Different Models?

[stracer]

Okay, this is only my second bmw. I was wondering what is the difference between the model numbers and letters. I noticed 328 is 2.8l and 325 is 2.5l, but my 323is is a 2.5l. Any links are useful.

[SpooldUp]

Hey, I used to live in R-town and go to DeVry Columbus!
323 has the 2.5l, only made for a few years (late E36 body). I have heard that BMW did this because of the cost difference of the 328 and 325/3 of those years. The 328 was like 6K$ more with just a few more hp and nothing else major. So call it a 323 (bigger number difference than 325 so maybe it makes the 328 look better?)
This is just what I have heard from a local fellow so I'm not 100% on it.
Enjoy the car - I do!

[4evrwyntr]

Read around the forum, and you might learn a thing or two...
LOTS of numbers mean lots of things.
Also, I am kind of new to cars, so I might leave some data out.
In general (there were a few models that were out of wack)...

///m: Motorsports edition. Monster sport. King of the hill.

1-series: unavailable in US poo
3-series: sporty.
5-series: Luxo-sport.
6-series: GT (Well, that's what it's more like now)
7-series: Luxo
8-series: Discontinued.
z-series: roadsters
x-series: SUV/SAV.

the next two numbers designate engine size, in liters. Examples.
18: 1.8L, 3-series.
20: 2.0L, 3-series
23: 3, Z
25: 3, 5, Z, X.
28: 3, 5
30: 3, 5, Z, X?
35: 5, 7, X?
40: 5, 6, 7, X
45: 5, 6, 7, X(or is that 44?)
50: 7.

Next is a string of letters.
i = injection.
d = diesel
t = either turbo or hatchback
C = either coupe or Convertible, depending on location and case-sensitive in some cases.
s = sport, I guess? I'm not sure?


So... An ///m5 is a 5-series M model.
a 318ti is a 3-series with a 1.8L engine, hatchback with fuel-injection.
a 120d is a 1-series diesel.
etc. 325ic is a convertible. 330ci is a coupe.

Ingenius, or something. Except for the exceptions. Buit oh well.

[stracer]

I graduated from devry in 03, I remember seeing some dude with e36 there that was hooked up a bit. Then I had a 2000 323ci before I traded it in. Well if s stands for sport, they told me on my ci had the sport package.

[Storamin]

s stood for sport on the e30s. on the e36, s stood for coupe. on the e46, there is no s badging. the e46 use Ci for coupe & convertible.

[Live_the_Curves]

Correction the 318 has a 1.9 L engine, its just a 319i doesn't sound that well.

[4evrwyntr]

Yah, I knew I missing bits. Thanks for the corrections! Maybe we should make a sticky about model numbers/designations somewhere. More organized than me.

[24valve]

Here's my go at it. As far as I know this is complete, I'm sure I forgot some diesel powertrains though, since I'm an American and they aren't sold here.

Suffixes:

t = hatchback
T = wagon/Touring (not put on actual car)
c = coupe or convertible - this depends on where it is placed. On E36 models a convertible is a 325ic, with "s" denoting a coupe. On E46 models a convertible is a 325cic, although only "325ci" appears on the car itself.
s = sport on E30s or certain older 5-series models, coupe on E36, not used presently
A = automatic. used on dealer invoices and not on actual car.
d = diesel powertrain
td = turbodiesel powertrain
i = fuel injected powertrain
CSi = sports coupe. not currently used
x = all-wheel drive
M = Motorsport division; prefix rather than suffix. Motorsport versions of vehicles don't carry engine notation but rather just the series number, such as M3 or M5.

Series:

1-series: sporty, small hatchback, 4 doors, not available in US.
Powertrains: 1.6i, 1.8i, 1.8d, 2.0i, 2.0d (inline fours)

3-series: BMW's mainstay - 2 or 4 door, available in sedan (i), coupe (ci or is), hatchback (ti, E36 only in US), wagon (iT) and convertible (cic). Some E30 and E46 models have all-wheel drive (xi or ix)
Powertrains: 1.8i (also 1.9), 2.0i, 2.0d, M2.3i, M2.5i Evo (inline fours), 2.3i (also 2.5), 2.5i, 2.5d, 2.8i, 3.0i, 3.0d, M3.0i, M3.2i (inline sixes)

5-series: BMW's mid-size executive sedan. 4 door sedan (i), available as wagon (iT) and newer models can have all-wheel drive (ix).
Powertrains: 1.8i, 2.0i, (inline fours) 2.3d, 2.3td, 2.5i (also 2.3), 2.8i, 3.0i,
3.0d, 3.3i, 3.5i, M3.5i (inline sixes), 4.0i, 4.5i, M5.0i (V-8s), M5.0i (V-10)

6-series: BMW's luxury sports coupe. 2-door coupe (ci) or convertible (cic).
Powertrains: 2.8, 3.0i, 3.3i, 3.5i, M3.5i (inline six), 4.5i (V-8), M5.0i (V-10)

7-series: BMW's large luxury sedan. 4-door sedan in regular (i) or extended wheelbase (iL, Li).
Powertrains: 2.8i, 3.0i, 3.3i, 3.5i (inline sixes), 4.0i, 4.5i, 5.0i (V-8s), 5.0i,
6.0i (V-12s)

8-series: BMW's large luxury sports coupe, based on the 7-series. No longer in production. 2-door coupe (i, later ci) or high-performance (CSi)
Powertrains: 4.0i (V-8), 5.0i, M5.0i (actually 5.6) (V-12s)

*The M version of the 8-series was called the 850CSi, as an M8 version was being developed but was never released.

X3: BMW's smaller sports utility vehicle. 4-door.
Powertrains: 2.5i, 3.0i

X5: BMW's larger sports utility vehicle. 4-door.
Powertrains: 3.0i (inline six), 4.4i, 4.6i (called 4.6is), 4.8i (called 4.8is) (V-8s)

Z3: BMW's E36 era sports roadster. 2-door coupe or convertible.
Powertrains: 1.8i (1.9, inline four), 2.3i, 2.5i, 2.8i, 3.0i, M3.2i (inline sixes)

Z4: BMW's current sports roadster. 2-door convertible, coupe coming soon.
Powertrains: 2.5i, 3.0i (inline sixes). Possibly M3.2i soon.

Thus, for the numbered series, the model number is the series number followed by the engine size and any suffixes. Some suffixes are used on invoices and ads and don't appear on the car - for example, an automatic 325 convertible would be a 325cicA, but the car bears a 325ci nameplate.

I didn't include any far older models (for example, 1600, 2002, Bavaria, etc) as they do not conform to this system at all.

[4evrwyntr]

Don't forget to mention the 507!!!

[bmwcrazy]

Some one told me that BMW is coming out with a 4-series next year. Has anybody heard this or is it B.S.?

[24valve]

There were rumors swirling that BMW was to name 3-series coupes the 4-series in order to sensibly fit with their numbering system. As of right now this does not look like it will be the case and the 3-series coupes will be released under their traditional name.

[drz]

^^ Yep. That is correct. There will be no M4 either.

There already was a 2.3L e30 323 at one point. Therefore, when the e36 OBDII cars came out, BMW decided to reuse that badging. This way the OBDII 2.5L (323) cars were distinguised from the 2.5L OBDIs (325). The 325 badging would have been deceitful, as that way the same car (in terms of badging) would have become less powerful in 1996. That way you know that if you have a 325 you have 189hp -- you don't have to figure it out by production date, etc.