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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  Save your money - 2002 BMW 5-Series
  By TeeMo - October 21 - 2:00 am

  Reading the other reviews,I wonder if I was sold a completely different car. First,the seats are so deeply contoured that the left bolster interferes with comfortable shifting. My leg goes to sleep after about 30 minutes. If I get the steering wheel in a comfortable place, I can no longer see the instrument panel. The shifter is sloppy and the clutch has no definite point of engagement. The upper gear ratios are so close that it is hard to tell which gear I am in. Combined with that is the fact that 1st gear is so tall that I am at redline not much above 20 mph.

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  Ultimate Driving Machine - 1992 BMW 3-Series
  By Russ B. - October 21 - 2:00 am

  I would highly recommend this vehicle. It is built with great German design and is a must for sporty car lovers.

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  bmw 541 - 1998 BMW 5-Series
  By yd - October 21 - 2:00 am

  this car is fun to drive but takes a lot of gas.

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  Good acceleration - 1993 BMW 7-Series
  By george A - October 21 - 2:00 am

  The dealerships were overall great on repairs except the last time. The car felt very stable while driving and had wonderful acceleration. It was quiet.

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  Last Beemer for me! - 2000 BMW 5-Series
  By dh56 - October 20 - 2:00 am

  Very disappointed with this my 2nd BMW. Yes - its a wonderful, fun-to-drive car. BUT - A/C has died 2nd summer in both cars - $1300 to repair!! Cupholders are a joke - unusuable and constantly broken - and now the water pump went -2 months before my lease ends - another $1000 to fix. For $700/month Im going to be looking elsewherefor my next car. And the dealership is NO help - they act like its a privilege to own one of their cars.

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  Great car - 1995 BMW 3-Series
  By max parker - October 20 - 2:00 am

  Highly underated car. More nimble than a 325ic, feels more like a sports car with the high revving motor. Throw a performance chip in it and it will smoke a 325ic automatic. Less frill than the 325, but also less to go wrong.

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  1998 BMW 528 - 1998 BMW 5-Series
  By Bob Gottlieb - October 19 - 2:00 am

  I have been driving BMWs off & on for 20 yrs. Started with 3s, movedup to 5s. Driven Saabs, Infinitis and Mercedes in between. No other production sedan handles like a BMW. Quiet, catlike on turns and NOTHING brakes like a BMW. Great sight lines too.

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  oh boy, do they oggle my car.... - 2003 BMW Z4
  By clogozm - October 17 - 10:00 am

  Also got a great deal on a fully loaded 2.5 Z4 (minus the upgraded stereo system) - got it below MSRP. It is such a smooth ride compared to the TT, the SLK, even the Porsche 911. The handling is great. Very responsive steering, its zippy! It is also a very solid car. The top goes up and down so fast, in about 10 seconds. The trunk space is huge for a roadster. Get all the packages you can afford, it is worth it. The only thing is, if you can afford the 3.0 you should get the 3.0, although the power on this baby is definitely good enough! and it has cupholders!

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  Best car yet - 2003 BMW Z4
  By Bobbo - October 17 - 10:00 am

  I recently purchased a Z4 and I love it! I constantly hear compliments from other motorists on a daily basis. The back roads of PA have never been so fun!

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  xi on ice - 2003 BMW 3-Series
  By PatrickW9 - October 17 - 2:00 am

  We didnt want to exchange tires twice a year, so I put Michelin Pilot Sport A/S on our new 330xi. This winter gave us hard rain, lots of snow, glare ice, slush, hail, etc. At normal urban and highway speeds, these road conditions were essentially irrelevant. When hard driving on slick surfaces, the DSC-X sometimes cut in, giving all-wheel traction when accelerating and cornering like ABS when braking. For performance driving, one may want to turn off the DSC, but for safety we just leave it on. In the land of the ice and snow (or wet, or muddy...), I can recommend the xi with either the Pilot Sport A/S or a winter set of Dunlop Winter Sports.