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.
In This Article...
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.
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.
What are the various BMW series?
BMW Models and Series Smaller two-door variant, the 2 Series 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.
Which BMW series is the best?
1. BMW E30 M3 The very first BMW M3 produced, the E30, is regarded by many auto aficionados (including us) as the best M3 ever. It was the BMW M3 that started it all. It created history at the time, and automotive enthusiasts still talk about it now.
A BMW 3 Series is what?
The German company BMW has been producing the 3 Series brand of small executive automobiles since May 1975. It has been built in seven distinct generations and is the replacement for the 02 Series.
Initially only available as a 2-door saloon, the 3 Series now comes in 4-door saloon, 2-door convertible, 2-door coupe, 5-door estate, 5-door liftback (“Gran Turismo”), and 3-door hatchback body styles. Since 2013, the 4 Series has been used to sell the coupe and convertible vehicles, therefore these body types are no longer part of the 3 Series lineup.
BMW’s best-selling model, the 3 Series, has won numerous honors throughout its history and represents about 30% of the brand’s yearly total sales (excluding motorcycles).
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.
What does the 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. The next two digits used to represent the engine size, but now they represent performance.
How can I locate my BMW’s model number?
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 E36: What Does It Mean?
The German carmaker BMW produced the third generation of the 3 Series line of small executive vehicles from 1990 to 2000. It is identified by the model designation E36. The four-door sedan body style was used for the first models, then in subsequent years, the coupe, convertible, wagon (“Touring”), hatchback (“Compact”), and the uncommon four-door convertible Baur TC4 were added.
The first 3 Series to be made available in a hatchback body configuration was the E36. It was also the first 3 Series to be offered with a four-cylinder diesel engine, a five-speed automatic transmission, and a six-speed manual transmission (in the 1996 M3). Comparing the current generation of the 3 Series to earlier models, the multi-link rear suspension was also a considerable improvement. The E36 did not have all-wheel drive, in contrast to the preceding (E30) and following (E46) models.
Every year the E36 was on the market, it was included in Car & Driver magazine’s 10Best list.
The powerful BMW S50 or BMW S52 straight-six engine powers the fast E36 M3. 1992 saw the release of the E36 M3, which came in coupe, sedan, and convertible body types.
Since it was the first time BMW coupled the incredibly amazing 6 cylinder BMW ‘M’ engine with one of the finest all-around chassis modifications, the first series of the BMW E36 M3 is now regarded as one of the company’s greatest accomplishments during the early development of the M3. The E36 M3 offers one of the best drivable platforms for road and track use of any reasonably priced mass-produced five-seater sedan or coupe created in the preceding century, significantly surpassing the earlier E30, which was proposed as a touring car with four cylinder (but very sophisticated).
The E36 started to be phased out and was eventually replaced in 1999 after the launch of its successor, the E46 3 Series, in 1998.
BMW E90: What Does It Mean?
We’ll give you a quick crash course in the E90-gen 3er before we get into the intricacies so you can catch up before you invest any money. Beginning in 2006 and lasting until 2012, the E90-generation BMW 3 Series received a mid-cycle refresh (LCI) in 2009.
Although it is referred to as the E90-generation, that chassis code actually has a few different iterations. Standard designations for vehicles include “E90” for sedans, “E91” for five-door wagons, “E92” for two-door coupes, and “E93” for two-door convertibles. The same is true for M3 cars, as this generation of BMW has no M-specific chassis codes.
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
Why does the BMW M logo exist?
The M stands for “Motorsport,” the name given to BMW’s line of high-performance automobiles. You can anticipate having the best handling automobile with strong performance to back it up when you purchase a BMW M vehicle. On these models, the M logo with the three stripes is frequently present:
- BMW M2
- BMW M3
- BMW M4
- BMW M5
- BMW M6
- BMW M8
A few models are available with the BMW M emblem if you are a die-hard BMW M enthusiast but don’t need the quickest or firmest BMW available. These BMW M series cars will have M features sporadically placed throughout with the ideal balance of performance and luxury.
- BMW 1M
- BMW M235i
- BMW M240i
- BMW M340i
- BMW M440i
- BMW M550i
- X3 M40i BMW
- BMW X3 M
- BMW X5 M
- X7 M50i BMW
These cars typically have updated wheels with a sportier appearance and aerodynamic details like a rear spoiler. Additionally, the interior is decorated with the BMW M emblem, and the steering wheel has been modified to the M sport steering wheel with paddle shifters for a sportier feel.
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.
What does F30 on a BMW mean?
Let’s begin with the fundamentals. BMW’s naming practices can be a little perplexing with so many titles that seem similar, such as BMW 3 Series, BMW 320i, and BMW F30. F30 is the one you’re probably least likely to hear out of the three. Instead of using the term “F30,” people typically refer to their vehicles as BMW 325i or 335i.
When you break something down, you can see how it functions. The BMW 3 Series is a line of small executive vehicles that sits below the larger 5 Series. Since it began to be produced in 1975, the 3 Series has undergone numerous iterations.
BMW’s internal model code for the sixth-generation 3 Series sedan, which was built between 2011 and 2019, is F30. With this model code, it can be distinguished from 3 Series cars from earlier BMW generations, such as the E90, E46, and E36.
What do A and M in a BMW mean?
If a mode is lit up, it should automatically cut off any external air after detecting any contaminants. If lighted, M mode turns off all exterior air and operates in full recirculation mode until a sensor allegedly detects moisture that could result in fogging and restarts A mode. Oct 10, 2020
What distinguishes the BMW E90 from the E92?
Later in this article, we’ll return to this subject. Prior to getting into the details of the 2007–2013 328i’s specifications, it’s critical to establish some fundamentals. The E90 and E92 belong to the same 3-series generation. E90 stands for the sedan, and E92 for the coupe. Since they both have the same BMW N52 engine, the engine specifications will not change.
The E90 and E92 designations, however, indicate that the cars actually rest on separate chassis. Specifications like the 328i’s weight, length, ground clearance, etc. differ between the coupe and sedan versions. As a result, we’ll try our best to detail the precise specifications for the E90 and E92 328i. Despite having various chassis, they are really rather similar.
*Where information is applicable to both the E90 and E92, we’ll refer to it in this article as the E9x. Since both 328i models employ the exact same engine, for instance, under the following heading.