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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  very disappointed - 2006 BMW 3-Series
  By beemer-cpa - June 20 - 3:06 pm

  this is my third 3 series... previously drove a 2000 323i and 2003 325ci. One half mile from the dealership on the day I took delivery the bluetooth became inoperable. works intermittenly. the car just spent 15 days in the dealership trying to fix this-- still not right. car also shimmys at 70 mph.. bmw knows there is a problem --- they are looking into. dont buy a car the first year of a major re-do. wait for the kinks to be ironed out.

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  Excellent condition - 2004 BMW 6-Series
  By Sammy mojica - June 13 - 6:32 am

  Fast vehicle

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  Solid and Nimble - 2003 BMW 5-Series
  By davethewave - June 12 - 3:11 pm

  Very good build quality and performance. 93K and still no rattles, but rotors and heater are sounding worn out. Had computer chip go out under warranty, so reliability is not as good as expected for car at this price level. Dealer service was inconvenient. I have no regrets, but I would probably not buy another one new - mainly because I live too far from a dealer, and I dont like the new 5-series styling and high price.

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  Great Car but Uncomfortable Seats - 2006 BMW 3-Series
  By NYC Owner - June 5 - 4:27 pm

  I wanted to provide a quick word of caution to anyone in the market for a BMW - thoroughly test the seats before you buy! I absolutely love the performance, handling and features of the BMW 330i, even the much maligned iDrive. I found the seats unbearable though and was thus forced to sell the car after only one month. The seats were just too stiff for me and would cause pain in my lower back and the right side of my hip. I am young, health guy of average size and weight (510/170 lbs), so ordinarily comfort is not an issue. My girlfriend and mom found the car perfectly comfortable, so perhaps the seats are a better fit for smaller folks. Such a shame, as I otherwise loved the car

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  530xi review - 2006 BMW 5-Series
  By Deke - June 4 - 9:08 pm

  This car is the best performing automobile that Ive ever owned. With that being said, it is the worst car ergonomically that Ive ever seen. The iDrive system is a total disaster. Just trying to change the heat/AC is actually dangerous when driving because you must use the isDrive to do it! Almost all setting on this car must be changed through the iDrive which is very finicky.

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  540i 6-speed - 1998 BMW 5-Series
  By pdxzen - June 4 - 4:26 pm

  The 540i is a fine & fun car. The acceleration is better then most cars on the road with the HP and good torque. Mine is black, w/ black leather interior, and chrome 18in Hamann deep dish rims, w/ 40 series tires, lowered about 1.5 inches, w/ angel eyes conversion, cone air intake, & custom exhaust. It looks pretty good for a 10 year old car. It handles well in corners, but you can tell that it is a little bit nose heavy due to the V-8 in the front as you can break the rear loose when coming around a corner.

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  BMW 740iL - 2000 BMW 7-Series
  By Big Bob - June 3 - 4:13 pm

  Mileage per gallon - excellent. In the low country of S.C., highway at 5 mph over the speed limit (usually 75), gets 27.5 mph! Response to accelerator - great! Handling on curves, u-turns - unbelieveable. Wheels have never been out-of-line!

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  Col. Klink Makes Cars - 2003 BMW 7-Series
  By rdlu - June 2 - 2:00 am

  Horrible reliability makes the flagship car of the Ultimate Driving Machine a Yugo wanna be. Coupled with a third rate Roadside Assistance Program the 2002 7 Series BMW becomes the Ultimate Lemon Machine. It is exactly what Lemon Laws are designed to protect. Im just embarassed that I actually bought one for the amount of money that it cost. Sham on me. I will drive it (when it gets out of the shop) to my closest Mercedes dealer and buy a new MB ASAP

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  Great, if onyl the windows worked - 2001 BMW 3-Series
  By Joe G - May 30 - 6:03 pm

  The BMW 325i 2001 was a great car to drive, handled the winding road up to Tahoe very well, looked good and sounded awesome. Probably the best driving experience of my life. They really designed it so the driver could hear just enough of the engine to feel like they were driving a sports car. Unfortunately it was all the little features that were crap. Both power windows had to be replaced twice (each) within a 3 year period. After about 4.5 years the electrical component that controlled the car shorted out and the car died in the middle of the highway. Once left the gas cap open and had to go to dealer to reset warning light.

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  X5 Boy!!! - 2003 BMW X5
  By X5 Boy!!! - May 30 - 1:07 am

  I bought my X5 as a certified Pre-Owned from my local BMW dealer. My X5 is my first BMW. I love the handling, acceleration and reliability. It is solid and safe on the road and at freeway speed. It has all the benifits that a brand new one would have. It comes with the 100,000 extended warranty and free maintenance service, so I pay nothing for all services. After the first three weeks of my purchase, I had problems with the lights in the dashboard and the transmission, so I took it for a free repair.