I can't find an ideal forum to post so please move it as you deem fit..Extract from wordIQ Dictionary and Encyclopedia BMW , abbreviation of Bayerische Motoren Werke (Bavarian motor works), is a Germancompany and manufacturer of automobiles and motorcycles. In the original German theacronym is pronounced "beh-em-veh". In North America, BMW cars have been nicknamed"bimmers" while BMW motorcycles are called "beemers," although the terms are often usedinterchangeably (and incorrectly, according to some BMW fans).Extras:
- The colors of the logo are those of the flag of Bavaria.
- BMW HQ in Munich, Germany is one of the few buildings built from top to bottom..(How eh??)
History : Pre-WWII BMW was founded by Karl Friedrich Rapp in October 1913, originally as anaircraft engine manufacturer. The Milbertshofen district of Munich location waschosen because it was close to the Gustav Otto Flugmaschinenfabrik site, aGerman aircraft manufacturer.In 1916 the company secured a contract to build V12 engines for Austria-Hungary. Needing extra financing, Rapp gained the support of CamilloCastiglioni and Max Friz, the company was reconstituted as the BayerischeMotoren Werke GmbH. Over-expansion caused difficulties; Rapp left and thecompany was taken over by the Austrian industrialist Franz Josef Popp in 1917, and named BMW AG in 1918.After World War I, the Treaty of Versailles (1919) prohibited the production ofaircraft in Germany. Otto closed his factory and BMW switched to manufacturing railway brakes.In 1927 the tiny Dixi, an Austin Seven produced under license, began production in Eisenach. BMW bought the companythe following year, and this became the company's first car, the BMW 3/15. By 1933 BMW were producing cars that couldbe called truly theirs, offering steadily more advanced inline 6-cylinder sports and saloon cars. The pre-war cars culminatedin the beautiful 327 saloon and 328 roadster, fast 2-litre cars, both very advanced for their time.WWII BMW was a major supplier of engines to the Luftwaffe and of engines and vechicles, especially motorcyles, to theWehrmacht. The aero-engines included the 801, one of the most powerful available. Over 30,000 were manufactured up to1945. BMW also researched jet engines, producing the BMW 003, and rocket based weapons.The BMW works were heavily bombed towards the end of the war. Of its sites, those in eastern Germany (Eisenach,Dürrerhof, Basdorf and Zühlsdorf) were seized by the Soviets. The factory in Munich was largely destroyed.Aftermath of WWII After the war the Munich factory took some time to restart production in any volume. BMW was banned frommanufacturing for three years by the Allies and did not produce a car model until 1952.In the east, the company's factory at Eisenach was taken over by the state-owned Awtowelo group. That company offered"BMW"s for sale until 1951, when the Bavarian company prevented use of the trademarks: the name, the logo and the"double-kidney" radiator grille.The cars were then branded EMW (Eisenacher Motoren Werke), production continuing until 1955.In the west, the BAC, Bristol Aeroplane Company, inspected the factory, and returned to England with plans for the 326,327 and 328 models. These plans, which became official war reparations, along with BMW engineer Fritz Fiedler allowedthe newly formed Bristol Cars to produce a new, high-quality sports saloon, the 400 by 1947, a car so similar to the BMW327 that it even kept the famous BMW grille.Models : Current and near future products The current BMW model line-up is split into what they call "Series", traditionally identified by a single digit - e.g. the 3 Series.In 2004 BMW announced plans to make odd-numbered models sedans and estates (BMW calls its estates Touring models),while even-numbered models will be two-door coupes and cabriolets .This convention was started with the replacement of the Z3 roadster -the Z4. In future 2-door derivatives of the 3 Series will be called the 4Series.The M letter was used even prior to that to designate special"Motorsport" models beginning with the M1 supercar. Later the Mletter was used as a prefix to top-ofthe-range models which had received special treatment by the BMW Motorsport division. The first such car was the M535i of 1979. As these models started gaining popularity the Motorsport division was split into a separate company. BMW MGmbH now makes sporty models based on the production cars with very extensive chassis and engine upgrades. The M3and M5 are based respectively on the 3 and 5 Series and are recognized by enthusiasts all over the world as truly excellentsports cars while retaining the practicality of their lesser siblings.With the advent of the SUV, BMW also added the X5 - and in 2004 the X3 - to their model range to capitalize on thisgrowing market. BMW calls its SUV models Sports Activity Vehicles. A possible future V Series will offer MPVpracticality for large families, similar to the Renault Scenic.
- 1 Series: a new small car designed to compete with the VW Golf, coming out end of 2004
- 2 Series: a coupe/convertible based on the 1 Series platform
- 3 Series: the successor to the 2002; a compact high-performance sedan, now in its fourth generation. The Mk5 is scheduled to be unveilled around 2005. M3: initially a race-version of the 3-Series sold to the public for homologation reasons, this model has evolved into a maximum-power, maximum-price touring car X3: a small SUV with emphasis on practicality and affordability
- 4 Series This series will contain all future coupe and convertable versions of the 3-Series. Z4: a two-seater roadster that succeeded the Z3
- 5 Series Series: a midsize sports/luxury sedan M5: A high performance version of the 5-Series. It is temporarily out of production because the 5 Series range is being updated. The next M5 excpected in late 2005 will be powered by a F1-inspired V10 engine. X5: BMW's first SUV, this vehicle has all the dynamic qualities expected of a BMW, and set new expectations for SUV design.
- 6 Series Series: a large 2+2 GT, available as a coupe or convertible
- 7 Series Series: a full-size luxury car, competing with the Mercedes-Benz S-Class
Out of production
- M1: a 1970s mid-engine sports car, designed in conjunction with Lamborghini
- Z3: a compact two-seater roadster.
- M coupé and roadster: high-performance hard-top and soft-top versions of the Z3, very popular with enthusiasts
- 8 Series: a fast, high-technology coupe of the 1990s meant to replace the older 6 Series.
- Z1: a late 1980s two-seater with innovative modular construction; only around 10,000 were made
- Z8: flagship sports car; design based on the classic 507 roadster from the 1950s
Classics BMW made many cars over the years which had a massive impact on the world of motoring.
- Dixi, 3/20, 303, 309, 315, 319, 320, 321, 325, 326, 327, 328, 329, 335
- Isetta, 501, 502, 503, 507, 600, 700
- 3200 CS, 2000 CS
- 2500 - 3.3
- 1500 - 2000
- 2.5 CS - 3.0 CSL
- 1502 - 2002: acknowledged as the first modern sports sedan, the successor to which remains BMW's core product even today - the 3 Series
Series Generations Internally, BMW associates an "e-code" for each generation of a series ("E" stands for Entwicklung, German fordevelopment). These "chassis codes" only change to signify a major redesign of a series, or the introduction of a new series.e12 - 1972 - 1981 5 Seriese21 - 1975 - 1983 3 Seriese23 - 1977 - 1987 7 Seriese24 - 1977 - 1989 6 Seriese26 - 1978 - 1981 M1e28 - 1982 - 1988 5 Seriese30 - 1984 - 1991 3 Seriese31 - 1990 - 1998 8 Seriese32 - 1987 - 1994 7 seriese34 - 1988 - 1995 5 Seriese36 - 1992 - 1998 3 Seriese38 - 1995 - 2002 7 Seriese39 - 1997 - 2004 5 Seriese46 - 1999 - present 3 Seriese52 - 2000 - 2004 Z8e53 - 2000 - present X5e60 - 2004 - present 5 Seriese63 - 2004 - present 6 Seriese66 - 2002 - present 7 seriese70 - 200* - future X5e83 - 2004 - present X3e85 - 2003 - present Z4e87 - 200* - future 1 Seriese90 - 200* - future 3 seriesRelated companies
- Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Limited: currently owned by BMW
- Rover: briefly owned by BMW, which retained the Mini after selling off the rest of the company (see MG Rover Group).
- Land Rover: sold to Ford; the current Range Rover was developed mostly by BMW during their ownership of the company and is powered by their 4.4 litre V8 engine.
- Mini: a small hatchback; inspired by the 1960s Mini, which was the British equivalent of the Beetle.
