There are a lot of car brands on the market these days, but few have the longevity or prestige of BMW. With a rich history that stretches back to the early 20th century, BMW has become one of the top-selling automakers in the world. At VAR Automotive we love driving BMWs as much as our expertly trained mechanics love servicing them. Let’s have a look at the origins of BMW, why they are such a prestigious and sought after brand of luxury vehicle, some of the most popular models and how to take care of your BMW including BMW servicing in Sydney.

Company Origins

BMW’s origins can be traced back to 1916, making it over 100 years old with interesting origins  of facing tough trials and tribulations. Originally the company started as an aircraft engine manufacturer and was known as Bayerische Flugzeug-Werk. In July 1917, the company was renamed Bayerische Motoren Werke (BMW) and began producing motorcycles in 1920 before beginning producing automobiles in 1928.

During the second world war and post-war years, the company’s focus shifted to supporting the war effort and was sent to the verge of bankruptcy after struggling to compete with the smaller and less expensive options provided by Volkswagen. Thankfully, in 1959, German entrepreneur Herbert Quandt gained independent control of BMW, by purchasing 50% equity in the company. He soon developed and released the BMW 700 which was instrumental in pushing the company into profitability.  

Throughout the 1960s, BMW continued to lean into the luxury and sports-oriented car market by adding coupe and luxury sedan models into their range. The BMW 5 Series mid-size sedan range was introduced in 1972, followed by the BMW 3 Series compact sedans in 1975, the BMW 6 Series luxury coupes in 1976, the BMW 7 Series large luxury sedans in 1978, and also releasing their first official M-badged car at the Paris Motorshow in the same year.

BMW Today 

Today, the BMW Group, consists of four brands, BMW, MINI, Rolls-Royce and BMW Motorrad (BMW’s Motorcycle brand), and is the world’s leading premium manufacturer of automobiles and motorcycles with a strong focus on innovation and sustainability throughout the production process.

Currently, with 31 facilities across 15 countries as well as an international sales network that extends into more than 140 nations worldwide, the BMW Group is a global leader in innovation while also seeking out new ways to be sustainable without sacrificing quality or prestige. This quest for innovation and sustainability has led to improvements to continuously reduce fuel consumption while simultaneously increasing emissions standards through the use of ecologically friendly technologies such as renewable energy sources or recycled materials during manufacturing processes.

Popular Models

BMW offers a wide range of vehicles, from sedans and convertibles to SUVs, sports cars and motorcycles. Some of their most popular models include the BMW 3 Series, the BMW M Series, and the BMW X Series.

BMW 3 Series

The BMW 3 Series has been a favourite for its versatility with models that range from the classic sedan to wagons marketed as Touring, Coupé or Cabrio – it’s no wonder this car strikes an appropriate balance between agility, functionality and safety features while still being popular with all age groups.

BMW M Series

The M-family is an iconic series that has long been associated with high performance and exclusivity. The current model range includes the following: BMW M1, M2, M3, M4, M5, M6, M8 and a few other variants.

BMW X Series

The BMW X Series is the ultimate SUV line-up. With sporty and distinctive designs, these SUVs will be sure to stand out and are manufactured with the driver in mind. The impressive driving performance that comes with the premium feature set ensures they’re more than just an ordinary addition for those who love taking land journeys in style. The current model range includes X1, X2, X3, X4, X5, X6 and X7.

BMW Servicing Sydney

Owning ‘The Ultimate Driving Machine’ means that you need to take good care of your pride and joy so that it can take good care of you on the road. Although BMW is known for its reliability, it is so important to get a BMW service from a reputable BMW trained and authorised mechanic who only uses genuine parts. By ensuring your BMW is regularly serviced, your pride and joy will continue to perform the way it was designed to and will be a pleasure to drive.

A BMW service typically involves; an oil service, brake pads and disc checks and other procedures, clutch service, suspension and steering check, battery check and replacement, wiper blade replacement, air conditioning service and repairs, electrical service, diagnosis and vehicle scans as required by the manufacturer logbook and servicing schedule specific to your model.

How do I know when I need to book a BMW Service?

BMW recommends a basic BMW service once a year or every 15,000 kilometres (whichever comes first), with servicing recommended more often if your vehicle is often driven under strenuous conditions.

At VAR Automotive, our BMW service includes all models across the BMW range. Not only do we offer a comprehensive BMW service, but we also specialise in BMW repairs and BMW smash repairs.

Bring your BMW into VAR Automotive today for a BMW Service in Sydney with European level standards and excellence. We use only BMW approved parts and oils in our BMW services to ensure your vehicle is performing at its best and ensure your warranty is protected.