If you want to know, you have to dig into its history.
It's harder to understand if you base your judgment only in the 2000's (although they had some great models during that time especially the Z line - z8, z3 (coupe), z4 (coupe) - and a few others but nothing really game-changing. Now if you dig deeper before that, they were absolute beasts and always ahead, a car designed for car people. They are getting back on track after a few low years.
Then there is the community aspect: Gatherings, rallies, forums and so on. It creates a dynamic for any brand and a vibrant world around bimmers which participates into creating that type of popularity.
If you want to know, you have to dig into its history.
It's harder to understand if you base your judgment only in the 2000's (although they had some great models during that time especially the Z line - z8, z3 (coupe), z4 (coupe) - and a few others but nothing really game-changing. Now if you dig deeper before that, they were absolute beasts and always ahead, a car designed for car people. They are getting back on track after a few low years.
Then there is the community aspect: Gatherings, rallies, forums and so on. It creates a dynamic for any brand and a vibrant world around bimmers which participates into creating that type of popularity.