BMW is best known for being a manufacturer of high-performance, high-quality vehicles, but is it a luxury brand?
It’s a subjective argument as to whether BMW is a luxury car brand or not. The higher-end models they offer sell brand new for over one $100,000 and boast extravagant specifications. However, they do have a range of cheaper, less impressive cars that aren’t luxurious. With that in mind, you could say that the higher-end expensive models are considered luxury, and the cheaper models are generally not.
Read on to learn more about BMW, and the type of vehicles it manufactures.
Centurion
In 2016, BMW celebrated one hundred years of business, having been established in 1916. They started life as an aircraft manufacturer, before transitioning through several changes.
When 1922 came around, BMW was well and truly established, focusing on motor vehicles. However, the first vehicle they turned their attention to wasn’t a car, but a motorcycle.
They revealed their first creation – the R32 – at a German Motor Show, to a great reception. It would pave the way for the development of their first car, in 1928.
By the 1930s, they’d settled on some iconic design choices, such as their instantly-recognizable grill. They began making leaps and strides in engineering, both with on-road and on-track vehicles.
The German-bred organization saw great success around Europe, both before, during, and after World War II. Their motorsports engineering saw them through to an early victory at Le Mans, in France, in 1939.
Throughout the Second World War, BMW essentially served under the German leader, Adolf Hitler. They manufactured airplanes and motorcycles exclusively for the Third Reich.
Regrettably, they employed the use of slave labor to accomplish their mission. It’s something they expressed “profound regret” for many years later.
It wouldn’t be until 1951 that Germany constructed its first ‘post-war’ car. The 501 was released, serving as a capable, spacious, and high-quality vehicle.
However, it was during the late nineties and after the millennium that BMW began manufacturing truly impressive vehicles.
New Year, New BMW
Almost every vehicle present on MoneyInc’s list of the most expensive BMWs ever was made after 2005. While BMW was a quality car brand before that, it was here that they started to really push the envelope.
Every car brought to the market was sleek, and mean-looking. They became known as a staple for the wealthier people, but they weren’t unobtainable for those without a huge salary.
This is where the debate occurs: is BMW considered a luxury brand? It depends entirely on the scale, and where you’re looking.
At the lower end would be their compact models, such as the BMW 1 Series. First introduced in 2004, the 1 Series served as a true entry-level vehicle into the BMW franchise.
It was petite, low-spec, and best of all, affordable. While it still maintained the classic BMW imaging, it was much less powerful and imposing.
Following close behind was the 2 Series. This was remarkably similar to the 1 Series, but was built in a saloon-style, and not a hatchback.
In 2020, you could buy a 2 Series brand new for less than thirty-seven thousand dollars.
At the opposite end of that scale were vehicles like the i8, the M8, and the X5 M. The most expensive – and luxurious – was the i8, coming in brand new at almost one-hundred and fifty thousand dollars.
The i8 was a truly special innovation from BMW. It looked as though it had been plucked from the future, and boasted an incredible specification.
Surprisingly, this supercar was built not with an enormous fuel engine but was a plug-in hybrid. The interior of the vehicle was deeply sumptuous and next-generation.
Quite simply, it exuded an air of wealthiness.
Special Edition
The most expensive and potentially ludicrous BMWs have almost all been one-off editions, or special, limited runs.
One great example is the BMW CSL Hommage Concept. This incredibly powerful car was built as a project, rather than a production vehicle.
It was valued at one and a half million dollars.
However, one vehicle that BMW built to production with incredible spec was the X6 G-Power S. This powerhouse of a vehicle was reportedly one of the most powerful vehicles in the world when it launched.
If you’d like to buy one today, it will cost you almost one million dollars.
Whilst it’s not impossible to sample when BMW has to offer, you’ll likely be saving for a while to afford one of their special runs. In the meantime, try looking out for a good deal on the lower-spec models to get involved.