The current BMW lineup is divided into ten categories using both numerical and letter designations. The MSRP rises accordingly with each series number, and the 2 series through the 8 series comprise a variety of coupe and sedan-like vehicles. Odd-numbers are more formal and classically styled, whereas even-numbers include sportier interiors and designs. High-performance, electrified, and SUV options are represented by letter series.
- The smallest and least expensive two-door coupe and convertible is the 2 Series.
- A four-door compact sedan called the 3 Series is also available as a sports wagon (Touring) or a somewhat bigger Gran Turismo.
- Compact two-door coupe the 4 Series is also offered as a convertible and a four-door Gran Coupe.
- A classic midsize four-door sedan with standard gas, plug-in hybrid, and high-performance options is the 5 Series.
- Full-size four-door sedan 7 Series is offered in the M and ALPINA trims, both of which have strong performance.
- The 8 Series is a top-of-the-line full-size contemporary coupe that comes in convertible, four-door Gran Coupe, and M coupe forms.
- Larger SUVs and crossovers from the X1 to the X7 are part of the X Models line, which also offers M models.
- Select BMM series and X models that offer improved performance are known as M models (e.g. the X3 is also available as X3 M)
- BMW’s electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles, known as BMW I Models, are both a distinctive model and hybrid alternatives (like the 530e plug-in hybrid)
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How BMW Naming Schemes Work
Audi, Mercedes-Benz, and BMW all employ an alphanumeric naming scheme. BMW vehicles are available in numbered series from 1 to 8. A bigger automobile equates to larger odd-numbered series. Even-numbered series typically feature variations on the preceding series’ body design. X models are SUVs (note that series names do not use hyphens like Mercedes-Benz classes: 3 Series versus E-Class). Roadsters are Z models. The prefixes sDrive (two-wheel drive) and xDrive (all-wheel drive) can also be added to models; however, not all RWD BMWs are identified with a sDrive badge. Cars beginning with a lowercase I are electric or hybrid models.
The size of the engine is indicated by the second set of numerals in a model name. Previously, they monitored engine displacement. A larger number today just denotes a larger engine. The last letter (for instance, 230i) designates the vehicle’s engine type. For gasoline fuel injection, most automobiles terminate with i. There are also “e” electrified hybrids and “d” diesel vehicles in some markets.
There are “M Cars” that are created by BMW’s M performance division, such as the M5. These stand apart from vehicles such as the M550i xDrive, which frequently have more power and sportier tuning and styling than the basic variants. Alpina is another tuner that creates high-performance BMWs that are made and offered by BMW. They start with the letter B. (i.e. XB7).
If you put it all together, “X6 xDrive50i” succinctly describes the car in BMW lingo, yet telling someone you just bought it can be a mouthful.
Model naming practice for BMW
Have you ever wondered how BMW names its cars or what nomenclature they use? Even if BMW changed the pattern in recent years, it’s still fascinating to look at earlier models and understand why.
BMW automobiles are typically identified by a three-digit number followed by one or two letters. The first number is the series number, and the next two numbers are the cubic centimeters (cc) of the engine divided by 100. With the E39 5 Series vehicle, which was named the 523i despite having a 2.5-liter engine, BMW’s rational model naming policy took a turn.
Different types of engines, body types, and platforms are represented by the letters that come after the numbers.
As I’ve already indicated, new engines with the same displacement but new technologies have naturally changed the name practice. The N54B30, a 3.0-liter twin-turbo engine utilized in the 335i model, and the N53B30, a 3.0-liter straight-six engine, are the most recent ones that come to mind.
BMW Clarifies What Model Numbers Mean Currently
The latest episode of the official BMW podcast explores the evolution of the company’s renowned naming scheme. You should feel (somewhat) less perplexed after reading this.
In the past, reading the model name of a BMW would reveal a lot about it. You were looking at a 3.0-liter gasoline engined 3-series if the badge on the boot said “330i.” The displacement didn’t always equal the last two digits, but generally it worked out that way. We could go on, but the majority of models adhered to the standard or at least didn’t wander too far from it. The E39 540i featured a 4.4-liter engine, the E82 125i utilized a 3.0 liter, and so on.
This approach was employed for many years, as stated in BMW’s most recent podcast, which makes use of portions of the business’ quite lengthy naming guide website page. Prior to World War Two, all automobiles had a 300 number to distinguish them from BMW bikes and airplanes (100s) (200s). Following the war, names were all over the place, but the ‘E12’ 5-series brought order to the chaos in 1972. BMW wanted a new system that would be simple for customers to comprehend regardless of the language they spoke.
The naming convention no longer functions this way, as some shockingly irate keyboard warrior types will loudly inform you. A human being! However, since displacement is no longer the primary method by which BMW delivers its customers greater power, the conventional approach is no longer viable.
The same size engine is currently used by numerous variations of each model, with the power outputs changed by various levels of turbocharging and occasionally by the addition of hybrid technology. We’re sure you’ll agree that having three separate products with the same name as 520d might be a little perplexing.
More recently, battery electric vehicles, which have no engines at all, have added to the complexity of the situation. Similar to what Audi started doing a few years ago, the last two digits of this and the majority of other BMW models now denote various output “tiers.” According to BMW, “45” refers to vehicles with an output of between 300 and 350kW. (402 – 469bhp). That is the total output with electrical aid, which explains why, despite the fact that the 540i and 545e hybrids both have the same internal combustion engine, the 545e hybrid has a higher figure.
The initial “e” did originally stand for the Greek letter “eta,” designating cars that were “optimised for torque and RPM,” according to BMW. These days, plug-in hybrid models employ it. Although “leccy M stuff” receives a simpler naming scheme, e.g. i4 M50, complete EVs like the i4 eDrive40 get a more modern moniker called “eDrive.”
Exclusively the Z and X model lines are designated for two-wheel drive, whereas the moniker xDrive is only applied to all-wheel drive derivatives that are available with and without the technology but are otherwise identical. As always, a badge with a I or “d” at the end denotes gasoline injection or diesel.
For example, a M Division’d 3-series is an M3, but on SUVs, the magic letter is coupled with just one number designating the “series” and appears after the model name. If it’s a M vehicle, you get the standard three-digit number, such as M550i, even though electric vehicles and SUVs only have two, for instance. X3 M40i.
For its models, BMW used a complex alphabetic nomenclature:
Bayerische Motoren Werke, one of the “German Big 3” upscale automakers, is referred to as “BMW.” The English translation is Bavarian Motor Works. For its models, the BMW nomenclature has also adopted intricate Alpha-Numeric combinations. BMW models therefore employ a somewhat different combination than Audi.
For several of its models, BMW Nomenclature use numbers, such as 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 & 8, followed by alphabets, such as I “d,” & “x.” Other times, the BMW nomenclature includes an alphabet, such as “M,” “X,” or “Z,” followed by a model number. So, we made an effort to decode these letters and digits.
The odd numbers (3, 5, and 7) and even numbers (2, 4, 6, and 8) in the BMW Nomenclature are designated for 4-door sedans and 2-door coupes, respectively. The 1-Series is the smallest and least expensive BMW model offered, and is available as a Hatchback or Coupe/Convertible with a 3-door or 5-door option. The 8 series is the largest and most expensive BMW Luxury vehicle, though.
Numbers come after letters, and vice versa.
Some car names in the realm of BMW nomenclature begin with a letter and a number, like the M3. Other names, like the 328i, start with a number and a letter.
These cars have a variety of body shapes, and if the name of the car begins with a letter, it usually begins with one of these: “M,” “X,” “Z,” or “i.”
M refers to the BMW Motorsport division, just like the M3 that was just discussed. Crossover/SUV body types are represented by the letter X. According to their size, the X Series cars are likewise numbered from one to seven, with the midsize X6 being a sports activity coupe. Z stands for two-seaters in the roadster form that have rear-wheel drive. Electric or hybrid vehicles, such as the five-door hatchback i3, are identified by the lowercase i.
There is one more, more mysterious letter prefix: “B,” which stands for Alpina, a business that produces and markets high-performance BMWs. This prefix denotes modified variants of several Beemer series on automobiles.
The names of BMW passenger automobiles begin with a number that denotes a series. The series go from 1 to 8, with the 1 Series being the smallest and most affordable vehicle and the 8 Series being the biggest and most expensive. Originally, four-door sedans were designated by odd-numbered series, like 3, 5, and 7. Two-door coupes and other similar vehicles were meant to be covered by even-numbered series names like 2, 4, 6, and 8.
But in more recent years, BMW expanded the body variants of the odd-number series, throwing a monkey wrench into its moniker. For instance, BMW increased the 3 Series’ door count from four to five, adding a three-door hatchback, a five-door liftback, a five-door station wagon, and two convertible doors. As a result, identifying a car’s body style within a series may not always be possible using the series numbering method.
What does BMW’s series mean?
According to specialist Petra Marz, “the first number of the three-digit combination of a BMW stands for the category or model series.” The figures consistently show what at.
What sets the various BMW Series apart from one another?
- BMW E30 M3 (1986–1991) The BMW M3 that started it all, the E30 was the first M3 produced and is regarded as the best ever by many auto aficionados, including ourselves.
- BMW i8 (2014-2020) (2014-2020)
- 4 Series BMW (2014-present)
- 3 Series BMW (1975-present)
- BMW X1 (2009-present) (2009-present)
- BMW Z3 (1998-2003) (1998-2003)
How do I determine which BMW series it is?
By assuming that the system fails when the first component fails and that all subsequent components will either succeed or fail independently, the series model is used to progress from individual components to the overall system. The Series Model is used to construct systems from sub-assemblies and components.
Which BMW series is the best?
BMW groups its vehicles into “series” based on the body type. Because they alter their model names and numbers based on engine size and choices, BMW must do this. For instance, there are Sedans, Coupes, Convertibles, Gran Turismo, Touring, and ActiveHybrid models available for the 3 Series alone.
The fastest BMW Series is which?
- BMW 318i. The BMW 318i was sometimes referred to as the E46 before 2002.
- BMW E90 328.
- BMW F40.
- BMW 528i.
- BMW i3.
- BMW X3.
- BMW 750i
Is the BMW 5 Series a high-end vehicle?
BMW Series and Models 2 Series – A more compact two-door vehicle that comes in coupe and convertible body styles. Compact four-door vehicle with the 3 Series available as a sedan, sports wagon, or Gran Turismo. 4 Series – A small coupe-style vehicle with two or four doors, or both, depending on the configuration.