BMW Car Club - Scotland
BMW Model designations
Since the early 1970’s, BMW's have been named according
to their model range, engine size, and other characteristics (e.g. 325iX).
The first digit refers to the model range (3 = 3 Series), the following
two digits refer to engine displacement (25 = 2.5 litres), and the letters
refer to a distinguishing feature, body style, or characteristic of the
car or engine. (i = fuel injection, X = all-wheel drive)
Note that the engine displacement numbers weren't always
an exact match, but were
sometimes adjusted, probably to keep the car's identity consistent with
similar models; for example, the E30 325e actually had a 2.7 litre engine.
Exceptions to standard model designations involve models originating from BMW M or Motorsport. Models produced by this division had an 'M' prefix followed by the original model range on which the car is based (M3, M5, M6, M535i, M635CSi).
However, before standardizing on the current 3, 5, 6, 7, and 8-series
designations, BMW primarily used engine displacement to name their cars.
Examples include 1600 (1.6 litre), 2002 (2.0 litre), 2800 (2.8 litre)
and so on. BMW used a variety of numbers and letters over the years, but
not always consistently in their application except in the use of the
model
range as the first number. Some letters are included on the data plate
and registration, but may be missing from the badge on the trunk lid,
such a “A” (automatic) and “C” convertible).
Over the years, some letters have been used for differing designations; for example, "c" could denote coupe or convertible, and "i" could mean injection or international. Following is a partial list of letter designations with some examples:
Suffix
A = automatic (2002A, 525iA)
C = convertible (325iC)
c = coupe
CS = coupe sport (3.0CS, 630CS)
e = eta (economy) engine in North America (325e, 528e)
i = injection (740i, 635CSi, 318i); or international (2002ti)
L = long-wheelbase (740iL, 3.0L); or light (3.0CSL)
lux = luxury (2000tilux)
s/S = sport (3.0s, 325es); also denotes coupe body in North America (325is)
t/T = touring; touring could mean hatchback (318ti), wagon (525iT), or
sport versions of early models (2002tii)
td = turbodiesel (524td)
tds = intercooled turbodiesel (524tds)
X = all-wheel drive (325iX) Prefix
L = luxury (L6)
M = Motorsport (M1, M3, M5, M6, M635)
Z = models developed by BMW Technik (Z13); roadsters (Z1, Z3)
X = All-wheel drive sport activity vehicle (X5)
Models :
These are internal designations BMW used to denote specific
models or model ranges. They were never intended to be used by the general
public
or as model marketing designations. Enthusiasts use the E designations
because it is more descriptive and instantly identifies model years and
ranges of the same series' for example, E30, E436, E46, and next year,
E90, are all 3 Series. To just say "325" doesn't narrow the
field much, but to say E36 325 and knowledgeable enthusiasts instantly
know what specific model it is.
Number/ Year Variant (Euro) Model Body Style
114 1967-74 1502/1602/1802/2002 2d sedan
115 1962-64 1500 4d sedan
116 1600 4d sedan
118 1963-? 1800/1800Ti/1800TiSA 4d sedan
120 1966-? 2000/2000Ti/ 4d sedan
2000TiLUX/2000Tii
121 1965-69 2000C/2000CS 2d coupe
E3 2500 - 3.3Li 4d sedan
E6 1600/1800/ 2d coupe/3d hatch
2000/2000/Tii touring
E9 2.5CS - 3.0CSL 2d coupe
E10 2002ti/2002tii 2d coupe
E12 1973-81 5-series 4d sedan
E20 1973-74 2002 turbo 2d coupe
E21 1976-82 3-series 2d coupe
E23 1978-86 7-series 4d sedan
E24 1976-89 6-series 2d coupe
E26 1979-80 M1 2d mid-engine coupe
E28 1982-88 5-series 4d sedan
E30 1983-91 3-series 2d coupe/4d sedan/conv E30/5 1987-91 3-series 'Touring'
5d wagon
E30/16 1987-91 3-series iX 2d coupe/4d sedan (4WD)
E31 1990- 8-series 2d coupe
E32 1987-94 7-series 4d sedan
E34 1989-95 5-series 4d sedan/5d wagon
E36 1992- 1998 3-series 4d sedan
E36/2 1992- 3-series see-above 2d coupe/convertible
E36/5 1994- 3-series 'Compact' 3d hatch
E36/6 1994- 3-series 'Touring' 5d wagon
E36/7 1995- Z3 2d roadster - U.S. made
E38 1995- 2001 7-series 4d sedan
E39 1996- 2003 5-series 4d sedan
E46 1998 - 2005 3 series
E60 2003 Current 5 series
E63 2004 Current 6 series Coupe and cabriolet
E65 2001 Current 7 series
E85 2003 - Z4 Roadster
E87 2004 - Current 1 series
E90 2005 - Current 3 series
Engines :
Number/ Year Variant Displacement Valvetrain/Cylinders
Body Range
M10 1.8 SOHC-8v/L4 E21
M12/6 2.0 DOHC-16v/L4 Formula 2
M12/7 2.0 DOHC-16v/L4 F2/320i Group 5
M12/9 2.0 DOHC-16v/L4 Turbo 320i Group 5
M13 1.5 DOHC-16v/L4 Turbo Formula 1
M20/B27 2.7 SOHC-8v/L6 ETA E28/E30/E34
M20/B25 2.5 SOHC-8v/L6 E28(?)/E30/E34
M21 2.4 SOHC-8v/L6 Diesel E28/E30/E34/E36
M30 3.0/3.2/3.3/3.5 SOHC-8v/L6 E23/E24/E28/E32
M40 1.6/1.8 SOHC-8v/L4 E30/E36
M42 1.8 DOHC-16v/L4 E30/E34/E36
M43 1.8 SOHC-8v/L4 E36
M50 2.0/2.5 DOHC-24v/L6 E34/E36
M50TU 2.0/2.5 DOHC-24v/L6 w/VANOS E34/E36
M52 2.0/2.3/2.8 DOHC-24v/L6 w/VANOS E36/E39 (Aluminum block)
M52 2.0/2.5/2.8 DOHC-24v/L6 w/VANOS E36/E39 (Aluminum block)
M60 (old) 2.0/2.3 SOHC-12v/L6 E12/E21
M60 3.0/4.0 DOHC-48v/V8
E31/E32/E34/E38
M70 5.0/5.4/5.6 SOHC-24v/V12 E31/E32/E38
M88 3.5 DOHC-24v/L6 E26-M1
M88/1 3.5 DOHC-24v/L6 Group 4 (470hp)
M88/2 3.5 DOHC-24v/L6 Group 4 (850hp)
M88/3 3.5 DOHC-24v/L6 E24-early M6
M102 3.2/3.5 SOHC-12v/L6 Turbo E23-745i Turbo
S14 2.3/2.5 DOHC-16v/L4 E30-M3
S38 3.5 DOHC-24v/L6 E28-M5/E24-M6
S50 3.0 DOHC-24v/L6 (VANOS) E36-M3
S50US 3.0 DOHC-24v/L6 (VANOS) E36-M3 U.S. vers.
S70/2 6.1 DOHC-48v/V12 (VANOS) McLaren F1
S80 3.6/3.8 DOHC-24v/L6 E34-M5
Engines developed by BMW Motorsport are prefixed with an
'S' (i.e. -S14/B23).
Mxx/Byy (xx=engine family; yy=displacement)
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