what do the numbers in BMW car models mean?

Answer 1

alls they are are a designation like the ford f-series 150 250and 350, the dodge ram 1500, 2500, 3500. the numbers have no particular meaning other than the fact of separating the cars with something other than names

Answer 2

I am in the auto industry and I get this question quite often. The older 3 digit cars were named by the series and the engine displacement. The first digit 3,5,6,7 or 8 is the series (same body style for any engine). The last two digits are the engine displacement. A 325 stood for 3 series 2.5 liter engine. A 328 is a 3 series with a 2.8 liter engine. A 540 is a 5 series 4.0 liter engine, etc. In the late 90's, BMW changed the way they name the cars (on some of the line). The 540 was a 5 series with a 4.4 liter engine. Same for the 740. The 323 was a 3 series with a 2.5 liter engine. The 325, 328, 330, 525 and 530 still followed the rule. Last year, the 325 sedan and the 525 were given 3.0 liter engines, while the 325 Ci and 325 CiC kept the 2.5 liter engines. The 550 and 750 were given the 4.8 liter engines. The 760 also had the 4.8 liter engine. This year I believe the only model still following the original designation is the 530.

The letters at the end designate fuel injection = i, iS is fuel injected coupe. Ci is a newer model coupe. CiC is a newer model convertible. X is all wheel drive. td is turbo diesel. iL is the old long wheelbase 7 series. Li is the new long wheelbase 7 series. SUV's are X with the series and motor size. X3 3.0, X5 3.0, etc. M is the motor sport car. M1, M3, M5 and M6. M with the series, so an M3 is a 3 series motor sport. In the mid 80's BMW also made an L6 and L7, which were the Luxury editions. Z is the roadster series. Z3 2.5, Z4 3.0 and Z8 are examples.

This covers all the modern BMW models.

Greg

Answer 3

On Mercedes and BMW cars, the numbers generally indicate the size of the engine displacement. For example, a BMW 325i, would be a 3-series BMW with a 2.5 liter engine and fuel injection. BMW especially has been deviating from this a bit in recent years, so it isn't always completely accurate, but still a good indication of the engine size. So, the Mercedes G-55 and G-550 both have 5.5 liter engines. The G-55 is the version made by the Mercedes tuner company AMG. Whenever you see a Mercedes with a two-digit number, chances are pretty good it is a performance-tuned model by AMG.

Answer 4

The person who stated that the numbers were arbitrary should have their speaking privileges on the topic of BMWs revoked indefinitely.

The first number, does, in fact mean the series designation. 3-Series, 5-Series, 6-Series, 7-Series, etc. The second and third numbers CANNOT mean the liter displacement of the vehicle. ALL 3-Series have a 3.0 Liter, In-line six. Check the website.

I think, I am not sure, that it is actually the capacity of the engine in cubic centimeters. A 325i's capacity is just shy of 2500 ccms, a 330i's capacity is almost 3000 ccms exactly. It think the engineers round up and drop the two zeroes.

The "I" does mean "injection" that's certain, the "D" stands for "diesel" and the "XI" for "X-Drive, Injection."

Okay, so what about the Motorsport cars? That is an anomaly, even I don't know the answer to...It must have something to do with just the Series designation, nothing else.

I HAVE SEEN THIS QUESTION TOO, TOO MUCH. IT CANNOT BE LITER FOR ENGINE!!!!

Please, Please, Please, go look on BMW USA's website and you will see that ALL 3-Series have 3.0 Liter Engines!

Answer 5

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Answer 6

The first number (3,5,6,or7) represents the model line. Meaning a 3 series, 5 and so on. The latter two digits stand for the engine displacement so a 330 would be a 3 series model with a 3.0 liter motor. A 750 would be a 7 series model with a 5.0 liter motor.

Answer 7

The first number (3,5,7,..etc.) indicates the series, with the 3 series being the entry level/smallest. The other numbers, such as 23 (323), are engine displacement, and if the is an i that means fuel injection. That is the usual type designations method uses by many manufactures.

Answer 8

the first number indicates the model of car (type of car) the last two numbers indicate the engine size