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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  great car - 2001 BMW M5
  By mcage - July 24 - 2:00 am

  ride is great unreal power

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  02 Steel Grey/Imola Red Coupe 6 Spd - 2002 BMW M3
  By nwd - July 24 - 2:00 am

  Fabulous car. Fast mover and quick stopper. Grips wonderfully and handles predictably, but it is still a quite comfortable ride partly due to very comfy seats. The engine revs astonishingly quick and has awed chipped S4 and Vette owners. Even at $60k I think it is a good deal and allows me to carry clients/friends in the back seat. Personal favorite BMW of all time in terms of looks (as opposed to questionable upcoming releases). I cant wait to track it this fall...

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  Best M3 yet - 2002 BMW M3
  By cybertronic - July 24 - 2:00 am

  Ive had all 3 generations or M3s, and they keep getting better every generation. Excellent car!

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  Nice ride - 1995 BMW M3
  By RickEracerM3 - July 24 - 2:00 am

  I had a 318IS and loved it then this doctor gave me an op to buy a M3 below 20K I said "Where the keys!!" Drove it, love it, wouldnt trade it for anything except another M3. Tight car handles great and the looks you get it like a kid in a candy store sometimes. So fun driving you dont care what the gas mileage is!! (23 mpg)

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  Thanking my lucky stars - 2003 BMW 3-Series
  By SHK1123 - July 24 - 2:00 am

  As the title suggests, I am thanking my lucky stars I have had no mechanical problems yet; but am still in first 1k miles. I hope this continues, as one should get reliability at this price. Guess I am glad i leased. It is beautiful, comfortable, and quiet for a convertible. Handles VERY well, but pick-up is a bit short for the price. I have no complaints about BMW, as have others; they have been stellar thus far.

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  Simply the BEST - 1999 BMW 5-Series
  By Boca - July 23 - 2:00 am

  This is my third 5 series beamer and nothing comes close to the proformance, style and comfort of my 540I. Equiped with every option including the 6 speed manual transmission that will put you back in the sit in each gear. The low end torque allows me to limit the down shifts and still leave me a lot of power.

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  Best car in the World - 2002 BMW X5
  By Mishal - July 23 - 2:00 am

  This car is the best

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  great drivers car - 1995 BMW 5-Series
  By PhilH - July 22 - 2:00 am

  Wonderful car with excellent build quality and loads of style. Can be made into a serious high performance vehicle with a few modifications.

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  Ultimate Driving Machine - 1999 BMW 3-Series
  By jhelberg - July 22 - 2:00 am

  Rock solid handling, performance, safety and reliability. The handling/comfort balance is terriffic (BMWs base suspension embarrasses many sport suspensions), the interior is very logical and well laid out and the styling is typical BMW timeless. I always chuckle at the SUV-types explaining the need for 4 wheel drive in Washington DC, while I drive my rear- wheel wundercar all winter long in Minnesota without drama and without giving up that perfect 50/50 balance. "All-season" tires are marketing bologna. I do run winter tires on my bimmer (and on my front- drive Passat for that matter)

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  Good to buy used - 1996 BMW Z3
  By TWJ - July 22 - 2:00 am

  The prestige and handling sell it. Paid 31k in 1996. Ironically, if you can afford a new BMW then you cannot afford to waste time bickering with the BMW [no] service center. Z-3 not comfy. for >6 hr.s Id projected a loss of $2k per year based on previous BMWs but perhaps because of teh volume of production the loss has been around $3k per year for the Z- 3 and greater for the 328. Otherwise, very happy with the BMW cars. Happy driving, Tim