BMW Designation FAQ

	This article is the one in a series that will be released in conjunction with Wayne's upcoming book, 101 Projects for Your BMW 3-Series. The book will be 256 pages of full color projects detailing everything from performance mods to timing the camshafts. With more than 350+ full-color glossy photos accompanying extensive step-by-step procedures, this book should be a staple in any 3-Series owner's collection. See The Official Book Website for more details. The book is due out in October 2005.
		Quite often, I get asked about BMW designations. What does this “ti” mean? What is the difference between the 525i and a 535i? E thirty what? So I decided to write a small article that would try to explain the differences between the designations and try to clear up some confusion on the subject. That said, here are some questions I have received. 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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