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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  Ultimate Driving Machine? Maybe - 1998 BMW 3-Series
  By ArturoIsGod - October 1 - 2:00 am

  I bought my 1998 323IS back in February 2002. I love the syling, handling, and the performance from the 2.5 liter inline 6 is pretty good. Thing is its only got 60K miles on it and Ive already had to replace the catalytic converter, the water pump, and the serpentine belt. The thing vibrates like crazy when at idle and seems to be getting progressively worse. One of the exhaust mounting brackets has broken loose and it rattles under the car. As soon as the extended warranty runs out its gone. Anyone know the phone # for Acura?

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  Id buy it again - 2002 BMW 5-Series
  By sezme2 - October 1 - 2:00 am

  My next automobile will be the M5 vs. S500, until then, this machine is more than adequate. Id love a roadster type, but theyre too impractical for a family-man. I chose this car for its stellar passive safety ratings (checkout hywsafety. org) and its ability to handle precisely to actively avoid a collision. My wife had not been an auto-phile, but this car has made her passionate about driving.

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  A car for the rest of your life! - 1993 BMW 3-Series
  By scottie2 - October 1 - 2:00 am

  I have had this car for 8 years and it is by far the best car I have ever owned. Its black on black wth gray around the very bottom on the exterior which looks very good and you dont see on other cars and newer BMWs. The dash also is very cool with all the buttons for the auto A/C. The road feel in this car is like no other make of car I have ever driven. There are many other little extras that when you get a BMW 325is and experience it you will understand why its such a great car and hard to let go have once you own one. The exterior styling is very classic and my car looks as good as anything out there and its almost ten years old.

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  SUV? - 2017 BMW 3-Series
  By Cary - September 30 - 5:16 pm

  I had a 2003 Lexus IS300 Sportcross for 13 trouble-free years and despirately wanted to stay with a Toyota product. Unfortunately Toyota has seen fit to make C pillars so big you can easily hide an Escallade in the blind spot and thats just not okay. Reluctantly I jumped ship and leased a 2015 328i Wagon. True to the reviews it was very luxurious and handled well but it was a luxury car... not so much a Sport Wagon. Thanks to an idiot who couldnt see 4,000 pounds 10 feet away and decided to make her left turn anyway I recently found myself back in the market. With no viable options to even consider I leased a 2017 330i Sport Wagon. The specs say its the same size as the 2015 but it drives like a small car instead of a mid-size and feels like a compact sports sedan. Steering is much heavier, turbo-lag is non-existent and it just feels right. Oh yea... and theres a ton of cargo room in the back.

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  Ignore the Bad Bimmer Reviews - A Lot To Enjoy - 2009 BMW 3-Series
  By D Needles - September 30 - 1:44 pm

  By the way, if you are going to buy the car, its Bimmer. The other spelling is for motorcycles. Ive read the negative reviews. High maintenance costs, rock hard RFTs, suspension issues, blah, blah.....Heres my story. Bought my 328xi black beauty with 34K for about half of the original cost. Have now owned it for 2 yrs. No major repair issues. I have a local BMW (not dealership) do most of my maintenance well below the dealer prices. I do the oil changes and plan to replace the front brakes next month. Most of what I learned about how to work on my Bimmer I got off YouTube. Trust me, you can do some of the basics or more if you care to. RFTs? I want them. Wont see me changing a tire on the Interstate one late night. And I had a flat with one, drove it 50 miles going 50 MPH to a Costco, no damage to the rim. I replaced the OEMs with Bridgestone DriveGuard RFTs and they have been great. Much better than the OEMs. Got 25K miles on them and plenty of tread left. Suspension issues? Yeah, it does on occasion "boom" when I hit a med sized pothole, but no damage to the car. I figure you given up something for the superior handling and overall driving experience. I see one coming, I go around it. No problem. There is nothing like driving a well-cared for BMW, black-on-black, on a bright summer day. Its artwork in motion.

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  BMW Sport Wagon - 2007 BMW 5-Series
  By Jello - September 30 - 1:30 pm

  Well balanced and fun to drive. I bought a US spec car in Europe at the Military discount. Very well equipped for the price. Tons of gadgets, too many for my wife. Drives better than the MB it replaced.

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  Fits the bill! - 2005 BMW X3
  By X-3ing - September 30 - 7:46 am

  I bought an X3 because where I live the roads are terrible and it snows. If you need an SUV, but love to drive a sports car, this is a good alternative. The all-wheel drive is amazing. And it is smaller than the X-5, which if you live in the city, is a pain to park!

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  First, but not the last - 2006 BMW 3-Series
  By lovemybeemer - September 30 - 7:33 am

  This is my first BMW and I couldnt be happier with a car in this class. Ive had two Mercedes C230s, but neither were as fun to drive as this car. The inline 6 is much more responsive than the Mercedes with superchargers and the interior is far more comfortable. I didnt spring for the 330, but with 215hp the 325 has more power than most cars in the class. Under advice from this site and many other BMW owners, I did not get the navigation package with the iDrive.

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  Going to miss this car - 1994 BMW 3-Series
  By mango7 - September 30 - 2:00 am

  What a great car. Its taken everything Ive given it(Not that I abuse), and it is as good as it was when I bought it 3 yrs ago. Looks like a $35,000 car. It gets more looks than my CLK430. The only thing I didnt like about it was that its rather underpowered, especially with A/C on! Poor thing--I felt like I was ringing its neck on those hot summer days. Also, when raining, the water spills in when door is ajar. Perhaps I wont sell it, if I cant get what Im asking. Good luck

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  A great Automobile - 2004 BMW 5-Series
  By W.D.T. - September 30 - 2:00 am

  This is a pretty fast car but could be much better. I do give the handling at high speed a thumbs up. But again could recieve some help. Nothing put out yet since the introduction of the M3 has given the BMW its reputation of a really fast,economic,handling,comfortable, all around great car and following the time of technology and improvement! Which is what I would love to say. I have considered a Benz to tell you the truth.