Ah, BMW. Standing for Bavarian Motor Works, BMW celebrates their 100th year of history. Releasing some of the most popular production cars in European history, BMW have combined luxury and premium German engineering with accessibility that have allowed it to thrive in almost every economic market. Nowadays, with accessibility in the used market and raving reviews on almost all their new models, cars like the 3 series, 5 series and X series are more popular than ever before. With an ever increasing demand for BMW spares, Spares Box is happy to offer parts for a huge range of Beamers, from the M3 to the X5 and beyond.

Rocky Beginnings 

BMW’s venture into carmaking was a product of the post-World War I treaty that essentially halted almost all German industrial activity, including their original function in aircraft engine production. As the treaty was gradually lifted over the 20s, BMW gradually moved into automobile production, and in 1928 released their first Austin-based production car (known to some as the Dixi, but also seen as the first 3 series). Steady growth continued throughout the 30s, but the circumstances of the Second World War saw their Automotive department fade into the background as they were ordered to focus on aircraft engines for the German military. 

BMW as a car maker very nearly didn’t survive the years that followed World War II, and following the release of a line of vehicles hopelessly unsuitable for the German market at the time, BMW was on the rocks. By the time they focused on the production of a four seat family car to suit the upturning German economy in the late 50s, they had neither the funds or the capacity to compete with more successful and simple vehicles like the Volkswagen Beetle.  

It was the late decision of its shareholders that saved BMW. Focusing on a strategy similar to it’s fellow aircraft manufacturers after the war, they focused on producing compact cars aimed at a mass European market, as well as buying the rights to produce cars from other European brands. Throughout the early 60s, BMW expanded its range to the 700 and 1500/1600/1800 models, slowly earning themselves a reputation as a manufacturer of high quality sports touring cars.

The “New Six” series of sedans followed, catering to the larger, more affluent family and leading to a growth in their prestige worldwide. These vehicles would eventually evolve into the 3 series, 5 series and 7 series lines we know and admire today.

An Explosion of Success

With these series seeing huge success worldwide throughout the 80s, BMW’s turnover grew by 1800% between the years 1970 and 1993, with their production of cars quadrupling and their motorcycle production tripling in the same timeframe. BMW’s M section also flourished during this period as one of the world’s leading motorsport and sport car companies.  

BMW’s acquisition of Rover in 1994, while proving disastrous for the most part, also gave them rights to the Mini, Land Rover and MG brands, which brought them relative success. Of these 3, BMW still retains the rights to Mini, which has seen a boom in sales since the release of the new generation Cooper in the early 2000s. In another shrewd move, BMW also acquired the rights to the Rolls-Royce name, revitalising the luxury brand with the release of the Phantom and the Ghost to great acclaim. 

The late 90s and early 2000s saw BMW’s suite of cars expand across a multitude of markets. The Z3 and Z4 roadsters saw varying success in the drop-top market, while the 1 series also gained good sales as a high end compact vehicle. Their X3 and X5 ranges also made ripples in the high-end SUV line, proving the first real competitors to Land Rover and inspiring a wealth of other luxury European brands to follow suit. BMW is now crafting a spot as one of the most innovative brands in world car manufacturing, seeing incredible success with it’s i3 and i8 electric vehicles.

Our Range 

With the incredible sales BMW has seen in the past few decades, the parts market for BMW vehicles is one of the most competitive in the world. As such, Spares Box is delighted to carry parts and spares for a huge range of BMW vehicles, from the ever present 3 series, 5 series and 7 series, to their X range of SUVs, their entire M sport division and even the Z series roadsters. Spares Box is also growing it’s range for BMW’s latest series of coupes, including the 2 series and the 4 series.