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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  BMW Z4 - 2003 BMW Z4
  By ehl - October 17 - 2:00 am

  Great car to drive, handles very well, looks impressive, and a real babe magnet.

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  BMW X5 4.4i Sport - 2003 BMW X5
  By Mohammed Sadek - October 17 - 2:00 am

  Excellent performance in all areas. Like the brakes a lot - progressive and nicely weighted. Steering has accurate feedback, even better from the seats themselves. Very fun to drive, with little body sway The quality of the materials themselves and fit and finish is outstanding. i dont think quality and reliability is an issue. Just close the substantially heavy doors and listen. I dont why some people say the quality isnt good....a find the car much tighter than a Toyata Landcruiser

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  awsome - 2004 BMW 3-Series
  By jwds - October 17 - 2:00 am

  super awsome it is a great car!!!!!!!!!

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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.

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  Best Car Ive Ever Had! - 2003 BMW 3-Series
  By KeithA - October 17 - 2:00 am

  I have owned Nissans all my life,and when my I30 lease was up, I looked at the G35. Almost leased it, until I test drove the 325. The G35 is a great car, but I thought the 3 series was better. BMW has a better interior, better styling, better handling, and holds it value longer, and I didnt have to wait for a manual.

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  Early Opinion - 1996 BMW 7-Series
  By pickleneck - October 16 - 2:00 am

  After trading a fairly new GS 430, I must admit Im quite taken w/ my used 740IL. It handles every bit as well if not better than the Lexus. It accelarates smoothly coupled with generous torque. My only concern is the higher miles/reliability factors. So far so good.

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  2017 X1 a Different Car From the 2015 X1 - 2017 BMW X1
  By Robert Gilbert - October 14 - 3:36 am

  We had a leased 2015 X1 whose lease was up and opted to go inot a 2017 X1. Our 15 was 12K miles over the agreement and BMW let us out of the lease early and forgave the extra miles, so it was the best path. The 17 X1 is a different car then the 15 model year. The seats are smaller/shorter and are not as comfortable for me, a 510", 150# male, but for my wife, a petite 51" 110# female they are great. She likes the seating position more than the 15 X1. IMO, the interior is cheaper than before. For example, the shifter is a simpler analog type vs. the electric fly by wire on the 15 model. The buttons and switches, while still of high quality are noticeably different in feel. Our model has the iDrive knob/buttons in the center console, no nav, and is OK, but a distraction, IMO. To the positive, the turbo charged engine has plenty of power, and brakes are good. I really like the LED headlights, they put out a nice bright white light. The cabin noise is about the same as the 15, and is I believe, affected by the OEM tires used by the factory. Overall, BMW says this is the lowest cost Bimmer, and on this count they are right, they accomplish this feat by using cheaper components. We have been a BMW family for 15+ years owning 7s, Z3, Z4, 535i, X3 (still owned and going strong with 118K on the odometer) and 2 X1s, so I am a bit conflicted that they are producing such entry level cars. It is becoming harder to rationalize BMWs cost premium for this class when there are so many other competitive SUVs on the market.

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  Lemon law - make them eat it! - 2002 BMW 7-Series
  By BadBMW - October 14 - 2:00 am

  Purchased my 745i one week ago. CONTINUAL battery problems (car left me stranded twice in two days). Nav system poor, phone has terrible voice recognition. Dealer reported that the problems with the nav system required a software upgrade. Why didnt they check everything before delivery? Maryland has a 7-day lemon law which Im taking advantage of ot of desperation. Really bad for a $70+ car. NO MORE BMWs for me. A new Mercedes will be delivered to my door on Thursday. Maybe BMW should have waited one more year beforw putting this engineering on the market. Sorry I didnt read these reviews before wasting a lot of time hassling with the car.

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  Great Drive - 1995 BMW 3-Series
  By chitown - October 14 - 2:00 am

  Very good car. BMW needs to start bringing the 316 over from Europe

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  Best car in its class - 2002 BMW 7-Series
  By katong - October 13 - 2:00 am

  I got the 745 brochure last year and started to compare it against s430/500. When the 7 arrived, my wife and I spent countless hours test driving the 2 cars. She was an MB fanatic turned 745 convert. I suggest test driving the 2 cars on the same day (at least 3 times) and you will definitely vote for the 7 everytime. Glad we settled for the new 7.