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.
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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.
What are the BMW E numbers?
BMW E and F Numbers The German term 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 BMW’s E stand for?
Every BMW has, in the past, had an E project number, which stands for Entwicklung. Following a gradual increase to triple digits, F numbers seized control, and now BMW is utilizing G names for its upcoming products.
Describe the BMW E90.
Learn how James Paick won the CSF Bimmer Challenge while driving his E92 BMW M3, and how he developed a passion for racing.
The fifth generation of the BMW 3 Series, often known as the E90 or E9X, was built from 2004 until 2013. BMW E90 (sedan), BMW E91 (wagon, or Touring), BMW E92 (coupe), and BMW E93 are among the chassis codes that are featured. BMW 325i, 325xi, 328i, 330i, 330xi, 335i, 335xi, 335is, 335d, and M3 are among the models.
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What makes you think your BMW is an E?
- Series 3. 1976-1983 – e21. 1992-1999 – e36; 1984-1991 – e30 (also included 1992 convertibles in this group).
- Five Series 1974-1981 – e12. 1982-1988 – e28.
- Six Series 1976-1989 – e24. E63(coupe), E64 from 2004 to the present
- Series 7. 1977-1986 – e23. 1986-1994 – e32
There are how many different BMW models?
The current BMW lineup is divided into ten categories using both numerical and letter designations. The MSRP rises accordingly with each series number, and the 2 series through the 8 series comprise a variety of coupe and sedan-like vehicles. Odd-numbers are more formal and classically styled, whereas even-numbers include sportier interiors and designs. High-performance, electrified, and SUV options are represented by letter series.
- The smallest and least expensive two-door coupe and convertible is the 2 Series.
- A four-door compact sedan called the 3 Series is also available as a sports wagon (Touring) or a somewhat bigger Gran Turismo.
- Compact two-door coupe the 4 Series is also offered as a convertible and a four-door Gran Coupe.
- A classic midsize four-door sedan with standard gas, plug-in hybrid, and high-performance options is the 5 Series.
- Full-size four-door sedan 7 Series is offered in the M and ALPINA trims, both of which have strong performance.
- The 8 Series is a top-of-the-line full-size contemporary coupe that comes in convertible, four-door Gran Coupe, and M coupe forms.
- Larger SUVs and crossovers from the X1 to the X7 are part of the X Models line, which also offers M models.
- Select BMM series and X models that offer improved performance are known as M models.
- BMW’s electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles, known as BMW I Models, are both a distinctive model and hybrid alternatives.
A E46 is what?
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.
The German automaker BMW produced this version of the 3 Series (F30/F31/F34/F80) from 2012 and 2019. It is a front-engined vehicle that may be purchased as a hatchback, saloon, or estate and has either rear-wheel drive or all-wheel drive. From a 114 BHP 2L Inline 4 Turbo diesel engine to a 454 BHP 3L Inline 6 Bi-Turbo petrol engine, there are many different power levels available. Both the front and back suspensions are MacPherson struts.
Describe an F30 BMW.
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.
Describe F32 BMW.
The compact executive automobiles BMW F32 (coupe version), BMW F33 (convertible version), and BMW F36 (five-door liftback variant, marketed as “Gran Coupe”) make up the first generation of the BMW 4 Series. From 2014 until 2020, the F32/F33/F36, which is frequently referred to as the F32, were produced.
The E92/E93 coupe/convertible versions of the fifth-generation 3 Series lineup were replaced by the F32. The F32 is produced alongside the F30 3 Series and has several features in common with it. The F32/F33/F36 are powered by turbocharged petrol and diesel engines with 3 cylinders (petrol only), 4 cylinders, and 6 cylinders, just like the F30 3 Series line.
Early in 2014, the F82/F83 M4 versions with strong performance were released. They are propelled by an S55 straight-six turbocharged engine.
Describe the BMW F10.
The sixth generation of the BMW 5 Series, which was produced for model years 2010 to 2017, is represented by the BMW F10/F11/F07/F18. The range’s body types include a 5-door fastback, 5-door estate/wagon, and a 4-door sedan/saloon (F10).
What does F90 on a BMW mean?
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.
Are E90 and E92 engines identical?
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.
What do E and F on an automobile stand for?
The letter “E” on the gasoline gauge panel may be the symbol that is most frequently misunderstood of all. The letter “E” is placed next to the letter “F.” Both letters stand for gasoline level, and either a manual or computerized panel can be used. But what do they really mean? Most people know that the letter “F” stands for “Full,” denoting a tank full of fuel.
Why does 325e exist?
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The model range, engine size, and other details determine how BMWs are named. The first digit denotes the model line-up (3 = 3-series), the next two denote the engine’s displacement (25 = 2.5 liters), and the letters denote a distinctive feature, body design, or engine characteristic. (X = four-wheel drive, I = fuel injection)
Notably, BMW typically used engine displacement to name their automobiles prior to standardizing on the present 3,5,6,7,8-series designations in the middle of the 1970s. The 2002 is the most noteworthy case in point.
Over the years, BMW has employed a variety of numbers and letters, although they haven’t always been applied consistently, with the exception of using the model range as the first number. As a result, there are several instances where the model name may not precisely describe the features of the vehicle. Additionally, the suffixes “A” for automatic and “C” for convertible may be added to the model name; these, however, are not badges, with the exception of a few earlier automatic vehicles. Some of the letters used are somewhat explained in the list that follows.
A = automatic, C = convertible, CS = coupe sport, I = injection, international, e = ETA (high mpg, high torque, low RPM) engine, L = long wheelbase, luxury, M = Motorsport, s = sport, also used to denote coupe body in NA markets, t = touring, which can refer to hatchback, wagon, or sport versions of early models, td = turbodiesel, tds = intercooled turbodiesel, X
Models from BMW Motorsport, the company’s racing division, are an exception to the usual model designations. The original model range on which the car is based is followed by a “M” prefix for models produced by this division.