Question about BMW....

[Sting]

Can someone clear something up for me that just confuses me outright.

BMW model numbers... now I know all about 318's, M5's, X3, Z4, etc etc etc.... but what i don't understand, for example in the case of the 3 series over the years is the E number, like E36, E46. Whats the story behind these numbers, and how does one know which model is an E(whatever number it is.)??

My father has a BMW 3 series, UK W Reg but I have no clue what E it is?

Any insight would be helpful.

 

[Ghost C]

The E numbers are the chassis codes. I don't know all the years, but I will tell you that the last gen 3 was E46, before that was E36, and before that was E30. All cars have a chassis code, it's part of the VIN number.

Chassis codes are not very useful and most people who use them do so only because they think it makes them better than people who don't.

 

[TheCracker]

The E36 etc numbers are used by BMW internally to distinguish between different versions of the same model name. BMW have been using '3-series' for a few decades now, the name 320i has been used by plenty of very different cars, the manufacturers and service centres need to be able to identify the correct version of a 320i so they have 320i (E30) or 320i (E36) etc. There will be people within BMW that are already working on the 'E56' 3-series and beyond - they need a specific designation to seperate it from all other 3-series developments.

Porsche are another company that commonly use different designations for various revisions of the 911 - 964, 993, 996 & 997 are the most recent 4. All companies use them.

 

[Sting]

Cheers guys, that clears things up much better now. Appreciate the knowledge.

 

[///M-Spec]

Chassis codes are not very useful and most people who use them do so only because they think it makes them better than people who don't.

First off, the chassis code is NOT in a BMW VIN. The VIN uses a model code that has nothing to do with the "E-code".

                                        WBA AA13 1 - L A E57862
Mfg. Code                                  ^  ^   ^ ^ ^ ^   ^
 WBA -- BMW-AG, Munich                     |  |   | | | |   |
 WBS -- BMW Motorsport Gmbh, Munich  ------+  |   | | | |   |
                                              |   | | | |   |
                                              |   | | | |   |
Vehicle Description Section                   |   | | | |   |
 Model Code                  -----------------+   | | | |   |
                                                  | | | |   |
                                                  | | | |   |
Restraint System                                  | | | |   |
 0--Manual Seat Belts                             | | | |   |
 1--Manual Seat Belts with Supplemental-----------+ | | |   |
       Restrant System                              | | |   |
 2--Manual Seat Belts w/ Dual SRS Airbags           | | |   |
                                                    | | |   |
Check Digit  ---------------------------------------+ | |   |
                                                      | |   |
Model Year                                            | |   |
 A--1980  D--1983  G--1986  K--1989                   | |   |
 B--1981  E--1984  H--1987  L--1990                   | |   |
 C--1982  F--1985  J--1988  M--1991  -----------------+ |   |
 N--1992  O--European Model                             |   |
 P--1993  R--1994  S--1995                              |   |
                                                        |   |
Plant of Manufacture                                    |   |
 A--Munich                                              |   |
 B,D--Dinofing       -----------------------------------+   |
 E,F--Regensburg                                            |
                                                            |
Serial Number (6 Digits) -----------------------------------+

(Courtesy UnofficialBMW.com)

BMW chassis codes are regularly used in the BMW aftermarket and even when ordering parts from the dealer. If you want to buy pretty much anything for a BMW, be it wheels or an intake or shift knob, knowing the chassis code is a pretty handy thing to have.

Visit dinanbmw.com or rogueengineering.com or turnermotorsport.com and you'll see that every product they sell uses the chassis code in the description. "3 series cold air intake" can mean anything. But "E36 cold air intake" is far more descriptive and useful. Go buy a set of wheels for a BMW on eBay and you'll see "fits E36 and E46" or "fits E39" all over the place.

It is still not COMPLETE information, as BMW often makes changes to the car throughout a model run and even during the middle of the model year. Thus, the best information to have is chassis code (EXX) and the production date (MM/YY) which is on a sticker in the door jamb.

The entire BMW enthusiast community pretty much use the codes in it's standard lexicon. Vist ANY forum, be it bimmerforums.com or roadfly.org or bimmerfest.com and you'll see that it is divided into different forums based on which BMW you are interested in... there is not just a 3 series forum, there is one for the E30, E36, E46 and E90.

If you're wondering why BMW just doesn't use MODEL YEAR alone to denote which exact car you have, the answer is because of model overlap based on body style. For 2006, a 3 series can be an E90 (sedan) OR an E46 (coupe and vert). Using the chassis code avoids MOST confusion over what kind of car you may have.

This is not only common practice with BMWs, but with Porsches and Audis as well.

In the future, I suggest having at least a passing understanding of something before you go out of your way to insult it.


M

 

[xcsti]

E30

E36

E46

E90

 

[vladimir]

Chassis codes are not very useful and most people who use them do so only because they think it makes them better than people who don't.

utter rubbish!

they are very useful indeed. if you are talking about a specific model (and thats usaally the case), how should you know which car is discussed? they are essential to distinguish the different models...


here is a list with the numbers for the most important models:
http://www.mpmsport.de/d_ecodes.htm


and here is a list with the codes for every model, inclduing prototypes...the total e-overkill.
http://www.blankenese-world.de/kunde/dienst/edition/e-codes.htm

 

[Poverty]

I use E numbers as its easier to tell a person what car your talking about than saying 1999 3 series as there are e36 made in 199 and e46's.

 

[Sting]

utter rubbish!

they are very useful indeed. if you are talking about a specific model (and thats usaally the case), how should you know which car is discussed? they are essential to distinguish the different models...


here is a list with the numbers for the most important models:
http://www.mpmsport.de/d_ecodes.htm


and here is a list with the codes for every model, inclduing prototypes...the total e-overkill.
http://www.blankenese-world.de/kunde/dienst/edition/e-codes.htm

That first link is brilliant, showing the pictures of the models for a certain E code. 👍

 

[xcsti]

So wahts the verdict on your dad's car?

 

[Sting]

So wahts the verdict on your dad's car?

That its an E46.

 

[McLaren]

As someone else mentioned before, Porsche has done it as well.

I've heard a few other manufacturers do it, but I'm not to keen on which ones do it.

 

[xcsti]

That its an E46.

Niiccceee

 

[Jay]

As someone else mentioned before, Porsche has done it as well.

I've heard a few other manufacturers do it, but I'm not to keen on which ones do it.

Yeah heaps of other manufacturers do it, Nissan, Toyota, Subaru, Honda etc

I find it much easier when I say to friends "Hey I saw a great looking E46 M3 today" rather than tell them the rough year or generation. The second I say the E code they know exactly what I'm talking about.

Same goes for when I buy parts at Nissan, I just tell them the code and they know exactly what car I mean right away.

 

[niky]

Of course, ordering overseas is kind of messed up somewhat, with Japan using the N- code and the US still using the B- code on the Sentra, even though a lot of the mechanicals are shared.

 

[Jay]

N is Pulsar/Sunny, which is different to Sentra (B). (not refering to drivetrain)

 

[YSSMAN]

Interesting that Europeans use numbers generally, while in the US we usually use letters or names, espically when talking about GM and DCX vehicles. As for Ford, I dont have a clue what they are classifying their vehicles under these days, as most of their new cars are based off either the Mazda6 or Volvo S80, and then there is the Explorer and F150 spin-offs.

W-Body: Impala, Monte Carlo, Grand Prix, LaCrosse
G-Body: Lucerne
K-body: DTS
U-body: Uplander, Montana SV6, Terraza, Relay
Y-Body: Corvette, XLR
Delta: Cobalt, Ion, Persuit/G4 (Canada/Mexico)
Kappa: Solstice, Sky, GT
Sigma:CTS, CRX, STS
Epsilon: Malibu, G6, 9-3, Aura, Vectra
Theta: VUE, Equinox, Torrent
Omega: Monaro family
Lambada: 2009 crossover platform
Zeta: 2008+ Commodore/Monaro, Camaro, Impala, etc.
GMT360: Trailblazer, SSR, Envoy, 9-7X, Raineer, Ascender
GMT345: H3
GMT355: Colorado, Canyon
GMT900: 2007+ Tahoe, Yukon, Escalade, Suburban, Avalanche, Silverado, Sierra

 

[Jay]

Yeah but problem with most of those those GM ones in most cases arn't very specific, If I say Omega it could be Holden Commodore, Monaro, GTO, Opel Omega, Cadillac Catera, utes, wagons, crossover etc. While if I say N14 that is one generation of Nissan Pulsar, even though other nissan models use the same platform it still pin points only one generation of Pulsar out of them.

 

[Wolfe]

Indeed, almost everyone uses chassis codes of some sort, and engine codes are common, too.

For example, my E30 318i has a M10B18 engine in it (M10 is the engine series; B18 stands for Benzin (Petrol) 1.8 Liter). The BNR34 Skyline GT-R has an RB26DETT (race-bred 2.6 Liter dual-overhead-cam electronically-fuel-injected twin-turbo straight-6).

Typically, Japanese codes are true codes, unlike european ones which are more like names. The translation of the Skyline's engine code is a good example, and so are the chassis codes of Toyotas -- with the ST205 Celica GT-4, "S" stands for the "S-series" engines, "T" stands for Celica, "20" stands for the generation of Celica (preceded by 18 and 16, and followed by 23), and "5" stands for the trim level (in this case, GT-4).

 

[niky]

N is Pulsar/Sunny, which is different to Sentra (B). (not refering to drivetrain)

Actually, they sold the Sunny as Sunny/Sentra in some markets. The N16 was a direct derivative of the B15, and they featured mostly the same parts, engines, etcetera. And they were both called Sentras (At least the N16 was called that in our market) But yeah... they are different. It's often a headache looking for Nissan drive axles because there are about a dozen different SR20DE or SR20DET axle sizes out here in the boondocks.

 

[xcsti]

The BNR34 Skyline GT-R has an RB26DETT (race-bred 2.6 Liter dual-overhead-cam electronically-fuel-injected twin-turbo straight-6).

I don't remember the rb standing for that. I thought the R meant gasoline and the b may entail either the straightness or the six cylinders.

I'll wait for some jdm head to correct this.

 

[Jay]

I don't remember the rb standing for that. I thought the R meant gasoline and the b may entail either the straightness or the six cylinders.

I'll wait for some jdm head to correct this.

R doesnt mean gasoline, no one knows for sure what RB stands for or if it stands for anything, its just a code Nissan gave the engine, It is rumoured that it stands for Race bred but its not confirmed.

 

[niky]

Then SR would be Sports Racing?

GA would me God-Awful? (peace, Sentra brothers!!!! )

 

[YSSMAN]

I have no clue how any automakers decide what their engine codes are.

Its almost as confusing as the platform names, espically at GM. Thankfully the Vortec series names (generally labeled by displacement size in CCs) makes it a bit easier, but the engines themselves still have different names. For example, the GM Vortec 6000 H.O. that can be found in the '06 Cadillac Escalade is officaly called the LQ9, but it's sister engine (with only slightly less power) is called the LQ4.

All of the Vortec 4800, 5300, and 6000 engines are based on the LS-architecture that can be found in Camaros, Corvettes, Monaros, Commodores, MT900s, etc. The main difference between them is the material construction, where most LS-series engines have been aluminum and the Vortecs have been iron.

For example, there is the LS4 which can be found in the new Impala SS/Monte Carlo SS and Grand Prix GXP wich is generally a slightly altered version of the Vortec 5300 LH6 thats found in everyones Tahoe or Silverado, the only difference being an aluminum block and DOD, as well as some rearranged pieces so it could fit transversely in the FWD car.

...I liked it better when you could tell a difference between the engines by talking about cubic inches and then slapping a "silly" name on them like "Cobra Jet" or "Ram Air"... Ahhh, how simple things were back in the '60s...

 

[Wolfe]

Yeah, I know Race-Bred isn't really official, but it works well, so I included it.

Volkswagen codes are particularly bland. They use "Ax" for different generations of golf/jetta, with the "x" being the generation number (the latest Golf and Jetta are the A5 generation), and their engine codes are just two or three seemingly random letters...

 

[240Z]

E30
...
E36
...


E46
...

E90
...

Why does everyone forget the E21?

 

[xcsti]

Why does everyone forget the E21?

Actually I looked around afterwards and saw that I missed it.

I guess the m3 makes e30 and on 3 series seem to stand out.

 

[240Z]

Actually I looked around afterwards and saw that I missed it.

I guess the m3 makes e30 and on 3 series seem to stand out.

Yeah, I suppose so, the E30 was where the 3-series became much more popular. The Alpina versions would probably be the only E21 M3 equivalents.

 

[1X83Z]

I posted this on another forum about eight months ago. I feel it can be helpful here. Unfortunately I'm only good with cars since 1982, so I can't do better than E24, but this is a fairly extensive listing of BMWs since. Enjoy!

USDM only

E24: 1976-1989 6-series (coupe)
- 3.3L 6-cyl (?-1984) = 633CSi
- 3.5L 6-cyl (1985-1989) = 635CSi, L6 (1986 only)
- 3.5L 6-cyl (1987-1988) = M6

E28: 1981-1988 5-series (sedan)
- 2.8L 6-cyl (1981-1988) = 528e
- 3.3L 6-cyl (1983-1984) = 533i
- 3.5L 6-cyl (1985-1988) = 535i, 535is (1987 only)
- 2.4L 6-cylinder turbodiesel (1985-1986) = 524td
- 3.5L 6-cyl (1988) = M5

E30: 1984-1991 3-series (sedan 85-91 / coupe 84-91 / convt. 87-93*)
- 1.8L 4-cyl (1984-1985) = 318i (coupe, sedan)
- 2.8L 6-cyl (1984) = 325e (coupe)
- 2.7L 6-cyl (1985-1988) = 325e, 325 (coupe, sedan)
- 2.5L 6-cyl (1987-1991) = 325i, 325iX (coupe, sedan, convt.)
- 2.3L 4-cyl (1988-1991) = M3 (coupe)

E31: 1991-1997 8-series (coupe)
- 5.0L V12 (1991-1994) = 850i (1991-1992), 850Ci (1993-1994)
- 4.0L V8 (1994-1995) = 840Ci
- 5.6L V12 (1994-1995) = 850CSi
- 5.4L V12 (1995-1997) = 850Ci
- 4.4L V8 (1996-1997) = 840Ci

E32: 1988-1994 7-series (sedan)
- 3.5L 6-cyl (1988-1992) = 735i, 735iL
- 5.0L V12 (1988-1994) = 750iL
- 4.0L V8 (1993-1994) = 740i, 740iL
Short wheelbase / Long wheelbase

E34: 1989-1995 5-series (sedan 89-95 / wagon 92-95)
- 2.5L 6-cyl (1989-1995) = 525i (sedan, wagon)
- 3.5L 6-cyl (1989-1993) = 535i (sedan)
- 3.6L 6-cyl (1991-1993) = M5 (sedan)
- 3.0L V8 (1994-1995) = 530i (sedan, wagon)
- 4.0L V8 (1994-1995) = 540i (sedan)

E36: 1992-1999** 3-series (sedan 92-98 / coupe 92-99 / convt. 94-99 / hatch 95-99)
- 1.8L 4-cyl (1992-1995) = 318i (sedan, convt.), 318is (coupe), 318ti (hatch)
- 2.5L 6-cyl (1992-1995) = 325i (sedan, convt.), 325is (coupe)
- 2.5L 6-cyl (1996-1999) = 323i (sedan, convt.), 323is (coupe)
- 1.9L 4-cyl (1996-1999) = 318i (sedan, convt.), 318is (coupe), 318ti (hatch)
- 2.8L 6-cyl (1996-1999) = 328i (sedan, convt.), 328is (coupe)
- 3.0L 6-cyl (1995) = M3 (coupe)
- 3.2L 6-cyl (1996-1999) = M3 (coupe, sedan, convt.)
M3 coupe / M3 sedan

E37: Z3 and M (convt. 96-02 [M 98-02] / coupe 00-02 [M 99-02])
- 1.9L 4-cyl (1996-1998) = 1.9i (convt.)
- 2.5L 6-cyl (1999-2002) = 2.3i (1999-2000) (convt.)***, 2.5i (2001-2002)
- 2.8L 6-cyl (1999-2000) = 2.8i (convt., coupe)
- 3.2L 6-cyl (1998-2002) = M (convt., coupe)
- 3.0L 6-cyl (2001-2002) = 3.0i (convt., coupe)

E38: 1995-2001 7-series (sedan)
- 4.0L V8 (1995) = 740i, 740iL
- 5.4L V12 (1995-2001) = 750iL
- 4.4L V8 (1996-2001) = 740i, 740iL
Short wheelbase / Long wheelbase

E39: 1997-2003 5-series (sedan 97-03 / wagon 99-03)
- 2.8L 6-cyl (1997-2000) = 528i (sedan, wagon)
- 4.4L V8 (1997-2003) = 540i (sedan, wagon)
- 2.5L 6-cyl (2001-2003) = 525i (sedan, wagon)
- 3.0L 6-cyl (2001-2003) = 530i (sedan)
- 5.0L V8 (2000-2003) = M5 (sedan)

E46: 1999-2005 3-series (sedan 99-04 / coupe 00-04 / convt. 00-04 / wagon 00-04)
- 2.5L 6-cyl (1999-2000) = 323i (sedan, wagon), 323Ci (coupe, convt.)
- 2.5L 6-cyl (2001-2005) = 325i (sedan, wagon), 325xi (sedan, wagon), 325Ci (coupe, convt.)
- 2.8L 6-cyl (1999-2000) = 328i (sedan), 328Ci (coupe)
- 3.0L 6-cyl (2001-2005) = 330i (sedan), 330xi (sedan), 330Ci (coupe, convt.)
- 3.2L 6-cyl (2001-2005) = M3 (coupe, convt.)
M3 convertible / M3 coupe

E52: 2000-2003 Z8 (convt.)
- 4.8L V8 (2000-2003) = Z8 (convt.)
- 5.0L V8 (2003) = Z8 Alpina (convt.)

E53: 2000-_ X5 (SUV)
- 4.4L V8 (2000-_) = 4.4i
- 3.0L 6-cyl (2001-_) = 3.0i
- 4.6L V8 (2002-2003) = 4.6is
- 4.8L V8 (2004-_) = 4.8is

E60: 2004-_ 5-series (sedan 04-_ / wagon 06-_)
- 2.5L 6-cyl (2004-2005) = 525i (sedan)
- 3.0L 6-cyl (2006-_) = 525i (sedan, wagon), 525xi (sedan, wagon)
- 3.0L 6-cyl (2004-_) = 530i (sedan, wagon), 530xi (sedan, wagon)
- 4.4L V8 (2004-_) = 545i (sedan)
- 5.0L V10 (2006-_) = M5 (sedan)

E63: 2004-_ 6-series (coupe 04-_ / convt. 04-_)
- 4.4L V8 (2004-_) = 645Ci (coupe, convt.)

E65: 2002-_ 7-series (sedan)
- 4.4L V8 (2002-2005) = 745i, 745Li
- 6.0L V12 (2002-_) = 760i, 760Li
- 4.8L V8 (2006-_) = 750i, 750Li
Short wheelbase / Long wheelbase

E83: 2004-_ X3 (SUV)
- 2.5L 6-cyl (2004-_) = 2.5i
- 3.0L 6-cyl (2004-_) = 3.0i

E85: 2003-_ Z4 (convt.)
- 2.5L 6-cyl (2003-_) = 2.5i
- 3.0L 6-cyl (2003-_) = 3.0i

E90: 2006-_ 3-series (sedan)
- 3.0L 6-cyl (2006-_) = 325i
- 3.0L 6-cyl (2006-_) = 330i

* - the E30 3-series convertible was sold from 1992 to 1993 alongside the new E36 3-series models.
** - yes, before you ask, the Z3 2.3i actually used a 2.5-liter straight-six. Ask Ford what they think of this.

GENERAL RULES:
Prefixes
M: Motorsport (eg M3)
L: Luxury (eg L6)
X: SUV (eg X5)
Z: Two-seat roadster (eg Z4)
Suffixes
Ci: convertible or coupe (eg 330Ci)
CSi: coupe plus performance model (eg 633CSi)
d: turbodiesel (Europe only, recent only; eg 330d)
e: efficient (used in 1980s; meant an engine tuned for 'e'fficiency; eg 528e)
i: standard model (eg 330i)
iL: long wheelbase (used until 2001, only on 7-series; eg 740iL)
is: performance model ('s' for 'sport' - upgraded from standard model somehow; eg X5 4.6is)
iX: all-wheel drive (88-91; only used on 325iX)
Li: long wheelbase (used since 2001, only on 7-series; eg 750Li)
td: turbodiesel (1980s; eg 524td)
ti: hatchback (used only on 1995-1999 318ti)
xi: all-wheel drive (01-_; eg 530xi)
Unofficial suffixes
Cic: convertible (eg 325Cic)
iA: automatic (usually on 540i [540iA], sometimes on others)
iT: wagon ('T' for 'touring'; eg 525iT)

All pictures taken by me. Still missing a few pictures and the 3-series stuff gets a little hard to follow, but you get the idea. BMW's the most complex one out there, but that just makes it fun.

 

[1X83Z]

also it is marginally outdated, as the new 3-series line has grown some, etc. feel free to add to it at your desire.