Need help understanding something.

[rare-air23]

Hello, I am new and I did a search and came up with nothing. So, I thought I should post and ask everyone here. I am still saving my hard earned money for a BMW, but what I want to know is what does the lettering stand for. Like a 325i, xi, ci, ci coupe, the convertible I understand. I have not been to a dealer yet, I want to wait till I have all the cash, it's just buggin me that I don't know what they mean. Thanks for anyone who can clear it up for me.

[Celsdogg]

hey,

i think one of the great things about european cars, bimmers especially, is the codes. lets take my E30 325i for example. if you see E something such as E30, that is the body code. the current body style for the 3 series is E46. the 3 in 325i is the series. such as 3series, 5series, eetc. the 25 in 325 is the displacement, in my car the displacement is 2.5 liters. the "i" means injected, "c" means coupe, "x" is all wheel drive (thus the X5, all (or 4) wheel drive SAV based on the 5 series), "L" means lightweight and also longwheel base, "s" means sport, "d" means diesel, but you will only see those in europe. If it is an M series then it is a special car, coming from the Motorsport division from BMW. these are designated M1, M3 and so on.

another word on the displacement. sometimes BMW jumped around with these last two figures in the model number. the previous 7 series had the 740i and the 750iL. the 740i had a 4.4 liter V8 and i believe the 750 had a 5.4 liter V12. also 318's came with 1.8 and 1.9 liter engines, both of which went under the 318 badge.

here are some examples:
325i - 3 series, 2.5 liter, injected
M3CSL - 3 series from BMW motorsport, Coupe Sport Lightweight
750iL - 7 series, 5.4 liter, injected, long wheelbase
328iS - 3 series, 2.8 liter, injected, with sport package
635Csi - 6 series, 3.5 liter, coupe, sport, injected

if there is anything i missed please let me know!

[JAE102686]

I was wondering that same thing. Thanks that really helps alot.:smoker: :smoker: :smoker: :smoka: :smoka: :smoka:

[rare-air23]

Thanks that helped tons, was lost for a sec.

[sociopath722]

FYI the 750il is a 5.0 liter v12 i believe.

[csieminski]

The first generation 750iL was a 5.0L (from 1988). It then was enlarged to 5.4L in 1995 or 1996 (not sure which) with the new E38 7 Series. The 5.0 liters made 296 hp, and with the 5.4, the V12 made 322 hp, then 326.

[Celsdogg]

i was pretty sure the e38 had a 5.4L. . .