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 WANT MY MONEY BACK - 2001 BMW X5
  By primoFOODS - February 2 - 2:00 am

  LOVE THE LOOK AND FEEL OF THE CAR. LOT OF FUN TO DRIVE, I LIKE IT AS MUCH AS MY 911. BUT THE CAR IS IN THE SHOP EVERYOTHER WEEK. IT HAS BEEN IN FOR SMALL PROBLEMS AND FOR LARGE ONES, SUCH AS IT DOES NOT START UNTILL THE 3RD TRY AND PARK AVE BMW (WORST SERVICE DEPT EVER) CAN NOT FIX IT. THE NAVIGATION SCREEN GOES BLANK AND SOMETIMES THE BLINKERS STOP WORKING FOR A WHILE AND COME BACK ON. AND THAT IS JUST THE TIP OF THE ICEBERG. BUY SOMETHING ELSE!!!

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  THE BEST OF THE BEST! - 1993 BMW 8-Series
  By carguyeleven - February 2 - 2:00 am

  I have owned several sports cars Corvette, Porsche, Supra, and a 740il BMW. After driving this car I was astounded by the handling, comfort and feeling of safety behind a car weighing over 4 thousand pounds and having a 12cylinder engine in front of me. The car flat moves and handles like a dream. The definition of a weekend car. I personaly like toys on a car, lots of options and gages, this car was like Disneyland for me. If you havent driven one of these do it just for fun. Youll love it!

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  expensive fun - 2002 BMW 5-Series
  By kirkd1 - February 1 - 2:00 am

  My expectations of this car have been met. Its fun to drive and is the most comfortable seat in the house. My bad back hurts in just about everything except my sport seats. I hate the noise I now have from the tires that started at about 10k miles and its getting worse. Those low profile tires aren’t all bad though helping turn-in that makes me smile when I need a little rush. I’m disappointed in the “slipping clutch” of the A/T. The upgraded sport steering wheel is mainly plastic and it stares me in the face. The in-cabin entertainment I paid extra for could sound better and have an in-dash changer.

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  best luxury /sport sedan built. - 2004 BMW 5-Series
  By puge0406 - January 31 - 10:00 am

  i have owned caddilac & lexus. bmw is by far the best handling,best riding & best looking of all. all the time i needed with the idrive was 20minutes. whats all the fuss about?

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  cool!!!!!!!!!fun!!!!!!! - 2004 BMW 3-Series
  By moondul - January 31 - 10:00 am

  BEST DEAL FOR YOUR BUCKS, NEEDS AT LEAST PREMIUM PACKAGE THOUGH, DRIVES VERY NICE AND CORNERING IS HASSLE FREE. NOT FOR TALL GUYS!!

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  Love this car - 2004 BMW 3-Series
  By wygantmb - January 31 - 10:00 am

  More affordable then I ever thought, Great ride, and Handles like a dream.

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  NEEDS TO BE ROOMY. - 2004 BMW Z4
  By KHAN - January 31 - 10:00 am

  VERY LIMITED DRIVERS ROOM TO DRIVE,6 FEET TALL DRIVER LIKE ME FEEL TOO UNCOMFORTABLE TO HANDLE THE CAR.

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  Killer M5 - 2000 BMW M5
  By cdnhoser - January 31 - 2:00 am

  Awesome car.

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  BMW e46 M3, Porsche performance for less - 2001 BMW M3
  By M3twm - January 31 - 2:00 am

  An 02/2001 production car which quite simply is the best car owned in the past 35 years. Easily out performs all 5 911 Porsches to date with the last being a 1992 coupe. Much more practical than a Porsche and $20-25,000 less expensive. Porsche performance with seating for 4 WITH luggage. Easily worth every penny.

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  In the shop again! - 2002 BMW 7-Series
  By uscdentist - January 31 - 2:00 am

  This is my 8th BMW. It is by far the most unreliable one I have owned. Today I had to drop it off at the dealer after the ENGINE MALFUNCTION light came on. The one thing I didnt expect to go wrong in this car was the engine. I guess the suspension is next.