What do they call my car an “E” something when it’s a 325i, 535i, etc..?

  When you hear you car being referred to as an E classification, what they are referring to is the body style of a particular car. For instance, BMW has produced a 3 Series model from 1976 to 2003. Naturally, the body style changes over time, so to avoid confusion; they refer to the 1976-83 3 Series as an E21, the 1984-91 cars as E30, 1992-99 cars as E36, and the present models as the E46. Keep in mind that certain early cars do not have an E number. Here’s a break down of the “E” numbers as well as the early designations

114      1602 – 2002tii
118      1500, 1600-4, 1800, 1800tii   
120      2000C/CS/CA
121      2000, 2000ti, 2000tilux
E3        2500 – 3.3Li
E6        1600, 1800, 2000 touring
E9        2500CS – 3.0 CSi
E12      5 Series cars from 1974 to 1981
E21      3 Series cars from 1976 to 1983
E23      7 Series cars from 1977 to 1986
E24      6 Series cars from 1976 to 1989
E26      M1
E28      5 Series cars from 1981 to 1987
E30      3 Series cars from 1984 to 1991
E31      8 Series cars from 1989 to 1997
E32      7 Series cars from 1986 to 1994
E34      5 Series cars from 1988 to 1995
E36      3 Series cars from 1992 to 1999
E36/5   318ti
E36/7   Z3 Roadster
E38      7 Series cars from 1994 to 2001
E39      5 Series cars from 1995 to 2001
E46      3 Series cars from 1999 to 2003
E52      Z8 Roadster
E53      X5 SAV
E65      7 Series cars from 2002 (short wheelbase)
E66      7 Series cars from 2002 (long wheelbase)
E85      Z4 Roadster

What do these letters on the back of my car mean?

  Traditionally BMW has used a series of letters to denote differences between models. For instance “is” would mean injected sports. Here’s a breakdown of the letters and what they mean. Keep in mind that various BMW’s used combinations of these letters. However, these letters are the most common.

i     Fuel Injected
is    Fuel Injected – Sports. Sports package, with better suspension, sway bars, etc..
ic    Fuel Injected – Cabriolet, Convertible models
e    ETA model. Built by BMW as efficiency-minded cars during the 1980’s
es   ETA – Sports, ETA model with sports package.
Ci   Fuel Injected – Coupe. This designation is used on most modern BMW’s
Csi  Fuel Injected – Sports Coupe.
iT    Fuel Injected – Touring.  BMW’s station wagon.
iX   Fuel Injected – All Wheel Drive.
Ti    Fuel Injected – Touring Compact.  
Tii   Fuel Injected – Touring International. Used only on early cars.   
M    Motorsports.  M3, M5 for example, BMW’s hot rod.
L     Luxury.  Basically a normal car fitted with full leather and all options, i.e. L6, L7

What is the difference between a 525i and a 535i? A 325i and a 328is?

  With the exception of the early cars, 1600, 1800, 2002 etc., BMW has usually used a three digit numbering system to identify models. The first number refers to the Series, for instance 328is would be a 3 Series, while a 740iL would be a seven series. The last two numbers are typically the engine displacement of a particular model, So, a 328is Would mean a 3 Series, Fuel Injected 2.8 liter engine with the sports package. The 740iL would refer to a 7 Series, Fuel Injected 4.0 liter engine with a luxury package. Keep in mind that the last two numbers do not always mean actual engine displacement.

What are they talking about when they say my 325i has an M20?

  Usually BMW uses an M or S designation to identify their engines. In most cases several different engines would be used in a particular series, such as a 2.8, 3.5, and 4.0 all being available in the 5 Series. Here is a breakdown of the various designations and engines. For each engine listed, there is usually a displacement code. For instance, an M20B27 would be an M20 engine with a 2.7L displacement.

These are old engine codes that are no longer used.

 M41      4 Cylinder 1.6L DIDTA carburetor
 M42      4 Cylinder 1.8L DIDTA carburetor
 M49      6 Cylinder 3.4L 24-valve Motorsport twin-cam
 M60      6 Cylinder 2.0L and 2.3L carburetor or fuel injection
 M68      6 Cylinder 2.5L and 2.8L carburetor
 M69      6 Cylinder 3.2L fuel injection
 M86      6 Cylinder 2.8L fuel injection (L-Jetronic)
 M90      6 Cylinder 3.5L
 M92      4 Cylinder 1.8L fuel injection (K-Jetronic)
 M99      4 Cylinder 1.8L 2B4 carburetor
 M102    6 Cylinder 3.2L turbocharged

These are the current engine codes used.

 M10       4 Cylinder 1.8L or 2.0L single overhead cam, timing chain.
 M20       6 Cylinder 2.0, 2.3, 2.5 or 2.7L single overhead cam, timing belt.
 M21       6 Cylinder 2.4L Diesel single overhead cam, timing belt.
 M30       6 Cylinder 2.8, 3.0, 3.2, or 3.4L single overhead cam, timing chain.
 M40       4 Cylinder, DOHC
 M41       4 Cylinder Diesel
 M42       4 Cylinder 1.8L DOHC
 M44       4 Cylinder 1.9L DOHC
 M50       6 Cylinder 2.0, 2.3, or 2.5L DOHC
 M50TU   6 Cylinder 2.0, 2.3, or 2.5L DOHC, VANOS variable intake
 M51       6 Cylinder Diesel
 M52       6 Cylinder 2.0, 2.3, 2.5, or 2.8L DOHC, VANOS variable intake
 M52TU   6 Cylinder 2.5 and 3.0L DOHC, VANOS variable intake and exhaust
 M54       6 Cylinder 2.5 and 3.0L DOHC, VANOS variable intake and exhaust
 M56       6 Cylinder 2.5L DOHC, Dual VANOS, SULEV (low emissions)
 M60       8 Cylinder 3.0 or 4.0L
 M62       8 Cylinder 3.5 or 4.4L
 M70      12 Cylinder 5.0L
 M73      12 Cylinder 5.4L
 M88       6 Cylinder 3.5L, 24 valve Motorsport engine (only in the BMW M1)
 M88/3    same as above, but for all other vehicles
 S14        4 Cylinder 2.3L DOHC Motorsport engine (only in the E30 M3)
 S38        6 Cylinder 3.6 or 3.8L DOHC Motorsport engine
 S50        6 Cylinder 3.0 or 3.2L DOHC, Dual VANOS Motorsport engine (Non-US M3)
 S50US    6 Cylinder 3.0 or 3.2L DOHC, Single VANOS Motorsport engine (US M3)
 S52        6 Cylinder 3.2L DOHC, Dual VANOS Motorsport engine
 S54        6 Cylinder 3.2L DOHC, Dual VANOS Motorsport engine
 S62        8 Cylinder 5.0L quad cam, quad VANOS Motorsport engine
 S70       12 Cylinder 5.6L Motorsport engine

  I hope this article has been helpful in determining the differences between the various BMW models.

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