5-Series (E12,E28, E34, E39, E60)Chat relating to the BMW 5-Series of all generations. Specific models include: BMW 518, BMW 520, BMW 520i, BMW 530i, BMW 528i, BMW 530i, BMW 518i, BMW 524d, BMW 525i, BMW 525e, BMW 528e, BMW 540i, BMW 535i, BMW 520d, BMW 525td, BMW 525d, BMW 530d, BMW 525i/xi, BMW 530i/xi. (BMW 5-Series Forum)
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I am new to the BMW world, new to the forum, and have been reading through the topics. A lot of reference is made to numbers for cars, or engines. Is there a quick reference I can refer to in order to understand. I have two 2004 BMWs: a 545i, and an X5-4.8. What are the numbers for these? Thanks, ZZ
///Mat
Thanks much for the Excellent info. and I wish to add the following BMW numbering system in a historical perspective. Since it is a lot of info. all members feel free to contribute to this topic; it's worth pinning and once it's completed will serve as a reference for all.
BMW's numbering system is simple- not really- it gets very hairy especially when it comes to E34. Lets see how we mark on this subject; to all members there will be a test.
A. Numbers, odd ones, may indicate size and close to (only to me) ballpark price. So we hear 3-series, 5-series and 7 series and 1-series (Europe) the other two digits may point to the size of engine. For example 325i is 3 series plus a 2.5 engine; 330i plus 3.0 engine. So far so good?
B. The i is a legacy from the past when we used to say my car has fuel injectors; not a carb; that famous i gets a d in lower cases to show Europeans do drive a BMW powered by a diesel engine. (Major factor is gas prices for sure) and it is very common to see a 3 series carrying the d letter.
C. If you notice there are additional letters (to make this exam a bit harder) which may appear after the above numbers Ci ,Xi. The C is Coupe (MB has it as well) the X is simply all wheel drive. Just like yours. Simple? Sure? Wait for D below.
D. This is the multiple choice part of our exam. While the E stuff in Mercedes has been used to point out a whole class of cars vs. others such as S and C class; BMW insisted on doing it their own way. How so? The E34 is the mother of all E confusions in that it points to 530i with 3.0 V8 no less. This particular E34 sits in the middle between the another E34 525i a 2.5 (with 6 bangers) and a third E34 540i (4L with 8 bangers) early years of its development though. In sum-and so far- we have 3 versions of the E34 alone.
E. The E39 showed up in 1997 to show us the 528i.
To be continued covering the (E46,E60, E90 etc) by any forum member or admin.
regards
billb
Lets not forget the 525 in the early 90s was also m20.
Also the e34 came in PLENTY of versions, not just three. Theres a 518(4 cyl) 520(6 cyl) 525(6 cyl (in both e34 models)) 530 (8 cyl) 535(6cyl) 540(8cyl) and m5(both e34 models 6 cyl)
so theres 7 e34s right there, not including the ones that switch from m20 to m50 and from s38b36 to s38b38!!
Originally posted by sp0rky@Jan 26 2005, 04:20 AM Lets not forget the 525 in the early 90s was also m20.
Also the e34 came in PLENTY of versions, not just three. Theres a 518(4 cyl) 520(6 cyl) 525(6 cyl (in both e34 models)) 530 (8 cyl) 535(6cyl) 540(8cyl) and m5(both e34 models 6 cyl)
so theres 7 e34s right there, not including the ones that switch from m20 to m50 and from s38b36 to s38b38!!
sorry if I made things more confusing.
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you only making the exam harder...thus we will make it a multiple choice. More info. about the M is on the way though.
p.s. when posting I'll do my best to cover it in independent sections....E34, E39, E90 etc
Wow, ask a question, and I fear the answer has given way to a need for more info. I still don't know what number my 545i, or my X5 -4.8 is. What am I not reading correctly in the very good chart which has been provided? Thanks, ZZ
Originally posted by zoomzoom@Jan 27 2005, 01:43 AM Wow, ask a question, and I fear the answer has given way to a need for more info.* I still don't know what number my 545i, or my X5 -4.8 is.* What am I not reading correctly in the very good chart which has been provided?* Thanks, ZZ
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An apology or two is in order and you're right I should've answered your questions first as such your 545i is E60 and your X5 is E53. I hope this answers it.
p.s. this topic will continue to be open for further info. and will serve as a good reference to all members soon. Thanks for your understanding....
Regards
billb
Originally posted by sp0rky@Jan 25 2005, 09:20 PM Lets not forget the 525 in the early 90s was also m20.
yeah! thats me....
i think whats confusing u is that each car can idenify itself using numbers that refer to different things.
my bmw is a 1990 525i
5 series with a 2.5 liter engine -(525)following?
E34 -is my car's body or style made in that year.
my engine is an m20 -which is a model engine made then
this type engine is an I6 or strait six (six cylinders in a line)
if i were to put these kind of lables on my chevy impala it would be kinda like this:
my chevy is a 2001 impala
impala with a 3.4 liter engine
2001 style impala -is my car's body or style made in that year.
my engine is a 3400
this type engine is a V6 (3 cylinders on each side forming a "v")
manufacturures all have their own way of coming up with names for things, referencing engine sizes and what not. u just have to stare at it long enough to recognize their code.
-once you do a little hunting and pecking it will all come together for you.
haha - i just noticed i've got a "34" trend going on in my life....
Bill B, again thank you very much. I am pleased to have the numbers for my vehicles. As an aside, are all X5s numbered E53, or are the smaller engine X5s numbered differently? My X5 is very strong, almost breathing fire. I had a 4.6 before, and there is a lot of difference between the 4.8 and the 4.6. ZZ
Sorry to hijack the topic, but I want to make sure I have this right. I own a 1988 535i, 5 speed manual, 4 door sedan. So i have an e28? What I'm really confused about now is why it says 535i m5 on the title to the car.
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