series
  By jakedogdog - April 16 - 2:00 am

  Great car. This is the third BMW I have had the privelege to own. The first two were both 328is. I loved the way they drove, but they were too small. I ended up in this car as I got a good deal on it, and its even better than the 328s. Its a great size (the back seats in the 3s are just too small) without being too big. I wish it did not feel quite so heavy - but its a price Im willing to pay.

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  lovin it - 2005 BMW 5-Series
  By mikelle lasorsa - April 15 - 10:00 am

  The best car I have ever drove.

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  THE ABSOLUTE BEST - 2005 BMW 3-Series
  By EARLA - April 15 - 10:00 am

  This is the best car I have ever had, it has everything sport look, fun to drive and elegant. I love the looks; BMW has every option available so I got em, the Nav system is awsome, so is the on board computer. Speed is a whole other matter, I love it as I pass other people who just stop and stare; quite frankly, if had to do it again I would buy the same car. Dont care how much it cost.

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  BMWs are built to last - 1994 BMW 5-Series
  By Mr BMW - April 15 - 2:00 am

  I have had this car for over 4 years now. I bought it used in July 1998 and have had no trouble with it whatsover. It rides like a beauty. When I got it it had 44k miles. It now has 122k miles and it still has the same punch and ride as it did 80k miles back. The only drawbacks are the somewhat cramped backseat leg room. The trunk is very spacious. I have my golf clubs and a cricket kit bag in there all the time and I still have room to fit in stuff. The on-board computer is very helpful.

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  Move over Porsche - 2002 BMW M5
  By jiffyhibernator - April 15 - 2:00 am

  This is the car for people who like to drive and dont have any desire to impress anyone, with the exception of young car enthusiasts who when you pass them will invariably give you the "thumbs up" and not "the finger". Everyone else will wonder how your grandmothers car can go so fast around corners.

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  M-3 smg is slug - 2003 BMW M3
  By john d - April 14 - 2:00 am

  Car with SMG is a slug from standing start. Leaves line at 900 rpm to low for performance. Bogs and cannot spin tires until it gets RPM up, cannot be considered high performance. Other owners report same lack of starting line power with SMG. Car has terrible ride with 19" wheels seems like solid tires on smallest crack in pavement. Car doors are very hard to open, latch snaps back if not fully depressed. Saleslady though SMG was an automatic with manual shift, did not know what a Getdrag was. Very disappointed in BMW and dealer. Traded car at one month and 800 miles for C5 Corvette convert, very happy with Vette lots of power at any rpm.

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  Perfect except for reliablity - 1999 BMW 3-Series
  By davidsmith - April 14 - 2:00 am

  Bit on the pricy side with only 170hp, since most japanese competition now offer 200 or more. But it doesnt feel slow by any means. Design and materials used in the cabin are top notch. Too bad they rattle like nissan sentra. Lots of minor problems, like airbag light being on constantly,(fixed 4 times already) but probably more fun to drive than lot of sport cars. Minor body roll without sport package.