Discussion
unlicensed said:
arent the bmw numbers for the different models like a code about the car or something. like for the 3's and the 5's. i always thought they meant something but was never quite sure. anybody wanna break it down for me?
Well the first number of a BMW 3, 5, 6, 7, 8 etc denotes the body style:
3=small
5=medium
7=large
That's in BMW terms anyway, in real terms it's more like:
3=Medium
5=Large
7=Supertanker
the 6 and 8 being reserved for the GT (coupe) models such as the 635CSi, 850Ci etc.
An M in front of any of these numbers on their own denotes a sports model of that variant.
the second two numbers denotes engine size (eg a 320 is a 3-series body with a 2.0L engine, a 540 is a 5-series body with a 4.0L engine, an 850 is a 8-series body with a 5.0L engine etc.)
These days, they are all suffixed with "i" meaning injection (such as 325i, 745i etc). a "C" after the number denotes a two-door bodyshell (coupe) and as such a 330Ci is a 2-door, 3-litre 3-series. The cabriolets and coupes share the same numbers. All 6 and 8-series cars are suffixed by a C as they all are 2-door bodyshapes (you don't get an 840i, it's an 840Ci).
An "s" in the mix usually denotes sports variant, so an 850CSi is a sport-optioned 850Ci. When it comes to the 2-door convertibles it's different with the Z3 and Z4 both being 2 independent models, same for the X3 and X5 which are the offroaders, again they are two different models.
That's a brief rundown and probably not entirely correct but that's about it I think.
The latest naming scheme is that volume models will have odd numbers and specialist models even.
Hence the move from Z3 to Z4 as the it's a low volume model. The new 3 series will be saloon and touring, with the coupe and convertible named as the 4 series (as mentioned before).
This will also extend down the range so that the 1 series will be the volume hatchback (although it's still to be RWD), but the performance derivative will be the M2 - partially because the M1 was BMWs supercar attempt in the 80s(?).
To go up against Audi, there are also plans to have M versions of the next-gen 3 series saloon and estate (M3) as well as the coupe and convertible (M4). There will be another M5 - this time with a 5.0 (or 5.5) litre 500bhp V10 which will also find it's way into the M6 (the coupe/convertible bodyshell based on the 5 series platform). I think, but am not sure, that this engine will probably find it's way into an M5 touring too. A worthy replacement for the 'Ring taxi perhaps?
How long before we see an M7 though?
Finally, to add a bit of controversy to the thread, I like Chris Bangles styling.
Hence the move from Z3 to Z4 as the it's a low volume model. The new 3 series will be saloon and touring, with the coupe and convertible named as the 4 series (as mentioned before).
This will also extend down the range so that the 1 series will be the volume hatchback (although it's still to be RWD), but the performance derivative will be the M2 - partially because the M1 was BMWs supercar attempt in the 80s(?).
To go up against Audi, there are also plans to have M versions of the next-gen 3 series saloon and estate (M3) as well as the coupe and convertible (M4). There will be another M5 - this time with a 5.0 (or 5.5) litre 500bhp V10 which will also find it's way into the M6 (the coupe/convertible bodyshell based on the 5 series platform). I think, but am not sure, that this engine will probably find it's way into an M5 touring too. A worthy replacement for the 'Ring taxi perhaps?
How long before we see an M7 though?
Finally, to add a bit of controversy to the thread, I like Chris Bangles styling.
there are lots of reasons for the numbers 316 and 318 are historically the four cylinder models. 320 or 520 denotes the first 6 cylinder model.
i think its because of the fact that BMW own the rights to certain numbers and not others as to why they use them. also its to put some distance between models even if the engines arent that different (i.e. 323 = 2.5 and 328 = 2.8 not that bigger difference but kept 328 drivers happy)
You are right in saying in the future we will have from 1 series to 7
odd numbers being 4 door and touring even numbers being niche product i.e. convertibles and coupes.
the Ti on compact actually stands for touring international whilst Ci denotes coupe and convertible.
X indeed means 4wd and they make 4wd 3 series and 5 for the continent and america. (x5, x3, 325ix 525ix etc etc)
The new M5 is a 5 litre v10 with 500 bhp and a 7speed paddle change gear shift. they did have itup to 580bhp but was tempramental (spelling?)
as for Z that refers to 2 seater roadsters. We have a Z2 next year or so which wil be a smaller z4 and 4 cylinder so im told. however BMW change their mind like their socks so i may be wrong in a week or so.
and yes i do work for them.
I thank you.
i think its because of the fact that BMW own the rights to certain numbers and not others as to why they use them. also its to put some distance between models even if the engines arent that different (i.e. 323 = 2.5 and 328 = 2.8 not that bigger difference but kept 328 drivers happy)
You are right in saying in the future we will have from 1 series to 7
odd numbers being 4 door and touring even numbers being niche product i.e. convertibles and coupes.
the Ti on compact actually stands for touring international whilst Ci denotes coupe and convertible.
X indeed means 4wd and they make 4wd 3 series and 5 for the continent and america. (x5, x3, 325ix 525ix etc etc)
The new M5 is a 5 litre v10 with 500 bhp and a 7speed paddle change gear shift. they did have itup to 580bhp but was tempramental (spelling?)
as for Z that refers to 2 seater roadsters. We have a Z2 next year or so which wil be a smaller z4 and 4 cylinder so im told. however BMW change their mind like their socks so i may be wrong in a week or so.
and yes i do work for them.
I thank you.
miniman said:
And the numbers are still not totally accurate today. I think that:
318 = 2.0litre
320 = 2.2litre
This is something to do with the fact that, traditionally, the 320 was the first straight six engine.
Just to confuse you:
745i = 4.4 litre
older 325i = 2.5 litre
323i = 2.5 litre
316i = 1.8 litre
318i = 2.0 litre
And to totally confuse:
840i = 4.0 litres (original)
840i = 4.4 litres (updated)
850i = 5.0 litres (original)
850i = 5.6 litres (updated)
etc etc....
Confused? You will be - though credit where credit is due, they are simplifying it and they will bring the engine size designations back into line and in some cases drop them all together.
Cheers,
Paul
lotuslad said:
I'm waiting for the M-powered version of the X5.
Imagine, when they launch the MX-5.......
They have – the X4 4.6. So named for just that reason. There must have been a loud "D'oh" in the meeting!
soon to be replaced by the 4.8is next april!
and believe it or not the M division of BMW, which is run as a seperate entity, refused to be involved with the X5 saying they didnt want the M badge on a four wheel drive as it wasnt their image!
Scoobyzoom said:Hmm - I'd imagine that with the latest set of 4x4's from Porsche and Maserati that sort of attitude is just waiting to be overruled by the person that looks after the groups P&L!
and believe it or not the M division of BMW, which is run as a seperate entity, refused to be involved with the X5 saying they didnt want the M badge on a four wheel drive as it wasnt their image!
Personally I find that
a) The 3.0l that I have fast enough unless you are chasing Porsches down the Italian motorway from the Monte Blanc tunnel
b) That 17mpg is bad enough as it is to finance without pushing it down to the single digit area.
At £80 a tankfull I tend to "feel" the cost of running the X5 a lot more compared to the Noble (which is about £30), especially when you fill it up 3 times in a week
J
joust said:
Personally I find that
a) The 3.0l that I have fast enough unless you are chasing Porsches down the Italian motorway from the Monte Blanc tunnel
b) That 17mpg is bad enough as it is to finance without pushing it down to the single digit area.
J
Totally agree J, however 17mpg is a little crap... you should at least get low 20's driving it "enthusiastically"....
3.0 petrol more than enough the 4.4 is brutal and the 4.6 is fun too. doesnt need it though.
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