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BMW Digest FAQ Version 4.0 Section 1: BMWs, A Brief Introduction Table of Contents:1.1: Body Styles
1.1.1: Overview
1.1.2: Body/Chassis Codes
1.2: Motors
1.2.1: Overview
1.2.2: Engine Codes
1.3: BMW VINs 1.1: BMW Body Styles 1.1.1: Overview (by Rick Kjeldsen fcmk_at_watson.ibm.com and HermanC2_at_aol.com)) BMW has a long history of making cars, going back well before WWII. Since this FAQ has been built from the contributions to the mailing list, there is little information about the early cars. Modern BMWs started with the 1500, a boxy practical sedan with a 1.5 liter 4 cylinder. The engine was soon enlarged and the body slightly redesigned to make the 2002. This was a small 4 seater with good handling and a powerful motor. It is the car which really started BMW on the path it is today. Today BMW has three main lines of cars, 3, 5 and 7. The 3 series is a compact sedan with generous front seats and usable rear seats that are a bit short on leg/head room. The 5 is a mid-size car which seats 5 in reasonable comfort. The 7 is a large luxury car which has occasionally been named one of the best cars in the world. In between have been the 6 series, a luxury coupe built on the 5 series platform, and the 8 series, the follow-on to the 6 but built on a unique platform. BMW's are named according to their model range, engine size, and other characteristics (i.e. - 325iX). The first digit refers to the model range (3 = 3-series), the following two digits refer to engine displacement (25 = 2.5 liters), and the letters refer to a distinguishing feature, body style, or characteristic of the car or engine. (i = fuel injection, X = four-wheel drive) However, note that before standardizing on the current 3,5,6,7,8-series designations in the mid-1970's, BMW primarily used engine displacement to name their cars. The most notable example is the 2002. BMW has used a multitude of numbers and letters over the years, but they have not always been consistent in their application except in the use of the model range as the first number. Thus, there are many exceptions to the designations discussed where the model name may not equate exactly to the characteristics of the car. In addition, the letter 'A'(automatic) or 'C' (convertible) suffix may be appended to the model name; these, however, do not appear as badges except on some older automatic models. The following list has partial explanations of some of the of the letters used.
A = automatic
sport versions of early models
td = turbodiesel Exceptions to the standard model designations involve models originating from BMW Motorsport, the racing arm of BMW. Models produced by this division have an 'M' prefix followed by the original model range on which the car is based (M3, M5, M6). In addition, BMW occasionally makes cars outside these series entirely. These are usually roadsters or specialtity cars. Examples are the Isetta (a small "city car" with three wheels and a motorcycle engine), the M1 (the original M car, an exotic coupe), the Z1 (euro only) and Z3 roadsters, and the E1 electric car. BMW only imports limited versions of it's cars to the US. In Europe many more variations are possible, including smaller engines (e.g. the 316), Touring models (station wagons, occasionally imported), diesels (occasionally imported) and cars with fewer luxury options. Because of EPA restrictions, Euro engines often have more power. 1.1.2: Body/Chassis Codes (by HermanC2_at_aol.com) Like many car manufacturers, BMW assigns code names to their models/chassis while they are in development (i.e. - E36/2). The 'E' translates into a German word for 'development'. Each 'E-number' refers to a model series (3,5,6,7,8) with variations such as station wagons, hatchbacks, or convertibles. Models created before the E-system have Type numbers. Thus, an E36/2 would represent a 1992 or later 3-series coupe, the 2nd variant of the E36 chassis. See the table for further examples. Number/ Year
Variant (Euro) Model Body Style
- ------- ------ ------------------- ----------
114 1967-74 1502/1602/1802/2002 2d sedan
115 1962-64 1500 4d sedan
116 1600 4d sedan
118 1963-? 1800/1800Ti/1800TiSA 4d sedan
120 1966-? 2000/2000Ti/ 4d sedan
2000TiLUX/2000Tii
121 1965-69 2000C/2000CS 2d coupe
E3 2500 - 3.3Li 4d sedan
E6 1600/1800/ 2d coupe/3d hatch
2000/2000/Tii touring
E9 2.5CS - 3.0CSL 2d coupe
E10 2002ti/2002tii 2d coupe
E12 1973-81 5-series 4d sedan
E12/8 1973-81 5-series-see above 4d sedan - South African
E20 1973-74 2002 turbo 2d coupe
E21 1976-82 3-series 2d coupe
E23 1978-86 7-series 4d sedan
E24 1976-89 6-series 2d coupe
E26 1979-80 M1 2d mid-engine coupe
E28 1982-88 5-series 4d sedan
E30 1983-91 3-series 2d coupe/4d sedan/convertible
E30/5 1987-91 3-series 'Touring' 5d wagon
E30/16 1987-91 3-series iX 2d coupe/4d sedan (4WD)
E31 1990- 8-series 2d coupe
E32 1987-94 7-series 4d sedan
E32/2 1987-94 7-series 4d sedan LWB
E34 1989-94 5-series 4d sedan/5d wagon
E34/2 1989-94 5-series 5d wagon
E36 1992- Current 3-series 4d sedan
E36/2 1992- 3-series see-above 2d coupe/convertible
E36/3 ? 3-series 'Compact' 5d hatch
E36/5 1994- 3-series 'Compact' 3d hatch
E36/6 1994- 3-series 'Touring' 5d wagon
E36/7 1996- Z3 2d roadster - U.S. made
E36/8 1997? Z3 coupe 3d hatchback - U.S. made
E38 1995- New 7-series 4d sedan
E38/2 1995- 7-series 4d sedan LWB
E39 1996- New 5-series 4d sedan
Z/B 1987-91 Z1 roadster 2d convertible
<Show Cars - concept cars that have been displayed at various auto shows> E1/E2 1992/93 electric prototypes 3d hatch Z13 1993 hybrid city car 3d hatch <Rumors/Speculation - not yet (maybe ever) in production; development/testing>
E44 ? Megaron minivan/people carrier
E45 1997? 2-series sedan/hatch/wagon/offroader
(E1 derivative) FWD/Aluminum spaceframe
E46 1997? Next 3-series 4d sedan/2d coupe/convertible
E51 1997? Reborn 6-series 2d coupe/convertible?
(based on E39)
E52 1998? Modern 507 roadster 2d convertible
(low volume, high $)
E53 1998? Sport-Utility !? SUV/minivan/wagon hybrid
1.2: BMW Motors 1.2.1: Overview (by Rick Kjeldsen) BMW's middle name is "motor", and the quality of their engines lives up to it. Long lived, they are just getting broken in around 30k miles, and with care easily last 200k and more. They are overdesigned enough to take major HP modifications in stride. The performance versions, as in the M cars, produce as much or more HP/Liter as any contemporary (normally aspirated) production engine. They run smooth, eagerly pull to redline and can run hard at redline all day without missing a beat. Combine all that with a clean design which makes them a joy to work on. The early cars (2002, early 3 series, etc) were powered by variations on a well designed 4 cylinder block. This same basic engine has been in use for over 25 years, and forms the basis of the very successful E30 M3 race engines. Rumor has it that blocks for 1000+ HP Formula 1 race cars were simply selected off the manufacturing lines. Later BMW added a large (3+ liter) in-line 6 for it's larger cars and a small (~2.5 liter) 6 to improve the performance of it's smaller cars. Each of these has gone through several variations over the years. More recently BMW has built several new engines, including a V12 for it's largest cars, V8s in a couple of sizes and a new aluminium block 2.8 liter in-line 6. The M engines started with a major modification of the big 6 block for the M1. It included several elements tuned for racing, including o-rings instead of gaskets, one throttle per cylinder, etc. Later the same technology was applied to the 4 cylinder block with a 4 valve/cylinder head to produce the E30 M3 engine. (by bthongsa_at_ux4.cso.uiuc.edu) The small-6 SOHC engine is designated the M20 series. This motor started out in 1978 with the E21 320/6 and 323i models. As the names suggest, the 320/6 was a 2-liter with a 4-barrel carb, and the 323i was a 2.3 liter with K-Jetronic injection. The ETA engine, at 2.7 liters, is basically a bored and stroked version of the 2.3 liter with Motronics, a special economy camshaft, lighter valve springs, and a special long and small diameter runner intake manifold. The head was basically the same as the 2.3 otherwise, with smaller valves and ports. The E30 325i motor is another derivation of this series of motors. For this one, BMW shortened the stroke of the ETA engine, and used a cylinder head with bigger ports and valves, along with a more radical cam and stiffer valve springs (over the ETA). A larger throttle body was also included in the package with the 323i style manifold. The M50 engine (92-on 325i, 525i) is pretty much more or less a new design. It is, however, based on the M20 engines. The E30 M3 engine used the same basic block as the '84-'85 318i, and all the other M10 4-cylinders that came before it. ('63 1500 through the 2002 through the 320i through the early 318i) The single cam version had a 23+ year run. The M3 version has siamesed cylinders and a longer stroke crank, along with the 16-valve head. The M40 engines found in the '91-on 318i's are not related to the earlier motors in anyway. Hope this helps, and there may be errors in the above information. Ben 1.2.2: Engine Codes As with the E-chassis designations, BMW uses internal code names to refer to its engines (i.e - M50/B25). The first combination (M50) refers to the engine family while the second combination refers to engine displacement (B25 = 2.5 liters). Engines developed by BMW Motorsport are prefixed with an 'S' (i.e. - S14/B23). An engine family generally consists of a particular engine type with several different displacements. (by Herman:cliofine1_at_aol.com)
Number/ Valvetrain/
Variant Disp. cylinders Body range
- ------- ----- ----------------- ---------------
M10 1.8 SOHC-8v/L4 E21
M12/6 2.0 DOHC-16v/L4 Formula 2
M12/7 2.0 DOHC-16v/L4 F2/320i Group 5
M12/9 2.0 DOHC-16v/L4 Turbo 320i Group 5
M13 1.5 DOHC-16v/L4 Turbo Formula 1
M20/B27 2.7 SOHC-8v/L6 ETA E28/E30/E34
M20/B25 2.5 SOHC-8v/L6 E28(?)/E30/E34
M21 2.4 SOHC-8v/L6 Diesel E28/E30/E34/E36
M30 3.0/3.2/3.3/3.5 SOHC-8v/L6 E23/E24/E28/E32
M40 1.6/1.8 SOHC-8v/L4 E30/E36
M42 1.8 DOHC-16v/L4 E30/E34/E36
?--> 1.9 + Al block/VANOS
M43 1.8 SOHC-8v/L4 E36
M50 2.0/2.5 DOHC-24v/L6 E34/E36
M50TU 2.0/2.5 DOHC-24v/L6 w/VANOS E34/E36
M52 2.0/2.5/2.8 DOHC-24v/L6 w/VANOS E36/E39
(Al block)
M60 (old) 2.0/2.3 SOHC-12v/L6 E12/E21
M60 3.0/4.0 DOHC-48v/V8 E31/E32/E34/E38
M70 5.0/5.4/5.6 SOHC-24v/V12 E31/E32/E38
M80 ??? ???/V6 ???
M88 3.5 DOHC-24v/L6 E26-M1
M88/1 3.5 DOHC-24v/L6 Group 4 (470hp)
M88/2 3.5 DOHC-24v/L6 Group 4 (850hp)
M88/3 3.5 DOHC-24v/L6 E24-early M6
M102 3.2/3.5 SOHC-12v/L6 Turbo E23-745i Turbo
S14 2.3/2.5 DOHC-16v/L4 E30-M3
S38 3.5 DOHC-24v/L6 E28-M5/E24-M6
S50 3.0 DOHC-24v/L6 (VANOS) E36-M3
S50US 3.0 DOHC-24v/L6 (VANOS) E36-M3 U.S. vers.
S70/2 6.1 DOHC-48v/V12 (VANOS) McLaren F1
S80 3.6/3.8 DOHC-24v/L6 E34-M5
Mxx/Byy (xx=engine family; yy=displacement) 1.3: BMW VINs (by Jim Newman neji_at_mbari.org) Decoding Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) I extracted the following from the BMW mosaic server. It MOSTLY works for the 3 series I've looked at. VIN number:
WBA AA13 1 - L A E57862
Mfg. Code ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^
WBA -- BMW-AG, Munich | | | | | | |
WBS -- BMW Motorsport Gmbh, Munich ------+ | | | | | |
| | | | | |
| | | | | |
Vehicle Description Section | | | | | |
Model Code (see below) -----------------+ | | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
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) -----------------------------------+ (by Jim Conforti <jec_at_us.dynix.com>) After the WMI (either WBA or WBS) in your 17 DIGIT VIN comes the VDS .. The first 4 characters of the VDS tell you what type of car you have .. Here's the table I've come up with ... Feel free to fill in the question marks ;) If you have a car that either is not IN the table, or doesn't match, especially a Grey-Market car ... email me with pertinent info!! Enjoy!
Jim Conforti VDS Car Body Engine FI MY range
? 540iA E34 M60/B40 M3.3 1993- |
