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.
In This Article...
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.
Typically, a car’s name will begin with one of these letters: “M,” “X,” “Z,” or “i.” These vehicles come in a range of body designs.
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.
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.
The meaning of the BMW model numbers
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 does a BMW 340i mean?
BMW modified some of their cars’ badging in 2016. The majority of 28i models started wearing 30i badges, while 35i models switched to 40i. The new BMW B58 engine was introduced at the same time as these modifications. Simply put, the BMW 340i is the 335i’s updated model. Both vehicles are aimed towards a comparable customer base and have similar performance out of the box. However, there are a lot of distinctions when you get down to the details. In this post, we examine performance, handling, tuning, and dependability between the 335i and 340i.
What do the letters on BMW automobiles mean?
A: BMW, or Bavarian Motor Works in English, stands for Bayerische Motoren Werke. If your knowledge of geography is lacking, Bavaria is a southern German state where BMW first began producing aviation engines in 1917. BMW, Mini, and Rolls-Royce currently make up the BMW group, which has its corporate headquarters in Munich, the capital of Bavaria.
If Bavarian Motor Works is too formal for you, the German automaker’s high-end models are more commonly referred to as Bimmer. The business also considers itself to be “the ultimate driving machine,” at least in accordance with its long-running American advertising campaign.
From the official bio of the business: “Since 1975, BMW of North America, LLC has operated in the US. In 2003, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars NA, LLC started selling cars. The BMW Group has expanded its operations in the United States to include marketing, sales, and financial service companies for the BMW brand of motor vehicles, including motorcycles, the MINI brand, and the Rolls-Royce brand of motor cars; Designworks, a strategic design consultancy with headquarters in California; technology offices in Silicon Valley, Chicago, and various other operations across the nation. All X5 and X3 Sports Activity Vehicles, as well as the X6 and X4 Sports Activity Coupes, are produced at BMW Production Co., LLC in South Carolina. This facility is a component of the BMW Group’s global manufacturing network. The 344 BMW passenger car and BMW Sports Activity Vehicle centers, 153 BMW motorcycle retailers, 127 MINI passenger car dealers, and 36 Rolls-Royce Motor Car dealers are the networks through which the BMW Group sales organization is represented in the United States. The North American sales headquarters for the BMW Group is situated in Woodcliff Lake, New Jersey, under the name BMW (US) Holding Corp.”
What does the M in BMW 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 E90 on a BMW 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 BMW model is the fastest?
The BMW M5 Competition variant, which accelerates from 0 to 60 mph in 3.1 seconds, is now the company’s quickest production vehicle. Even some of the quickest cars under $100,000 are available from BMW, in a variety of styles ranging from coupes to SUV Sport Activity Vehicles(r).
What does the D in BMW stand for?
You might have seen the designations 530i, 540i, or M550i on a 5 series sedan. The performance of the engine increases with the size of the last two digits in the number. A 540i, for example, will have greater power than a 530i. Originally, this number was directly related to the engine’s litre capacity; however, it is now used to denote overall power.
The fuel type is indicated by the letter at the end of each vehicle’s name. Gas models are identified by a “i,” diesel vehicles by a “d,” and plug-in hybrids by a “e.” BMW’s electric I Models feature a “i” before the digits in the car name, which is confusing. Therefore, a BMW 330i is gas-powered whereas a BMW i4 from 2022 is electric.
What does S in BMW stand for?
Do they both encompass the other? Does the transmission hold the gears for a longer period of time while sport mode is engaged (rocker) or are they completely independent? Just attempting to determine what effect each one has on the car individually.
The “sport button” makes the throttle more sensitive and the shifts feel more forceful and swifter. Most likely, it shifts sooner. As a result of the throttle’s increased sensitivity, gears are held in place slightly longer. The automobile shouldn’t hold gears for an extended period of time unless you can somehow compensate for your throttle input with the enhanced sensitivity.
The longer it shifts in S mode (pushing the lever to the left), the more throttle input is applied.
In M mode, you can shift whenever you like, but once the redline is reached, it will shift automatically.
Although it could be a placebo effect, stacking the button with M or S has an impact. Additionally, only M mode + Sport button + DTC mode can activate launch control. Having said that, it appears to be very different from my experience.
EDIT: Because the Z4 (e89) has Sport+, Sport, and Comfort buttons in addition to S/M on the shifter, I am aware that the functions are comparable. Other than offering additional choices, I’m not sure how that system is better or worse.
Sport + DS have a stacking effect on my x3. M appears to slow down the transmission’s shifting My X3 does not have a DTC mode. It will exit Sport mode when that button is pressed.
Thank you for your responses. I now only have M/S (tilt the shifter) on my E70, but my forthcoming F15 will also have the rocker selection. I’m used to the way M/S performs and handles, but I’ve been informed that switching to Sport mode will also tighten the F15’s incredibly light steering in addition to turning off features like auto start/stop ignition. Since I didn’t purchase the M Sport package or the DHP, I do not have Sport+. I am aware that Sport + disables DTC and that regular Sport does not truly provide launch control.
When the 335is is in S/M mode, pressing the “sport” button radically changes how the car feels. Shifts and throttle response are swift, and I nearly always drive in M. But when you press the sport button, even in high ratios and when not accelerating quickly, there is a physical thrust/feel/speed when shifting gears. Additionally, throttle response is much quicker.
Just as in M cars and Mercedes vehicles, I wish the suspension could be switched between performance and non-sport modes. Although I appreciate how the 335is’ suspension differs from that of the M-sport 335i models, I wish it could have switched between sport and non-sport modes.
I recently purchased a 2014 335i xDrive, and there is one area that has left me a little perplexed as to what exactly is changing in the various modes as opposed to choosing S mode. I’m starting to get the image, so thanks for the explanations.
When you take into account the fact that Sport mode in iDrive can be customized, this discussion becomes more complicated.
Sport mode is set to Chassis Only in my vehicle. As a result, the steering weight and Sport shock mapping (DHP) are combined with Comfort transmission and throttle behavior. I can switch the shifter to S/M or up to Sport+ to get Sport transmission behavior.