Company history

On December, 3 1896rd year in the city of Eisenach Henry Erhardt (Heinrich Ehrhardt) has based factory on manufacture of cars for needs of army and, strangely enough, bicycles. Already the fifth in district. And, probably, Эрхардт and let out there would be dark green mountain bicycles, ambulance cars and mobile soldier's kitchens if did not see, what success accompanied Daimler and Benz with their motorised carriages.

Also the decision to make something automobile, not military and, of course, distinct from that competitors have already made was accepted. But to save time and money, Эрхардт has bought the licence from Frenchmen. Parisian авто was called Дюкавилль.

So there was that is called today BMW. And then this monster was called «моторизированная carriage Wartburg», and it was not the working out. After couple of years, in September, 1898, Вартбург the course has arrived on an automobile exhibition to Düsseldorf and has taken the place in the same row with Daimler, Benz, an Opel and Дюркоппом.

And a year later моторизированная carriage Erhardta has won the basic car racing of that time — Dresden — Berlin and Aachen — Bonn. The gold double has helped Вартбургу to win for all his career twenty two medals, including one for elegant design.

Life Вартбурга has broken in 1903: unreasonable debts, slump in production. Эрхардт collects the shareholders and delivers a speech, which finishes a Latin word dixi («I all have told!»). So the performances, the truth, not so tragical, ancient Roman orators finished.

However the help has come unexpectedly — from one of shareholders Эрхардта. Exchange speculator Jacob Shapiro very much did not wish to leave with so grown fond to it моторизированной a carriage. Шапиро, for that moment, had enough possibilities for the control over English factory in Birmingham, letting out Austin-7 (Austin Seven). This miracle of the British car industry used huge popularity in London and its vicinities. And Шапиро, without thinking twice, but having had time to count all possible benefit, buys from Englishmen the licence for Austin.

Now that has started to descend from the conveyor in Eisenach, has been named Dixi. By last word of mister Erhardta. However, the first lot of the cars and has left in the people with the right wheel. It was first and last case when in continental Europe the passenger sat on the left side. Speculator Shapiro, it is necessary to notice, has not lost.

With 1904 for 1929 the revived factory Erhardta has let out and has sold 15 822 Dixi. However has come to do time own car. All the same did not give rest comprehension of that Birmingham behind the back looms. And in 1927 Henry Erhardta's factory, already component BMW, has started release own Dixi — Dixi 3/15 POSTSCRIPT.

For a year it has been sold more than nine thousand cars. The heap most up, under standards of that time, Dixi cost three thousand two hundred рейхсмарок. But it also was dispersed to seventy five kilometres per hour. Dixi 3/15 POSTSCRIPT — first experience BMW in motor industry. The car has turned out expensive, but fast.


And then Charles Fridrih Rapp has rushed into history BMW (Karl Friedrich Rapp) which dreamt of the sky and aviation motors. Рапп has based the small company and has started to work somewhere on northern suburb of Munich. Its purpose — not cars. Its purpose — airplanes. At it were both desire, and enthusiasm, but, unfortunately, and not supported with good luck.

In 1912 at the first imperial exhibition of aviation achievements Charles Rapp has presented the биплан with девяностосильным the engine. However its plane and could not fly up.

Having regarded failure as time, Рапп has planned to following (in two years) an exhibition another биплан with the engine capacity hundred twenty five "horses". But in 1914 instead of an imperial facade the First World War has begun.

Plus in it for Раппа in general was — war has brought orders for aviation engines. Here only motors Rappa were extremely noisy and suffered strong vibration, and therefore, because of complaints of local residents, the authorities of Prussia and Bavaria have forbidden flights of planes with рапповскими engines over the territory. Affairs send all worse. Even in spite of the fact that enterprise Rappa carried rather loud name.

March, seventh, 1916 its company was registered under a name by "the Bavarian aviation factories» (BFW). And here on a scene there is a new character — Viennese banker Kamillo Kastiloni (Camillo Castiglioni). He redeems share Раппа in the company and, thereby, leads up capitalisation then still BFW to almost one and a half millions marks.

But also it has not rescued Раппа from reputation of the loser and the bankrupt. But has rescued its company. From last forces it could hold on before arrival of one more Austrian — Frantsa-Jozefa Поппа (Franz Josef Popp).

Попп, the retired lieutenant of Austro-Hungarian marines with the higher engineering education, was the expert at the imperial Ministry of Defence and was engaged in that traced all last technical achievements. But for its that moment power-plants 224В12, issued in Munich most of all interested. Here it also has arrived in 1916 that with zero to begin business of the life.

The first, that has made Попп, — took for Max Fritsa's work (Max Friz). Shining as it has then appeared, the engineer has been dismissed from Daimler for the requirement to raise to it the salary to fifty marks a month. Then the old man the Daimler, and, probably here would not be greedy, at BMW there could be absolutely other destiny.

Concerning Фрица Рапп has occupied a hard line. And when former engineer Daimler nevertheless has come to work, Рапп has retired. But even after its leaving the company still had reputation semiruined, not managed anything to reach фирмочки. And Попп decides to rename child Раппа.

On July, 21 1917st year in the Munich registration chamber historical entry is made: «Bavarian aviation factories Rappa» are called henceforth «the Bavarian motor factories» (Bayerische Motoren Werke). BMW has taken place. And basic production «Bavarian motor factories» — still aviation engines.

Before the termination of the First world still year, and the Kaiser while still had hopes at least on a drawn game. Did not leave. Besides, according to the Versailles contract, powers-winners have forbidden manufacture of aviation engines in Germany. However rested Frants-Jozef Попп, несмотря on any interdictions, continues to think out and embody new engines.

On June, 9 1919th year pilot Frants Zeno Dimer (Franz Zeno Diemer), in eighty seven minutes of flight, has scrambled on unprecedented hitherto height — 9760 metres. On it DFW C4 there was engine BMW of the fourth series. But nobody has fixed a height world record. Germany, on all to the same Versailles contract, was not included into number of member countries of the International federation of aeronautics

Banker Kastiloni does not lag behind from Поппа once almost rescued Раппа. In the spring of 1922 he buys for BMW last survived factory of aviation engines. Henceforth «the Bavarian motor factories» have one more direction.

Besides engines for planes, мюнхенцы adjust manufacture of engines absolutely small-displacement — two-cylinder, in volume practically nothing — 494 cubic see And a year later small cursors of have justified — in 1923 at first on Berlin, and then on Parisian the automobile exhibitions, first motorcycle BMW — R-32 — becomes the main sensation. First motorcycle BMW — R-32 has denied a known saying "Better luck next time", becoming sensation of the Berlin and Parisian automobile exhibitions.


In six years BMW it is definitively defined with the further destiny: motorcycles, cars and aviation engines. Two years as the company lets out own Dixi. It completely restyling the model finished Поппом to full satisfaction of German taste.

In same twenty ninth BMW Dixi wins the International Alpine race. Max Bahner (Max Buchner), Albert Kandt (Albert Kandt) and Wilhelm Wagner (Wilhelm Wagner) rushed to a victory with average speed of 42 km/h. So quickly and so long with such speed then any car could not go.

In 1930 BMW gives out the next hit of a season. Попп with companions suddenly decide to return already on thirty four years ago and to name new car Vartburgom.

The shade моторизированной carriages of the last century has found again real outlines, having embodied in DA-3. At lowered windscreen Вартбург it was dispersed almost to 100 km/h. It became the first car BMW which has snipped off a compliment from magazine the Engine und Sports. The citation: «Вартбургом very good driver can possess only. The bad driver is unworthy this car». The name of the author is not known till now, but told by it beats off all hunting to self-criticism.

In 1932 Dixi became history. The licence for manufacture of Austin has ended. About five years ago Попп, probably, well if was not upset would start to search for withdrawal ways... Or an exit.

But for that moment in BMW thought only of the future. And the future is Berlin the motor-show. Here has broken applause BMW 303 — the very first «трёшка». It under a cowl had the smallest ever made six-cylinder engine in volume 1173 cubic Manufacturers see guaranteed speed of 100 km/h. But only in the event that the client can find correct street.

Whether the first test drive 303 has taken place, alas, it is not known. And one more, not less important, than speed. «Three hundred third» for long sixty nine years has defined appearance BMW — bewitching smoothness of lines, yet predatory, but already with a hint appearance and nostrils with a white-blue propeller.

Then there were 326 Cars. It became a hit of thirty sixth and has adequately finished parade of the first «трёшек». With 1936 for 1941 BMW 326 has won almost sixteen thousand hearts. Also it is the best indicator of the company for all its history. BMW 326 cars were made by phenomenal success, in the company with "usual" 326 having dispersed in number of 16000 copies.


In the mid-thirties BMW definitively explains both to competitors, and the buyers: if in the firm name there is a word "motor", it means — the best engine for today. Definitive doubts, and they for certain were, Ernest Henne (Ernst Henne) in 1936 disseminates.

In race on a Nurnburgring among 2-litre cars small white roadster BMW 328 comes the first, having left behind the big cars with compressor engines. Average speed of passage of a circle — 101,5 km/h. Well do not love in Munich турбированные engines. More truly, love, but it is not so active.

In one and a half year all the same Ernest Henne, only already on пятисоткубовом a motorcycle, establishes a new world record. It disperses the two-wheeled monster to 279,5 km/h. All questions act in film at least for fourteen years. BMW 328 bicycles — fast and very beautiful car. Once on a Nurnburgring has left not at affairs cars with compressor engines.


Prior to the beginning of the Second world BMW has tried to participate and in race of limousines. To give up to itself to contend with Opel Admiral or Ford V-8, Maybach SV 38 at last, it was simply impossible. As in small, but such attractive niche, empty seats for the present were.

And on December, 17 1939th year BMW has presented in Berlin new 335 in two variants — a cabriolet and a compartment. Both experts, and public, having estimated created, have blest a limousine for a long life.

Alas, 335 has stretched less year. War has forced BMW to be switched, basically, on manufacture of aviation engines. As the German authorities have forbidden to sell cars to private persons. However мюнхенцы at the very beginning of the Second world nevertheless had time to put an end in dispute for the best engine and the car, to it equipped. BMW 335 stood to win, but the Second World War has solved differently.



«It is not necessary to search for itself for any unusual car. Define simply, that in this life it is necessary to you». An advertising appeal адресовывался that who saw for the first time BMW 635 CSi. Body Е24 has promptly rushed into the automobile world in 1982. After fans of the "sixth" series already had time to take pleasure 628 and 630.

On BMW have realised: the people buying a sports compartment, do it to be engaged in automobile discrimination on roads. 635 have stuffed with the latest technical achievements. For example as electronics allowing by means of a manual box to lower turns of the engine to 1000 about/m. And a year later over 635 sorcerers from BMW Motosport have worked, having finished capacity of the engine to 286 "horses". The mode «in a floor» lead up gas М6 to furiousness, and in thirty seconds «эмка» left in a point of 200 km/h. For ten seconds faster the "five-100-th" Mercedes. But it was not all. It is technically perfect, phenomenally fast, all it — BMW 6 Numbers.


In 1983 there has passed first championship F1 for турбированных болидов. And who would doubt, that the first champion becomes Рено, the first mastered this technology for the first Formula.

In the republic of South Africa, in place Кялами, Alain Prost (Alain Prost) already saw itself the poured champagne. However болид Branham BMW at which steering wheel the Brazilian Nelson Pique (Nelson Piquet) sat, has covered ромбик Рено with a white-blue propeller and nine letters: BMW M.Vlasti.

On peak of capacity the engine of M 12/13 gave out 1280 "horses" at 11 000 rpm. BMW, for the first time in history competitions of motors, became the very first world champions F1 among турбированных болидов. Also that the most insulting for Frenchmen, this victory nobody was surprised.

And this race in 1990 there has begun a Mercedes. Штутгартцы have mass-produced the 190 with шестнадцатиклапанным a cursor in volume of 2,5 litres. Munich did not begin to hesitate with the answer. Therefore, in peak 190, BMW Motosport has rolled out М3 Sports Development. That well-known М3 in body Е30.

Sat down for a wheel «эмки» could choose itself suspension bracket type, depending on road conditions. Sports you Choose, and the car bites into a line. Plus normal comfort and.

To hundred Munich Эво catapulted for 6,3 seconds, and through twenty «эмка» rushed with a speed 200. But that most of all bribed the true fans of speed deprived racing болидов, so it трёхточечные seat belts of red colour. Speak, irritated an opposite buzzer when «эмка» gathered the maximum speed — 248 km/h a little. Possibility of change of type of a suspension bracket, 6,3 seconds to hundred, the speed limited to 248 km/h. Such was in 1990 legendary BMW M3 (E-30).


Three years prior to exit М3 Evo BMW has returned to idea of an own roadster. It named Z1 and have presented to public at the Frankfurt automobile exhibition. This toy of 80 000 marks cost. But long before the beginning of official sales at dealers it has already been placed five thousand orders on Z. And last letter of the Latin alphabet by which the car has been named, means accurately bent wheel axis in Germany. The small luggage carrier was the greatest minus of roadster BMW. The greatest plus — 170 "horses" and 225 km/h in addition. First own roadster of company BMW — BMW Z1. A primogenitor of series Z.


In 1989 BMW has definitively entered on occupied Мерседесомтерриторию cars of a class "lux". 8th series has descended From the conveyor. Under a cowl 850i stood borrowed at 750 двенадцатицилиндровый the engine capacity of 300 "horses" (in 1992 its return have increased to 380).

However the six-step mechanical box has appeared less popular, than "automatic machine". "850th", unlike other high-speed models, did not begin to supply with the electronic terminator of speed on 250 km/h. It also was the maximum speed. Legendary "Shark". A luxury compartment — BMW 8 Numbers.


By this time there has passed almost year as the most well-known "five" till now despite of everything causing respect Е34, travelled about on the most different continents, including Russia. But, knowing insidiousness BMW, from them waited for something from a series «Ух, you!». Also have waited.

At first in April of 1989 has appeared трёхсотпятнадцатисильная М5. And here in 1992 have waited definitively. Has appeared М5 Е34, the "charged" 380 horsepowers. To hundred «эмочка» выстреливала for six and a half seconds. How many it squeezed out as much as possible so anybody and has never learnt. Almost at once there was one more «эмка», in execution tourism. Under a cowl, apparently, a family sedan, 380-strong steel heart disappeared. BMW M5 (E34) it was executed and in a body the versatile person.


And this car the American journalists named «the Car of century». And not to disappoint the admirers, it has undergone the most "insignificant" changes. Its engine capacity in 286 "horses" which it has received in 1992, have dispersed to 321 in 1995.

All it consumed only 12 litres of gasoline on hundred kilometres, being thus dispersed to hundred for five and a half seconds. But М3 in body Е36 for some reason was not considered as the sports car. BMW M3 (E-36) — the car of century, according to the American journalists.


In 1996 has come to update time of "seven". Technically made BMW 740i in body Е38 has replaced "colleague" from Е32. All has changed. Appearance. The relation to the owner. No, friendly a muzzle of new "seven" you will not name. But after all it for passers.