BMW question...WTF is an e36, e46, e6, whatever...

[Accipiter22]

I hear people here talking about e36, e46, etc. when referring to BMW's....wtf does that mean? is there an e36 325, e36 540, e36 740, etc....or does the E number refer to just a specific car??? Like I was in my friends 330 ci the other day and I noticed a little circle on the window that said e6 on it...wtf does that mean?

 

[JDrake]

I don't see why people can't say "bmw 330 ci" instead of "330 ci"

 

[luckysnafu]

This site will explain all the model numbers to you - BMW World

 

[imported_LoKe]

E46 is the general model designation for the current generation of 3 series cars. Starting with 1999 production for 323i and 328i (sedans), 2000 production 323 and 328 models (coupe & sedan), 2001 on all 325, 330 and M3 models. E is for "Entwicklung" in German or development (maybe evolution) in English. Pervious 3 series cars were designated as E36, E30, etc.

The 330i, 330ci, 325i, etc are all just models, but used instead of words like "civic" or "fiero".

 

[MaDDinGO]

Refers to the generation/body style of the car.. a e46 is a 3 series bmw from 99-05, e90 is the newest 3 series body 06 and up... e36 is the 3 series body before from 94-99?

 

[DivideBYZero]

Originally posted by: LoKe
E46 is the general model designation for the current generation of 3 series cars. Starting with 1999 production for 323i and 328i (sedans), 2000 production 323 and 328 models (coupe & sedan), 2001 on all 325, 330 and M3 models. E is for "Entwicklung" in German or development (maybe evolution) in English. Pervious 3 series cars were designated as E36, E30, etc.

The 330i, 330ci, 325i, etc are all just models, but used instead of words like "civic" or "fiero".

^ANSWER

 

[MikeMike]

Originally posted by: LoKe
E46 is the general model designation for the current generation of 3 series cars. Starting with 1999 production for 323i and 328i (sedans), 2000 production 323 and 328 models (coupe & sedan), 2001 on all 325, 330 and M3 models. E is for "Entwicklung" in German or development (maybe evolution) in English. Pervious 3 series cars were designated as E36, E30, etc.

The 330i, 330ci, 325i, etc are all just models, but used instead of words like "civic" or "fiero".

now lets expand a lil.

in my research iS is a 2 door sport, iC is a convert. iX is awd.

e30 was 198X-1994 3 series (i think the first date is right)
e36 is 1994-1998 3 series
e46 is current model
e90 will be the next gen 3 series which is an 07 MY.

as for the number 328 designates a 3 series with a 2.8l engine.
330 3 series 3.0l engine
325 3 series with 2.5l engine
318 3 series with 1.8l engine (i-4)

 

[imported_LoKe]

Originally posted by: MIKEMIKE

Originally posted by: LoKe
E46 is the general model designation for the current generation of 3 series cars. Starting with 1999 production for 323i and 328i (sedans), 2000 production 323 and 328 models (coupe & sedan), 2001 on all 325, 330 and M3 models. E is for "Entwicklung" in German or development (maybe evolution) in English. Pervious 3 series cars were designated as E36, E30, etc.

The 330i, 330ci, 325i, etc are all just models, but used instead of words like "civic" or "fiero".

now lets expand a lil.

in my research iS is a 2 door sport, iC is a convert. iX is awd.

e30 was 198X-1994 3 series (i think the first date is right)
e36 is 1994-1998 3 series
e46 is current model
e90 will be the next gen 3 series which is an 07 MY.

as for the number 328 designates a 3 series with a 2.8l engine.
330 3 series 3.0l engine
325 3 series with 2.5l engine
318 3 series with 1.8l engine (i-4)

Looks right to me, but I can't be bothered to think too hard right now.

 

[DivideBYZero]

Engine sizes do not always folow the moniker all the time.

There have been 320's with 2.2's, 318's with 2.0's and other 323's with 2.5's, etc.

Fun eh?

 

[Accipiter22]

thanks guys, nice link too....


so why did my friends Ci have a E6 in a very small circle on the window?

 

[MikeMike]

Originally posted by: DivideBYZero
Engine sizes do not always folow the moniker all the time.

There have been 320's with 2.2's, 318's with 2.0's and other 323's with 2.5's, etc.

Fun eh?

yea, i shoulda a put "in most cases" clause.

 

[GTaudiophile]

Internal designation numbers.

 

[DivideBYZero]

Originally posted by: Accipiter22
thanks guys, nice link too....


so why did my friends Ci have a E6 in a very small circle on the window?

Dunno. Nothing to do with the model number. A dealer sticker maybe?

 

[Demon-Xanth]

The same reason there are "C6" Corvettes. They just define generations.

As far as the "E6", depending what you mean it might be a marking for the window's safety rating (ie: windshields are laminated so they don't shatter, side windows shatter w/o leaving sharp points)

 

[halik]

it's the chassis code - it tells you what generation car the person has.

Say audi shorthand 'B5 A4QTM' designates 96-01 A4 quattro 1.8t manual

 

[spidey07]

Originally posted by: GTaudiophile
Internal designation numbers.

bingo!

They aren't called "330" or "accord" at the factory. Those numbers are just the internal designation of a particular model and are a much better way of describing the vehicle.

 

[imported_LoKe]

Originally posted by: DivideBYZero
Engine sizes do not always folow the moniker all the time.

There have been 320's with 2.2's, 318's with 2.0's and other 323's with 2.5's, etc.

Fun eh?

Quite a few occurences.

1981-1983 315 - 1.6 L
1980-1983 316 - 1.8 L
1980-1983 320i - 1.8 L
1984-1991 325e - 2.7 L
1984-1990 333i - 3.2 L
1986-1991 325es - 2.7 L
1995-2000 318iS/ti - 1.9 L
1991-1995 320 - 2.5 L
1993-1997 323 - 2.4 L
1996-1999 318 - 1.9 L
1998 323 - 2.5 L

Those are just US/Europe models, too.

 

[MaxFusion16]

it's just the chassis code and it's not exclusive to bimmers, every car has a chassis code designated by the manufacturer.

combined with the engine code, it's just a more precise way of describing a vehicle.

 

[MikeMike]

Originally posted by: MaxFusion16
it's just the chassis code and it's not exclusive to bimmers, every car has a chassis code designated by the manufacturer.

combined with the engine code, it's just a more precise way of describing a vehicle.

Subaru B9

 

[wasssup]

Originally posted by: halik
it's the chassis code - it tells you what generation car the person has.

Say audi shorthand 'B5 A4QTM' designates 96-01 A4 quattro 1.8t manual

Exactly. Wanna-be's here starting using it after Initial D (they referred to almost every car using its chasis code).

In that respect, my civic is an "EJ8"...

 

[JDrake]

no one answered me

 

[MikeMike]

Originally posted by: wasssup

Originally posted by: halik
it's the chassis code - it tells you what generation car the person has.

Say audi shorthand 'B5 A4QTM' designates 96-01 A4 quattro 1.8t manual

Exactly. Wanna-be's here starting using it after Initial D (they referred to almost every car using its chasis code).

In that respect, my civic is an "EJ8"...

however in BMW's worldm there are both E36 328's and E46 328's so you have an issue.

 

[Demon-Xanth]

Muscle car equivilent:
Gen 1 F-body ('68-70.5 Camaro+Firebird)

 

[Papagayo]

They do the same thing for VW Models..

They have:

MKI
MKII
MKIII
MKIV
MKV

 

[otispunkmeyer]

body numbers i think
when ever the body design/style changes....its number E39 or what ever changes


google FTW