What do the BMW chassis codes mean? Most likely, you’ve seen it on our website in application instructions or diagrams from RealOEM or BimmerCat.
When certain replacement parts are only made for a particular chassis or body type, the BMW chassis code, also known as the BMW manufacturer code or BMW model code, can tell you a lot about your individual BMW. There are some model years that might occasionally overlap. For instance, in 1999, both the E36 and E46 3 series were available on the market at the same time. On these kinds of splits, knowing your specific chassis code is crucial when selecting new components.
Historically, the first letter of the BMW chassis codes has always been “E,” which stands for the German word for development, Entwicklung. These were referred to for a while as “BMW E Codes.” BMW gradually replaced “E codes” with codes that begin with “F,” and they are currently using “G.”
With the final seven digits of the VIN, you can quickly find your chassis code on RealOEM if you don’t know it. You’ll receive the essential details here, including the chassis code, engine, manufacturing code, and manufacture date. We suggest using bimmercat for further car details because it will provide you with more details, installed factory equipment, and practical parts diagrams. When choosing parts that fit automobiles with certain option codes, this is a particularly helpful tool.
The BMW chassis code charts included here cover every model that was sold in the US from 1965 until the present day.
In This Article...
What does “chassis” in a BMW mean?
Each automaker gives their models a unique internal code to identify them. These are referred to as BMW’s “chassis codes” and “engine codes.” These coding schemes prevent confusion and keep planning and development structured. BMW chassis and bodywork are identified by their E, F, G, or U codes, whilst BMW engines are identified by their M, N, B, S, P, or W codes.
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 (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.
Which BMWs are N54 equipped?
The N54 engine eventually served many BMW models throughout its ten-year lifespan, beginning with the E9X series and ending with the 2016 BMW E89 Z4.
The complete list of BMW and Alpina models using the N54 engine is provided below:
- BMW E90/E91/E92/E93 335i, 2006–2010
- BMW E60/E61 535i, 2007–2010
- BMW E82/E88 135i, 2007–2010
- 2010-present Alpina B3
- BMW E71 X6 xDrive35i, 2008–2010
- 2008-2012 BMW F01 740i
- BMW E89 Z4 sDrive35i, 2009–2016
- BMW E92/E93 335is, 2010–2013
- Alpina B3 S, 2010–2013
- BMW E82 1-series M-Coupe, 2011–2012
- BMW E89 Z4 sDrive35is, 2011–2016
- Alpina B3 GT3 2012–2013
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).
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.
Describe BMW F90.
A development of the S63 from the previous generation, the engine. The new M5 has the same amount of power as the special edition “Competition Package” and “30 Jahre M5” vehicles of the previous generation, at 441 kW (600 PS; 591 hp), but more torque, at 750 Nm (553 lbft, or 70 Nm (52 lbft) than the previous M5.
The gearbox is an automated ZF 8HP eight-speed transmission. Compared to the dual-clutch transmission used in the previous generation, the torque converter automatic transmission used by the F90 is the first M5 model. According to BMW, this transmission was chosen for its durability and the fact that shift times are not noticeably slower than those of a dual-clutch transmission.
Where can I locate my chassis code?
The driver’s side door of your car frequently has the chassis number printed on it. The number will be written on a metal strip that is located on the B-pillar of the vehicle. When the driver’s side door is opened, this is visible.
BMW switched from N54 to N55 at what point?
It’s crucial to take into account the variations between the N54 and N55 powered BMWs before making a decision on a turbocharged 135i, 335i, or 535i. The BMW 335i was the first vehicle to use the N54, which originally went into production in 2006; the N54 was then debuted in 2008 alongside the 135i and 535i. BMW’s N55 engine started being produced in 2009, and it began to phase out the N54 in 2010. However, the dual turbo N54 was still used in the majority of applications created in 2010. In 2011, the N55 formally superseded the N54 (with the exception of the 1M and Z4 35i). Although there are numerous similarities between the engines, this piece will focus on their main distinctions.
A chassis code: what is it?
While the model year is the most popular way to refer to a car in the United States, the chassis code is used more frequently in other countries, particularly Japan. A automobile will be referred to as an EK9 Civic Type R or even just an EK9 in a Japanese magazine instead of a 1999 Civic Type R. The manufacturer provides the chassis code for each automobile, and by using it, you may learn a lot of information about the vehicle, such as its body style and engine size. Typically, the VIN number of the vehicle contains the chassis code. It can be much simpler to identify a car once one is familiar with chassis codes. It seems simpler to state “I want to buy an S14” than “I want to buy a “1994-1998 Silvia,” don’t you think?
We’ll now go through some of the chassis codes that are used more frequently. Although virtually every automobile ever produced has some sort of chassis code, for the time being we are only going to concentrate on performance vehicles or modified versions of standard vehicles. With the exception of BMW, I will be concentrating only on models sold in the Japan market for the time being, however we intend to add more in the future. Depending on the nation where the car was sold, there can also be some overlap in the model years.
Most frequently known as “Hakosuka,” the C10- 1967–1972 Skyline (KPGC10– GT–R Coupe) (PGC10– GT–R Sedan) is a Skyline model.
C110- Skyline, 1973–1977 (GT-R-KPGC110) Most frequently called “Kenmeri” or “Ken & Mary.”
AE86- Corolla/Levin/Trueno 4AGE-powered, 1983–1987 (SR5 model in the USA also uses AE86 chassis code)
Soarer, Lexus SC300, and Z30 from 1991 to 2000 (JZZ30 is most commonly tuned version)
What does a car’s body code mean?
A automobile body number is typically represented by a specific number of characters (numeric and alphabetic). The combination includes details on the car company. The details of the car, such as the manufacturer, model, type, etc., affect the length of the code. It can therefore have nine to twelve characters. A car body number is applied to specific regions of the engine compartment hood or is put on a plate when it comes to the “location” of the data. It may even be found in a unique window or under the front seats in some vehicles.
You must correctly decode the body number in addition to finding it. The combination should be decrypted as follows:
- the first four to six characters are the brand and body type of the car;
- the serial number’s information is contained in the next five to eight characters.
Special tables are utilized to ensure a more precise decoding of the data present in the beginning characters.
Many individuals mistake the VIN code for the car body number because they resemble each other. On the basis of this, it should be kept in mind that if a car has a 17-digit code, all of its data is contained within the VIN code. Since the VIN already contains all necessary information concerning the body number, no further numbers can be associated with the vehicle.
Have I got N54 or N55?
I own a 2011 135i with a pre-09/10 build date. Is it as straightforward as anything 2011+ is n55, or is there a quick way to determine whether I have n54 or n55?
In reality, BMW began producing the N55 in September 2009. They produced some alongside the N54 but not many. Thus, choosing an engine only based on build date is not guaranteed.
For these production months, BMW began producing “some” N55s in addition to the regular N54 output:
The best approach to determine whether an automobile is a N55 is probably to see if it has a DCT. It is a N54 if it has a car. If it’s a 6MT, you’ll need to examine the engine. See the images shown above to identify the different engines.
In addition, to respond to the OP’s initial query regarding his Sept. 2010 construction date, I can confirm that your engine is a N55.
What does M5 stand for in the phrase?
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.
Are M5 unique?
Similar to M5s that came before and after it, the BMW (E60) M5 sedan made headlines for the same reasons, but it did it in a very different way. As usual, there was a ton of power and performance available, along with a superbly balanced chassis. This time, a brand-new 5.0-liter V10 engine that could reach over 8 000 rpm was the source of the grunt. The engine was controversially paired with BMW’s 7-speed SMG transmission.
Of course, Europeans adore their station wagons, therefore BMW created and produced a Touring model with a Karl John Elmitt design. What’s not to appreciate about a roomy, high-performing, comfy Bavarian cruiser?
We located a car collector in Johannesburg who is deeply in love with automobiles, particularly BMWs. He joined us at a table and related his experience with owning this incredibly unique M vehicle.