The numbers always show which end of the size range the car falls on: the higher the number, the bigger the car. The ultra-sporty models, like coupes, are usually assigned even numbers.
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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.
The initial number or letter’s definition
For sedans, BMW utilizes the odd numbers 3, 5, and 7, and for coupes or other comparable vehicles, it employs the even numbers 2, 4, 6, and 8. The 1 series is BMW’s smallest and most affordable vehicle. For SUV-shaped and four-wheel drive cars, BMW uses the letter X as the model name. The X1 to X6 are the five SUVs that BMW offers. The X1 and X3 are small SUVs, and the X4 is a small entry-level vehicle. The X5 and X6 are larger SUVs.
BMW’s letter “Z” stands for “Coupe / Roadster.” The Z3/Z4 are two-seat coupe performance automobiles. Numbers preceded by a little letter “i” stand for “Innovation,” which refers to electric and hybrid vehicle types. The i3 is a compact hatchback electric vehicle. The i8 is a sporty coupe plug-in hybrid vehicle.
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 the acronym BMW 328i mean?
Balqy Firman Syah, one. Look at the second and third numbers in any BMW’s name to find out how big the engine is. The “25” in the BMW 325 indicates that the vehicle has a 2.5-liter engine, whereas the “28” in the BMW 328 indicates that the vehicle has a 2.8-liter engine.
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 does M stand for in the BMW M3?
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. Jan. 26, 2021 The primary distinction is that the sDrive is rear-wheel drive while the xDrive is all-wheel drive.
What does E46 on a BMW mean?
The E46 3 Series was the successor to the E36 3 Series, whose manufacturing terminated in 2000, and is the fourth generation of the BMW 3 Series line of small executive automobiles. It was manufactured by the German automaker BMW from 1997 to 2006. The E46 was first made available in sedan, coupe, convertible, station wagon, and hatchback body styles in November 1997. The 3 Series Compact has been the name given to the latter.
The 2-door coupe version of the M3 performance variant debuted in June 2000, while the convertible version debuted in April 2001. The BMW S54 straight-six engine powers the M3, which has a 6-speed manual or 6-speed SMG-II automated manual transmission as an option.
After the E90 3 Series sedans were released in late 2004, the E46 lineup began to be phased out. The E46 coupe and convertible body types, however, were still manufactured up until August 2006.
What distinguishes a BMW 318 from a 320?
Which BMW Model Is Better? The BMW boasts a 2.0-liter inline four-cylinder engine that produces 136 horsepower. The 320i is roomier and has more leg and arm room, while the 318i has a larger, more practical trunk.
What distinguishes the BMW 328i and 330i?
The 330i’s engine note is noticeably better than the 328i’s. At lower rpms, it sounds more like a six-cylinder engine. On the 330i, the transmission and engine seem to be more harmoniously mated in Comfort mode. Strangely, the 330i’s Sport mode didn’t seem to alter the driving dynamics as much as it did the 328i.
What distinguishes the BMW 316 from the 318?
If you mean the diesel vehicles, they all basically have the same 2.0-liter turbodiesel engine, only tuned differently. Thus, a 316d will have 110 horsepower, a 318d will have 140 horsepower, and a 320d will have 190 horsepower.
What distinguishes the BMW 320 from the 325?
The 320i (156hp) and 325i (218hp) have a 62hp difference in power. That power loss amounts to 30%. Smaller wheels and other equipment variations will also be present. I realize it’s personal, but the inline 6-cylinder engine, which is only offered in 323+ versions, is what I believe distinguishes the 3 Series.
Which BMW series is the best?
1. 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. It created history at the time, and automotive enthusiasts still talk about it now.
What makes a BMW a Beamer?
What makes a BMW a “bimmer”? The US is where the term “bimmer” for BMW vehicles first appeared. It was formed from the terms “beemer” or “beamer,” which were originally used to refer to BMW motorbikes in the UK in the 1960s and later became widely used worldwide.
What does I in the 330i stand for?
On gasoline-powered car models, “i” refers for fuel-injected, and “d” stands for diesel. “L” denotes Long Wheelbase (such as the 740iL), “x” denotes x-drive or all-wheel drive (such as the 330ix), “C” denotes Coup (or convertible), and “ti” denotes Touring International (hatchback)Jun 27, 2016
How many miles is a BMW expected to last?
But how many miles do BMW cars typically last? With good care, almost any BMW has the ability to last up to 200,000 or even 250,000 miles, and there will always be outliers that last even longer.
What exactly does E36 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.