When it comes to car model, OEM options, and possible retrofits, BimmerTech is regularly questioned. Our customers are undoubtedly aware of the BMWs they own, but occasionally they require a bit extra assistance understanding its characteristics. Additionally, we frequently give them advice on available car enhancements. To obtain this information, the VIN must first be decoded. The 17-digit VIN, which stands for “Vehicle Identification Number,” can be found on the dash or door jamb of your BMW. Knowing your VIN is crucial if you want to learn everything there is to know about the OEM components in your car and the high-tech enhancements BimmerTech has to offer.
We’ve incorporated a skilled VIN checker for our clients so they can learn more about their cars. Get all the details on your BMW’s series, model, head unit, engine, power, transmission, color (in case you and your wife see it differently ;)), manufacture date, upholstery, and steering system right away by clicking the banner below. Last but not least, you can find out about any OEM hardware and software that your BMW has, which is important for conceivable future updates.
Find out where the VIN number is located in your car and how to decode it.
In This Article...
a simple starting point tutorial that is quick and straightforward…
Although your vehicle’s model number is prominently badged on the back of your BMW, internal classifications into E/F and G model codes also exist. The body style, model, and approximate age can typically be determined by specialists or dealers using this three-digit combination.
You can find the model code for your BMW E, F, or G using this short list. The car will always be referred to on our website (in any article or explanation) using the main body code (indicated in bold).
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. (Note that the names of the series don’t use hyphens like Mercedes-Benz classes: 3 Series versus E-Class.) SUVs are X models. 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.
How is a BMW M Series made?
BMW M GmbH, originally BMW Motorsport GmbH, is a division of BMW AG and a producer of supercars.
The original purpose of BMW M, which stands for “motorsport,” was to support the company’s racing program, which was tremendously successful in the 1960s and 1970s. As time went on, BMW M started to add specially modified higher trim models to the lineup of BMW vehicles, for which they are today best known to the general public. To distinguish them from their rivals, these M-badged automobiles typically feature upgraded external trim, aerodynamics, interior trim, transmissions, and suspensions. At BMW’s exclusive testing and tuning facilities at the German racing circuit of Nurburgring, all M vehicles are scrutinized.
In addition, BMW M offers M packages for the BMW S1000RR motorbike. The M1000RR is a homologation-only, limited-production race-style vehicle.
Is my BMW a F or E?
Eand F Numbers for BMW The German word Entwicklung, which means development, is represented by the letter E in the E-number. New cars are given E numbers at the manufacturer when they are still in the development stage before their official sales name has been assigned. E numbers became F numbers as they reached the triple digits.
How does BMW E work?
Although you may have heard a lot of “e” words at your local BMW Service Center, along with potentially some “f” and “s” words, phrases like “e36,” “e60,” and “e28” have specific meanings to BMW mechanics and aficionados. For instance, an e46 is referred to as a 2003 330i. Depending on the look and year of your BMW, these “e” designations are used to define BMW Body style design. Entwicklung, the German term for development or evolution when you link the ‘e’, is abbreviated as “E.”
If you don’t understand any of these terms, the following list should assist you identify the code name for your BMW.
Which BMW is the smallest?
The majority of shoppers find it difficult to decide when they reach their destination. Let us therefore guide you in the correct direction by outlining some of the things you ought to look for.
Colors: Another benefit of buying a Bimmer is the opportunity to select from a variety of distinctive exterior shades rather than a deluge of white and grey. Pick vivid outside window coverings.
Dimensions – All of these are on the little side of things, and the majority are coupes or SUVs. Since it is the smallest of the bunch, the i3 is not recommended for families. Traditional sedans are not offered either. Choose the variant with the size that best fits you personally.
Pricing – Regardless of specification, it is undeniable that these cars are expensive to purchase. If you’re on a tight budget, it’s advisable to stay with normal trims because performance variants are the most expensive.
The BMW G series is what?
The BMW G20 (sedan version) and BMW G21 (wagon variant, branded as “Touring”) compact executive automobiles are part of the BMW 3 Series range’s seventh generation. The G20/G21, also referred to as the G20, has been in operation since mid-October 2018 and will undergo a renovation in July 2022.
The 330e plug-in hybrid vehicle is expected to go on sale in 2020, with the M340i, one of the first models in the lineup, going on sale in the spring of 2019. For the G20 generation, the 3 Series Gran Turismo fastback body type was dropped.
BMW has started manufacturing the G20 generation in Mexico for a number of international markets, including the US, in place of the Rosslyn factory in South Africa where the F30 generation vehicles were put together.
What does BMW’s M stand for?
The word “Motorsport” refers to the BMW M Series, which was initially developed to support BMW’s racing program. Over time, the BMW M program started to add customized vehicle models to its roster, which are now accessible to the general public.
What does 40i in a BMW mean?
The 6-cylinder versions are represented by the 40i series. The sDrive is rear-wheel drive, whereas the xDrive is all-wheel drive, and this is the key distinction. Jan 26, 2021
What does my BMW model number mean?
How do you crack the model names in the BMW code? The three-digit combination’s first digit denotes the series (in ascending order based on size: 1, 2, 3, etc.). The next two digits used to represent the engine size, but now they represent performance.
What distinguishes a BMW M sport?
It’s a terrific way to make your BMW look awesome without having to pay the expensive initial investment and ongoing operating expenses of BMW’s M models, which are inspired by motorsport. For heycar’s guide to M Sport, continue reading. Therefore, this is place to look if you want a new BMW 3 Series with a hint of an M3.
What distinguishes a BMW as a M sport?
The VIN number is arguably the simplest way to recognize a BMW M Series. Given that all you have to do is look at the first three letters, this method is the quickest and most effective. The WBS prefix is used in the VIN numbers of all BMW M vehicles. The VIN numbers of all other BMW automobiles start with WBA.
How is BMW numbered?
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.
What does BMW’s f number mean?
E and F numbers for BMW The German word Entwicklung, which means development, is represented by the letter E in the E-number. New cars are given E numbers at the manufacturer when they are still in the development stage before their official sales name has been assigned. E numbers became F numbers as they reached the triple digits.
What does the BMW Premium Package include?
The Premium Package offers comfort in addition to some extra heating components, navigational help, and other features. The package can be adjusted so that it contains the features you want. This package includes heated front seats as standard equipment.
What does F 10 in a BMW stand for?
The BMW F10 (sedan version), BMW F11 (wagon version, marketed as Touring), and BMW F07 (fastback version, marketed as Gran Turismo) are the executive cars that make up the sixth generation of the BMW 5 Series. They were manufactured by BMW from January 2010 (for the 2011 model year) to 2017, with the F10 being introduced to the domestic market on March 20, 2010, and the F11 in the summer of 2010. The F07 Gran Turismo was constructed from early September 2009 to 2017, and it was released in late October 2009 on the domestic German market.
The 5 Series Gran Turismo is the first and only fastback-bodied 5 Series model ever made. Additionally, the F10 generation of the 5 Series is the first to offer a hybrid drivetrain, a turbocharged V8 engine, an 8-speed automatic transmission, a dual-clutch transmission (in the M5), active rear-wheel steering (known as “Integral Active Steering”), electric power steering, a double-wishbone front suspension, an LCD instrument cluster (known as “Black Panel Display”), and automatic parking (called “Parking Assistant”). In China, Mexico, and the Middle East, a long-wheelbase sedan with the model number F18 was offered for sale.
The BMW S63 twin-turbocharged V8 engine and a 7-speed dual clutch transmission power the 2011-released M5 variant. It uses a turbocharged engine for the first time in an M5.
The G30 5 Series was introduced in February 2017 to replace the F10.
Which BMW X3 trim levels are available?
The X3 sDrive30i, X3 xDrive30i, X3 xDrive30e, and X3 M40i are the four trim levels available for the 2021 BMW X3. Each trim level comes with an own collection of outstanding features.
What distinguishes the BMW Normal BMW from the M Sport BMW?
The wheels, suspension, and brakes on M Sport variants are larger than those on regular BMW models. Wider tires provide better traction, the suspension lessens how much the automobile leans into turns, and the brakes let the vehicle stop more quickly. When you add everything up, M Sport vehicles are more enjoyable to drive. And that says a lot considering that even non-M Sport models are more enjoyable to drive than the majority of competitors.
The trade-off is that M Sport models typically aren’t as comfortable because you can feel road imperfections more readily due to their lower suspension and low-profile tyres. However, keep in mind that if you’re considering a used M Sport model, it can come with optional adaptive or air suspension that makes the ride feel almost luxuriously smooth.
Because M Sport vehicles are offered with the exact same engines as any other BMW, they do not accelerate any more swiftly than other models. Not that a single BMW is even close to being slow.