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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  Buy This Car - 2003 BMW 3-Series
  By Arnold Magbanua - November 29 - 10:00 am

  330i 6sp/sport/premium/Heated seats/Xenon I crossed shopped many cars in the 25-40K segment over 6 months and I finally decided on the 330i. This car is everything the mag/online writer says it is! I agonized between this car and the G35 twins for over 2 months. The numbers may fall in the favor of the G35, but the feel is all BMW. You could get better numbers on the G35, but the difference is that its much easier to get on the BMW. I know the 3 -series is $$$ more, but if youre careful with your options and bargain with the dealer you can come pretty close to the price of the g35 coupe. One problem of the car is though is the vague clutch.

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  Best vehicle Ive ever owned - 2003 BMW X5
  By bten - November 29 - 10:00 am

  This SAV has truly been a pleasure to own over the last 6 months. I smile every time I drive it. It has actually gotton more responsive and quicker! The interior is luxurious and the exterior is really sharp looking. The handling in incredible. I am more impressed by the power from the 3.0 liter I6 every day.

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  Wonderful - 1996 BMW M3
  By Shoneal - November 29 - 2:00 am

  The 96 M3 will be a classic... today, it is a performance masterpiece. While engines continue to get larger on todays standard coupes, none compare with the M3s supperior suspension and overall handling... truly a wonderful piece of engineering.

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  A work of art.... - 2003 BMW M3
  By uncertainty - November 29 - 2:00 am

  No other automobile on the road today can provide this type of sport and luxury feel that the BMW M3 can provide. I have driven many cars ranging for the nissan Zs to the Mercedes AMG and when you compare performance with price they cannot match this work of art...

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  Outstanding BMW - 1995 BMW 8-Series
  By SantaCruzSean - November 29 - 2:00 am

  If a person wanted to design and build a comfortable, reliable and fast road car all he would have to do is look at the E31 to see how it should be done. This automobile for its bulk rides like a true luxury car with fire in its heart. This BMW draws your eyes like a fine piece of art, when you look at its understated but muscular body it just exudes refinement and power. No, it is NOT a sports car, it is a machine that pleases both your heart and soul. If you have the chance to purchase one of these Jewels do so, the only thing you will regret is not getting one before you bought what you have now.

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  Good Stuff - 2003 BMW M3
  By andrew lee - November 28 - 2:00 am

  Great Car and very fun to drive.

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  a - 2001 BMW X5
  By kdr - November 27 - 2:00 am

  most comfortable and best handling suv ive ever driven. also the most unreliable and poorest quality built vehicle i have ever owned. just got car back again after 8 days in the shop to have steering rack replaced (at 18,000 miles) and now doors will not open from inside. everytime the car goes in for service comes back with more problems.

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  BEST ALL AROUND CAR EVER! - 2006 BMW 3-Series
  By flagatorfan - November 25 - 6:40 am

  I just had my 06 325i delivered to me on 10/15/05 and all I can say is that it was worth the wait!!!! I test drove the Infinit G35 2-door coupe and the Jaguar X-type and researched all three cars and read countless reviews and message boards before forking out $$. The BMW was a classier car and I am happy I bought mine. There is only (3) things I dont care for and that is the door locks are in between the vents on the dash! It took me awhile to figure that one out.The Glove box is set alittle far back and hard to get to. I am not fond of the push button start with foot on brake to start. Didnt know this when my car was deliv to me from Atlanta and I had to read manual to know this

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  THE Car - 2002 BMW M3
  By BillyH - November 25 - 2:00 am

  All I can say is HEAVEN on four wheels...

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  I love my BMW - 2005 BMW 3-Series
  By Review - November 24 - 11:40 am

  I really enjoy driving my BMW-smooth ride. Its as beautiful inside as it is outside. The only negative Ive found is that it needs a lot of gas and the back seat is a little tight. These are sacrifices Im willing to live with. I cant wait for the summer so that I can put the top down and enjoy the long ride to the beach every weekend!